Lions devoured by Springboks

Lions devoured by Springboks


After last weekend’s defeat in the First Test, Trevor Watson looks at what the Lions coaching staff have to do to keep the series alive. And all of us interested

Trevor Watson

IN the wake of last Saturday’s first (and all important) Test defeat, the Lions coaching staff must take a good hard look at themselves.
Granted injury has robbed them of star, front line staff such as Ferris and Flannery, and, yes, the refereeing was questionable (at best) last week (for most of the game anyway), but in hindsight, there appears to be more questions than answers.
What went wrong with the scrum? Everybody challenged Vickery’s ability but surely some of the blame has to be handed out to Lee Mears also in this regard? Matthew Rees made a difference when introduced.
Why was Vickery left on so long? Ditto with Stephen Jones – who McGeechan clearly had pencilled in for the number ten jersey long before an adidas tracksuit was even handed out.
Surely with the Lions dominating the possession stakes midway through the second half, the game was tailor-made for O’Gara’s tactical-kicking genius?
O’Gara hasn’t put a foot wrong on tour yet and deserves his text start next Saturday. It’s unlikely though.
A case must be made for the starting of either O’Callaghan or Shaw in the second row alongside the captain. And, likewise, the back row needs some extra muscle which is now down to Joe Worsely in the absence of the aforementioned Ferris.
Croft took his two tries well but offered very little in terms of raw power at the breakdown or in the mauls, both of which were an embarrassment to the Lions coaching staff on the day.
But it’s not all doom and gloom, there were some bright moments. Both substitute front rowers made a significant impact. The centre partnership of Roberts and O’Driscoll continues to flourish with the latter involved in both tries and also creating Bowe’s and Monye’s efforts which were disallowed.
Rob Kearney brought a spark to the back three which was unfortunately lacking in the opening period.
The problem for the next Test is this. There are more changes required than it would be advisable to make. Too many new faces would upset things too much yet it would not be surprising to see any of the following omitted from the starting line-up next Saturday: Mears, Vickery, Alun Wynn Jones, Croft, Stephen Jones, Lee Byrne, Ugo Monye.
One thing is certain, changes are needed. Of course the next two tests are also played at altitude which must be factored in too.
There is a lot of pressure on McGeechan’s coaching team now. The one they affectionately call ‘Geechs’ has brought great glory to Lions teams in the past but if he pulls this one out of the fire it will surely be his finest moment ever…
Round about 4pm next Saturday we’ll have a much clearer picture.