A STALE OF WOE FOR WEARY LIONS
Gat blasted for failing to send in cavalry as tired players let 14-point lead slip
WARREN GATLAND came under fire from Lions fans for refusing to send the cavalry to the rescue of his tiring team yesterday.
With his players in desperate need of a morale-boosting win ahead of Saturday’s do-or-die Second Test, Gatland allowed a 14-point lead to slip away in the last 13 minutes at the Cake Tin.
He had fresh legs on the bench but chose to ignore them because they belonged to players he had controversially added to the squad on the basis of being nearby rather than deserving of a place.
“So much was made about ‘devaluing the jersey’ and all those bits and pieces,” said Gatland. “So we made a decision that we would try to get through the game with as many of the starting XV as we could.”
Asked whether he had been swayed by public opinion he admitted: “Possibly. So much was made of it and I understand people’s views. So we made a collective decision that we use them only as injury or ‘head injury assessment’ replacements.”
It is an astonishing confession given the tour is on a knife edge following Saturday’s heavy Test defeat. Failure to win yesterday adds pressure that could have been alleviated.
Social media went into meltdown with British and Irish supporters venting frustration at Gatland’s rethink. Former Lion Martin Bayfield branded the decision “insane” and former Saracens star Jacques Burger tweeted: “It’s not smart. There has to be trust throughout the whole squad.” Northampton fan Sam Rice summed up the view of many: “Unbelievable. The jersey’s almost been devalued more by his admission of this farce.” The backlash came hours after Gatland was lampooned in the New Zealand media as a cartoon clown (left).
The Kiwi-born coach countered: “I’m not worried what any newspaper draws me up as – I couldn’t give a toss. There’s been a campaign against me personally. But that’s water off a duck’s back to me. I’ve got to concentrate on doing my job and not worry about specific individuals who try and make it personal.”
How different it could all have been had man of the match Iain Henderson not got himself sinbinned for a dangerous tackle with the Lions leading Super Rugby’s champion team 31-17.
Two tries by Tommy Seymour and one from George North had raised spirits, Courtney Lawes (below, left) had booked his place in the Test 23 with another fine outing. But it fell away after what Henderson described as the “silliness” of his yellow card.
The Lions have put back announcing their team until tomorrow. The All Blacks unveil theirs today.