Sexton’s class will shine through, insists Laidlaw
JOHNNY Sexton will prove his “worldclass” abilities all over again in New Zealand after a tough opening with the British and Irish Lions, according to Greig Laidlaw.
Sexton fluffed his lines in his worst performance in some time as the Lions laboured to a 13-7 win over the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians on Saturday.
The Ireland playmaker must surely have ceded ground in the race for the Lions’ Test number 10 shirt, especially as Owen Farrell replaced him in Whangarei and dragged the lacklustre tourists to a slender victory.
Scotland scrum-half Laidlaw insisted however that Sexton can still turn his poor start on its head and restore his much-vaunted reputation.
“We know the class of Johnny, he is a world-class player,” said Laidlaw.
“For nines and 10s, we probably have the hardest job trying to organise everything around us and concentrate on our own game.
“It’s always a little bit tougher and when the heat is on everyone is looking to you to make the calls.
“Johnny will be back up and running next time he pulls on the jersey.
“The more you play together, the more he would know what I was going to do, just building the relationship. It’s about making sure you do that by practising hard in training going forward.”
Maintenance engineer Sam Anderson-Heather’s try put the Barbarians 7-3 up at half-time in Whangarei, but the Lions squeaked home thanks to Bath winger Anthony Watson’s late score.
The Lions will now face the Blues on Wednesday in Auckland, as the New Zealand tour cranks through the levels - but Laidlaw has insisted Warren Gatland’s side can quickly hit their stride after a poor start.
“I am absolutely delighted and very honoured to have worn the jersey,” said Laidlaw.
“Now I have got the taste of it I want to get out there again. Next time I get an opportunity I want to get out there and play again.
“There were a lot of positive things from the coaches, they were delighted with the win and just want to keep pressing on now, keep getting better day-in, day-out, and making sure next time we take the field we are a bit better so we can go on and win more games.
“Time together in the saddle will be very important now in training.”