Seven potential Lions selection changes ahead of the third Test
After a convincing 27 – 9 loss in Cape Town on Saturday night, British & Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland has been forced into a selection corner ahead of a ‘Cup Final’ third Test decider.
It may be 1 – 1 in the series, but it feels like the Lions are on the ropes.
The brute fact of the matter is that many of Gatland’s stars failed to fire in what was a turgid, scrappy, and at times nearly unwatchable arm wrestle with the Springboks. Having failed to beat the South Africans at their own game, master selector Gatland must surely roll the dice again, both strategically and with his personnel, if the tourists are to fly home victorious.
LIAM WILLIAMS
With Gatland going head-to-head with the Springboks for aerial dominance in first two Tests, Hogg’s selection ahead of Williams always seemed a little off-key, in a ‘horses for courses’ sort of way. No one doubts Stuart Hogg’s capacity to beat defenders, but Williams’ ability to field highball is near peerless in the northern hemisphere. The Scottish fullback’s mediocre shift yesterday has almost certainly guaranteed Williams’ involvement.
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ALI PRICE
After a strong outing in the first Test, many presumed a recall for Murray in the second was purely a tactical decision based on the Munsterman’s box kicking prowess. Yet Murray – who in truth has been struggled for his form of old for several seasons now – failed to justify the switch up.
JOSH ADAMS
Selection-wise, Adams has surely been the most unlucky Lion to date. Having been the form wing in the warm-ups with eight tries to his name, yet he’s yet to play a minute of Test rugby. Duhan Van Der Merwe’s fantastic series to date was given a rude awakening in Cape Town. If Gatland wants the Lions to actually play some rugby, the arch finisher should get a shot.
WYN JONES
The loosehead would have started the first Test if were not for injury, and while Mako Vunipola and Rory Sutherland have been able lieutenants, Jones could – injury notwithstanding – make his Lions bow. The scrum has been a challenge for the tourists to date and no one has truly covered themselves in glory.
TADHG BEIRNE
Courtney Lawes was man of the match in the first Test and tackled everything with a heartbeat in the second, yet you fancy Beirne’s ability over the ball and his superior carrying could potentially sway Gatland. Beirne was many people’s pick at blindside prior to the first Test – his pre-Test form demanded it. Yet Lawes’ experience won the day and the Northampton Saints forward repaid Gatland’s loyalty, in the first Test at least. Is it time name to roll the dice on the Munsterman’s relative Test match inexperience and insanely good form?
BUNDEE AKI
One of the tour’s sleeper hits, Aki could well get the nod in a department that has never quite found the chemistry it so badly needed. So far, none of the Lions’ midfield combos have been able to mix it with the outstanding Lukhanyo Am and Damien De Allende. With the Daly experiment having failed in the first Test, the question is now whether Henshaw or Harris make room. Gatland could well look to rekindle the chemistry of Connacht’s old midfield and partner Aki with Henshaw, which would be a cruel blow for Harris who has put a foot wrong.
HAMISH WATSON
Watson and Curry had been neck and neck going into the Test series but two mixed bag performances by the Sale Sharks openside haven’t exactly convinced. It’s not unthinkable that Watson, who was unfortunate to miss out on the second Test 23, might get an opportunity to showcase his swashbuckling style on the biggest stage.
Comments on RugbyPass
“ planning for the next cycle….” Sigh ill-advised language Elton old juice bean. Ppersonally glad you self-eliminated yourself, there were better players in the position around you.
3 Go to commentsRegardless of best in world etc. Lawes was outstanding against Leinster and has been all season. Looked like three try saving turnovers. His turnovers also contributed to NH scores. Immense performance.
2 Go to commentsDickson now considered the top ref in England it appears. Good that these series are getting one NH and one SH ref.
1 Go to commentsI don’t think any coach or selector would ever rely on Blackadder being available for selection. I didn’t think it would be possible but he has easily eclipsed Ennor as they most injured player of all time. IMO a symptom of today’s game where players are required to carry at least 10kg of extra mass from when they first hit the scene in their early 20s. Some players respond well to this, maybe due to genetics allowing them to recover faster, or not having reached their peak natural weight yet, but for others the constant training to maintain their weight eats away at recovery time and they spend most of their careers injured.
4 Go to commentsThanks for the lesson Nick! I presume that targeting gaps is situational because if a ball carrier straightens the line they can't be allowed a gap to run into? It feels like you need depth if you're going to pass it wide and plenty of variety - straight running, kicks just in behind, cross kicks etc. BTW what an incredible bench Toulouse had this week. People complain about Leinster being stacked but they need to be at the very highest level.
15 Go to comments2015 was by far the best team. They have had many good backlines over the years but the 2015 team was one of the few to have an absolute world class forward pack - all of them international quality. 6 ABs, 1 future English player, and one that would have gone on to ABs had he not been forced to retire due to concussion. This current team doesn’t have the same size and experience at lock, but providing they can keep this many talented young players (who have all significantly increased their profile this year) together for another 2 years they could eclipse the 2015 team.
2 Go to commentsAnd I’ve just seen RA has topped up the offer to Paisami and extended it beyond 3 years and he’s signed. Great news
70 Go to commentsInteresting watching Amaua starting to fire. No idea why he was pulled so early against the Reds.
4 Go to commentsNice to read something positive about Vunivalu; it doesn’t happen often. I despair for rugby in Oz. Unless some form of compensation for the teams producing players is devised, there is no obvious way for us to combat poachers coming to grab players in their prime with bigger pay cheques. A return to the SR crowds we were getting in 2010-2014 and a quadrupling of the TV deal would be a start but I don’t see how those things happen. Perhaps the government could be encouraged to deliver tax breaks like in Ireland?
70 Go to commentsI wasn’t aware that the blitz targeted space so, as usual, something learned from reading one of your articles, Nick. Watching the game live I attributed the Saints’ inaccuracy to their own mistakes and nerves. Perhaps some credit to the Leinster D.
15 Go to commentsGotta give it to you Graham, you support your players and team to the hilt. There may be strains of exaggeration laced throughout but gotta love the passionate parochialism.
2 Go to commentsNice one Nick. No doubt Vunivalu’s involvements and work rate are improving this year in attack, but I still think he is too raw on the defensive and backfield part of his game to be considered as a starter. Wales would just kick and run it to his side all night as the brumbies have done to good effect in the past. But, his size/power will keep him in the convo with Mark N leaving and Petaia’s injury record. Hunter definitely enjoying an injury-free run this season and being given the keys by Kiss - I have always been a fan of his. All I’d say is that his triple threat has been evident since 2020/21. I remember him making a grubber for a petaia try after the siren to beat the Brumbies in Canberra after the 80th minute in 2021. Lastly, Jock Campbell, who I know isn’t at the top of your list, I thought had alot of positive involvements in the saders game including both of Tim ryan’s tries and Mcreights
70 Go to commentsAg please, Pieter Stef Du Toit has played circles around this clown.
2 Go to commentsJust celebrating the Bok’s 1648th consecutive day as RWC champions. They are also the Qatar Airways Cup winners, which I know BennieBoy cares about a lot.
2 Go to commentsGood to here positive stories towards Aus Rugby. Although that might be the case, and highers up are right about Jordie, I wouldn’t stress trying to retain him. What I have seen of him in recent times is that he’s not using that something special. I feel there a better ‘something special’ options coming through that they won’t have to compete with league for, hell even in Kerevi and Paisami (isn’t it great to finally see his ability getting recognized, probably taking this article in isolation too much here).
70 Go to commentsgreat article! I wonder whether we will we see Ireland adopt the Nienaber blitz? All the teams who have tried it so far (SA included) have gone through significant teething problems in the first season; Ireland could possibly be in the unique position of being able to switch to a hard blitz in season 2 of a world cup cycle and already have so many players used to the system that it can be implemented seamlessly.
15 Go to commentsThey probably left another 20 on the field to be fair. Also - the officiating was… ordinary.
1 Go to commentsblackadder isnt a key player at all you cant say hes been the best player or a key all black when hes injured every week
4 Go to commentsThat loss to the Blues still stings! The Reds have fallen short in 4 of the 6 games decided by 7 points or fewer. Are they not fit enough to close out the close games or are there tactical issues when games go down to the wire? The pleasing thing is no Australian side can better the Reds record of 3 wins from 5 against Kiwi sides but the Brumbies can match it. Les Kiss has instilled a belief in the Reds that they can match it with all the New Zealand sides.
70 Go to commentsA potential 5th star for Leinster and redemption adter losing 2 tight finals against La Rochelle against Toulouse and the chance for Jacques Nienaber to have some success without Rassie Erasmus running the show.
15 Go to comments