So it’s Test week and by the looks of this morning’s performance the full British & Irish Lions squad have hit their straps. Perfect timing… never in doubt right!?
Well perhaps there was a touch of doubt however when it came down to it the XV on the field and those that contributed off the bench showed that the mid-week side can deliver the result. At last we saw the superior experience of the Lions overpower a Super Rugby side in the way that we’d all hoped would happen off. Yes the Chiefs didn’t have their big guns out however you play what’s in front of you and the Lions did that very well indeed.
While discipline was a touch shaky at times and the penalty count remained a touch high, the biggest positive was that we saw the Lions find their attacking stride and take most of the chances that they created. Obviously the All Blacks’ defence will be a different prospect entirely however seeing players thrive and play what’s in front of them will reinforce a go get’em attitude across the board.
Momentum is a word that we’ve spoken about a lot already and for a group that is as tight as this Lions squad is today’s victory will mean a lot and help to push them further forward into this colossal Test week. Those that played will be boosted by their first victory of the tour and in turn will take that spring and energy back into training to push the group that are selected for Saturday's Test.
Warren Gatland and his team are likely to have their Test team inked in for Saturday’s game already yet the vivacious performances of the likes of Jack Nowell and Liam Williams will have made the management team turn their heads. The three tests against New Zealand will be attritional and after today the management know that they have individuals that can step into the fold and contribute significantly. As much as Jack Nowell has showed outstanding resilience to bounce back from such a tough start on tour I don’t think that Warren Gatland’s mind will be swayed away from George North. The Lions head coach knows the Northampton Saints’ winger so well and that long-standing relationship alongside North's potential I think will edge it. Whether that’s right or not is another question but as we’ve seen clearly on this tour already, and in the past, the head coach makes the calls and that’s that.
In terms of attitude there’s another point that I want to make about the Lions’ and that is with regard to the approach that they all took to running out on the Tuesday before a Test Saturday. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that Test places are likely to be mostly sewn up and yet every single player that faced any form of media this week spoke about their heartfelt desire to get out on the field and deliver. Individuals’ minds were not on Saturday, instead they were focused on the game. Now I can almost here you tutting at the screen and saying ‘well of course they would say that’ yet the proof was in the performance and today’s outing showed the players were not just toeing the party line, they meant it. On squad announcement day Andy Farrell made it very clear that one of the key success factors for a Lions tour is that players learn to be number two and this message has clearly got through.
So now all of our attentions turn to the first Test and the social media rumour mill is whirling with the words that Peter O’Mahony will captain the side. As far as Lions captains go then I personally believe that it would be an excellent call. This season he has been an exemplary leader for Munster in exceptionally difficult circumstances. On the field his work has been the mark of consistency but it was only truly highlighted to the masses when Ireland stopped England’s Grand Slam in Dublin. If he does lead the side out then I believe that he will do so with distinction and of course with the full blessing of tour captain Sam Warburton.
The long and the short of today’s performance against the Chiefs was that it was a commanding and assured showcase from the British & Irish Lions. Defensively the squad were on song again, the set piece was rock solid and we finally saw more chances being taken rather than squandered. Now it’s time for everything to sky rocket up a thousand gears as the All Blacks await and the Lions prepare for a monster first Test at Eden Park.
