Lions Tour Review

The Lions salvaged some pride in avoiding a series whitewash at the hands of World Champions South Africa with a defiant 28-9 win in the final test in Johannesburg.

The recalled Shane Williams capitalised on fine breaks by Jamie Heaslip and Riki Flutey to grab a first-half brace and put the Lions in control, and wing partner Ugo Monye’s interception touchdown put the game beyond a much-changed Springbok side.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers changed ten players from the team who secured series victory last weekend, the replacements unable to break down the Lions’ defensive barrier. Many of Ian McGeechan’s changes were enforced – injuries to both first-choice centres and props allowing Flutey his Lions test debut, as well as a shot at redemption for veteran Phil Vickery.


The Lions won the series 74-63 on aggregate, or by 7-5 in tries scored. The Lions played all the rugby against the World Champions, who wanted to get the ball off the pitch and exploit the set piece as much as possible. The rugby was thrilling at times, although perhaps the drama reached higher plains than the quality of play. The Springboks won the first two matches, however, because the Lions came up well short at the basics; indiscipline let them down. The Lions' credibility was more than maintained in 2009, but they must make sure that they don't become the Barbarians, a touring novelty known for daring, expansive rugby, with professionalism less important. Ensuring a slightly longer tour, with the squad spending longer together before the serious business really gets underway, in Australia 2013 is a promising first step.

The Lions first test fightback, and third test vanquishing of the Springboks, were both achieved with the majority of the South Africans' main men off the park. The World Champions came up well short when it came to strength in depth, their replacements a good level short. It was said before the tour, and at several points within it, that the Lions were lacking in truly world class players, Brian O'Driscoll aside. I don't think is the worrying thing - a lack of alternatives to the first choice test selections, from the four home nations combined, lest we forget, is far more striking. Mike Phillips played every second, Andy Powell was no competition for Heaslip at Number 8, and things might have turned out a lot better if the second choice fly-half, Ronan O'Gara, had never made it onto the pitch.


Man of tour:
The barnstorming Jamie Roberts. The 22-year-old Welshman wrote his name all over the No. 12 test jersey in the warm-up games and formed such a formidable midfield partnership with Brian O'Driscoll in the first game against the Springboks that he was man-marked in the second. Proof that bish-bash-bosh can be stunningly effective in the modern game, and now a recognised world class talent.

'That lad's a bit special':
Ireland full back Rob Kearney's solid warm-up displays went almost completely unnoticed, so nailed on was Lee Byrne for the test No.15. Byrne was forced off injured early in the first test however, and Kearney excelled in his place. Stunningly cool both receiving and following his own high balls, and finished his try intelligently in the second test. 23, but looks like he's been playing at the very highest level for years. Always looks like he has time - the sign of a top class player.

Golden oldie:
Simon Shaw. Brought into the side for the second test to add a bit of beef to the scrum - receiving his first Lions cap on his third tour - and was outstanding, deservedly winning man of the match. Well on his way towards 36, surely the England lock can't be there in four years time...

The Denmark at Euro 92 award:
The Danes didn't qualify, but replaced Yugoslavia at the last minute, and went on to win it. The athletic Leicester Tigers flanker Tom Croft was surprisingly absent from the original tour party but was called up when Alan Quinlan was banned for gouging. Went straight into the test team and scored two tries. Simple. Ian McGeechan and co. are lucky not to have had to explain why he wasn't picked in the first place.

The Darren Fletcher award for enhancing reputation through absence: (sorry for the football theme, I must be missing it)
Fletcher has been a dogsbody in the Manchester United midfield for years, but then got sent off in the Champions League semi-final, Barca's Xavi and Iniesta ran rings around Carrick, Anderson and co. in the final, and Fletcher has been heralded as the finest hard-tackling midfield err ever?
It wasn't that long ago that The Times' Stephen Jones said he'd leave Brian O'Driscoll out of the test team, and pick Tom Shanklin instead. The Welshman's shoulder surgery was quickly forgotten, though, as O'Driscoll formed an impressive centre partnership with Jamie Roberts. So, just about goes to Jerry Flannery. The Irishman was the clear choice for test hooker before he was ruled out with an elbow injury. Lee Mears and Matthew Rees weren't good enough, and Ross Ford was only called up to bolster the Scottish numbers, to...3.

Future captain:
I'll take a punt on Jamie Heaslip. The Irish Number 8 was one of very few to start all three tests. He held his own relatively quietly in the first two, but did what he does best - running in straight lines, through whatever's in front of him - for the full eighty minutes in the third. Will be the cornerstone of the Irish team for the next few years, and right at the heart of an Irish-dominated Lions team 2013 (Stephen Ferris is a great prospect, choose from this lot for outside backs - Fitzgerald, Bowe, Kearney, Earls, and Leinster and Munster continuing to progress in the Heineken Cup). Will be 29 when the Lions reach Australia - the same age Paul O'Connell was this time.

Best quote:
Phil Vickery – 'You know you have had a bad game when your mum, your missus and your sister text to say they still love you!'