So it’s fair to say that the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour didn’t start with a bang, instead we all witnessed a stuttering start and a base to spring off of. Am I going to slam the touring party and management for such an off colour debut? No. Do I think that this tour will be a failure because of it? Absolutely not.
Given the context of this first outing - just days after landing on the other side of the world – it always had the potential to be rust filled and slighted disjointed. The rugby romantic side of all of us hoped that it wouldn’t be but realistically we shouldn’t have been wholly surprised by match one. Anyone that has flown even just half of the distance that the Lions took just a couple of day ago will understand how off pace and groggy you get doing normal things let alone being expected to play outstanding test rugby. A haze of jet-lag isn't fun for anyone and being collectively sharp was always going to be a very tall order.
However there were elements of light that can be taken forwards from Whangarei into training and Wednesday’s meeting with the Blues at Eden Park. The performances of Taulupe Faletau, Kyle Sickler, Ben Te’o and Owen Farrell in particular showcased just some of the Lions' strike weapons.
Faletau looked totally at home in the No. 8 jersey and, despite being the standout player on the park still has a number of extra gears to push into. The loss of Billy Vunipola before the touring party left home shores was a bitter blow and it’s up to Faletau and CJ Stander (when he gets his opportunity) to be the Lions’ drivers and power players. They are the ones, alongside a few key ball carriers, that must set the tone and create the platforms to work from. For this reason it was heartening to see the Welsh international continuing to press on and find his match sharpness after injuries this season.
The English trio of Kyle Sinckler, Ben Te’o and Owen Farrell all impressed me in different ways. Farrell’s arrival on 49 minutes orchestrated a swing momentum as he quickly took the match by the scruff of its neck and exerted his influence instantly. Jonathan Sexton did not have a game to remember and will be disappointed with his day at the office. While the Saracen was assured and composed, the Leinster man looked slightly off the beat and not razor sharp. We all know how effective he is when firing at 100% and as a result Gatland rightly isn’t discounting him yet.
We’ve seen little of Ben Te’o at international level and not massive amounts at club level either therefore watching him express himself in Whangarei was interesting to see. Throughout his outing the inside centre did exactly what was required of a ‘signature Warren Gatland 12’ and did so will panache. The question is whether or not this can be replicated when the quality opposition goes up a notch? That is said with all due respect to the NZ Provincial Barbarians and only time will tell to see what the answer is.
The final member of that English trio – Kyle Sinckler – looked totally at home in a Lions jersey and wasn’t it great to see? The young Harlequin hasn’t disguised his love and adoration for the British & Irish Lions and to see him embracing achieving his dream should warm hearts everywhere. Sinckler was dynamic in the loose, showed outstanding hands and in my mind certainly made the right decision with the quick tap. He may be seen by many to be only there as a ‘mid-week man’ but that won’t be what he’s thinking and the edge that the Harlequin brings to the game could be considerable.
Without question the jitters that were present in the first British & Irish Lions squad weren’t ideal; the penalty count against them will need to be addressed as will the lack of precision in the red zone and fundamental skills that went astray. However, when it all comes down to it that is game one out of the way and finished with a W. A landslide victory wouldn’t have taught the touring party much and instead a good old test will have focused minds considerably.
On Wednesday others will get their opportunity to don the red jersey, many for the first time, and I’d almost put my mortgage on it being a much sharper and more purposeful outing. Very simply it’s onwards and upwards for the British & Irish Lions… roll on Wednesday morning!
