2017 This is just the
JAMIE GEORGE could not resist a wave in the direction of Eddie Jones yesterday as he readied himself to join British and Irish rugby’s most elite club as a starting Lion.
Try as he might, the Saracens hooker has been unable to persuade the England coach he is anything more than a super-sub at international level because of the immovable presence of Dylan Hartley.
But with the England captain overlooked for the Lions tour, George has dived in with both feet in New Zealand.
Jones, who will be at next Saturday’s second Test in Wellington, will watch from afar tomorrow and George is rubbing his hands at the chance not only to fulfil a boyhood dream but also to prove he is overdue a promotion by his national coach.
“I haven’t thought too much about the England stuff since I’ve been here but I would be hoping to put in a good enough performance to show that I’m able to do stuff from the start,” said George.
“Yes it’s a message but the stuff that Dylan’s doing is fantastic as well. They’ve just come off the back of a 2-0 series win in Argentina.
“When I was first selected for the squad it was at the back of my mind but I have started a lot of big games – European and Premiership finals – so I’m comfortable starting games. I definitely didn’t IN AUCKLAND see myself here. “I certainly wanted to learn as much as I could from Rory Best in particular, someone who I’ve looked up to for a long time, and Ken Owens is in brilliant form at the minute. But as soon as I made the plane, I thought to myself, ‘I’ve got every chance’. “I’m happy with the way I’ve played in the first few games, so it’s nice to be given the start. Gats has shown a lot of confidence in me and I’m very happy and honoured to be selected. “I’m going in with the same mindset which is that I’ve got to have an impact on the game – but rather than it being off the bench, it’s from the first whistle.” George, 26, has blossomed away from Hartley’s shadow on this tour. He has, he says, found his voice. He has always been a fine ball player, as befits someone who started out as a fly-half, and his set-piece work is consistently sound, but he has also begun to emerge as a leader. There will inevitably be a butterfly or two at the first lineout tomorrow but it as an understudy New Zealand lose about as often as Dr Whos regenerate and they basically never lose at Eden Park, so they pitch up supremely confident and with good reason. Under Steve Hansen they have lost only four times in 69 Tests, which makes them just about the best team in the world in any sport.
Opponents are so acutely aware of their record that they can turn up beaten before kick-off. And even if they make it close, New Zealand’s self-belief tends to see them through. They are the best side in the world, and the best side in the world wins. The All Blacks are a lethal force, packed with ball players who are should help that he will be operating in tandem with a lineout caller, George Kruis, with whom he came through the Saracens academy.
“I’ve been throwing to him since I was 18,” said George. “I remember him coming to the academy and he was 90kg at a push. He’s about 117 now.
“The transition he has made has been ridiculous and he’s at the top of his game now. The way that he has progressed as a lineout leader and caller has been unbelievable. He has got to be one of the best in the world at the minute.
“The lineout is going to be a huge part of the game and one for which we’ve been preparing really well.”
Part of the plan involves the use of noise pollution, as Kruis calls it, to put off the All Blacks on their throws. And the racket coming from behind closed doors at the North Harbour Stadium was unholy as the Lions put the finishing touches to their preparations in the driving rain yesterday.
To be honest, a pack of Lions shouting excitedly at their opponents is not a great look – or sound – but whatever gets the job done. They are facing an entire country tomorrow. Even buses in Auckland have ‘Go All Blacks’ where the destination sign should be this week.
After two convincing wins over the Maori All Blacks and the Chiefs, it remains impossible to find a single Kiwi who will entertain the possibility of defeat for the team who define their nation.
So does this scratch Lions side pulled together over the past month really believe they can topple the world champions?
“One hundred per cent,” said George. “Everyone in the squad is very confident. The way the boys played on Tuesday night was inspiring and we have to replicate the energy and physicality they brought.
“If we do that, we will be in good stead on Saturday.” SON OF A GUN: Williams in full flow capable of tearing a side apart. They average more than five tries per Test. The threats come from everywhere. Beauden Barrett is the world player of the year, Sonny Bill Williams an offloading phenomenon and Kieran Read a No8 with hands as soft as a kitten. Ben Smith is a candidate for the most intelligent rugby player on the planet. They do the simple things immaculately, run smart support lines and, as Warren Gatland pointed out, don’t mind a bit of obstruction here and there too. Give them any ball and you’ve got problems; give them turnover ball and it’s goodnight.