Sinckler is word perfect for debut
KYLe SINCKLER is a Lions devotee with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the modern tours. He is now savouring his own version of rugby heaven by becoming part of the plot himself.
Harlequins’ rookie england prop, who is yet to start a test for his country, knows the sound-track to these British and Irish crusades, having learned the words off by heart. He can recite the great speeches that serve as highlights in the behind-the-scenes DVDs and now he will hope to hear a few more first hand.
Asked about the iconic address by Jim telfer to the Lions forwards in south Africa in 1997,97, sinckler said yes-terday: ‘I think I’ve watched that about 100 times. I remember watching that as a kid all the time, himm sitting down talking to Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio, tom smith, Paul Wallace.
‘the other guys here ask me to do renditions of the famous team talks. I know the Paul o’Connell one from 2013, I know the Jim telfer one, I know the Warren Gatland one from 2009, third test.
‘It’s good to see the guys’ emotion. I get a bit emotional myself, but channelled in the right way.’
sinckler is an explosive, abrasive forward who is certainly driven by his own emotional streak.
Asked how he will get himself ready for tomorrow’s tour opener against New Zealand Provincial Barbarians in Whangarei, he said: ‘It’s not hard, mate! I’m just excited to go out there, play rugby and hit people for a living. I don’t need to get excited to play rugby.
‘I don’t need a massive rev up. I’m ready to go, but if you get too emotional, too revved up, you lose your focus and get into little scuffles.’
the first of 10 fixtures on this trip is likely to be an exercise in mental resilience for the tourists, as they will have to stay patient and stick to their game plan. But don’t expect sinckler to be composed. He added: ‘It’s different for guys in different positions. I don’t know many ggood tighthead props with much composure!
‘You go out there, hit a scrum and you do your job. But I definitely bring more to a party than just holding up a scrum and hitting rucks. that’s my game: getting the ball in my hands, carrying, making my tackles, being a nuisance around the breakdown.’
Warren Gatland, the Lions coach, described sinckler as ‘ incredibly powerful’ and added: ‘ He’s got something that the others haven’t got.
‘He’s a bit like an overweight back who ended up in the front row, because he loves the ball in his hands, he’s explosive as a ball- carrier and he runs different angles.
‘We need to use and exploit that. It’s a good chance for him to start this game.’