Yes, Billy’s a big miss. But Faletau is some stand-in
THIS IS not what a crisis looks like. When the Lions fly out on Monday, they will do so without Billy Vunipola, but their glasses will still be at least half full.
The withdrawal of the Saracens colossus is a setback, but Toby Faletau is an ideal replacement at no 8. The Lions are heading south with vast stocks of power and class. With every passing week, the sense that they can upset the All Blacks is reinforced.
Why not? The English faction have grown used to imposing their will on southern hemisphere rivals, while the Irish have recent experience of beating the All Blacks. A far greater strain is being placed on new Zealand’s resources than on those of the 41-man touring squad, with countless quality reserves awaiting an emergency call-up.
Vunipola would have been a world-class threat to Kiwi supremacy, but there are several others in that category. Faletau has been in supreme form of late and the Welshman will surely start the series at the base of the scrum. In theory, CJ Stander is now being regarded as a rival no 8, but there is every chance that Ireland’s South African flanker will wind up at blindside.
Sam Warburton, the tour captain who has regained full fitness, is destined to complete a balanced, complementary back row at openside. It hardly has the look of an area of weakness, does it?
The Lions were significantly assisted by results last weekend, which ensured that big contingents from Saracens, Leinster and the ospreys have had a week of training prior to departure. Gatland has had 30 players at his disposal.
Meanwhile, new Zealand’s skipper Kieran Read remains a doubt for the series opener in Auckland. The same is true of dynamic hooker dane Coles and veteran flanker Jerome Kaino.
In addition, the All Blacks could be undercooked, after months of Super Rugby mis-matches against Australian, South African, Argentine and Japanese opposition.
Gatland’s big cats are still underdogs, but their optimism is off the leash and running amok, which will make them dangerous beasts.