'When Russell comes on we either win by 20 points or lose by 20'
The Lions’ hopes of clinching Test series victory against the Springboks encountered a huge moment of intrigue just eleven minutes into Saturday’s deciding third match in Cape Town when Dan Biggar, their first choice out-half, limped out of the contest and was replaced by Finn Russell.
Biggar, whose right knee was heavily strapped at the start of the match, was injured when painfully tackling Lukhanyo Am inside the Lions 22 and following a period of treatment on the pitch, he hobbled his way to the sidelines and it resulted in the introduction of Russell for his Lions Test debut after he got the nod ahead of Owen Farrell to sit on the third Test bench.
The arrival of Russell into the match at such an early juncture was greeted with curiosity by the Sky Sports team commentating live on the match in the UK and Ireland. Will Greenwood, the ex-Lions centre and 2003 England World Cup winner, said: “We love him but when Finn Russell comes on we either win by 20 points or lose by 20, there is no middle ground.
“I don’t think he has played in five weeks but he is obviously fit. He will have come through some serious training sessions this week but wow, if you look at the fly-halves (Warren) Gatland has picked over the years, Russell coming on in the eleventh minute is a change in strategy, a complete change of strategy.”
Sam Warburton, the Lions skipper on the 2013 and 2017 tours to Australia and New Zealand, added: “It is fascinating that there is a change at No10 this early. It will be fascinating to see how the Lions change their approach, if they do.”
Scotland's matchday 23 representation is at its lowest yet in the Lions series but there is one heartening silver lining heading into the third Test decider#LionsTour2021 #LionsRugby #RSAvBIL #CastleLionsSeries
https://t.co/vCUYesPyxU— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 6, 2021
Lions boss Gatland had admitted last month that Russell might have to quit the tour if his achilles injury didn’t respond to treatment and he even called up Marcus Smith on July 10 to provide cover given the Scottish player’s layoff following a July 7 injury when playing as a sub versus the Sharks. However, the situation eventually turned out positively for Russell and he took Farrell’s place on the Test bench with the series outcome going down to the wire.
Russell was soon in the thick of the action in Cape Town, landing a 16th-minute penalty to pull the Lions level at 3-all and he then added the conversion to Ken Owens’ 19th-minute try for a 10-3 lead. The Lions went on to reach the break 10-6 ahead with Russell the big focus of attention in Biggar’s absence.
“With Finn Russell coming on, crikey, what a 30 minutes or so he has had,” continued ex-Lions boss Ian McGeechan at half-time. Ronan O’Gara, a three-tour Lions selection, added: “Simply, he is the best man to pick apart a rush defence. Why do I say that? Because he is probably the most instinctive player in Europe certainly. Do not be fooled by his smiley, lazy, laid-back approach.
“I know Mike Prendergast, who coaches him at Racing, and he says he is hugely diligent, highly involved in studying the game inside out. His capacity to execute is better and he just has an extra zip in his pass. He is knocking on the door and these passes will pull them [South Africa] apart as the defence fatigues later in the game.” O’Gara’s prediction didn’t come true, however, as the Springboks were ultimately victorious, 2009 series hero Morne Steyn landing a 79th-minute penalty to clinch the 19-16 victory.
Why Dan Biggar is still the man at No10 for the Lions despite last weekend… and what they are looking for in the series decider from their two back three Wales call-ups #LionsTour2021 #LionsRugby #RSAvBILhttps://t.co/MRIqgntaLj
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 6, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Hard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
2 Go to commentsYeah nah, still not sure on Havili tbh. Even though I’m a Crusaders fan through and through I’d be stunned if Razor considers him after seeing some of the stunning talent coming through up North.
2 Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
5 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
5 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
5 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
5 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
5 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
5 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
237 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
4 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
90 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
20 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to comments