Forget the criticism, pride should be overwhelming feeling for Lions - Andy Goode
The media is full of criticism of Warren Gatland and question marks over the Lions’ future but this completely unique tour shouldn’t inform decision making for 2025 and beyond.
Of course, there will be regrets but sport at that elite level is decided by the finest of margins and the overwhelming feeling in the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat should be one of pride that this group of players and staff managed to get through the tour.
A couple of months away from your families and stuck in a tight bubble, albeit with a golf course to walk around in the later stages of the tour, is a real sacrifice even if a lot of fans will suggest that is over the top.
Josh Adams watching the birth of his baby on Zoom is a prime example of what players have missed but there will have been lots of others and for anyone thinking it’s been easy, just think back to what it was like for us all not having the freedom to go to the pub or shop or even just for a trip out of the house (or hotel in their case) anywhere.
Liam Williams will have regrets about not putting Adams in for a simple try in the corner and for missing the tackle on Cheslin Kolbe for his try, even if the best player in the world has done that to countless other players, but he shouldn’t be singled out.
Maro Itoje didn’t have to sack the maul when he did as well, Courtney Lawes could’ve rolled away for the penalty he gave away and the front row could have been more solid in the scrum at the very end. That’s sport and mistakes happen.
There were missed opportunities and there isn’t a doubt in my mind the Lions should have taken the three points on offer several times but that’s the way I played the game.
It’s a hell of a risk to keep turning shots at goal down against a team as good defensively as South Africa, though, and I do think that was an error from the Lions leadership group.
They did the same thing in the first Test and part of it will have been a directive from the management but there has to be a feeling among the players and sometimes that is to go for the corner, just not every single time.
They did end up going for posts eventually but they had spurned around five kickable chances before that and handed the Springboks the psychological advantage by not getting over the line apart from Ken Owens’ try midway through the first half.
Alun Wyn Jones and co are taking flak for that from a lot of people but it’s a shared responsibility and Neil Jenkins is the man with the tee so the coaches should be able to get it onto the pitch quickly if they want that as well.
It’s pointless talking about what would have happened if Finn Russell had started all three Tests because he had an achilles injury but it was great to see him come on early and look so fluent.
I thought the Lions actually played the better rugby and it was the best they looked in attack across all three Tests but the ball in play time was actually much lower than the opening two Tests at just 26 minutes 22 seconds.
There are lots of reasons for that but it’s over 10 minutes less than the average Six Nations game so things could have been different if the Lions had been able to stretch the Springboks more and give Russell a tiring defence to attack.
One thing that shouldn’t be a regret is a lack of preparation time though. Gatland has mentioned that in recent days but the head coach in 2025 will be extremely lucky to have the majority of his players together for a period of eight weeks.
More competitive warm-up games would’ve been a benefit but that couldn’t be helped and I think we’re more likely to see a smaller squad taken and just three warm-up games in Australia.
And, then there has been the sideshow with Gatland and Rassie Erasmus, the refereeing discussions, the TMO, the videos. It may have left a sour taste for some but it was a good job we had something to talk about off the field at times when the quality of rugby wasn’t always the best.
I think the regrets and errors are heightened because of the circumstances around the tour and the players and staff will be feeling that massively. A victory would have made all the sacrifice worthwhile, whereas a defeat will leave individuals questioning a lot of things.
Hopefully that feeling will ease for them in the weeks and months to come but from the outside, we should all respect the monumental shift they put in for the Lions cause rather than questioning whether the concept still has a place in the game.
Comments on RugbyPass
Beautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to comments