Late into a tense, snarling first half, the Crusaders were threatening to do what Auckland Blues did at Eden Park on Wednesday.
Richie Mo’unga cut a swathe through the Lions defence after smart running angles and offloads punched a hole.
There was one Lion back around the 22 and four Crusaders steaming forward in support. Two Lions forwards hared back, though, and did enough to sludge the move up; fill the channels.
After 35 minutes of sheer drive and pressure, Sean O’Brien and Toby Faletau did what they had to do. The chance came to nothing and Crusaders only had one decent sniff thereafter.
https://twitter.com/FrazerIzzard/status/873453351492608000
It was a small yet crucial moment in a compelling first 40 minutes. Where Wednesday’s Lions may have leaked that try, the weekenders were not having it.
O’Brien put in a seething, surging performance that will have heartened so many Lions supporters, and so many of his teammates. With Billy Vunipola invalided back in England, the Lions need another fearless back row presence; someone to take the fight to the world’s best.
Ahead of the game, former Ireland and Lions flanker Stephen Ferris told The Hard Yards rugby podcast:
“Sean is the type of fella who makes game-changing moments happen. I’ve played with him and against him when he’s made those happen and when he’s on form there’s no better back rower in the world whether he plays at six, seven or eight.”
O’Brien led the Lions forwards for carries and metres gained in the first half, teamed up with Owen Farrell for a turnover and was part of a dominant scrum. He made another quality one on Jordan Taufua and charged headlong at the Kiwis.
He lasted 55 minutes and there was not a single player on the Lions bench that did not slap his broad shoulders when he was called ashore.
How on it is Sean O'Brien. What a half 🤛
— David Flatman (@davidflatman) June 10, 2017
Very good first half from Sean O'Brien.
Great to see him fit and firing.
Hell of a carrier.
— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) June 10, 2017
There was one incredible statistic, though, that stood out after the 12-3 victory in Christchurch.
This was O’Brien’s first game of rugby in 71 days.
His last outing was a Champions Cup quarter final tour-de-force against Wasps, on April 1, and one that sewed up his place in the Lions squad. Calf and hamstring niggles meant he didn’t play after that. 10 weeks since he last tested himself and this again was rugby at an extremely high, ceaseless level.
O’Brien played that well after missing the last 10 weeks. Imagine how good he’s going to be next weekend, against the Maori All Blacks.
Imagine how good he will be by June 24 when the Lions face the All Blacks at Eden Park. Sam Warburton may be the Lions touring captain but he is under the pump, with O’Brien now exerting the pressure.
For the first time on this tour, the Lions have given their hosts something to think about. O’Brien has given them something to fear.
Cross your fingers and toes.
