O’Brien set for first footing on NZ tour
isputing work with the Lions captain is a tough gig for flanker Sean O’Brien who opens his tour account tonight against the Crusaders.
The Irishman is pegged for backup duties in the test series behind Sam Warburton and perhaps Justin Tipuric unless there are injuries or a dramatic rethink about the Lions’ plans and who best fits that template.
O’Brien plays old school footy. He’s as abrasive with an all- purpose style which has similarly endeared his Crusaders’ rival Matt Todd to the red and black faithful though neither is pegged for a lock- down test role on this trip.
However the Lions should drill into O’Brien’s experience of five clashes with the All Blacks and the emphasis he places on rigid discipline balanced with some enterprise. He warned there would be no warm glow for the Lions on this trip if they had a topheavy emphasis on defence, they had to make the play and challenge a very potent All Black squad.
Assistant coach Rob Howley has a similar philosophy but his “rugby chaos” description did not quite hit the mark or appear to be in sync with the skills of this Lions group.
They carry ingrained methods honed to conditions and competitions in Europe and asking a new blend of players to alter that style against the No 1 side in the world is doubling the risk assessment.
The Lions do need to increase their tempo in all areas but not to the detriment of their core strengths.
Asking them to bring more ad- lib improvisation to their game is a noble thought but a high- risk strategy against an All Black side tuned into