Lawes can leave lasting memory
COURTNEY LAWES is determined to make a name for himself. The giant Lions lock lines up against the Hurricanes today, knowing a hardhitting, hard-carrying performance may earn him a place in the Test 23. But three years ago, before England played a three-Test series against the All Blacks, Brodie Retallick was asked which visiting players he could name. He couldn’t think of one. The closest he got was Kiwi politician Michael Laws. News filtered back to Courtney, who made a mental note. ‘I think there are certain players (in New Zealand) who don’t pay attention to — I don’t know if it’s just other teams, or northern hemisphere teams,’ he said. ‘It’s probably a way of trying to get into our heads, rather than not actually knowing anything about us. ‘If we were to say that about one of them, how hard everyone would come down on us. It would be “arrogant England” but when they say it, it’s funny. It doesn’t bother me. If they don’t know who I am, that’s fine — they won’t see me coming!’ If he does win a place, he is aware of the stakes, adding: ‘We’re not happy with a loss at all and we’re looking to put it right this weekend. It’s a final. There’s no second chance for us.’ Lawes is also open to playing flanker. ‘If you play me at six, you’ve got an extra lineout option. I honestly don’t mind as long as I get game time.’