Justice ???

In a display of breath taking arrogance, the Springboks took the field with “Justice 4” written on some make shift armbands, a mark of their sense that the hitman second row Bakkies Botha had been unfairly cited, and therefore unable to play at Ellis Park. Some might say that those who live by the sword…
Thankfully, those armbands looked as ragged as the Springboks by the end of another full blooded encounter, and this time there was no escape for the home side. The Lions were good value for the win, faithfully sticking to their exhausting brand of multiphase rugby. Ultimately, however, they may reflect on the fact that they were exposed by the Springboks off first phase moves at Durban and Pretoria, and they themselves ran out of gas last week.
Their sheer will to win was tangible yesterday, and they can travel home with heads held high. The press began to circle the still breathing corpse of Lions rugby last weekend, again predicting the end of what is called “the brand”. It is clear that the players don’t care a hoot for the economic judgements. They still regard playing in a Lions test as the ultimate career high.
Jusifiably…

Do they have the number of The Beast ?

The sight of poor Phil Vickery trudging off the park last weekend was enough to make this Welshman cry into his beer. Vickery is a proud player, and may have seen this tour as his swan song. But the lasting memory of this test match, and perhaps of Vickery, is the sad, confused shake of the head.
Any front row forward under pressure is an excruciating sight for the armchair fan, but the pincer movement performed on Vickery's spinal column by The Beast and the giant hooker DuPlessis was gruesome indeed. Crucially, he was afforded no protection by the ref, who blamed him time and again for the collapse of the front row. Not once were the Boks even spoken to in this regard. If we get nothing else right this weekend, it would be great to see us spinning some solid scrum ball, because those centres could do some damage...

Waiting for Dawn...

O’Connell will be moving among his troops tonight, Henry Vth style, understanding the importance of a big, confident performance in Rustenberg. The opposition will be no BaaBaa XV, out to bobby dazzle, then fading when they have to dig in and fight. These are Afrikaaners, out to show their illustrious Blue Bull blooded compatriots that they should be the main event.
The Lions management have made a canny start to the tour selection process, blooding new kids like Earls but also seeing how a grizzled second row partnership like O’Connell and Shaw looks in the heat of battle.
Can’t wait, but will have to…

The Life of Brian

After the dust has settled on a ferocious Heineken campaign, the Irish talisman hardly had time to dust himself off before heading for the airport. Couple of paracetemol for that sore shoulder, and now for the Boks.
Ah yes, the shoulder. He must still see that spear tackle in slow motion in his worst nightmares, with Umaga's kindly face upside down, and a gentle "and I hope you're just fine after that" from little Kevin Mealamu ringing in his ears. One thing is for sure - the Boks will have noted the dire effects on Woodward's Lions from that point on. The current management, having had everything crossed for Saturday's final, will hope O'Driscoll plays a full part in this tour. Despite the fact he's lost a yard or two of pace in attack, his huge heart, allied to his know how at the breakdown, makes him a leader of this pride of Lions.

Shanks' Mare

He may look like an oversized version of Dr Evil, and look pretty ungainly on occasions – a bit like a second row forward who’s been allowed to play in the backs at a training session – but Tom Shanklin can lay some claim to being the most consistent midfielder in the Northern Hemisphere. News of his withdrawal from the Lions squad will be greeted with a wide grin by the Springbok coaching side, who respect his hard running and miserly defence. The squad will be the poorer for his absence, surely, and the coaches will be praying that this is the last of the pre tour casualties.
One look at the end of season playing programme will make them realise that they would be better off praying that Schalk Burger becomes a vegan pacifist…

The Luck of the Irish…

“Did you know that an Irish player has been injured before even setting foot in South Africa?”
“Oh, really ?”
“No, O’Leary “

Got to feel sorry for the Terrier that snaps at the heels of the Munster pack of hounds. When David Wallace jogged out at the Liberty Stadium mid week, with orders to spoil whatever he could, he didn’t mean to include his mate Tomas’ summer.
The Lions coaching staff will cast around for a replacement, and Dwayne Peel’s name should come to the top of the list. An on form Peel would dance some pretty patterns around the brutish Springboks, and take some pressure off what could be a back line short on attacking flair.
They may go for one of two Scotsmen, Blair or Cusiter, either of whom would offer a sharp passing game. Danny Care would be a liability. He lacks judgement, and will want to play his own game. What ball the Lions pack win needs to be carefully used.

Ryan left singing the Blues

EDF Final at Twickenham
Cardiff 50 – Gloucester 12

The work in progress that is Gloucester Rugby Club again failed to turn up on the day, and surely time is running out for the self styled Big Bad Wolf, Dean Ryan. Although infamous for his no nonsense approach as a player, he has singularly failed to put together a side that can play to win often enough to keep the denizens of the Shed happy.
Meanwhile, across the Severn, Dai Young has assembled a team that plays like one. Unlike Ryan, Young has bought wisely. His foreign imports, Rush, Tito, Blair et al are high quality, consistent performers. The raft of Welsh internationals give them a home team feel, but keep their standards high. The evergreen Martyn Williams was Man of the Match, although Tom Shanklin and Leigh Halfpenny must have been close behind.
Next in their sights are the Tigers over the Bank Holiday weekend. Expect a packed Millenium Stadium to roar the Blues on. The Ruckandroller expects the gnarly Leicester forwards to test out the Blues front row, though…