'Rassie and Jacques, you got seduced by your own importance'
The much-anticipated first test between the British & Irish Lions and the Springboks end in a 22-17 win to the visitors, but not without controversy as the game had a number of big calls that altered the course of the match.
A Willie Le Roux try was ruled out by a marginal offside call by TMO Marius Jonker, taking a possible 7 points away from the Springboks. Jonker was also criticised for his decision on a lifting tackle by Hamish Watson that only resulted in a penalty.
While the referees were criticised by South African journalists, Brendan Nel wrote that the ‘Springboks didn’t lose because of Jonker’s calls’ but he did question whether Lions coach Warren Gatland had influenced him.
Writing for SuperSport, Nel wrote: “some of the questionable calls in the game begged the question whether Warren Gatland’s pressure over the change of television match official had gotten to local referee Marius Jonker?”
“To be clear, the Boks didn’t lose the game because of Jonker’s calls, and will have a week of soul searching where they will need to look at why their bomb squad had little impact, why they couldn’t field almost a single ball in the air in the second half and why they fell apart as the Lions got stronger in last 40 minutes,” he wrote.
South African journalist Mark Keohane, who boldly predicted a 3-0 series win to the Springboks before the series, went on a Twitter rampage as the Lions stormed home to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
In a more reserved piece on Keo.co.za, Keohane wrote that the ‘2019 World Cup win is yesterday’s news’ after an ‘implosion’ against the Lions in the first test and put the coaches under the spotlight for their team selections.
“Rassie and Jacques, you got seduced by your own importance. You picked the wrong guy to play the wrong game, and why I say that is that the greatest attacking weapon in world rugby, Cheslin Kolbe, never got an attacking ball.”
“You guys cocked it upped.”
Keohane also theorised that if the Springboks can’t win the series, there would be no point playing the All Blacks later in the year asking the coaches to get it right or go on leave.
“Get it right or take a sabbatical because if you lose this series, don’t bother getting on a plane to play the All Blacks,” he wrote.
Craig Ray of the Daily Maverick wrote that the Springboks had the advantage in the first half as they built a 12-3 lead, but they wilted as the game wore on and their defensive work sapped their energy.
“The Boks could barely escape their own territory and the amount of tackling they had to do sapped their energy,” he wrote.
“It was their second Test in 21 months and the lack of game time showed as they gradually wilted.
“Mauls, rucks, scrums and lineouts virtually all went against the Boks; it was a downward spiral.”
On the coaches call to substitute the entire front row at halftime, Ray wrote that it ‘backfired’ as the Springboks’ game went off the boil.
“It was a ploy that backfired as the more established trio battled to impose themselves on the Lions. That was a combination of the Lions’ improvements and all areas of the Boks’ game going off the boil.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
9 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
9 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
9 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
9 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments