Fail to the Chiefs as Gatland gives out Test marks
Farrell fitness boost
Replacements:
Owens, McGrath, Sinckler, Jones, Warburton, Webb, Sexton, Joseph.
Maori provided a template for how the Lions can be expected to approach the Herculean task in front of them.
Hit New Zealand hard up front, box-kick them into a corner and press them like a fast-moving mangle in an attempt to padlock them into a strongbox.
That is the plan. The trouble is they are up against the pre-eminent escapologists of the era – a team of Harry Houdinis who always seem able to solve any locked-room puzzle.
The All Blacks face sort of physical approach the the Lions will deploy in the Rugby Championship on a regular basis in the shape of South Africa – and they have won nine out of their past 10 Tests against the Springboks.
Where the Lions make breaks but cannot finish them, the All Blacks’ passing, running lines and – most important of all – their support play in Friday night’s 78-0 erasing of Samoa was as smooth as a river of chocolate.
Anton Lienert-Brown’s mesmerising work in heavy traffic to release Israel Dagg for the fifth of New Zealand’s 12 tries attack, but hooker Jamie George believes they are capable of doing so. “I feel like there’s much more to come. In the games I’ve played in there has been huge progression,” said George. “Just look at the way we defended against the Maori. We felt very comfortable there. “We’re trying to put teams under as much pressure as possible. We’re still developing as a team and finding an identity. I think we’re pushing towards doing something special.” The Lions have however scored only seven tries in five games and Gatland is demanding more from George North. “I think George has done alright going forward but I’d like to see him get his hands on the ball a bit more and use some of that footwork and power that he has,” said Gatland.
“We know what potential he has, but he hasn’t quite filled that at the moment.
“He is the sort of guy who can get a loose ball and score from 60 metres.”
Tomorrow, the Lions will field a second string in Hamilton against a Chiefs side captained by veteran fly-half Stephen Donald.
Temporary squad additions Gareth Davies, Kristian Dacey, Cory Hill, Tomas Francis, Allan Dell and Finn Russell, whose call-ups have drawn criticism, will all warm the bench before leaving the tour next Wednesday. showed just how difficult it is to shut down the most potent side in history.
Lienert-Brown’s new midfield combination with Sonny Bill Williams was lethal.
While the Lions do have Leigh Halfpenny, who has not missed a kick yet on the tour, the concern must be that, while they are capable of scoring in threes, New Zealand tend to do so in sevens. They averaged 5.7 tries per Test in 2016.
This series has always looked the longest of shots for the Lions – which is part of its appeal – and neither the evidence of Saturday nor the back-door confirmation of the side they will field for the first Test has altered that.
Their hopes remain slender. Still, slender is preferable to no hope at all.
CHIEFS: Replacements: LIONS: Replacements: