- I have one worry about the Lions as they approach their Test with Australia
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The centre pairing of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones was the biggest positive of the British & Irish Lions’ latest victory – their 21-10 success over the New South Wales Waratahs.
I think the back-line for the Test series with Australia is shaping up to have a heavily Scottish feel. The 10-12-13 combination of Finn Russell, Tuipulotu and Jones can form the heart of the Lions side. That trio is good enough to be a key part of taking down the Wallabies.
The three warm-up matches so far have all followed similar paths. Cohesion and continuity have been a problem for the Lions. To a degree, that is understandable.In the first half in Sydney, Andy Farrell’s side struggled for forward dominance. The Waratahs’ defence was on top as a result and the Lions struggled to create.
But Jones’ first try, when he got on the end of Tuipulotu’s short pass, proved exactly why national allegiances can be a big help to Farrell.
This is not to say there should be any bias when it comes to Lions selection. Clearly, as head coach, Farrell should pick the best players he has and believes in wherever they’re from. That said, with little preparation time, it can be a huge help to the Lions to use players who know each other well.
When it comes to the back-line, I think Russell is nailed on at No 10 and Tuipulotu and Jones can be a strong centre pairing outside him.
For me, Blair Kinghorn can bring something different at full-back in the Tests. The Waratahs was his first game on tour after winning the TOP14 with Toulouse. He played on the wing in Sydney, but for me should wear No 15.
Both Tuipulotu and Jones went into this Lions tour with knocks. Tuipulotu missed the Six Nations and had barely played due to an upper body problem. Jones, meanwhile, had been suffering with an Achilles issue.
So, for them to get more and more game time under their belt ahead of the Test series can only be a good thing for them and Farrell as the man in charge. I was pleased they played the whole 80 minutes against the Waratahs and weren’t taken off.
The Lions were again far from perfect. Fin Smith, at fly-half, couldn’t deliver his usual game. That was because in front of him, the Lions forwards weren’t on top and in the outside channels, there were too many mistakes. If you fail to go forward often enough, any team is going to struggle.
That’s why the fact the Tuipulotu-Jones partnership still managed to come up with two tries, despite very little ball, was impressive.
I’m sure many Lions fans would have been disappointed with the latest performance.
Jones scored twice. His footwork at the line and power in the carry were impressive. The Lions have to build on that and I imagine next Saturday’s game will see Russell, Tuipulotu and Jones all start.
I also think that with the likes of Maro Itoje, Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan and Jac Morgan in their team from the start, the Lions will improve their physicality. I think Genge is in great form. He was good off the bench in Sydney, while in the pack Scott Cummings and Ben Earl can also be pleased with their night’s work.
That said, I’m sure it will have been frustration for the Lions that against the Waratahs, they weren’t to the level required in terms of brute force because doing so should be a non-negotiable. As they did against the Western Force and Queensland Reds, the Lions eventually did enough even if they didn’t hit the 50-point mark again.
I’m not too concerned by that. The Waratahs are a decent outfit. And in many ways, a tough, competitive game can only be a good thing for the Lions. As a coach, I’d much rather that than a big blowout.
One other positive for the Lions was the scrum. It was a total mismatch in that area and that made the set-piece a bit of a non-event. It meant the Lions were never really going to lose, but with such a dominant platform from which to play, it would have been good to see more coherent attack from those wearing red.
I’d also have liked to have seen more quick tap penalties. The number of line-out penalties from both sides was also disappointing. The Lions can’t afford to do that against Australia.
What does worry me, and I said it in midweek, is that I still have a suspicion the Lions will be underdone for the Tests. A big two weeks lies ahead for Farrell and the players. I think we’re set up for a fascinating Test series. Clearly, Australia will be a significant step-up on their provinces. The accuracy of the Lions will have to improve to take them on.
Just quietly, Joe Schmidt and the Wallabies will be thinking they have a great opportunity of creating a real upset to pre-tour predictions of a one-sided event. I think Australia will fancy their chances. I’m not sure Schmidt will have seen anything from the Lions that will worry him hugely.
The Test series is building up nicely. The Lions are still favourites, but those odds are shortening. It really could be a classic first Test match in Brisbane – a venue where Australia always play well.
