The All Blacks ravaged the British & Irish Lions with quick ball and rapid, multi-phase attacks. The question is now – how the hell do the Lions slow them down?
Rory Best was forced to watch the Lions’ 30-15 loss to the All Blacks from the stands, last Saturday, and all he could do was cheer and bellow encouragement. It must have hurt immensely not to be out there in the mix.
Lions head coach Warren Gatland is being encouraged to slow New Zealand down and do it quick. Few seem to be taking on board that Ireland defeated the All Blacks by out-gassing and out-lasting them in Chicago – the only time they have lost a Test match in two years.
To that end, Gatland is being encouraged to go with bruisers in his second row, for the Second Test, and get tour captain Sam Warburton in at blindside to slow down ruck ball.
While merely looking to pump the All Blacks’ brakes does little for the likes of Justin Tipuric or CJ Stander, it could see Ireland captain Rory Best feature in Saturday’s match at Wellington’s ‘Cake Tin’.
All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick has backed the calls of former Ireland and Lions star Stephen Ferris to get Best into the matchday squad to face the ABs. Before the Lions’ 31-31 draw with the Hurricanes, Fizpatrick told Sky Sports:
“Rory Best is a real option. His work at the breakdown is so good. He’s so strong over the ball and of the three [Lions hookers], he is the best scrummager.”
“Some are asking ‘Should he start or come off the bench?’ I think he should start with Jamie George coming off the bench.”
A ringing endorsement for Best and he backed those words up with a decent outing for the Lions in Wellington – landing 14 tackles, finding his lineout jumpers, making five carries, securing two turnovers and standing up for injured teammate Dan Biggar:
What a hero https://t.co/1YYTedyN6Z
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 27, 2017
Ian McGeechan found a place for Best’s Ulster and Ireland teammate Iain Henderson in his matchday 23 for the Second Test, as well as Courtney Lawes and Jack Nowell.
However, the former Lions player and coach went with George to start with Wales hooker Ken Owens in reserve.
We prefer Fitzpatrick’s hooker selection. The man knows what he is talking about.
