All systems are go for the Lions
You see Asafo Aumua and Chris Gibbes sees systems and processes.
The Wellington coach was loathe to single any Lion out after Saturday’s 42-26 win over Taranaki at Westpac Stadium. It wouldn’t have been hard; there were several fine performers to choose from.
Instead he talked about - you guessed it - systems and processes. Whatever they are.
‘‘I keep going on and on about it, but it’s actually our bread and butter,’’ Gibbes said.
Few people would have given Wellington huge hope of making a 2-0 start to the provincial rugby season. Their’s is a squad boasting a few proven performers, such as Brad Shields and Wes Goosen and Sam Lousi, but a significant portion are emerging youngsters or club players.
In comparison, Taranaki had five Super Rugby players on Saturday’s bench. That’s a few.
Yet Wellington got out to an early 24-0 lead, absorbed a brief Taranaki comeback and kicked away again to win comfortably. Having begun their campaign with a fine 41-29 win over a good Manawatu side, those systems and processes seem to be doing the trick.
A stern test awaits Wellington now, though. After Bay of Plenty in Rotorua on Thursday, they host Hawke’s Bay the following Wednesday and then meet Tasman in Blenheim four days later.
‘‘It’s a daunting task but it’s actually one that, as a group, we’re really excited about because this is going to test how tough we are and how tough this squad is.
‘‘Everybody in this Lions group is going to have to contribute, so it’s exciting,’’ said Gibbes.
You would assume that Vaea Fifita and Jeff To’omaga-Allen would come into the calculations this week, having been on All Blacks duty. But, the fact remains that, beyond a good first XV, Wellington don’t have the same depth or experience as some teams.
That’ll be tested further by the hamstring injury suffered by fullback Trent Renata, against Taranaki. Jackson GardenBachop dropped from first fiveeighth to fullback, with Dan Kirkpatrick coming on at 10, so there’s adequate cover.
However, you’d have to say the team has looked better with Garden-Bachop at first-five than it has when Kirkpatrick has assumed that position during the first two games.
Overall, a few young blokes are going to need to make some leaps and bounds in the coming weeks.
‘‘The talent we’ve got in this group is pretty good, so if we keep the direction of the group going in the right areas - keeping it simple, playing to our systems and processes - we’ve got the talent and skill-set to be able to do it,’’ Gibbes said.
The signs were certainly encouraging against Taranaki. Guys whose names you don’t read in the paper every week such as Tolu Fahamokioa, James Blackwell and Regan Verney all did good things - with hooker Aumua throwing in a couple of examples of the remarkable.
Aumua scored two tries, with second five-eighth Verney and wings Ben Lam and Julian Savea getting the others, as part of a good team performance.