Time to take the Kiwis on at their own game
TRYING to laser in on what is really important has been difficult with so much going on but, as we get nearer to kick-off, I keep thinking of something I heard Steve Hansen say on local radio. Hansen said that ever since he has been involved with the All Blacks — and he became assistant coach to Graham Henry 13 years ago — he had repeatedly been told that their pack would be found out one day and that their forwards were vulnerable. But that it had not happened yet. He is so right. It is a complete myth that the way to beat the modern All Blacks is to monster them up front. It won’t happen. At England, we managed it for a couple of years back in the early 2000s when we were at least able to control the game through our forwards, but it was a fleeting moment. Even the great Lions team of 1971 did not dominate the All Black forwards. They won the series through incredible defence and taking the few chances that came their way. These Lions possess a strong pack — even if it did misfire a little in the first Test — and it could be that, with French referee Jerome Garces in charge tomorrow, they can flex their muscles. But we still need to operate in the real world. The Lions pack are not going to batter their way to victory. They need to find other ways of beating New Zealand. We must go back to the All Blacks’ only defeats in recent years by European opposition — against Ireland last autumn in Chicago and against England at Twickenham in 2012. Both games offer big clues. For some reason in the northern hemisphere, we have grown fearful of directly confronting New Zealand’s athleticism, pace and fitness. Yet in both matches, that’s exactly what England and Ireland did successfully. England’s performance was actually a hybrid. They looked to soften up New Zealand in the first half by pouring on the forward power. Then, after half-time, they let rip with some very attacking rugby and scored three excellent tries. England took on New Zealand at their own game and looked very comfortable doing it. Then came the Irish, who took the game to the All Blacks spectacularly for 80 minutes when they outscored them five tries to four. The Lions need to draw on those two games. The best form of defence is
attack. No side can prosper long-term if denied the ball and forced to defend endlessly. But it must be intelligent attack, with mistakes and turnovers kept to a minimum. Patience is the key. New Zealand are well-organised defensively but not impregnable. The Lions scored two tries last week but created four other clear chances. Ideally, you take all your chances but even if New Zealand defend well the Lions must continue to deny them ball and build pressure. Maintain that intensity and even if they stop the try, a penalty will come. At least the Test line-up should benefit from that 80 minutes in Auckland last week and kick on. That’s why I’m pleased Warren Gatland has made only three changes. You can debate his selections but continuity is important. I’m not sure many of us thought he would go for broke with twin playmakers in Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell. This tells me the Lions are going to play at tempo and look to pose as many problems as possible, including a more varied kicking game. Let’s see the Lions test the two inexperienced New Zealand wings with well-directed kick-passes and turn the big guys in the New Zealand midfield with a few grubbers. I always struggle to tip against the Lions. It feels like treachery! History and form say the All Blacks but these fine and proud Lions players are in a corner. If they could pull this off, it would be a triumph to rank with any in Lions history.