From a first test victory, the Lions conspired to lose but was rugby the real loser?
Meanwhile, New Zealand served up a fine win against the Australian team looking for fluency...
Lions vs South Africa II
A week is a long time in coaching.
Erasmus lit the blow torch in an unprecedented 60-minute analysis of the referee’s performance, with video clip support. Just what the game doesn’t need. Sure, all the clips chosen could be seen as correct, but what was Erasmus trying to achieve? We already have a growing number of supporters who are fed up with TMO involvements. It’s hard now to celebrate a try because you anticipate the TMO’s input. Instinctive joy is a thing of the past.
Was it a reaction to Gatland’s rant about the appointment of South African Marius Jonker’s, as TMO?
Was it aimed at firing up his own players, who faded badly in the first test?
World rugby will act on it because the product needs to be the focus. If it escalates, we’ll have young kids and parents complaining about the local referees, maybe using video analysis. Then we’ll run out of referees.
Meanwhile Gatland must have expected a playing storm because he selected Harris, a proven defender at 13, and restored Murray to the nine shirt, a proven box kicker. Defensive mind sets seldom work, especially if you are behind on the scoreboard!!
The first half of the second test was a more intense version of the first with little continuity and penetration. Consequently, there was no fluency.
De Klerk became the fuse wire the South African forwards needed. They shook off the lack of match fitness and got stuck in, often after the whistle. Stoppages, penalties, and yellow cards followed. Those of us who contemplated going on tour, tapped our wallets and sighed, phew that was close.
Itoje, Vunipola and Laws showed technical competency and the Lions went into the sheds 9-6 ahead.
What followed is hard to comprehend.
Coaches can usually smell complacency.
What happened in the Lions changing room?
Where did the players go?
The Boks took over on the field, dominated territory, executed perfectly, a kick from Pollard and Mapimpi scores. (44 min’s)
Like a Lion chasing prey the Boks closed in on set piece domination. Once achieved they dined on the proceeds. The result inevitable, 27-9
The Lions forwards had the look of the England forwards early in the World cup final, battered and bloodied. The Boks replacements added value. The Lions replacements raised questions. They needed tries, they got Owen Farrell, he kicks, he doesn’t run! Price was restored and looked sharp.
Where does Gatland go now, who does he turn to? He is a brave coach when it comes to selection.
Williams at Full back? Smith at 10? Simmonds/Faletau at 8? Laws and Wyn- Jones both looked shot at the end. 3 games in 3 weeks is a tough ask for a captain who had a major injury. Is Hamish Watson the spark the Lions need?
One thing is for certain the Boks will be ready to dine out on the set piece. They finished strong in the second test. Worryingly they looked healthy.
McBride and Townsend, forwards, and backs coaches, respectively will have their work cut out. The backs have looked predictable and laboured, kicking not creating. When it comes to playing style, you wonder who has the final say?
Tries will be needed, replacements will be needed, what will they bring to the table?
A resurgent Springboks squad will be hard to hold out.
My team
15 Williams
14 Adams
13 Daly
12 Aki
11 Watson/Rees-Zammit
10 Biggar/Smith
9 Price/Davies
8 Foletau/Simmons
7 Curry/Watson
6 Laws/ Beirne
5 Wyn -Jones/Henderson.
4 Itoje
3 Furlong
2 Owens/George
1 Vunipola/Sutherland
With some options.
Boks to win….24-12
Coaching thought
“Keeping the doubt out is a real coaching challenge”
Lions vs South Africa III & Bledisloe Cup Review
The SA v Lions series could aptly be named a trilogy of tedium. The first Bledisloe shows promise after an uneventful first half.
Let me make this comment before I consider both games.
“Russell and Mo’unga own the skills of their position! They are unpredictable, courageous, and entertaining. They put bums on seats and ignite periods of play. Many players just play their position; explore it and it may surprise you.”
Unfortunately, this Lions series has left more concern than joy, both on and off the field.
Leaving aside Erasmus rant! This product was universally seen as boring and at times some players looked bored; they had time on their hands as the TMO pontificated back and forth with officials over incidents.
My view, TMO should stand for Take me off. Let’s get back to the 3 officials officiating.
Celebrating a try is now a thing of the past as the TMO immediately scour’s the field for something, anything. Captains turn immediately to the referee.
A frenzied start succumbed to one pass platforms. With big men running into bigger men, then we go to ground and pile in. The referee feels as though there must be a penalty somewhere. He awards a penalty!
Back across the ditch in NZ an uneventful first half at Eden Park came to life when Paisami caught a long throw and put Kellaway over. Surely not a win after 35 years? With 2 minutes remaining in the half Whitelock opts for a kick to touch. All Blacks dominate the catch and drive, Reece scores. Hmm 16-8 at the break.
Back to Cape Town and the blood flows more freely than the champagne! More kicks to touch and Owens scores from an efficient catch and drive. The momentum is with the Lions, but the half time whistle brings it to an end.
The second half offered little better. The Boks gave away penalties at the ruck that your U 12’s wouldn’t.
The scrum became a farce. A few years ago, we laughed at the rugby league feed. Now scrum halves in Union roll the ball into the second row and never stand square. The TMO is obviously not interested in scrums?
Only Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos have been higher than some of the box kicks!
The TMO and officials consulted on one return to earth and agreed, play on. Kolbe beats two, reminiscent of Jason Robinson at his best and the Boks smell a win.
The same smell emerged from the All-Black dressing room, the skill pill was swallowed and Mo’unga, Havili and McKenzie all scored. At 33-8 the All Blacks decided that was enough. The replacements flowed.
Australia had competed throughout and scored 3 tries in the last 12 minutes. Captain Hooper said, “we need that consistency for longer periods.” True, but preferably before the All Blacks score 33 points!
Rugby Union is quoted as a game for all shapes and sizes. Steyn’s arrival on the field added age. For all of us who are over 37, join me in polishing your boots, we are on next!
The final scrum in Cape Town, within penalty range, saw the scrum collapse, yet again, and the British Isles held its breath…. penalty to…. South Africa, game over. Let the ramifications begin.
Australia have a week to put things right.
Will the booze boys be selected? Surely Koroibete would have scored when Kellaway kicked? Naisarami would add ball carrying, maybe off the bench.
Australia is still searching for a playing fluency and shouldn’t read too much into the last 12 minutes. Selection will be intriguing.
The Blacks have two teams, the bench so strong.
Did you notice when they sensed a weakness around the breakdown, they ripped through it. Big mobile forwards in close quarter support; the tries followed.
See you back at Eden Park next Saturday.
Mike.
Coaching thought.
“Believe what you see on the training field then select him or her.”
