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
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments