Gats will have the boys firing for decider — just like in 2013
AS LIONS head coach, Warren Gatland has never lost a final Test of a series. On my second tour in 2013 we beat Australia 41-16 in Sydney, and last time in New Zealand they drew 15-15. Each time he followed the same pattern of allowing players three days of downtime to refresh body and mind before the decider and it worked.
Rugby is an emotional game, and Warren is smart at getting lads to their emotional peak not on Thursday or Friday, but when it matters. He understands more than anyone that on a Lions tour you cannot train too much or do too much too early, hence the plan to delay training in the final week to allow lads to be emotionally charged come the Test.
This year it is different but they went whale-watching and did not train for two full days.
Eight years ago we went to Noosa, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, having lost the second Test and, on our first night, we sat round the table at a pub and had quite a lot to drink!
We chewed the fat on the game but let our hair down and then did not train until the Wednesday. We went surfing, jet-skiing and had a laugh.
Personally, I was in a strange head-space. I hurt my hamstring and had not played the first two Tests and had Warren going: ‘Are you OK?’ I was in a lot of pain but was thinking: ‘I have got a decision to make. I could play the biggest game of my career but, if my hamstring goes in the first minute, I’ll look an idiot and will have let everyone down.’
On the Wednesday, we went down to the team room, and classic Gats, he pulled a shoddy piece of paper out of his pocket and read the team out.
Obviously, the big selection was me coming in for Brian O’Driscoll and Jonathan Davies moving to 13. I sat next to Jon on the bus and he said: ‘The next few days are going to be interesting!’
We knew the fallout was coming. That afternoon I did a running session to test my hamstring and Gats came up to me: ‘Doc, are you going to be all right?’
My hamstring was killing but I said: ‘Yep, fine.’ And that was that. The team doctor sorted me out with a painkilling suppository to take before the game and I got through — the alcohol we consumed after the win probably helped numb the pain!
Bundee Aki is in my position this time, coming into the third Test having not played the first two. You have to back yourself.
Bundee’s role this week is the same as mine was. As much as you dress it up, his job at No 12 is to carry hard and hit the advantage line. He’s one of the best at it with a low centre of gravity and good footwork. He is very hard to bring down.
I would love to see Bundee have an early touch this Saturday — if he makes two, three, four metres it will give everyone a lift.
We never took our foot off the pedal in Sydney, everything fell our way because we made it fall our way with quality across the park when it mattered most.
What an amazing finish to the tour it would be if this squad were to win. To beat the world champions twice at home, while away from families and friends, in empty stadiums, and having to come back from losing the second Test would be incredibly special.
WITH the team he has picked Gatland has said: ‘Right, we’re coming again.’ And he has backed his team to play the same game but better in the third Test.
I don’t think any of us saw that 23 coming but Warren is resolute in the way he wants to play the game. This is a side to play his blueprint and win. Aki at centre is the most significant change — they will want him to carry them over the gainline. In the second Test, the Lions ball-carriers made no ground, so they had to kick.
The only way to get into a multiphase game and tire out the Boks is with someone providing momentum. Hopefully Aki can do that and get the back three into the game.
Liam Williams and Josh Adams deserve a Test start. Adams has been the most in-form wing in Britain and Ireland over the last two years, so I’m excited to see him, and Liam is exceptional under the high bombs.
The Lions must get Duhan van der Merwe on the ball. He is such a destructive carrier but we just haven’t seen him at all, either in traffic or in space. If you’re going to pick him, utilise his strengths.
Against the Boks, it is all about risk and reward, more than against any team in world rugby. If you’re brave enough to go wide there is significant reward if you do it at the right time.
The Lions are going to have to match the Boks in the set-piece, physically and in the kicking game, but then play wide when the time is right — they haven’t found that balance yet.
Faf de Klerk is a big loss for South Africa, but do not underestimate Cobus Reinach. They will lose Faf’s control and kicking game, but gain Reinach’s pace.
The Lions will fancy it looking at the Boks team, but they have to find a balance between playing like the Boks and like themselves — with adventure and risk.
I have no doubt that if the players produce nine-out-of-10 performances they will win.