Let’s be honest an early loss isn’t ideal for the British & Irish Lions and wouldn’t have been part of the game plan but it most certainly shouldn’t be seen as the end of the world. An unwanted result yes, a disaster… No.
For months we’ve all heard members of the Lions management team make it vey clear that it’s all about the three Tests and I’ve read a lot of people agreeing with that during the time leading up to the tour. However it seems that when it comes down to it the perspective has shifted almost instantly to one of shock and non-acceptance to such an early bump in the road. Is it because it’s the Blues, the side that are bottom of the New Zealand conference? Potentially but let’s remember that Super Rugby form matters little in these one-off games because playing the Lions is a different ball game completely to a regular season domestic match.
When you look at the bare elements performance wise then his Lions squad did build on from their first hit - not the highest of bases grant it but it was stepping forwards. Through the noise of disappointment that’s being voice all over social media let’s just stop and consider some of the key positive elements shall we?
First and foremost the work of the forward pack should be noted and praised, particularly when it came to the set piece. Those that started and finished the game up front certainly stamped their authority at the scrummage and around the park. They provided a solid platform to work off and used it as a tool to penalties and subsequently field position. Coupled with this I thought that the all around work of Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes was highly impressive. Both showed their physical fitness and physicality and were a potent partnership at the lineout together.
Elsewhere Rhys Webb busily kept the Blues’ defence honest and provide crisp and quick service out to Dan Bigger and then Jonathan Sexton. His box kicking wasn’t as accurate as it could have been but despite that I still think that he adds more than Greig Laidlaw does around the field and off the bench in a Test that might be vital.
At the back Leigh Halfpenny stepped forward a rock in the full-back jersey. Solidity and experience are king in New Zealand and any that had doubts about his inclusion (not me I’ll add) should be a little less effusive about their doubts now.
All of that said of course there are elements that have to improve before the Lions meet the Crusaders today and here are a few. Warren Gatland’s side have to be much, much cleaner in terms of their discipline and tidy up their act. Matches cannot be won if cheap ball is handed over and if cards are conceded at any stage. Second, we need to see more invention and attacking vigour. If that can arise from from quick and crisp offloads like the sort that Sonny Bill Williams provided for Ihaia West’s try then all the better otherwise it’s about individuals stepping up and showing the flair that got them there in the first place. Third, it’s all about knitting together their defensive cohesion and making sure that all are on the money. Over enthusiasm must be contained to avoid dog-legs and gaps arising.
Let’s be clear none of this is rocket science and we all know that the management and squad will understand exactly where things need to accelerate and who their next opponents are. We all know that the Crusaders are a high quality side and, as I said earlier, will raise their game to meet the British & Irish Lions. The hosts will sense an opportunity to try and further deflate the hype surrounding the touring party and this group of Lions have to be bolshy and supremely confident heading into the match. There's no room for doubt instead the 23 selected must walk into town and use the power of their individual prowess and the strength of the British & Irish Lions’ heritage to full effect.
Warren Gatland has selected a very strong side yet for Saturday’s Test and that’s to be expected. On paper it's a side that can do a job and rest assured motivation will be sky high to silence those criticising. The combination of Owen Farrell and Conor Murray - a duo that we've been looking forward to seeing together from day one - should be a solid driving force for the side to work around. From there the Lions need their big game players to step up and be counted for, the test match animals and Sir Ian McGeechan calls them. Stuart Hogg must replicate Leigh Halfpenny’s solidity at the back and add his dynamism to that, Liam Williams must cast aside his debut disappointment and show how much he enjoys playing in New Zealand and the midfield of Ben Te’o and Jonathan Davies need to click and complement each other instantly. Ensuring that the Lions have dominance at the set piece and on the gain-line goes without saying and Alun Wyn Jones must lead with distinction and clarity.
With the external negativity that’s crept in following the loss to the Blues, a victory would certainly silence a few voices and keep the tour on the right track. If it doesn't arrive then I fear that the reaction will be extremely vocal and quite negative, going back to my earlier point that may not be the most helpful for the Lions and remember that a Test match hasn't been played yet.
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 David Havili, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo'Unga, 9 Bryn Hall; 1 Joe Moody, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Luke Romano, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 7 Matt Todd, 8 Jordan Taufua.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Jed Brown, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Tim Bateman.
British and Irish Lions: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Ben Te'o, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Jamie George, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 5 George Kruis, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Sean O'Brien, 8 Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Maro Itoje, 20 CJ Stander, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Johnny Sexton, 23 Anthony Watson.
