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Five things we learned from the British and Irish Lions' tour of South Africa
The British and Irish Lions will return home nursing the disappointment of a 2-1 series defeat by South Africa, sealed with a 19-16 loss at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
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Here the PA news agency examines five things we learned from the series.
Regrets, regrets, regrets
Everywhere the Lions and Warren Gatland look they will see regrets. Regret that they failed to capitalise after going 1-0 up in the series, regret that a strong first half in the second Test turned into a collapse and regret that they were unable to make the most of the chances created in the decider. Selection and tactics will also gnaw away over the coming weeks. As Finn Russell directed operations in the final Test, inspiring the Lions to comfortably their best rugby of the whole event, it became clear that there was a better option than trading blows with South Africa.
The jigsaw falls into place
Unfortunately for the Lions, they alighted upon their strongest backline at the climax to the tour. Russell was not available for the first two Tests because of a torn Achilles, but when he replaced the injured Dan Biggar in the 11th minute the Lions were transformed as an attacking force. Outside him Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw strengthened the Lions’ midfield in all respects and if there was a fourth instalment of the series then surely Liam Williams, Josh Adams and Duhan van der Merwe would have remained in place.
Gatland still the man
For all the sense of an opportunity missed, Gatland has earned the right to lead the next tour to Australia in 2025, if he still has the appetite. The Lions faced unprecedented challenges, cooped up in a bubble environment for eight weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic and hampered by a shorter tour with fewer warm-up games. Yet despite the adversity, Gatland succeeded in uniting four rival nations and went desperately close to preserving his unbeaten record as Lions head coach. In the professional era, no one understands the tourists like the Kiwi.
Morne the Lions slayer
Who writes Morne Steyn’s scripts? When the 37-year-old was named on the bench for the final Test, the wheels were set in motion for another dramatic intervention from the man whose penalty secured the Springboks the 2009 series. But the stars still needed to align for Steyn, who was playing his first Test for five years, to reprise his role as the Lions’ tormentor in chief. When the moment came with a minute left, he coolly stepped up to complete the circle on 12 years ago. It may be his last act for South Africa, but what an imprint he has left on their history.
Flashbacks be like #CastleLionsSeries #RSAvBIL pic.twitter.com/NYaSnH9PnZ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 4, 2021
The mighty Boks
There have been better world champions than Rassie Erasmus’ South Africa, but none have matched their determination. Remarkably, given the stage of the season, the Lions entered the final Test with a clean bill of health – but the Springboks had no such luck. World Cup finalists Duane Vermeulen and RG Snyman were ruled out for the entire series and the influential Pieter-Steph du Toit and Faf de Klerk went down for the final Test, in which Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth were in varying degrees of discomfort after taking blows. Somehow they clung on, aided by the Lions’ profligacy, to grind out a victory founded on resilience.
He may only have enjoyed a cameo on this tour, but the @Harlequins 10 definitely caught Gatland's eye. #LionsRugby #LionsSA2021 https://t.co/BH3TkFps4r
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 8, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
You doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
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