FIGHT TO THE DEATH

The big match, much like all the others, has sadly been overshadowed.

The build-up to this game should have been the excitement over who would win the series and how the final game in what has been, let’s say an interesting series, would have gone. But instead there is a bit of a problem. Yet another Lions’ team selection has caused controversy, and none more than this one – the exclusion of Brian O’Driscoll.

I’ll get to that in a minute, but firstly I must applaud Robbie Deans. Before the series began there were rumours that his job was under review, and he wasn’t the most popular person in Australia either. But after narrowly losing the first test, Deans kept faith in his players and only made necessary changes for the second test which they deservedly won, and he has retained that consistency with just one change for this game.

Compare that to Gatland and his selection policy – rotate at will. There’s no familiarity in the team and Jonathan Davies was forced to play out of position in the first two tests. I’d go as far as to say that had Australia played a few warm-up matches like the Lions then this series would be over. As far as the Lions are concerned, the tour has been directed rather poorly.

Back to BOD however, and his exclusion is almost unthinkable, let alone believable. Yes he has been slightly out of form on this tour, but in a game of such importance you would think the most experienced player on the touring squad would have to be included. But not to even be on the bench is close to a travesty, considering he is replaced by Manu Tuilagi, a player who has done next to nothing on tour so far.

The fact that there are ten Welsh players in the starting line-up has also raised a few eyebrows as Gatland appears to have gone back to what he knows best. However, whether this is the best plan is another question entirely. Certainly Mike Phillips was not on-song in the first test, yet he has been recalled, while Dan Lydiate was a surprise inclusion in the 37-man squad, I’m not sure anybody really believed he had a shot at the test side. Even Toby Faletau, as good as he is, was a bit of a shock selection considering Jamie Heaslip hasn’t done much to merit being dropped.

Disillusionment was something I talked about one week before, and if Warren Gatland has been trying to appease my fears I would say without a shadow of a doubt, he has failed miserably. Right from the very start – the original squad announcement – to now – this team selection – there has been something very wrong with this tour, and it is hard to align yourself behind it when you have no faith in its success.

As I’ve said, had Christian Leali’ifano played the entire first test then maybe Australia would have got more of their kicks at goal. This series should be over, and the game tomorrow should simply be to see if the series will be a whitewash or not. However, by sheer luck the Lions find themselves in the position where they can actually be the first touring side to win the series since 1997.

Should they take it, they will go down in history for all the right reasons. Lose, and Warren Gatland’s reputation as a coach will be tarnished. Harsh maybe, but this selection could define how he is remembered – the victorious Lions coach, or the one that threw it all away. Unless his side surprise us all, then I fear it may be the latter.

It’s upsetting as I do feel Gatland has been a superb coach over the years, just look at what he’s achieved with Wales. But since April my opinion of him has steadily declined and it’s close to rock bottom now. What the result tomorrow will do to it I don’t know yet so I will watch in interest. Gatland has a lot riding on this.

In previous years it would have been a case of the Lions weren’t good enough if they lost the series – you took that on the chin and moved on. But this year if this series goes down the drain then it is possible that you could put it down to poor team selections and team management. I hate to keep going on about this, but it’s true – Gatland will either be the hero or the villain at 1pm tomorrow afternoon.

Here’s hoping he’s the hero. Come on you Lions!

British & Irish Lions vs. Australia

Saturday 6^th July, 11:00

ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Third Test

Live on Sky Sports 1

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

15. Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), 14. Tommy Bowe (Ireland), 13. Jonathan Davies (Wales), 12. Jamie Roberts (Wales), 11. George North (Wales), 10. Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), 9. Mike Phillips (Wales); 1. Alex Corbisiero (England), 2. Richard Hibbard (Wales), 3. Adam Jones (Wales), 4. Alun-Wyn Jones (captain, Wales), 5. Geoff Parling (England), 6. Dan Lydiate (Wales), 7. Sean O’Brien (Ireland), 8. Toby Faletau (Wales).

16. Tom Youngs (England), 17. Mako Vunipola (England), 18. Dan Cole (England), 19. Richie Gray (Scotland), 20. Justin Tipuric (Wales), 21. Conor Murray (Ireland), 22. Owen Farrell (England), 23. Manu Tuilagi (England).

AUSTRALIA

15. Kurtley Beale (Melbourne Rebels), 14. Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs), 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs), 12. Christian Leali’ifano (ACT Brumbies), 11. Joe Tomane (ACT Brumbies), 10. James O’Connor (Melbourne Rebels), 9. Will Genia (Queensland Reds); 1. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs), 2. Stephen Moore (ACT Brumbies), 3. Ben Alexander (ACT Brumbies), 4. Kane Douglas (NSW Waratahs), 5. James Horwill (captain, Queensland Reds), 6. Ben Mowen (ACT Brumbies), 7. George Smith (ACT Brumbies), 8. Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs).

16. Saia Fainga’a (Queensland Reds), 17. James Slipper (Queensland Reds), 18. Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs), 19. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds), 20. Ben McCalman (Western Force), 21. Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs), 22. Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels), 23. Jesse Mogg (ACT Brumbies).

Referee: Romain Poite (FFR)

Assistant Referees: Chris Pollock (NZ), Craig Joubert (RSA)

TMO: Vinny Munro (NZ)

Assessor: Tappe Henning