Time for Gregor to earn his coin - Andy Goode
The British & Irish Lions have all the tools at their disposal in the match day 23 on Saturday and it’s time for Gregor Townsend to prove his credentials as an attack coach.
Warren Gatland’s side have shown next to nothing in attack over the course of the first two Tests and have been drawn into the type of battle the Springboks relish but the only way to win the third Test is for Townsend to show why he’s considered one of the brightest attacking minds in the northern hemisphere.
The Scotland coach was close to going on the 2017 tour as an assistant coach and has waited another four years to be in this position, so now is his time to step up.
He did it as a player with the Lions in South Africa in 1997 when many people were surprised that he was picked at fly half, with Neil Jenkins shifted to full back. That cemented his reputation as a number 10 and this can do so as a coach.
If we’re honest, the Lions have gone back into their shell ever since Elliot Daly got absolutely smoked by Lukhanyo Am in the first Test and they need to come out of it and start throwing some shots of their own or there’ll be regrets aplenty when they’re quarantining in Jersey next week.
The players and coaches knew exactly what was coming from South Africa, as we all did, and there’s only one winner if the third Test is another slow-paced affair dominated by box kicks, driving lineouts, set piece and the aerial battle.
The Lions need to roll the dice if they are to replicate the success of 1997 and beat the Springboks. They have the tools to do it but we’re yet to see if they’ve got the attacking game plan to pull it off.
Every team holds a few things back in reserve so it’ll be interesting to see what the Lions have up their sleeve in attack for the big occasion. You go in with a sheet of at least 20 plays for different scenarios and areas of the field but almost all of those go out the window when you’re forced onto the back foot.
The old saying goes that forwards win matches and backs decide by how many. The Lions pack were distinctly second best last week and they need to at least achieve parity, as they did in the first Test, or Townsend’s job will be nigh on impossible.
However, it isn’t Dan Biggar’s fault that he only had three passes in last week’s match and Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki have shown in an Ireland shirt that they aren’t just crash ball merchants so they all need to be given license to express themselves.
Liam Williams might have been brought in for his prowess under the high ball as much as his attacking talent but Josh Adams has been picked purely for his finishing ability. The Lions need to get him and Duhan van der Merwe the ball.
Clearly, the absence of Faf de Klerk will help. Cobus Reinach isn’t a bad replacement at all but there won’t quite be the same accuracy on the box kicks or the Springboks may play a little bit more off 10, which may open up just a few more chances.
For the Lions, it isn’t about throwing the ball all over the place and going wide at every opportunity but we need to see more tip on plays and shifting South Africa’s big bodies around, combined with a bit more innovation from time to time.
The bench has played a major role in the first two Tests with the Springboks having a massive advantage last week but I think it’s the Lions who have the edge in that department for this one.
The Boks have their usual front row reinforcements to bring on but I don’t think the likes of Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith, Morne Steyn and co are going to change the game as much as Lood de Jager did last week.
In contrast, the Lions have gamebreakers everywhere you look on the bench. The front row are all powerful impact players who are comfortable with ball in hand, Adam Beard is as athletic as they come in the second row and Sam Simmonds is waiting to explode.
I actually don’t think Finn Russell will be used unless Biggar gets injured or the Lions are more than 10 points down but we know the magic he possesses if called upon.
Whether it’s in the second half when those players come on or the first half, the Lions have to play with tempo this week and put South Africa under the sort of duress that forces them into errors.
Townsend has a reputation that has come from his playing days through into his coaching as a bright attacking mind. We haven’t seen that yet on this Lions tour but now is the time to roll the dice and for him to earn his coin.
The potential is there for the Lions to do it but if they play in the same manner as the first two Tests, the Springboks win by six for me. Townsend holds the keys and let’s hope he gives them to Biggar so he can unlock a few doors this week.
Comments on RugbyPass
Ouch. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
25 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to comments