Cut out costly penalties, get physical and play Sam again
I WOULDN’T go reading too many negative messages into that defeat in what was a cracking game. It’s these full-on midweek games which make the New Zealand tour so much harder than other Lions trips and full credit to such a positive and talented Highlanders team. The bottom line is that the lessons learned are exactly the same as if the Lions had won by a point. After a disciplined performance against the Crusaders there were too many penalties — 12 — and the Lions didn’t impose themselves up front or as much physically in the contact area. There were also a few wobbles in the scrum which surprised me. The knock-on effect of that is that the Highlanders gained more possession, especially front-foot ball in the loose, and were very dangerous. That is how the All Blacks will attack if they win the exchanges in the contact area and it was a timely reminder how quickly games open up in New Zealand if you don’t impose yourself up front or become a little loose. Sam Warburton grew into the game after a quiet start and enjoyed an impressive third quarter before being taken off. He is still a Test starter for me but he’s playing catch-up in terms of game time after his injuries and the Lions should take a calculated risk on Saturday and give him another run against the Maori All Blacks. He needs one more match. Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar were very tidy at half-back and it’s a big plus to have such depth there but for me yesterday changed nothing selectorially for the Tests. I believe Gatland has Conor Murray and Owen Farrell inked in at nine and ten with Jonny Sexton on the bench. In which case at 12 it’s a straight shoot-out between Ben Te’o and Robbie Henshaw. Very close. Henshaw was very physical yesterday and good in defence, Te’o has shown up well in attack and will presumably get a final chance to press his case against the Maori All Blacks. It’s very tight at 13 as well. Jonathan Joseph showed lovely footwork and flair but for the first Test at least Gatland might go with the experience of Jonathan Davies. The unfortunate injury and departure of Stuart Hogg opens up possibilities at full back. My starting point is that both Anthony Watson and Liam Williams should be in the Test team, it’s just which one switches to full back. With Farrell playing and Sexton on the bench the need for Leigh Halfpenny’s goalkicking is not so great, but I would still want him on the bench for security. But first the Maori All Blacks. The big matches keep coming and it will be a great occasion and the final chance for some to press their case for the first Test. All to play for, especially at 12, 13 and 15, while I fancy there is still a chance for somebody to make a late charge at flanker.