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In his latest British and Irish Lions column, Lee Mears looks back at last weekend’s defeat for Warren Gatland’s side, dissects the selections for the third Test and sums up his takeaways from the tour.
It was one of those games where I was sort of bored but also glued to it! At one point, I did think it could be a rout for us but we didn’t finish them off. The Lions let them back into the contest and it was kind of roles reversed from the first Test.
South Africa knew what they had to do and it was a case of doing it over and over, similar to how physical they were against us in 2009. Like I said previously, when I watched the first Test back of this series and reviewed it, we obviously won it but did we really win it easily?
In the second Test, we started well. We nullified them and we were 6-3 up and they were creaking, but the Lions just went off the boil. It sounds simple, but you can’t win a rugby match without playing rugby and I think the fact Dan Biggar made only three passes during his time on the field tells you all you need to know.
Just 3 passes by an International outhalf (Dan Biggar) - Is it the lowest ever recorded? @rpetty80 @OptaJonny @OptaPro @SimonGleave #LionsTour2021 #CastleLionsSeries #SAvBIL #LionsRugby pic.twitter.com/Uk57wckzps
— Brett Igoe (@brettruganalyst) August 1, 2021
To be fair to the Springboks, bringing Lood de Jager on at six was a masterstroke. It meant that they dominated the touchline and they were winning line-outs easily. They were getting second touches on the high balls so I thought they fully deserved their victory.
I said last week, they would just get fitter and fitter, and they definitely didn’t tire in the second Test. Now it will be a test of the Lions’ resolve.
Let’s start at full-back. I think people have been surprised Liam Williams hasn’t played more and he and Josh Adams are now in there to solve the problems of last week under the high ball.
Gats gave the others like Stuart Hogg, Anthony [Watson] and Duhan van der Merwe another opportunity in the second Test. I think we didn’t see the best of Anthony because of the way the Lions set-up so whether he has been dropped for a poor performance or because they aren’t going to change too much about the way they play on Saturday, I don’t know.
Obviously, there will be some familiarity with Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki starting in the thrid Test, but I don’t think the disruption at centre and the changing of partnerships has helped the Lions.
They haven’t found a good centre combination that looks threatening, not just in the Test series but across the tour. Gats has tried a few different ones so whether the chemistry between the Ireland lads can be key, we will wait and see.
I think going with Ken [Owens] at hooker is a reactionary move from Gats, but obviously he picked him four years ago in New Zealand and he has that relationship with him from their time with Wales. I think [Luke] Cowan-Dickie has done a good job and I like Owens, but I don’t know what he is going to bring which is different. You have got Jamie George as well who hasn’t even had a sniff and he is pretty tidy so it is probably the most debatable decision.
One thing Gats has done is load the bench so if we do need to change the way we play, those guys can certainly offer something a bit different. The fact Finn [Russell] and Sam Simmonds are in there gives us an indication of the Lions covering all scenarios. As I said last week, I would have loved to see the guys play with a bit of freedom if we’d gone 2-0 up, but Gats has chosen them for this situation.
In a way, the selections on the bench should ease any worries because if we had gone with the same team or made minimal changes, I would have my concerns. We’ve known since the squad was announced that the Lions have got such strength in depth. You can roll out a Finn or a Sam because you know these guys are class players.
I think you can possibly look at South Africa, too. Yes, they have world-class players, but with no Faf de Klerk and his excellent box-kicking and no Pieter-Steph du Toit, you start to weigh up their resources so with that in mind, the players Gats has at his disposal could bode well for the Lions.
I think with the Lions’ approach this week, it is no surprise they are a lot quieter! Both sets of coaches and players will be nervous because it is winner takes all. South Africa knew they had to get back in it and they delivered last week.
For Gats, he will have wanted this to be settled last week so they could really make some fun changes and enjoy the last Test of this strange old tour but the mood in the camp will be serious because of the journey they have been on.
You know, I know, you don’t want to go down to South Africa and not come back with a victory because it hurts and is agonising. It is a long tour with everything centred around playing the world champions and even more so this year, there is a lot of sacrifices you’ve made if you do end up losing a tour.
*By the way, it is interesting South Africa have brought Morne Steyn on to the bench. That kick from his own half to clinch the series in 2009 is still sadly etched into my mind!
Back to Gats, no coach has ever done four tours. Obviously, he was an assistant back in 2009 and has now been head coach for three tours. He has been such a big part of how the Lions have progressed over the last 15 years or so so he will go down in history.
Knowing him, he will absolutely want a Lions win in Australia, a Lions win in South Africa and a draw against New Zealand rather than a win, a loss and a draw. In that sense, a lot is riding on his reputation as well.
Overall then, it has been a tour like no other. It has felt like a non-event, but such a huge spectacle at the same time! With no travelling fans or crowds chanting ‘Lions’ in stadiums, it has taken away the element of what makes a tour so special but so many people have been gripped by it and we have enjoyed it from home. From a Lions point of view, let’s hope it ends the way we want it to!
Lee Mears was speaking to TRU's Chris Heal
