THE LUCK OF THE LIONS

Somehow the Lions made it through that.

The final kick was gut-wrenching. Watching Kurtley Beale line up that shot at goal, I had my heart in my mouth. For all my talk of finding it hard to support the Lions, I must admit for those last ten minutes I did want to see the visitors finish on the right side of the scoreline. They made it a lot closer than it should have been, but they did it, and that’s all that matters.

Don’t look into this too much. The last two series where the Lions won the first match, they went on to lose the next two and lose the series altogether. This series is not over, do not think that for a moment. The Wallabies will be back stronger – they did not have any match fitness before the game and it showed. The Lions got very lucky in this regard. They won’t next week.

By now it should have become very apparent from my blogs that I am not overly concerned whether the Lions win or not. At times my support wavered between the two teams and whenever Israel Folau ran in his first try I thought it would be one-way traffic. However the Lions fought their way back into it, and George North’s superb solo try was worth the match ticket alone. For a while it looked like it would be an all-out battle between the two wingers for who could outdo their opposite number.

In the end it all came down to two kickers. No, scrap that, three kickers. On one side was Leigh Halfpenny who was nearly flawless with the boot, missing one kick and keeping the Lions’ scoreboard ticking over. Meanwhile, the Wallabies were all over the place. First was James O’Connor who, after his first kick went sailing wide, never had a good day with the boot. He was eventually dropped from kicking duties for Kurtley Beale who was promising, but missed the two crucial kicks at the end.

That’s where the game was lost and won. Where the Lions had a reliable goal-kicker who kept putting points on the board, Australia had to rely on kicks in front of the posts and tries to keep in touch. In this sense, you could say the Lions were already a step ahead. With an easy way of maintaining their lead, the Lions just had to get into the right areas and force Chris Pollock’s hand. They played it well.

Needless to say – job done, move on. The Lions lead the series 1-0 and preparations must be made for the second test in order for them to finish off the job a week early.

Before that however, there is the small matter of a midweek match against the Melbourne Rebels. The “youngest” of the Australian Super Rugby teams, they should simply be a speed bump on the way to the second test this Saturday where a few players can show Warren Gatland that they can still play a part in the tests should injuries come into play.

Congratulations to Tom Court who, by complete chance, has been called up to the Lions squad due to an injury scare over Alex Corbisiero. Not to sound hypocritical or anything since I did condone the inclusion of Shane Williams in the match versus the Brumbies, I do not think Court was the best option for Warren Gatland to choose, he was simply the convenient option. But you take your chances, and if Corbisiero could start the first test after being flown out late, then who knows what chance Court has?

Gatland has been smart with his selection. None of the players that started the first test are involved tomorrow and it allows as many players a chance to put their hands up for selection. Precisely what a midweek match is for and exactly what some of the players needed. There are certainly a lot of players who have a good opportunity to take one of the twenty-three spots available for the second test.

I’m excited for this one. Not sure why, but with the Rebels having nothing left to play for in the Super Rugby championship, they may fancy a scalp, especially after seeing the Brumbies do it a week ago. Look forward to a match with a lot more to play for than just the win!

British & Irish Lions vs. Melbourne Rebels

Tuesday 25^th June, 10:30

AAMI Park, Melbourne

Mid-week match

Live on Sky Sports 2

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

15. Rob Kearney (Ireland), 14. Sean Maitland (Scotland), 13. Manu Tuilagi (England), 12. Brad Barritt (England), 11. Simon Zebo (Ireland), 10. Owen Farrell (England), 9. Conor Murray (Ireland); 1. Ryan Grant (Scotland), 2. Richard Hibbard (Wales), 3. Dan Cole (England), 4. Richie Gray (Scotland), 5. Ian Evans (Wales), 6. Dan Lydiate (captain, Wales), 7. Sean O’Brien (Ireland), 8. Toby Faletau (Wales).

16. Rory Best (Ireland), 17. Tom Court (Ireland), 18. Matt Stevens (England), 19. Tom Croft (England), 20. Justin Tipuric (Wales), 21. Ben Youngs (England), 22. Billy Twelvetrees (England), 23. Stuart Hogg (Scotland).

MELBOURNE REBELS

15. Jason Woodward, 14. Tom English, 13. Mitch Inman, 12. Rory Sidey, 11. Lachlan Mitchell, 10. Bryce Hegarty, 9. Luke Burgess; 1. Nic Henderson, 2. Ged Robinson, 3. Laurie Weeks, 4. Cadeyrn Neville, 5. Hugh Pyle, 6. Jarrod Saffy, 7. Scott Fuglistaller, 8. Gareth Delve (captain).

16. Pat Leafa, 17. Cruze Ah Nau, 18. Paul Alo-Emile, 19. Luke Jones, 20. Jordy Reid, 21. Nic Stirzaker, 22. Angus Roberts, 23. Cooper Vuna.

Referee: Glen Jackson (NZ)