Weekend sweep
Lions backs likely to lack Englishmen
Ardie Savea is proving pretty adept at this No 8 business. After fter excell excelling at the back of the scrum in the Hurricanes' last outing ing before their bye,b the versatile loose forward was again at his rampaging aging best in his side's victory over the Reds. Savea did it in Brisbane - racking up 104 running metres on 10 carries, beating four defenders while makin making four clean breaks, completing seven tackles and winning nning a turno turnover, and handing off near the line for Vince Aso to score re the try tha that put the Hurricanes in charge. And that was all before e he suffer suffered a calf injury that saw him limp to the sidelines. Seen in some quarters as the future of South African rugby, 19-year-old Curwin Bosch certainly impressed while leading the Sharks to the verge up and upset victory against the Lions. Until, that is, he made the mistake that co cost his side the match. The first five had notched 19 points and largely outplayed the more established Elton Jantjies but, with the scores level a and four minutes to play, he made a rookie error, failing to find touch o on a routine clearance. And the Lions needed no second invitation, with AndriesA Coetzee sparking a counter-attack that saw Kwagga Smith bust up upfield and lay on Jaco Kriel's game-winning try. After a predictable round of Super Rugby, I want to change direction a little and talk about the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.
When you look at the depth and challenges coach Warren Gatland has, there are going to be a lot of disappointed players who won’t make the touring squad.
To give a prime example, and in view of the recent speculation that England wanted to play the All Blacks at Twickenham in November, plus their Six Nations victory, I believe there may only be one Englishman in the Lions’ backline for the first test.
My argument is that Irishman Connor Murray is close to being the best No 9 in world and is definitely the best in the Northern Hemisphere. The two best first-fives are Ireland’s Johnny Sexton, who would be my choice, and Welshman Dan Biggar.
England’s George Ford is a future Lions player but possibly not there yet. The one England back who could be selected is Owen Farrell at No 12 but he is up against pretty stiff competition against the likes of Robbie Henshaw, of Ireland, and Jamie Roberts, of Wales. Farrell’s England teammate Jonathan Joseph could also have claims here.
Welshman Jonathan Davis at No 13 would be my preferred option, with the wings George North from Wales and Irishman Simon Zebo. There is a possible conundrum of fullback but you would think Ireland’s Rob Kearney would be a leading candidate ahead of Welshman Leigh Halfpenny.
A case could also be made for Englishman Mike Brown to start there, so at best two, but probably one Englishman will be in the test backline, a number which could surprise a few people.
One of the most important decisions Gatland has before naming his squad on April 19 is his selection of captain; to have a man who sets the culture, brings the team together and is an approachable person who everyone can relate to.
He also has to be first choice in his position and I can’t think of anyone better than Irish hooker Rory Best. The talk is that Sam Warburton is one of the front runners but he will have enough challenges just making the test team. He has also relinquished the captaincy of Wales and looks better for it. Dylan Hartley is another one but, for me, there's just too much controversy that comes with him.
Ireland have had a hell of a season under Best. They beat the All Blacks for the first time ever, stopped England’s winning run and in my mind that points to a good captain the players like and respect.
He’s a great hooker as well. At the basics of scrums and lineouts, he’s probably the best in the world.
Best doesn’t seem to get flustered and there will be pressure on the Lions throughout the tour, referees, adversity and different conditions.
That coolness is what you need on a tour here. Beating the All Blacks in New Zealand is the hardest thing to do in rugby, in my opinion, and Best will relish the challenge.