Gatland’s time with the Lions must surely be up
As the dust settles on the Lions for another four years, there is time to reflect on a tour to South Africa, which very nearly did not go ahead because of the pandemic
That it did was testament to the players and management, who had to endure a sterile environment in their bubble, yet were able to perform on the pitch and make it an enthralling series.
Enthralling, but not thrilling – at least the rugby played was not thrilling in any of the three test matches.
Plagued by constant referrals to the TMO to clarify almost every decision and with both teams playing a very direct, macho style of rugby, it did not make for great viewing.
Had there been crowds in the stands, they would have been slow handclapping for much of the time, irritated that there was not more of a spectacle to enjoy.
With Warren Gatland in charge of his third Lions tour, the tactics were not surprising. The New Zealander has never had a reputation for high-risk, running rugby yet taking on the Springboks at their own power game seemed to be folly.
Gatland’s record as a Lions coach has not improved with every tour. In fact, quite the opposite.
He won in Australia in 2013, drew with the All Blacks in 2017 and then lost to the World Champions in South Africa.
I find it odd that many are touting him to lead the group again in four years’ time as surely it must be the turn of another aspiring coach?
To his credit, and even as a Kiwi, Gatland understands the
Lions history and heritage and, alongside Sir Ian Mcgeechan, his name is now synonymous with this wonderful team.
But surely it is time to hand over the reins to someone else to take up the challenge of leading the Lions, perhaps from those who have been in his coaching group for the most recent tours.
It would certainly provide something for other British and Irish coaches to aspire to in four years’ time.
Gregor Townsend would be one who might fit that criterion well.
A victorious Lion himself in 1997, he will have learned a great deal as part of Gatland’s coaching team, despite having to self-isolate for some of the trip.
The next tour could be a toss-up between Townsend and Andy Farrell, who was on the previous Lions tour and has a growing reputation as a coach in Ireland.
Townsend will not be the only Scot who will have learned a great deal from the weeks in South Africa.
Despite coming in for a good deal of criticism, Duhan van der Merwe should have accelerated his learning, not least because he was probably the most inexperienced at this level.
Both he and Stuart Hogg came under attack for their relative insecurity under the high ball – something that the Springboks tried to capitalise on – but Liam Williams, who ultimately replaced the Scottish captain when he was dropped, wasn’t much better.
Chris Harris and Ali Price certainly enhanced their reputations, particularly the scrum-half who seemed to be back to his most threatening self.
Price is excellent when he tries to raise the pace of the game – something the Lions needed in abundance but struggled to do.
Most of all, Finn Russell proved his worth on the biggest stage.
The strange thing was that Russell surprised so many observers and pundits, who felt that his game management was unpredictable at best and unreliable at worst.
Yet thrust into the cauldron of last weekend’s match after 10 minutes, he produced a sublime performance that silenced his most-vocal critics.
He is such an important cog in Scotland’s wheel, one can only hope that he builds on this experience too.
So while the tour may not have set the heather alight as a spectacle, it will stand many players in good stead as they ready themselves for the coming season – which is already just around the corner.