No one said that this Springboks v. Lions test series was going to be pretty. Most said that it would be decided by penalties and goal kicking and close calls. If the first test was anything to go by, they were absolutely right. Not much prospect of open running rugby here just a fierce physical confrontation with high kicks the order of the day in Cape Town.
The first half belonged to the Springboks as they won
the collisions and collected points via penalties to lead 12-3. The Lions were
second best and conceded too many soft penalties as their discipline let them
down. As we watched in the comfort of our home, we were more than a little
concerned. Our only solace, apart from a beer or two, was that the Lions seemed
to be gaining a measure of ascendancy as the half drew to a close. Both sides
seemed to have adopted fairly similar tactics with plenty of box kicking it was
just that the home side were doing it a bit better.
The second half saw a turn around with the Lions
resurgent and applying the pressure that produced the valuable commodity that
is penalties. First, they had to close the gap in the scores and in the first
five minutes they elected to kick for touch when awarded a kickable penalty.
The subsequent driving lineout worked to perfection with Cowan-Dickie getting
the touch down for the first try of the match. Biggar converted and it was game
on and those of us hiding behind the couch re-emerged.
A couple of minutes later it was agony. South Africa
looked to have scored a try down the left wing. But wait was Le Roux offside?
By the finest of margins, the TMO decided that he was and the try was
disallowed – big sighs of relief. The score was still 12-10.
The Springboks were incensed and moments later the TMO
was adjudicating on another home try following some really scrappy play which
ended with de Clerk touching down. Was that a knock on by du Toit? This time
the Lions didn’t get away with it. Fortunately, the conversion sailed wide and
the Lions were still within a converted try at 17-10.
There were thirty minutes to go and it was time for
the Lions to go to work and the catalyst was some storming play from Lawes who
really took the game to the Boks. Both sides brought on their replacements and
it was the tourists who seemed to benefit the most. The Lions had the momentum
but could they turn it into points?
The home side started to give away penalties and
through the boot of Biggar the Lions made inroads. Three penalties and the Lions are in
the lead for the first time at 17-19 with around fifteen minutes to go. This was
going to be close – cue another beer!
The Lions needed to keep cool but a tip tackle by
substitute flanker Watson moments later looked like yellow card territory. Phew
just a penalty and even better Pollard’s kick at goal sailed wide. “Don’t do
anything stupid”, we roared.
Biggar took a bump on the head and departed for a HIA
so Farrell slotted in at fly half and we were down to ten minutes remaining. A
cock-up in mid-field by the Lions saw the ball go loose and de Allende touching
down despite being held back by Daly. The TMO came to the Lions rescue again –
a clear knock on by Kolbe was spotted. Scrum to the Lions but another close
call.
Play became frenetic as the minutes ticked away. This
could still have gone either way. Three minutes left and a penalty awarded to
the Lions. Up steps Farrell. “Take your time young man”, we shrieked. He knows
what to do and with a nano second of the time allowed for the kick running out
he calmly slotted it. It’s 17-22 the Boks had to score a try now.
It was a long three minutes but the Lions defence was absolutely
brilliant with Itoje to the fore. “They shall not pass”, was their motto. With
the clock in the red, a turnover was forced by Itoje and Hogg booted the ball
gleefully into the stand. The Lions had won. We all collapsed in a heap.
On reflection not a great game of rugby in terms of
quality but fantastic endeavour and commitment with the Lions doing really well
to bounce back from an unpromising first half display. Standout players for the
Lions in the second half were Itoje and Lawes backed up by accurate goal
kicking from Biggar. In the battle of the replacement front rows, the Lions did
not suffer in the scrums as many predicted they would. Alun Wyn Jones lasted
the full eighty minutes and was calm and authoritative as captain and managed the
referee well. He must have paid a visit to Merlin when he was at home nursing
his injured shoulder!
So, we move on to the second test next week. Will
there be changes? First and foremost the injury list from a bruising encounter
needs to be assessed – will Biggar be fit after his head knock for instance? Is the use of Daly at outside centre worth
another go? – it was not really a great success. The Lions didn’t really look
like scoring tries which is a cause for concern. After such a bruising
encounter, should there be some squad rotation particularly in the forwards?
The management team just about got the first test right so we have to have
confidence in them rather than try and second guess them.
Win the next test and win the series but of course the
South Africans will have other ideas and can be expected to come storming back.
It promises to be a cracker.
Well played everyone.
Come on Lions!
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