O’Mahony would make ‘rugged’ Lions captain, says All Blacks’ Cane

WELLINGTON: Ireland loose forward Peter O’Mahony would make a rugged, uncompromising captain if he was named to lead the British and Irish Lions in Saturday’s first test, All Blacks flanker Sam Cane has said.

The 28-year-old O’Mahony led the Lions last Saturday in their 32-10 victory over the Maori All Blacks, with tour captain Sam Warburton coming off the bench. Warburton has been under pressure for a starting spot in the test side with Ireland’s Sean O’Brien combining well with O’Mahony and Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau in what has been the strongest Lions loose forward combination.

British media have reported that O’Mahony would be named captain for the first test, with Warburton and lock Alun Wyn Jones, who led the side for the final test in Australia four years ago, likely to come off the bench. “He’s got quite a rugged approach to the game and he does it very well,” Cane said on Tuesday when asked what he thought of O’Mahony as a possible Lions skipper at Eden Park.

“Obviously a very strong lineout forward, an uncompromising type of player who leads by example.

“I’m sure if ... he’s the skipper and he’s on the side of the scrum, we’ll do our best not to let him disrupt us.”

The Lions face the Waikato Chiefs later on Tuesday, with coach Warren Gatland expected to name his side for the first of three tests against the All Blacks on Thursday. — Reuters