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Te'o gives Gatland a Farrell-Sexton conundrum but Faletau could fill the Vunipola void
Warren Gatland has had a chance to look at all 41 members of his British and Irish Lions squad with three matches of the tour of New Zealand completed.
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An unconvincing 13-7 win over the Provincial Barbarians to start the trip was followed by a damaging 22-16 defeat to the Blues in midweek, which provided more questions than answers as Gatland seeks his best XV for the first Test against the All Blacks on June 24.
But the Kiwi was left encouraged by Saturday’s battling 12-3 win over the Crusaders, who many had tipped to topple the Lions after winning all 14 of their Super Rugby encounters this season.
A staunch defensive effort and the boot of Owen Farrell proved pivotal as the Lions ground out victory in Christchurch, with their set-piece play particularly impressive.
But ahead of the opening Test in Auckland in two weeks, whose chances of a starting berth are improving and who is falling out of contention?
A BIG thank you to all the Lions fans at the AMI Stadium today – thanks for your support ???#AllForOne #LionsNZ2017 pic.twitter.com/xDhubGI3Zc
— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 10, 2017
KNOCKING ON THE DOOR
Ben Te’o
The Worcester Warriors man, on his first Lions tour, has impressed to the extent that he is giving Gatland a serious headache at centre. In his two matches to date he has beaten 10 defenders and made 124 metres. A fine break in the second half against the Crusaders on Saturday was spoiled by a poor pass to Liam Williams on the wing, but Te’o’s otherwise excellent showing was further evidence of his international pedigree. Should he continue to sparkle, Gatland could be forced to jettison one of either Farrell or Jonathan Sexton from the midfield.
Taulupe Faletau
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Billy Vunipola’s withdrawal from the squad due to a shoulder injury was billed as a serious blow to the Lions chances before they had even got on the plane. But the performances of Faletau at number eight suggest the Vunipola void may not be so difficult to fill. The Wales back-row has been excellent in defence, making 24 tackles in his two appearances on the tour, while his 22 carries for 99 metres gained – including three clean breaks and two offloads – mean Vunipola’s raging-bull style of offensive work has been barely missed.
Kyle Sinckler
A somewhat surprise inclusion in the party, the Harlequins prop has become a good bet for a starting place in the front row at Eden Park in a fortnight. Having only made his international debut for England against South Africa in November, Sinckler’s rise has been remarkable and it could be capped on the grandest stage against the toughest opposition. He started against the Provincial Barbarians before coming off the bench to replace compatriot Dan Cole versus the Blues and his performances will surely have caught the attention of his coach.
DROPPING DOWN THE QUEUE
Stuart Hogg
The Scotland full-back has developed a reputation as one of the most scintillating attacking players in world rugby, but has suffered a less than auspicious start to this tour. A couple of errant passes tarnished his game against the Provincial Barbarians, before he sat out against the Blues. Unfortunately for Hogg, his return against the Crusaders lasted under 20 minutes as he was caught by an accidental elbow from team-mate Conor Murray as he chased his own kick. With the claret pouring freely, Hogg failed a subsequent head injury assessment and did not return, his replacement Anthony Watson embarking on a couple of penetrating runs in his absence.
LIONS STATS: @anthonywatson_ topped the metres gained chart with 76! Get all your #CRUvBIL stats here. https://t.co/inv5lYGYCi #AllForOne pic.twitter.com/sVnmxbwHs1
— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 10, 2017
Liam Williams
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Having sat out the tour opener, Wales utility back Williams was introduced off the bench early in the second half of the loss to the Blues. But shortly afterwards he was sin-binned for twice taking out an opponent in the air in quick succession – not the impact he or the Lions were looking for. Handed a starting spot against the Crusaders, Williams was a peripheral figure as set-pieces and goal kicking won the day, his only real chance for a try denied by Te’o’s poor service to him on the left wing.
Jonathan Sexton
The Ireland man’s place on this list is more due to Te’o’s performances than his own. Talk before the tour was that Farrell and Sexton would both start, with one taking up the 12 shirt, but Te’o has thrown a spanner in the works. Farrell’s goal kicking was supreme against the Crusaders on Saturday, the Saracens star successful with four while another was missed by the smallest of margins, and he appears favourite to start at 10. Sexton came on as a replacement for Jonathan Davies in Christchurch and impressed following his introduction, his link-up with Farrell particularly encouraging, but his place in the XV is by no means assured.
Comments on RugbyPass
Says 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…
2 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.
23 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.
10 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!
78 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
23 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
10 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
23 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
23 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
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