Now or Never: Saving the British & Irish Lions’ Credibility
Pulsating, thrilling, gripping, devastating, heart wrenching, savage, brutal, compelling, glorious and emotional. Those are but a few of the words which can be applied to a British and Irish Lions Series. And boy did the first test live up to those descriptions. An opening series test win was long overdue.
First Test:
After taking a 1-0 lead and with the Wallabies possessing so many walking wounded, the Lions surely cannot let the chance of a 3-0 win go.
With more discipline and composure, the Lions should have routed the Wallabies. They were too naive in key periods.
For example, on 73 minutes, they had a scrum on the Australian 5m line. All they had to do was win their scrum and let Jamie Heaslip control the ball at the back. A powerful second drive would have inched them forward. A penalty or a penalty try could have followed. Game over. If it collapsed then time had been eaten up and possession retained.
Instead, the ball was turned over and Australia cleared. A bullet was dodged.
With 10 minutes left, the Aussie had a flanker and wing at centre with a scrum half on the wing. They even missed 14 points kicking for goal. It was a marvellous display of cussed bravery and commitment from the hosts. If anything, the Wallabies looked more dangerous with ball in hand than the Lions; even with their backline dropping like monsoon season rain.
George North was sensational as were Israel Folau and Will Genia. The world was treated to a superb encounter and one which the Lions will be relieved to win. If Kurtley Beale – recently out of rehab – had not slipped, it would have ended 24-23 to the hosts.
In the second test, the Lions must be ruthless. Yes, the referee was poor and somewhat deluded at the breakdown. Alas, this is nothing new. Northern and Southern Hemisphere breakdown interpretations vary. Man up and handle it. He might be wrong but his word is law. You will not change his mind.
The solution is simple. Smash over and beyond the ball removing any possibility of being penalised for diving in. Counter ruck Australian ball to slow Will Genia down. Make it a dog fight.
First Test Fallout:
Robbie Deans faces a tough week to pick a fit backline from the wreckage this test has left him with. Quade Cooper may well be summoned with at least four struggling with injuries.
A backline of Cooper at 10, O’Connor 12 with Folau on the wing and Beale at 15, would be mouth-watering.
However, Deans has drafted in Jesse Mogg (FB), Ben Tapuai (C) and veteran flanker George Smith.
Wallaby Captain, James Horwill, has been cited for an incident involving Alun Wyn Jones.
The British & Irish Lions Concept:
The Lions are iconic and have left paw prints throughout rugby’s collective history. No other sporting team crosses such sporting rivalries in such rarefied atmosphere as a test match.
From Jeremy Guscott’s late drop goal in 1997 to the guttural roars and accompanying mayhem of the ‘99’ call. To those of you unfamiliar with the ‘99’ call, it was a literal call to arms. Swivel left and right to find your nearest opponent and then slam him with a haymaker or seven. In simple terms, a ‘99’ led to a 999.
The first test win was wonderful but all is not well with the British and Irish Lions. Purely in sporting terms, the Lions are sick. This is not just a case of a thorn in their paw but of a more serious internal wounding.
Since WW2, the Lions have won 4/17 series. Their last triumph was the 2-1 win over the then world champion Springboks in 1997. A solitary two test match victories have followed in the nine played since. The low point was the “blackwash” inflicted in 2005.
There is no shame in being routed by the All Blacks. Many have suffered at their hands. The shame is in being utterly bulldozed without firing more than a shot or two. It undermined the Lions integrity.
If we remove all the commercialism and public relations spin, the Lions must win this series. Again, they must win.
We have seen the Wallabies are not mugs or rugby vagrants who can be easily sent packing. They are a reasonable side but have suffered from injuries before and during the first test. There will not be a better opportunity to halt the sequence of series defeats.
Some of their players are world class. Will Genia, James O’Connor, Israel Folau and Digby Ioane trip off the tongue. Kurtley Beale has his moments but has just spent a short stint in rehab. There is no David Pocock. Nor is there any Quade Cooper as yet.
Environment:
The atmosphere in Australia is far less intimidating than in New Zealand or South Africa. There is no altitude to handle and some of the provincial games have been casual romps. Aussie packs are not known for feasting on visitors while a bloodthirsty crowd screams for more. This is not the South African Highveld or a frost bitten Eden Park.
The pressure is huge because it is easily the most winnable of the three series. Australia pose less of an obstacle than South Africa or New Zealand.
Historically, the Aussies have been splattered beneath a rampaging Lions side. Intriguingly the Aussies have won one series, which happened to be their last attempt back in 2001.
The Lions need a series win to maintain their credibility as a competitive force. The tag of gallant losers who go down bravely, has to be eradicated. Professional sport demands results. Now they are 1-0 up, nothing less than victory will suffice.
Sure, Lions tours are romantic throwbacks but must be backed up with periodic victories. The class of 1997 are rugby royalty. True legends. Now it is time for this generation to join them.
Point of Interest:
Robert Sneddon led the first Lions tour in 1888. He skippered 22 men who averaged 5”9, 12st4lb and played 35 matches on tour. Travelling was a genuine excuse for fatigue because it took them 42 days to reach Australia. All 22 played were amateur.
Sam Warbuton leads the current party of 45 men (37 + 8 replacements so far) who average 6”2 and 16st3lb. The class of 2013 play 10 matches and earn £45,000 basic tour allowance. Bonuses will push this up to £67,000. The total cost of the tour is estimated at £14m.
Miscellaneous:
The England and Wales Cricket Team sent a jokey and entertaining good luck message to the Lions squad. I highly recommend it – http://bbc.in/14mLpPH
Lions Team to play Melbourne Rebels (Tuesday):
Lions team: Rob Kearney; Sean Maitland, Manu Tuilagi, Brad Barritt, Simon Zebo; Owen Farrell, Conor Murray; Ryan Grant, Richard Hibbard, Dan Cole, Richie Gray, Geoff Parling (capt), Dan Lydiate, Sean O’Brien, Toby Faletau.
Replacements: Rory Best, Mako Vunipola, Matt Stevens, Ian Evans, Justin Tipuric, Ben Youngs, Billy Twelvetrees, Stuart Hogg
Lessons from History – World Rugby’s Best & Worst Ever Nations
Philosophy has described history as being “past politics” and a simple chronicling of all previous human interaction. Today’s events are tomorrow’s history.
If this theory was devolved into a sporting context, then current results will be reflected on in the years to come, as defining or characteristic of the present day.
Like it or not, international rugby teams are the current keepers – or defenders – of their nation’s rugby history.
Momentous victories such as England’s over the All Blacks last season, are to be cherished, but cannot eradicate the Kiwi’s traditional monopoly. One sunny day does not herald a heatwave.
So, how do the current generations of international teams compare to their illustrious – or ponderous – history? Who has replaced a samurai attacking game with a butter-knife?
If you’re Scottish, it’s about to get a wee bit gloomy. Irish fans will need a Guinness or two, to wash down the news that they are officially the ‘worst’ of the major nations.
Compiled below, is the entire rugby history of the so-called ‘Big 10’ of the Six Nation and Rugby Championship powers.
The Results:
*A win percentage of 70% or above, is considered exceptional, 60% or above is outstanding, 50% is average, 40% is somewhat remedial, 30% is catastrophic.
1. New Zealand
Played = 513 W386 L107 D20 = W75.2%
For= 13,364 Against= 6,502 Average= 26-13
Fact – Graham Henry stood down with a prodigious record. Henry stormed to 88 wins in 103 tests, at an average of 85.4%. The All Blacks have won a record 11 Tri Nations/Rugby Championships.
2. South Africa
Played = 419 W262 L136 D21 = W63%
For= 9,435 Against= 6,463 Average= 23-15
Fact – The Springboks have played less matches than the established powers because of their apartheid era exile. Along with New Zealand and Australia, they have won two Rugby World Cup titles (1995 and 2007). They have won 3 of the 17 Tri Nations/Rugby Championships they have contested.
3. Argentina
Played= 332 W186 L129 D7 = W58%
For= 9,978 Against= 6,369 Average = 31-20
Fact- Argentina only joined the Rugby Championship last season. A large proportion of their matches have been played against fellow South America outfits, hence their impressive attacking record. This includes a 152-0 defeat of Paraguay. In rugby terms, it was the equivalent of clubbing seals. The Argentine rugby emblem is a jaguar, but a South African journalist wrongly identified it as a puma. The nickname has stuck ever since.
4. France
Played= 696 W388 L276 D32 = W58%
For= 12,836 Against= 10,114 Average = 18-15
Fact – Yes, they are known for being consistently erratic, veering from beauty to the beast in the space of a week. However, Les Bleus have had enough gumption to secure three World Cup Finals (1987, 1999, 2011) and 17 Six Nations titles (9 Grand Slams).
5. England
Played= 673 W359 L264 D50 W53%
For= 11,096 Against= 8,479 Average = 17-13
Fact – The only Northern Hemisphere outfit to have won a World Cup (2003) and reached two finals (1991 and 2007), but glorious periods have been accompanied by baffling droughts. Lowlights include a 76-0 thrashing at the hands of the Wallabies in 1998. They share the title of best defence with New Zealand (13 points per game)
6. Australia
Played= 531 W281 L234 D16 W53%
For= 11,153 Against= 8,702 Average = 21-16
Fact- The first team to win two World Cups (1991 and 1999), but possess a soft underbelly of inadequate scrummaging. Three words normally terrify men – “ I Love You” – but for Aussie men it is two – “Andrew Sheridan.”
7. Wales
Played= 656 W337 L291 D28 W51%
For= 10,961 Against= 9,722 Average = 17-15
Fact – Enjoying their best period since the glory years of the 1970s, winning four Six Nation titles in eight years (3 Grand Slams). Appeared in several World Cup Semi-Finals, providing two of last four British & Irish Lions’ coaches. Current All Blacks coach, Steve Hansen, oversaw a record 11 straight defeats before beating Romania in 2003.
8. Italy
Played = 376 W165 L201 D10 W44%
For= 6,814 Against= 8,048 Average = 18-21
Fact –The Azzurri have beaten every Six Nations team except England. Defending champions Scotland, were stunned in a 34-20 defeat when Italy made their Six Nations debut in 2000.
9. Scotland
Played = 633 W265 L335 D33 W42%
For=8,541 Against=9,289 Average = 13-15
Fact – Reached the Semi-Finals of the 1991 World Cup before finishing fourth. The Scots defeated England 1-0 in the first ever rugby international match in 1871 and won the last ever Five Nations Championship. Finished with the Five/Six Nations Wooden Spoon 32 times.
10. Ireland
Played= 628 W263 L335 D30 W42%
For= 8,675 Against= 8,915 Average= 13-14
Fact – Ireland have the dubious honour of winning the most – 36 – Wooden Spoons. Their record defeat came last year, as they were drubbed 60-0 by New Zealand. They have reached five World Cup Quarter Finals and notched 11 Five/Six Nations titles. Provided the last two British & Irish Lions Captains.
Conclusion:
History is a useful indicator of trends but is by no means the only determining factor of the present day. Ireland are vastly better now than ever before, while Australia are sixth but have won two World Cups.
One crumb of comfort is the fact New Zealand are performing well above their ‘usual’ win rate of 75%. Steve Hansen’s men are bulldozing their way across the globe winning 86% of their matches.