It was clear that the Southern Kings wanted little more than to kick seven shades out of the Lions yesterday, and in doing so they did Springboks a service by ruling out two young players who may well have been in contention for the first Test match. James Hook and Euan Murray (neither of whom was expected to start against South Africa, but who had good prospects for bench spots) will sit out the first Test, although both are expected to recover.
The flurry of late tackles, high tackles, swinging arms and shoulder charges betrayed the Kings’ insecurity, but they achieved their goal of unnerving a Lions side that was already fracturing under the weight of the players’ desire to impress the coaches one last time. Struggling on a pitch that looked like Astroturf, the Lions failed to get any momentum, and very few players will feel that they did enough to pose Ian McGeechan and his team any serious dilemmas for tomorrow’s selection announcement.
The Scot insisted that he would only pick his Test side after the Kings match, although realistically only one or two positions were still up for grabs. Most of the Lions who got the afternoon off yesterday could relax in the knowledge that they will be starting against South Africa on Saturday, but McGeechan did everything he could to encourage those playing yesterday to give him selection nightmares. Apart from the props, who once again dominated a weak opposition front row, most of the Lions were too shaken up by the Kings to show what they can really do.
Adam Jones and Ronan O’Gara will perhaps think themselves fortunate to have been offered more air-time, and both took the opportunity fairly well. Jones combined with Sheridan to tear the Kings’ scrum to shreds, and with Murray now out of the picture the Welshman has only Vickery to contend with for tight-head – most expect the English veteran to start with Lee Mears and Gethin Jenkins, however. O’Gara’s reliable place-kicking gave the Lions breathing space, and with Hook also out of action he will expect at least a bench spot for Saturday’s game.
Another position still available at the start of play yesterday was that of left wing – with Tommy Bowe raising the bar higher than a tackle from Jaco van der Westhuyzen, all the other main contenders pale in comparison. Ugo Monye looks set to start, having once again “done what was asked of him” (Gareth Abbott, 12/6/09) – his tackling was strong yesterday, at one point hurling a prop from the field like a discarded tissue, and he was on-hand to finish an important try from O’Gara’s cross-field kick, but I still have lingering doubts. He often flies up alone in defence (it looks great when you quickly stifle an attack, but if you get it wrong you leave everyone else exposed, as he did at one point yesterday), he has given away lots of penalties from squeeze-balling when tackled, and let’s not discuss his kicking in case I get really depressed. He is undeniably a fantastic finisher when given time and space, but how often do teams like the Springboks allow you such luxuries in Test match rugby?
I don’t currently have a better option, mind. Those who waited to pass judgement over Luke Fitzgerald were wiser than I, as he looked a little undercooked yesterday. Some dodgy kicking and weakness in both attacking and defensive contact mean he should probably not play in a Test match just yet – he has the talent to be a great international winger, and if he learns from Bowe over the next few years he could be just as good as ol’ Tammy. Lady Luck seems to have turned her back on Shane Williams, and I can’t help feeling that had he not dropped the ball over the line in that first match of the tour he might be in quite a different position now. I wouldn’t be at all worried if he played against South Africa, despite my disappointment at his tour performances – his experience and skill still counts for a great deal, and Test selection (unlikely as it may be) might be the confidence boost that he needs to get back to his best. Some have recalled McGeechan’s penchant for wild-card selections, and have raised the possibility of seeing Rob Kearney on the wing – the Irishman is equally comfortable there, and may win a seat on the bench at least for his ability to cover the back three.
The other conundrum for McGeechan and his men lies in the back row. Heaslip has secured the Number 8 shirt after limp competition from Andy Powell, but the question of what to do on the flanks remains unanswered. With David Wallace and Martyn Williams both natural opensides, Tom Croft might win the blindside despite some less-than-thoroughly-convincing performances. Based on their respective showings thus far, I would leave Croft on the bench and start with the two opensides, who also offer more of a physical threat than the wiry Croft. But hey, what do us backs know about the pack?
With the Test squad due to be announced tomorrow, I humbly offer a tentative prediction. Let’s see if Geech proves me wrong.
1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Lee Mears
3. Phil Vickery
4. Alun Wyn Jones
5. Paul O’Connell
6. Martyn Williams
7. David Wallace
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Mike Phillips
10. Stephen Jones
11. Ugo Monye
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Brian O’Driscoll
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Lee Byrne
16. Adam Jones
17. Matthew Rees
18. Tom Croft
19. Simon Shaw
20. Ronan O’Gara
21. Harry Ellis
22. Rob Kearney / Riki Flutey
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