Hogg told he could have been blinded
Defeat shows up Gatland’s tour party as a two-tier outfit
Stuart Hogg was told he could have been blinded after a fractured eye socket has forced an early end to his Lions tour.
the Scottish full-back’s injury was caused by a freak collision with team-mate Conor Murray’s elbow during Saturday’s win over the Crusaders.
‘He saw about four different specialists and one said he could be oK in seven to 10 days. the others said there was a possibility he’d lose his sight if he played,’ said head coach Warren gatland.
‘It was just a freak accident. We told him it was only a game of rugby and that his health is more important and he understood that.’
Hogg, 24, who watched yesterday’s 23-22 defeat by the Highlanders, cried when he heard the prognosis. ‘I’m gutted to be leaving the tour,’ he said.
WHEN the Lions retreated to their team coach after this shock defeat, they were greeted by just a handful of bedraggled supporters, amid a downpour. It was a bleak scene. An ‘unacceptable’ performance meant they lost a match they should have won.
With 25 minutes to go, the Lions led 22-13. Despite some glaring problems, it was all in hand. Then the wheels fell off. The closing stages put an end to any momentum the Lions had built and at a stroke, the Kiwi superiority complex has been restored.
The hosts were without nine leading men but still managed to inflict a telling blow. They did so from what appeared a hopeless position because Warren Gatland’s side unravelled in a calamitous final quarter.
The Lions lapsed back into the bad habits that scarred their defeat against the Blues in Auckland — conceding a rapid series of penalties. One of them led to a try for Liam Coltman from a lineout drive on the hour, which meant the home side were back in the hunt.
Even then, it appeared that the greater pedigree in the red ranks would avert a setback.
In the 68th minute, on came Owen Farrell, just as goal-kicking composure was required. His first act was to line up what — for him — was a routine shot at the posts, but he struck the ball wide and the hosts stayed just two points adrift.
Six minutes later, a weakened Highlanders pack routed their illustrious opponents at a scrum. Marty Banks took his shot at glory. Over went the kick, sparking delirious scenes among the locals. That wasn’t the end of the drama. Another penalty to the Lions, two minutes from time, was lined up by Elliot Daly from his own half. The Wasps back has a cannon of a boot, but when referee Angus Gardner ordered him to move the ball back a further two metres, it took him to the limit of his range and the ball fell short.
Still there was a last chance but a pass by Farrell was spilled by Jonathan Joseph, and the upset was confirmed. It wasn’t just this failure to close out the game that will alarm Gatland.
Ignore the red-herring gripes about the officiating — the Lions weren’t good enough and they know it. Scoring three tries went some way to addressing the lack of cutting edge in the opening three fixtures, but there was none of the defensive resilience that characterised the win over the Crusaders. In Christchurch, Conor Murray and Farrell ran the show.
This time, the Lions were often in the passive role — they were dictated to by a side without a large core of their Test stars.
Yet they besieged the Lions with aggressive hits, choke tackles and breakdown tenacity. And they bewitched the visitors with their footwork, bold intent and sorcery. Their All Black backs, Lima Sopoaga, Malakai Fekitoa and Waisake Naholo ran amok, with Naholo also touching down.
The touring squad has acquired a two-tier look. The Saturday side will reconvene against the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua in three days with the chance to re- establish momentum before the series opener against the All Blacks on June 24. But the midweek men are likely to endure more discomfort in the next fortnight against the Chiefs and Hurricanes.
Joseph scored a try and showed flashes of his attacking brilliance, but wobbles in defence may prevent him from claiming the Test shirt ahead of Jonathan Davies.
Tommy Seymour was another try-scorer, but the Scotland wing was given a torrid time by Naholo. Few of those on duty really made their mark, with the exception of Kyle Sinckler, Iain Henderson and Dan Biggar at No 10.
Rhys Webb again made dazzling breaks, but he cannot control the contest with his kicking in the way Murray does. Another Welshman, captain Sam Warburton, competed gamely at the breakdown and also blasted over for the Lions’ third try. Nevertheless, the openside berth remains up for grabs.
The same can be said for many Test spots. Back three is an area that will be giving the coaches an almighty headache. There have been no stand-out auditions.
Murray and Farrell will form a half-back partnership, while Ben Te’o is on course to start the first Test at centre, with Davies — who has yet to play half an hour on tour.
Taulupe Faletau is inked-in at No 8, likewise Mako Vunipola at loosehead prop and Tadhg Furlong at tighthead. Either Ken Owens or Jamie George must be the starting hooker. The locks will be two from Alun Wyn Jones, George Kruis and Maro Itoje. The rest is a mystery, at a time when there needs to be increasing clarity.
A second defeat in four games will be deflating for the Lions, who will need armour-plated confidence for their showdowns with New Zealand. Today, Gatland’s squad will fly north, once again in dire need of Saturday saviours.