HALFPENNY EMERGES FROM THE SHADOWS
Injuries to Hogg and Farrell now make forgotten Welsh full-back key man for Lions
LEIGH HALFPENNY has emerged from nowhere as a key man for the Lions, following injuries to Owen Farrell and Stuart Hogg.
The Wales star has featured in only one of the Lions’ first four matches and was given little chance of starting in the Test series.
Behind Hogg in the full-back pecking order and not needed as a goalkicker with Farrell in such fine form, he had gone from Lion-of-the-series in 2013 to bit-part player in 2017.
But the situation has been turned on its head in the last 72 hours, first with Hogg (left, above) forced off tour by a facial fracture, which, he was told, could cost him his eyesight if he played on.
Then, yesterday, most worryingly of all for Lions’ hopes, fly-half Farrell (left, below) pulled up lame after straining a quad muscle in training.
Europe’s player of the year was immediately withdrawn from the squad to face the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua tomorrow. Lions’ bosses were sufficiently concerned to refuse even to reveal which leg Farrell had damaged for fear of giving the All Blacks further encouragement. The implication there is that it is his kicking leg he has hurt and that, even if he is passed fit to play in the first Test on Saturday week, he may be unable to take goal kicks. Which is where Halfpenny comes in – and why tomorrow’s dress rehearsal against the Maori has taken on such importance. Should the Toulon ace kick his goals and turn in the sort of commanding performance not yet seen from a back-three Lion on this tour, he will walk into the Test line-up.
Gatland said: “It is an opportunity for Leigh to show what experience he has got. His counter-attacking and scoring tries have improved significantly, that’s kind of what we need from a 15.
“We know how strong he is defensively, but it’s the attacking threat we’re looking for him to add to us.”
The two players Gatland knew, before the tour, that he could not afford to lose are now crocked.
But there is no time to curse the loss of Farrell and Billy Vunipola, he has to instil belief in those next in line that they are up to the job, if called upon.
He made a point of highlighting how No.2 fly-half Johnny Sexton had rediscovered some of his “mojo”. And how No.8 Taulupe Faletau had stunned him with his speed.
In Auckland, at much the same time, All Blacks boss Steve Hansen was crowing about the strength of his line-up to face Samoa today.
He also suggested, mischievously, that Gatland would now draft in additional players and operate two distinct squads for the latter part of the tour. It was pure guesswork.
What we know for sure is that Peter O’Mahony captains the Lions tomorrow, with tour skipper Sam Warburton on the bench – with no assurance he will lead his team into battle a week from now.