MANAGING MOMENTS
Adam Julian can see much potential in this Wellington Lions squad, but the key, as it was for the Hurricanes, will be how well they control the game at first five.
The Wellington Lions were semifinalsbound with three rounds remaining last year.
That was until they came unstuck against eventual Premiership winner Tasman and Championship victor Hawke’s Bay.
Wellington was never in the fight against Tasman, while in Napier a dozen disastrous minutes ensured the Ranfurly Shield has remained elusive since 2008.
Convincing victories against Auckland (39-21), Bay of Plenty (32-10) and Counties Manukau (53-20) were offset by a stunning home stumble against Otago (34-35), a first-round hiding by Waikato (28-53), and an all-too familiar loss to Canterbury (26-31).
“We were going well for a while until we hit a roadblock in Christchurch. That extra time loss really hurt us,” coach Leo Crowley observes.
“We recovered but we didn’t manage key moments at the end well. Our failings weren’t around leadership, it was more the ability to slow the ball down and react to what the opposition was doing.”
The Premiership was the most competitive ever, with relegated North Harbour winning five matches, the most by a demoted side since the inception of the split format in 2011.
Flanker Du’plessis Kirifi and midfielder Peter Umaga-jensen were sorely missed when promoted to the All Blacks, but what else were the Lions lacking?
The pack wasn’t as sturdy as it could be, and therefore reinforcements have been sought. Pek Cowan is a former Wallaby who made 130 appearances for the Force. He’s locally born and joins returning Lion Vincent Sakaria and injured Hurricane Fraser Armstrong in bolstering the propping stocks. Xavier Numia made giant strides in Super Rugby and will look
to further enhance his reputation.
With Dane Coles and Asafo Aumua incumbent All Blacks hookers, James O’reilly will add to his 45 games – but Crowley is impressed with new Chiefs signing Tyrone Thompson.
“Tyrone announced himself last year. I thought he made the most of his opportunities. He’s big and strong with a good skillset,” say Crowley.
James Blackwell has played every game the last two seasons and will lock the scrum beside Dominic Bird. The former All Black stands six feet nine and flourished in France with the Racing 92 club of Paris.
Greater experience in the tight five allows for youthful exuberance in the loose. Academy prospects Caleb Delany, Iona Apineru, Taine Plumtree, Keelan Whitman, Josh Southall and Sam Smith all played together at the last Jock Hobbs Memorial national Under 19 tournament in 2019 and have graduated to the senior ranks, with Delany, Apineru and Plumtree all capable of covering lock. Bruce Kauika-petersen provides a hooker/flanker option.
‘Who will cover first five?’ has been a question on many lips, with Jackson Garden-bachop sidelined until November. New Zealand Under 20s pair Ruben Love and Aidan Morgan will be required to step up. Both have covered fullback, with Morgan the better goalkicker, but Love preferred by the Hurricanes in Super Rugby.
“They’re both outstanding prospects. Who starts will come down to who is controlling the backline better,” Crowley says.
The prolific Hutt Old Boys-marist utility Brandyn Laursen is a possible cover for the rookies.
Wellington is stacked out wide, with established names Connor Gardenbachop, Wes Goosen, Julian Savea, Billy Proctor and Peter Umaga-jensen providing plenty of ammunition.
Umaga-jensen has lost his place in the All Blacks so will relish as much game time as possible. Savea showed glimpses of old in 2020, while Samoa Sevens stalwart Tomasi Alosio is rewarded for his consistency.
Richard Judd is back from Japan and should get a run in the No 9 jersey, especially if the returning TJ Perenara is recalled to the All Blacks.
‘Wellington is stacked out wide, with established names Connor Garden-bachop, Wes Goosen, Julian Savea, Billy Proctor and Peter Umaga-jensen providing plenty of ammunition.’