Hogg could have been blinded by playing on
STUART HOGG was told he could have been blinded after a fractured eye socket ended his Lions tour. The injury was caused by a collision with team-mate Conor Murray during Saturday’s victory over the Crusaders and the Scottish full-back is set to fly home. Head coach Warren Gatland said he could not risk Hogg’s health but has opted not to call up a replacement. ‘He saw about four different specialists and one said he could be okay in seven to ten days and the others said there was a possibility he’d lose his sight if he played,’ said 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 watched yesterday’s defeat by the Highlanders from the stands and broke down in tears when he received the medical prognosis. ‘I’m gutted to be leaving the tour,’ said the
24-year-old. ‘It is an honour to have been involved in a second British and Irish Lions tour and I have hugely enjoyed my time with the squad. ‘I’m disappointed to be leaving in this way but wish all the squad the best in the coming weeks and will be cheering them on from home.’ Hogg scooped the Best Player award during this year’s Six Nations and was a front-runner to start at full-back in the opening Test. Jared Payne wore the No 15 jersey
yesterday but the Ireland international did little to further his case, with Leigh Halfpenny, Anthony Watson, Elliot Daly and Liam Williams also in contention. The midweek Lions XV had the look of a B team and hooker Rory Best claimed an inquest was needed after losing a nine-point lead in the second half. ‘At any level, that’s not acceptable,’ said Best. ‘We’re really disappointed to have let the game slip. ‘We have enough class on the pitch to see that game off and, in fact, take a real stranglehold of it. It’s disappointing for the whole squad. ‘Everyone wants to play in the Tests but only 15 will get to start and only 23 will be involved. It’s not ideal for a lot of chances to lose the game because you are judged on performances.’ Gatland will field his strongest team against the New Zealand Maori on Saturday — although lock Courtney Lawes will miss out after suffering concussion in the first half against the Highlanders. The tourists must clamp down on ill-discipline after being penalised 12 times by South African referee Angus Gardner — in contrast to seven on Saturday from Frenchman Mathieu Raynal. ‘We probably shot ourselves in the foot,’ said Gatland. ‘We’ve gone from single figure penalties conceded to double figures. Maybe we can get all the Frenchmen in charge of the games! ‘That really hurt us. We have to make sure that we are better in those moments because that’s the difference between sometimes winning and losing.’