Take 45 players to New Zealand, you’re going to need all of them!
THE 2017 Lions must go to New Zealand mobhanded – and only heavy hitting hard nuts need apply. That is the message from Dick Best, the assistant coach of the 1993 Lions to New Zealand, and also from Peter Winterbottom, the legendary England and Lions openside who was part of the pack that inflicted a 20-7 defeat on the All Blacks in the second Test of the close-run 1993 series.
That 13 point loss to the Lions in Wellington remains New Zealand’s worst reverse on home soil to a British or Irish side. It is also only two points away from their heaviest-ever defeat – 20-5 to Australia in 1964 – and in the week that the 2017 Lions squad is announced by head coach Warren Gatland, both men are adamant that the tourists must be locked, loaded, and travel to New Zealand in force.
In an exclusive interview Best told The Rugby Paper that the Lions should not pussy-foot about when it comes to the size of the squad they will need to be successful in the hardest series of matches the touring side has faced in its 129 year existence.
With the Lions tackling a murderous itinerary which includes playing all the New Zealand Super franchises and the Maoris, as well as three Tests against the double world champions, Best pulls no punches: “This is a ludicrous fixture list because you are playing ten games in five weeks back-toback against the best teams from the best rugby country in the world. So we need everybody.”
Best’s comments also carry a health warning. “The ferocity, pace and physicality of the itinerary means that more players will be damaged. It’s bound to happen. So, if you take 24 forwards you should plan for 50 per cent attrition, because it is quite possible you will lose 12 to injury before the Test series.”
He says: “Don’t worry about the tour party being too big. Take 45 players if necessary, because what you don’t want to be doing is spending all your time at airports ferrying them in. Nor do you want players coming in cold, who are not familiar with the calls or the structures, whether forwards or backs. You want them all on the ground in one place, and up to speed. You want this to be the best prepared Lions tour there has been.”
If Gatland makes sure he has all the players he needs on New Zealand soil in the first week of the tour, Best believes they have a fighting chance. He can pick from the best 30 forwards in the Home Unions, and out of that you have a pack capable of taking on the All Blacks. What the Six Nations has shown is that there is considerable depth available to the Lions now, and if there are injuries to the men in Test positions it isn’t the end of the world.”
He adds: “You basically have to pick three complete teams, because it could well be the third line-up which will find themselves playing for their lives in the third Test in Auckland.”
Winterbottom brings the same hard-headed clarity in his analysis of the task facing the Lions at the breakdown, where New Zealand have a long tradition of outplaying their rivals.
“You need back row forwards who are in there all the time, in the mix, on the ball, being a pain, causing trouble. They’ve got to have enough dog in them. You don’t want blokes who get knocked off the ball. You need that aggression, blokes who are going to fight for it.”
He continues: “It will be crucial they can not only tackle but put pressure on at the breakdown. You have to be strong and cause them problems in that area especially, and not allow them to dominate, because if you give New Zealand quick ball they will create continuous try opportunities.”
Winterbottom says it is that disruptive quality, as well as the capacity to take the game to the All Blacks, that dictates why his first choice back row is Ireland’s CJ Stander at blindside, Welshman Sam Warburton at openside, and England’s Billy Vunipola at No.8.
“Stander’s defence is pretty good and he’s a barnstorming carrier. He’s not the biggest blindside but he makes ground against the best defences. Warburton should be at 7 because when he gets his hands on the ball at the breakdown he doesn’t shift. He can also be put up in the air quickly and is a useful line-out option, as Wales have shown. Billy Vunipola gives you goforward, and on form he’s a handful. For the last year he’s been one of the best No.8s in the world alongside Kieran Read, and being injured for part of this season has not been the worst thing because he will be raring to go where others are knackered.”
As for Winterbottom, the idea that the All Black back row is bullet-proof is not one he shares. “Sam Cane is not Richie McCaw, and neither he nor Read are massive men, and although Jerome Kaino is a big blindside he’s getting on, and Liam Squire is still inexperienced. It is an area where we can really compete.”
Winterbottom’s first-choice selection coincides with Best’s, and they both agree that two more Irish flankers, Leinster’s Sean O’Brien and Munster’s Peter O’Mahony, should get the nod.
“When O’Brien is on form he’s a hell of a player and strong over the ball, so he will cause New Zealand problems, and O’Mahony is an all knees and elbows prickly old pear who could come good in NZ.”
However, Winterbottom is less convinced by the England and Scotland back rows, and believes that James Haskell’s chances hang in the balance. “He did very well for England in Australia last summer, and he’s a big strong boy. But Haskell is a bit like Micky Skinne – on his right day immense, but yo never quite know what you’re going to get, and sometimes he’s a bit untidy and gives away penaltie Even so, I’d probably take him if his foot is okay, although Ross Mo arty had a very good season for Wales and must also be a close call.”
Best says that his second choice back row is O’Brien at 6, Welsh flI Justin Tipuric at 7, and Taulupe Faletau at 8, and his third choice O’Mahony at 6, Haskell at 7 and Jamie Heaslip at 8.
“O’Brien has been good for Lein ster, Tipuric is a fast link-man, an Faletau brings athleticism and is coming back at the right time. O’Mahony and Heaslip are important because they are both leaders while Haskell gets in – although Scotland’s Hamish Watson is an out-and-out 7 who could go as a bolter.”