Rugby union: defeat leaves Lions with mountain to climb
“So near and yet so far.” That was the overwhelming feeling for British and Irish Lions fans after the first Test against New Zealand last Saturday, said Robert Kitson in The Observer. Warren Gatland’s side started well in Auckland, with winger Elliot Daly almost scoring in the corner in the opening minutes. When the All Blacks then raced to a 13-3 lead, the Lions responded with a “spectacular length-of-the-field try” – a weaving, jinxing run from full-back Liam Williams, followed by some brilliant passing between centre Jonathan Davies and Daly, and a diving finish from flanker Sean O’brien. But New Zealand ran away with it in the second half, with some perfect tee-kicking from Beauden Barrett, and two tries from winger Rieko Ioane. The game was “rather more competitive” than the 30-15 scoreline suggests. But the All Blacks – who have “now gone 47 successive Tests unbeaten in New Zealand” – were “a step ahead throughout”.
This really was a “chastening” defeat, said Tom Fordyce on BBC Sport online. The Lions’ “big weapons” – their driving maul, strong scrumming, and deep bench – “made no impact”. The visitors “were limited to 38% possession and 37% territory”. And they converted only two of their five try-scoring opportunities. By contrast, the All Blacks “took three from three”. New Zealand coach Steve Hansen got his tactics spot on, said Paul Rees in The Observer. He made scrum-half Aaron Smith the fulcrum of his team’s attacks, rather than the fly-halfs – nullifying the Lions’ hard pressing, and enabling the backs to “recycle the ball quickly and dictate the pace of the game”. In defence, the All Blacks “defused the Lions’ scrum by staying square and upright, and defended the driving maul by quickly going low on the line-out receiver”.
New Zealand are only going to improve for the second Test, in Wellington this Saturday, said Stephen Jones in The Sunday Times. So how on Earth can the Lions win? Personnel-wise, England star Maro Itoje “must start ahead of Alun Wyn Jones” in the second row, and Courtney Lawes would also be valuable “for his size, athleticism and warrior spirit”. But tactically? Gatland shouldn’t change a thing. The Lions had the right approach, they just needed better scrummaging, more ferocity at the breakdown, and some half-decent finishing. Most of all, Gatland’s men should “savour the chance of a place in history”. Only one other Lions side in the professional era has come back to win a three-game series after losing the first match. To repeat that feat against this All Blacks side – heck, even just to win in Wellington – would be “the greatest rugby achievement of all time”.