There is something that sets Liam Williams apart from his Lions team-mates.
The Welsh man has an X-factor to his game. The 26-year-old is the one Lions player who you could see fitting in seamlessly with the New Zealand back line.
His high-speed, elusive running game, coupled with his prowess under the high ball marks him out as one of the finest full-backs in the northern hemisphere.
New Zealand Herald journalist Chris Rattue fittingly summed up the opportunistic, probing traits that Williams brings to the table in saying he “can spot a hole quicker than a desperate dentist.”
That’s exactly what Williams did in the Lions first Test clash with New Zealand in Eden Park last Saturday when he made a series of frightening bursts that cut through the New Zealand rear-guard.
His role in Sean O’Brien’s opening try typified his mercurial brilliance.
Sean O'Brien finishes off a cracker!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/q1oaEFIe3e
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) June 24, 2017
Williams always seems to be playing heads-up rugby, when he’s on the ball his head is raised as he seeks to dash into any space or cracks he can find in the opposition back line.
He may have gifted a try to the All Blacks when he dropped a high ball but the threat he brings is a huge addition to the Lions’ attacking play.
When tackled he is also powerful enough to give his onrushing team-mates, for whom he has created that space, an inviting offload.
Speaking on The Hard Yards, Ronan O’Gara emphasised the central role that Williams will play if the Lions are to have any hope of usurping New Zealand in the second Test on Saturday. O’Gara feels that the Lions should base their game plan around the Scarlets club man’s explosive dynamism.
“Liam Williams did that all last summer for Wales, he was man of the series, (The Six Nations). It wasn’t one break he did, I think he ripped teams open over three weeks, seven or eight times so he has the capacity to do that. I think from a pure old-school point of view, you’d love to see the Lions have a go off scrums because that’s the best attacking platform. I think it’ll be interesting to see how they do that, or if they will do that,” said the Munster man.
Connacht full-back Fionn Carr was in thorough agreement with O’Gara on the importance of Williams in bringing his team-mates into the game.
“I think he’s got a pivotal role there in the back, he’s going to be back there marshalling Watson and Daly and I think the last day he looked to run straight away, I don’t think New Zealand were expecting it. I think they thought he was going to turn and kick. He caught Cruden unaware and he made a massive break. He brought Elliot Daly straight into it,” said Fionn Carr.
In a rugby world that is largely based around power and brute strength, it’s refreshing to see an adventurous attacker who’s game is focused more on speed and dainty footwork.
You can listen to the lads waxing lyrical about the full back here from 17″00′.
