The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Lions place on line as Lawes prepares for power play
England lock aims to subdue Hurricanes as he eyes Test start
Northampton bruiser Courtney Lawes will try to put himself in the Lions Test selection shop window today when the tourists complete their schedule of midweek matches.
Lions head coach Warren Gatland must surely make changes in the pack following last Saturday’s first Test defeat against New Zealand, and England lock Lawes could be among those who force themselves into contention.
Backs Liam Williams and Elliot Daly both made the first Test team after impressing against the Chiefs a week ago, which has upped the ante for those players involved against the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium.
Lawes’ trademark physical approach – either in the starting line-up or off the bench – could be exactly what the Lions need after New Zealand dominated the collisions and physical contest in Auckland.
“The coach has always said we have a chance, and the Test team will change from week to week and we have a chance to impress,” Lawes said.
“He said to keep our heads screwed on and keep on putting in performances.
“I said before I came here that I wanted to be in the Test team, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to get myself into the first Test.
“But I am going to do what I’ve been doing all season.
“I don’t think a player gets to this level without having a certain level of physicality. That is an area of my game that is up there, I suppose.
“But will it get me selected? We’ll see.”
Only twice before, in 1899 and 1989, have the Lions won a Test series after going 1-0 down, and if they fail to draw level on Saturday, then the All Blacks series will be all over one game inside the distance.
“It’s a final,” 58 timescapped Lawes added.
“There is no second chance for us. I don’t think it’s necessarily that we got absolutely dominated up front in the first Test and they smashed us in the scrum.
“They’ve got really good footwork, and they hit good lines. That meant they got over the line. They didn’t necessarily just knock us over left, right and centre.
“But of course, we don’t want them getting anywhere near the gain-line, so that is something for us to sort out – probably technically as much as physically – and also in terms of attitude, as Warren said. That is something we will have a look at in a lot of detail this week. Everyone wants to get off the line and hit people, especially when we’re in that kind of game. It’s about being able to create the opportunities for ourselves to make big hits and not let them get over the backline.
“We are not happy with a loss at all.
“There were patches of that game where we were doing well. If a couple of passes had stuck, it could have been a different outcome, but that’s rugby.
“But we are looking to put it right this weekend in what is a very important Test match for everyone.”
“They didn’t necessarily just knock us over left, right and centre”