The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Time for talking is over as the Lions get ready to roar
Howley praises O’Mahoney’s calming effect on Lions as All Blacks showdown looms
Captain Peter O’Mahony can “lead in the shadows” to drive the British and Irish Lions to a first Test victory against the All Blacks, according to Rob Howley.
Assistant coach Howley hailed the quiet man skipper O’Mahony as an honest leader who has brought a sense of calm to Warren Gatland’s tourists.
O’Mahony will skipper the Lions in this morning’s first Test against New Zealand at Eden Park, where the hosts have not lost since 1994.
The Munster flanker will lead the Lions ahead of tour skipper Sam Warburton, who takes a seat on the bench, and Howley praised O’Mahony’s understated but impactful stewardship.
“Peter’s led particularly well,” said Howley, of O’Mahony.
“There are leaders who lead in the shadows, who are very quiet, honest and lead by actions, and then there are others who lead by words.
“Peter’s a very quiet person, but his respect is great within the group, he just leads through actions.
“He brings a calming nature to the group. And also there are other leaders who lead by words. There’s a really good blend.
“Peter goes about his job in his own way, and I quite like that.
“He’s not at the forefront but he’s there having a chat, the one-on-ones, and that’s important, because he gives other players confidence. And he’s certainly done that this week.”
The Lions will bid to exploit chinks in New Zealand’s tactical kicking game.
Howley has revealed the tourists believe they have the pace men to pounce on any loose All Blacks kicking.
The Lions have been blunt in their aims to suffocate the back-to-back world champions, but Howley has tipped his back-three for a big impact.
Howley insisted that Liam Williams, Elliot Daly and Anthony Watson all boast a dangerous mix of full-back style positional play and wing-oriented fast feet and flair.
“In terms of his counter-attacking ability, Liam Williams was outstanding in the back-field against New Zealand last year,” said Howley, of Wales’ 39-21 first Test defeat to the All Blacks at Eden Park on June 11 2016.
“And I think having the two wingers alongside him in Elliot Daly and Anthony, effectively you’ve got three
full-backs working together, and certainly understanding the strategy of the New Zealand kicking game.
“It’s having the ability in terms of pace, late and early footwork and understanding defensive alignment and making those opportunities and being clinical when we create them.
“We’re really looking forward to it because I think there will be counterattacking opportunities against New Zealand, hence why we picked the back three.”
O’Mahony’s counterpart, New Zealand captain Kieran Read expects to face a team “at the top of their powers” in the first Test showdown.
Read, who will wear protection on his right hand after suffering a broken thumb that has sidelined him since late April, will line up for the 98th time in All Blacks colours.
And the double World Cup winner has no doubt where a Lions Test series ranks in terms of career challenges.
“They have picked a form team,” the All Blacks No 8 said. “That is what we have to expect – a team at the top of their powers and coming at us.
“Most Test matches and tight games come down to a few moments. They come down to the team that wins those tough battles in Test matches, which is set-piece, getting off the line, ensuring you win a dominant battle out there.
“The Lions have a team who can do that.
“We will have to be pretty physical ourselves and give ourselves opportunities and be good enough to take them.
“I think it will be an enthralling contest. I can’t wait to get involved.
“They have their best players across the four teams, and they play their own style, but a Test match is about who is willing to put their body on the line for the longest. We are willing to go there for 80 minutes.”
Read insists he is fully fit and ready for a return to action, eight weeks after his last game.
“I feel spot-on,” he said. “I can handle a handshake and 80 minutes of Test footy. The emotions and adrenalin will kick in on Saturday, and I am really pumped for it.
“This series has been billed pretty big, and both teams are raring to go. The history isn’t lost on us, and it’s an awesome opportunity to get into it.”