Set off the fireworks early to stun complacent Kiwis
THE LIONS go into tomorrow’s tour opener under orders to shock the host nation out of their dated perceptions about British and Irish rugby. Warren Gatland gathered his players together yesterday and urged them to deliver a statement of intent in Whangarei, in a game they simply cannot lose.
The anticipated mismatch against a New Zealand Provincial Barbarians side will provide the visitors with a perfect platform to demonstrate that the locals ought to start taking them seriously.
The head coach was informed that a survey of Kiwis revealed 78 per cent could not name a single Lions player.
Asked if his squad could shock this country, if not its feared and revered Test team, he said: ‘That’s hopefully the whole plan.
‘If we can go and play some good rugby and make people take notice, it’s going to create even more interest. Most people in New Zealand still think rugby in the northern hemisphere is played in six inches of mud and pouring rain. It’s our job to come here, play good rugby and earn respect.
‘If we leave the tour and our players have made an impression, that would be pretty positive. I’m not sure a lot of people in New Zealand watch the Pro12, Premiership or even the Six Nations and as a result they don’t know too many of the players.
‘We can’t get too hung up on those things. If we’ve played some good rugby, made an impression and won the series, I won’t care whether it’s still 78 per cent who can’t name a Lions player.’
The vast majority of New Zealanders will expect the Lions to make this a tour of attrition, by setting their stall out to play a limited driving game using their impressive collection of powerful forwards.
But Gatland has demanded that the decision-makers, flyers and magicians in the ranks seize every chance to set off fireworks in all areas of the field.
There are reputations to be made and changed here.
‘I think we’ve got some players at the moment who aren’t known here, but they’ve got some X-factor,’ he said. ‘We’ve got some pace, footwork and the ability in some positions to cause some surprises.
‘That was the message today. If you look at the All Blacks at times, it just comes down to one or two magical moments. That might just be an off-load, or someone does something special. As coaches, we’ve got to give our players the confidence and the freedom to do the same thing.
‘I said to the players this morning, “If we’ve got a four- on-two on our goal-line, then you’ve got to move the ball and do something. I don’t want you to play by numbers, I want you to play what is in front of you”.
‘ I want them to express themselves, starting straight away, in thiss game. You have to give them that confidence that they can go and do that and maybe create something special.’
Gatland has made it clear that the overwhelming priority in this first halfl of the trip is to prepare as well as possible for the Test series. If a tour game orr two ends in defeat along the way, he would accept that, providing the tour objectives were being met.
But the man in charge knows that the outcome of this opener is non-negotiable. Against a team of bit-part Super Rugby players and others drawn from second-tier clubs, the Lions have to claim a convincing victory.
‘To be honest, we have to go out there and win,’ he said. ‘ There’s no doubt it’s important that we get the tour off to a good start. The following two games are going to be tough tests for us so we need a good performance first up. There’s no hiding from that fact. I think tthat the players aare well aware of that.’ Collective motivation wwill be reinforced by personal agendas. Johnny Sexton has been given the first audition at No 10, knowing that Owen Farrell is breathing down his neck and is one of the form players in the world. Alongside Sexton in midfield, Ben Te’o and Jonathan Joseph can emerge as Test contenders if they dovetail well as a blasting, off-loading 12 with a quick, nimble and defensively astute 13. Further back, Stuart Hogg can run amok from full back, but if he falls off tackles, his Test case will rapidly fade. Out wide, Anthony Watson must provide the work-rate to supplement his slick finishing.
Up front, Alun Wyn Jones, captain Sam Warburton and Taulupe Faletau are near- certain inclusions in the Test pack. But Rory Best has a decent shot, too, as one of the squad’s two fit hookers — with Ken Owens still in rehab mode. Among the replacements, Jared Payne was ruled out last night with a calf injury and replaced by Elliot Daly.
Selection for this game may have been governed by availability for pre-tour training, but the Lions have substantial firepower to unleash on opponents who may turn out to be mere cannon-fodder.
This should be the calm before the storm, a gentle introduction before New Zealand’s formidable Super Rugby sides take it in turns to go big-game hunting.