It is fair to say that the quality of rugby in the
South Africa v B&I Lions will not live long in the memory. It will be remembered
for its ferocity, the Springboks ability to stifle any hopes that the Lions had
of playing open rugby and the willingness of both sides to kick the ball up in
the air and chase like hell. Sadly, the South Africans were better at the
kicking and chasing.
We duly gathered to watch the third and deciding test
match yesterday afternoon. The Lions had by choice made six changes from the side
that was well beaten in the second test. The South Africans were without two of
their most influential players in de Clerk and du Toit due to injuries. The
mood of the room was slightly pessimistic it has to be said. Beer was on hand
to quell the nerves.
A cagy start to the first half saw Biggar miss a
kickable penalty and shortly afterwards leave the field with a leg injury. Cue
the entrance of the mercurial Russell at fly half. The early signs were
promising as the Lions managed to put a bit more pace into the game and look to
have an edge. It was the Springboks who took an early lead though with a Pollard
penalty. This was cancelled a couple of minutes later by a penalty from a
nerveless looking Russell – he must have had a master class or two from Neil
Jenkins.
There followed the best quarter of rugby that the Lions
have played in the series. It started when they spurned a kickable penalty in
favour of kicking for the corner. An excellent lineout drive saw Owens touch
down for a try which was converted by Russell (3-10). The Lions were definitely
on top and were managing to up the tempo and even get some offloads away which
was stretching the home defence.
On the half hour, a great chance of a try was
butchered when Williams held on to the ball instead of passing to Adams who
looked to have the try line at his mercy. A couple of minutes later the Lions again
kicked a penalty to the corner and looked for all the world like they were
going to score. Sadly this was called back as Curry was deemed offside. These
two missed chances in such a tight game would surely cost the Lions dear, we
groaned and called for another beer. Plenty of “if onlys” and shaking of heads
followed.
As the half drew to a close, Wyn Jones who had
scrummaged well went down clutching his back. As these things happen, he had to
pack down in a scrum straight after. The result was a penalty to South Africa
and Pollard obliged. This left the score at half time 6-10 and you really felt
that the Lions had missed a great opportunity to build a decent lead. We all
knew that the Springboks would return with fire in their bellies after some
mentoring in the changing room.
The third quarter belonged well and truly to the Springboks
as they pinned the Lions in their own half. Wyn Jones tried to continue but was
soon replaced by Vunipola. The Springboks missed an early penalty as the Lions
came under pressure. Russell was lucky not to be carded after a high tackle of
Kolbe and the ensuing penalty again went wide. Perhaps the luck was with the
Lions today, I thought.
Moments later I knew the luck was not with the Lions
as one of many high kicks turned into something resembling a basketball tip-off.
The outcome of this untidiness was Kolbe scurrying down the right wing. Kolbe easily
jinked around Liam Williams to score an all-important try. The TMO took ages to
decide whether there had been a knock on but there was no clear evidence of
this and the try stood. This time Pollard made no mistake with the kick and
with twenty minutes or so left the home side had taken the lead at 13-10.
The final quarter was pretty frenetic with plenty of
mistakes as both sides tried to get a grip on the game. There was an exchange
of penalty goals - one for Russell and one for Steyn who had come on as a
substitute. It was 16-13 with thirteen minutes to go. The Lions were awarded
another kickable penalty. Murray who was now captain as Alun Wyn Jones had been
substituted decided to kick for the corner. Another great lineout surge was
held up over the line. The Lions continued to press but then, disaster, they
conceded a penalty at a scrum and the home side gleefully cleared their lines.
With only seven minutes remaining had the Lions blown it?
Well, not really, they were awarded another penalty
and this time they opted to kick for goal. Again, Russell struck the ball
perfectly and the scores were tied at 16-16 with only five minutes left. This
was agony especially for those of us who remember Steyn kicking a last-minute penalty
to secure the Springboks a win in the last test series.
Our worst fears were realised when the Springboks were
awarded a penalty in the 78th minute. It was no surprise when Steyn
converted it with aplomb to give the home side a 19-16 lead. The Lions did well
to reclaim the restart and give themselves a glimmer of a chance to snatch a
draw. What might have been a penalty was a Lions’ scrum. The Lions were
penalised as the scrum went down and that was that.
As I suggested earlier, this was not a series that
will win many new converts to rugby as it was dour and attritional. When you
compare it with some of the newer sports on view in the Olympic Games that are
far more fast moving and exciting, fifteen a side rugby comes off very much
second best I would venture.
Was the tour a success? The absence of a crowd was big
miss as this would surely have brought more atmosphere. There were far too many
off the field shenanigans and far too many delays for TMO decisions. The
tactics of the two teams to a large extent cancelled each other out so there
was little enterprising play. It was gripping because it was close. I still
watched every minute of it but in some ways felt sad for the game of rugby that
I love.
There will no doubt be plenty written about where we
went wrong and endless analyses of each player and Warren Gatland’s tactics and
team selections. I don’t propose to do any of that but I will say that I was
delighted for Adam Beard who will now surely go from strength to strength.
I don’t think anyone can criticise the Lions for lack
of commitment. They put their bodies on the line and pushed the world champions
mighty close in difficult circumstance.
Well done boys – have a safe journey home.
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