Four key issues for Gatland to address as he looks to add bite to tame Lions
The Lions’ disappointing start to their tour has left head coach Warren Gatland with plenty to mull over heading into the weekend clash with the Crusaders and towards the first Test.
His problem is that time is short and the matches are only going to get harder. This weekend’s opponents will be tougher than the Blues, who beat the Lions 22-16 on Wednesday.
We look at four areas of concern that will occupy Gatland’s thoughts over the coming days...
LIONS WINGS NOT FLYING
Gatland will console himself that George North, a man who made six clean breaks in one game against the world champions last summer, has yet to take the field on this trip.
Presumably, the Lions boss will be counting down the hours for the big man to turn the ignition key.
It is an understatement to say the other wings haven’t been great on the tour thus far.
Jack Nowell had a torrid evening against the Blues’ Rieko Ioane, seeing the Kiwi fly past him for his team’s first try. The England man never gave up, but whether he has the pace to thrive in the weeks ahead looks debatable.
Then Liam Williams came onto the field for his Lions debut and found himself yellow-carded for catching an opponent in the air, not once but twice. It is one thing to be pumped up for a big game, but over-eagerness can be as much of a failing as not being fired up enough.
Neither the Wild Bunch nor the Mild Bunch: Williams has to find a happy medium.
Elliot Daly, Anthony Watson and Tommy Seymour have been steady rather than spectacular.
From somewhere the Lions needs some inspiration.
It wouldn’t be the worst idea for North to take the field against the Crusaders this weekend with his business head on.
TWO WALES CAPTAINS, ONE BIG DILEMMA
It is still early days, but the scale of the challenges to Sam Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones has already become more than a bit apparent.
Warburton, the tour skipper, eased his way back against New Zealand Provincial Barbarians after two months out with injury. He was up against semi-professionals, players supposedly of Anglo-Welsh Cup standard, but the team performance was dire, with jet lag not helping, and the Wales star struggled to dominate the breakdown.
By contrast Justin Tipuric has, as they say, hit the ground at a fair old lick on this tour.
He made a mark off the bench against the Baa-Baas and was to the fore against the Blues, calmly helping to plug holes, offering himself in support, making his tackles. At half-time, Sean Fitzpatrick described him as “phenomenal”, and when Fitzy dishes out such plaudits you know you are doing more than a few things right.
Warburton’s quality isn’t in doubt. He excelled at six during the Six Nations and so is capable of being accommodated there for the Lions, but he needs to find himself quickly. At his best, he is top drawer but he will know reputations shouldn’t count for anything on a Lions tour.
While Alun Wyn performed well enough in the opener, more might be required to nail down a Test spot.
Maro Itoje shone against the Blues, showing up well at the breakdown, with ball in hand and in defence. It was an effort that had ‘Test starter’ written over it.
The 6ft 8in Courtney Lawes played with an edge and ferociously contested opposition ball at line-outs, while George Kruis pilfered a set-piece off the bench in the first game.
So the challenge has been thrown down.
Like Warburton, Jones, who skippers the tourists against the Crusaders this weekend, can be a terrific influence on a team.
But the indications are he is going to need to play some of the finest rugby of his career to secure a place in the starting XV for the Tests.
WARRENBALL, RUGBY CHAOS... WHAT TACTICS TO ADOPT?
How does a Lions side win in New Zealand — by playing to the traditional strengths of northern hemisphere rugby or by embracing the sort of souped-up game favoured by Kiwi sides? It’s not an easy one. Romantics would argue the second option is the way forward, but the jury remains out, m’lud.
Rugby chaos, as spoken about by Rob Howley, is all very well if a side boasts the likes of Jason Robinson, David Duckham, Andy Irvine and Shane Williams, devastating brokenfield runners who could, well, break up any field.
But the Lions don’t really have those kinds of players, although Stuart Hogg in the right mood can cause a defence problems.
What everyone can agree is that the Lions do possess some excellent forwards who are capable of pressuring opponents in the set-piece and cutting their supply lines.
One thing is for sure — the Lions did not win the first Test against New Zealand in 1971 by playing chaotic rugby. They won it significantly because Barry John ensured they played in the right areas, by toying with New Zealand’s full-back Fergie McCormack with world-class kicking out of hand.
They won the rubber because of the genius of Gareth Edwards and John at half-back. Mike Gibson outside them, the inspiring presence of JPR Williams at the back, the razor-sharp leadership of John Dawes and a huge effort from the forwards.
Rugby isn’t a beauty contest. It’s about getting the job done.
England won in New Zealand in 2003 by standing firm at forward, refusing to fold in defence and taking their chances in front of goal. Yes, the game has changed, but a side that does the basics supremely well will always have a chance.
Whatever it takes, do it, while