Henshaw ‘shocked’ as Lions focus on Test places
Caps for Williams and Daly surprised centre Fit-again Lawes vows to shine against Hurricanes
The growing realisation that this is the make-or-break week for the 2017 Lions and, for many, that today’s game against the Hurricanes might be their last in the red jersey is beginning to hit home.
There are no more midweek fixtures and no more series-deciding games if Saturday’s second Test against the All Blacks is lost. But there is hope for those who line up against the Hurricanes tonight, and it comes in the fact that Liam Williams and Elliot Daly both per- formed so well in last week’s midweek game against the Chiefs that they were selected in the starting XV for the first Test.
It was a moment that showed these games can have an impact, with Irish centre Robbie Henshaw admitting the entire squad were “shocked” by Warren Gatland’s decision to pick Williams and Daly.
“There were definitely a few shocks when the team was read out, and Liam Williams and Elliot Daly had brilliant games,” said Henshaw.
“People were shocked to see them play four days later but that’s the reality of a Lions tour. If you stand out and play well you will be looked at and maybe chosen.”
Courtney Lawes is one of those who has a chance to really make his mark, his own tilt for a Test spot being hampered by a head knock against the Highlanders. Even then, and with a slight issue with his hip flexor, the Northampton Saints lock has impressed on the trip, a carryover from his best season in a few years. But now is reckoning time.
“It’s a final on Saturday,” said Lawes. “There’s no second chance for us. We need to front up.”
Lawes fits the bill if the Lions want attitude, a sense of aggression and drive in all that they do. The Lions had no one at Eden Park who came remotely close to matching the output of All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick. Lawes, as well as Maro Itoje, has potential to be that allcourt player. But time is almost run on this trip. Lawes acknowledges that, energised by the fact that Gatland was true to his word last week in keeping an open mind on selection and promoting Daly and Williams.
“Gats has always said we have a chance to impress and that the Test team will change from week to week,” said Lawes. “He has told us all to keep our heads on and keep on putting in performances. I felt I was doing all right until I got knocked out. I’m back on track now. I don’t think you get to this level without having a certain level of physicality. That is an area of my game that is up there.”
Lawes’s ambition burns brightly. The 28-year-old was once the coming thing, with a bright international career ahead of him. Fifty-eight caps for England is no small achievement since he made his debut eight years ago. But greatness is often marked by performances for the Lions in a Test match.
“I’m just going to do what I’ve been doing all season – get around the pitch, make as many tackles as I can and make sure I front up,” said Lawes. “I will try to carry as much as I can. The line-out is a given: that’s somewhere where I am relied upon and have to be good at. If I’m in the right mental space I know I will play well.”