Murray replies to captain guaranteed Lions Test shirt speculation
Conor Murray has refuted the suggestion that becoming Lions captain in place of the injured Alun Wyn Jones must mean he is set to start the Test games versus the Springboks next month. The Irish scrum-half was appointed skipper on Saturday evening in Edinburgh after it emerged that Jones was ruled out of the tour with a dislocated shoulder.
However, he has played down the claim that he must now be guaranteed to continue wearing the No9 Test series jersey that was his for the entire three-match series versus the All Blacks in 2017 after making two appearances in 2013 against the Wallabies as back up to Mike Phillips and Ben Youngs.
The conversation surrounding Murray in his native Ireland in recent times is enough of a warning for him not to take anything for granted. There was a clamour heading into the 2020 Six Nations for John Cooney to be the starting No9 and Murray has since seen that jersey worn by Jamison Gibson-Park before he bounced back to finish the 2021 Six Nations with a debate-ending flourish.
That speculation over the past year about his form, though, left Murray uneasy about his chances of making the Lions squad before it was announced on May 6 and despite now arriving in South Africa as the tour captain following the injury to Jones, he is mindful that the captaincy doesn’t shield him from the competition at No9 from Scotland’s Ali Price and Wales’ Gareth Davies.
“It doesn’t mean for a minute (that I make the Test team), that is completely separate,” insisted Murray amid the build-up to Thursday’s team announcement for Saturday’s first game on South African soil versus the Emirates Lions, a match where Price or Davies will likely start as Murray wore the No9 versus Japan at Murrayfield last Saturday.
There was a quick catch-up on Sunday morning in Edinburgh before they went their separate ways…#LionsRugbyhttps://t.co/uSrflBCyNQ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 29, 2021
“We have seen it before on Lions tours where captains haven’t started and that is why I feel really strongly that I have got to remain myself and keep doing what I am doing because that is the aim, to be in contention for the team day squad and play in the Test matches. That is what makes this whole tour so special. Having been on tours before, playing the Tests is what it is all about and that is what everyone is trying to do. Not for a second do I think that is a given now. If anything, you have to really make sure you are on top of your game and you’re are playing as good as you can possible play.”
Asked about the rapport he has struck with Price and Davies, Murray continued: “It has been brilliant so far. I have played against Ali a good few times and I know Gareth from the last tour, he came out, and there is a huge respect between the three of us.
“We have been really open with each other in terms of calls we use with our clubs and countries, we have been open enough to share them. That is really important, and staying behind doing a few extras with each other. We are all gunning to play in the big games but we are all trying to make each other better and pushing each other along and that is going to be good for the squad.
“You can see that in the others groups, out-halves, centres, everyone has bought into this and everyone understands that we need to help each other as much as we can. We don’t want to be holding things back that can help the squad moving forward. It has been great so far. I’m sure once we get closer to the big games it will heat up but that is definitely what you want. You don’t want it to laidback around each other. We are all here trying to get a jersey.”
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— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 30, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
There’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to comments