HALFPENNY IS WORTH IT
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.
But the situation has been turned on its head in the last 72 hours with Hogg out with a facial fracture and fly-half Farrell suffering a quad muscle strain in training ahead of facing Maori All Blacks in Rotorua tomorrow.
Lions’ bosses refused to reveal which leg Farrell had damaged for fear of giving the All Blacks a boost.
The implication there is 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.
If Toulon ace Halfpenny kicks his goals and turns in the sort of commanding display not yet seen from a back-three Lion on this tour tomorrow, he will walk into the Test line-up.
Lions coach Warren Gatland said: “It is an chance 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.”
There is no time for Gatland to curse the loss of key men Farrell and Billy Vunipola, he has to instil belief in those next in line that they are up to the job.
Peter O’Mahony captains the Lions tomorrow, with Sam Warburton on the bench and no assurance the skipper will lead his team into battle a week from now.