NO FEAR FROM THE BOSS MEN
Gatland and Hansen both make bold calls in hunt for first blood
WARREN Gatland showed four years ago when he dropped Brian O’Driscoll that he is not afraid to make brave selection calls at key moments. History has repeated itself here.
The head coach and his assistants have defied expectations by emphatically choosing on form over reputation and omitting some big names from the starting XV for Saturday’s first Test against the All Blacks. There is no room for Sam Warburton. Or George North. Or Leigh Halfpenny. Or Maro Itoje. Far less of a surprise is that Owen Farrell will line up at No10, having overcome a quad injury.
Yesterday’s final selection meeting was evidently far more intriguing and protracted than most had expected. Any notion that the Test line-up had been all but finalised before the midweek side’s swashbuckling victory over the Chiefs has been emphatically dispelled.
Of the major omissions, some were greeted with more shock than others. Despite his role as tour captain, Warburton had seemed destined to miss out ever since an ankle injury in the first fixture on June 3 undermined his attempts to regain match sharpness after an end-of-season knee problem.
Sean O’Brien seized his chance at openside with compelling auditions as the Saturday team, armed with a balanced and effective back row, claimed impressive victories over the Crusaders and Maori All Blacks. The management have been won over by the Irishman’s ball-carrying power and defensive clout. While he is not a breakdown specialist in the Warburton mould, he has made his mark in that area, too.
The decision to leave out North is the ultimate example of Gatland and the other Lions coaches not being blinded by past glories. It is the right call, even if the Northampton wing has the ability to wreak havoc. He has simply not been in that vintage form, and is nothing like the figure who scored that classic long-range try against the Wallabies in Brisbane in 2013. His confidence is low and his impact has been minimal on this trip.
Elliot Daly’s inclusion in the No 11 shirt is reward for the way the goal-kicking Wasp has taken the chances that have come his way. He was superb against the Chiefs from the moment he raced after the kick-off to flatten an opponent with a statement first tackle. He was busy and dynamic and helped create a stunning second try for Jack Nowell with his pace and an inside pass which showed great awareness and accuracy.
Another man who forced his way into the Test team with his exploits on Tuesday is Liam Williams. Up until then, he had been a marginal figure, having been sin-binned during the defeat against the Blues in Auckland. But against the Chiefs, he reminded us of the elusive running class which won him so many plaudits in these parts during Wales’ tour of New Zealand last summer. The break which set up Jared Payne’s try surely sealed his inclusion.
What the selection of the Saracens-bound full-back illustrates is that the Lions truly are committed to a varied and positive game-plan, as they have been claiming throughout the tour.
It is proof that they realise the All Blacks cannot be beaten by merely scoring in increments of three. The Lions need tries.
Halfpenny has been omitted on that basis. The goal-kicking hero of the 2013 series triumph gave a fine all-round performance in the win over the Maori last Saturday, but Farrell’s return to fitness meant his renowned accuracy in front of goal was less of a factor.
This Lions line-up features two Englishmen who are yet to make themselves fixtures in Eddie Jones’ national team. Jamie George and Ben Te’o will start while Kyle Sinckler is another English success story out here and is named on the bench having yet to start a Test for his country.
Peter O’Mahony led the Lions well last weekend and there will be few complaints about the Ireland flanker assuming the captaincy with Warburton on the bench. He has claimed the responsibility ahead of Alun Wyn Jones, which suggests that the management expect the Wales lock to be the one who makes way for Itoje in the second half. O’Mahony and his team-mates will be up against a formidable home side. The fact that Steve Hansen has felt able to leave out wing Julian Savea, who has scored 46 tries in his 53 Test appearances, is an indication of the remarkable firepower at New Zealand’s disposal.
The coaches in both camps have made big calls. Two form teams have been chosen. The stage is set for an epic duel.