Where to now Macduff?
Britain’s navy may once have ruled the waves but in the tempestuous storm that was the first test it was well and truly smashed against the hard black granite rock of New Zealand. The towering Jack and Williams who out thought and out muscled their opponents with total dominance that one wondered if this was indeed the British Lions. Donal Lenihan said it would be hard for the Lions to come back after this one. Tony Ward said playing two out halves does not work as he and Olly Campbell found out for it splits the responsibility and thus the commitment. Jeremy Guscott was clamouring for the inclusion of Henson. While Chris Hewett advised Sir Clive to go and think again.
The fallacy of this was built on the expected domination of the forwards but someone forgot to tell the All Blacks that this was to happen for they took one look at the script and tore it into shreds. It was hoped that the domination of the English RWC team that then went on to beat New Zealand would be able to do the same 2 years later. But someone forgot to keep the ship in a steady state of repair and oil the engine. It is called the Premiership. In rugby the forwards win you the game and the backs say by how much. Simple plan. But there was missing ingredient or to be exact 2 missing components. There was no one of the statue of Martin Johnston to lead the charge and the only one capable, Lawrence Dayglow had been injured and enjoying Wimbledon.
A lot of the responsibility will be laid at the door of Shane Byrne and his lineout throwing. But Steve Thompson was not much better when he came on and looked out of his depth. Played out. This is the most important area of combat in the game. You must win your lineout to get the fast ball to give you options and space. Sure he was poor. But not all should be pointed in Byrne's direction. 48 hours before the game Andy Robinson changed the calls and the All Blacks contested each line out by the very simple tactic of jumping at 2 and 4 while the Lions played Run Around The Houses. Even the kicking of Jones, Wilkinson and Robinson was exactly what the doctor did not order and that was to kick it right back at the All Blacks and then not to chase it up. There was not one iota of hint of pride in the jersey that they wore nor was there any sign of any team spirit. All that was evident were the mountains and mountains of Woodward and Campbell spin.
Before the match I thought that Sir Clive was a shrewd judge and I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt on the basis of his past achievements. But even the dogs in Timbuktu could have told you hat was going to happen. Their chums in Christchurch had known it for ages. They had seen the Lions play and had seen nothing to worry them. Like many others there was the hope that the real dry powder was being kept under wraps on the training ground. Instead it has just gone all damp and did not even go puff.
O’Driscoll’s or rather Woodward’s response to the HAKA had spin written all over it. Always aware of doing the politically correct thing. Pathetic. When was the last time anyone went into a game giving the opposition any respect. You give a team respect at the end based on how they perform, not before the game in a show of conciliatory mumbo jumbo designed for Sky TV. No doubt Willie Anderson had a few thoughts of his own on that one.
The fatal mistake may be traced all the way back to the RWC which was won on the back of some huge players like Johnston and company. These guys are no longer around and nor does it look like any one suitable will be along in the near future save for the very impressive Ryan Jones who was one of the few stars of the 6 nations. The huge squad has also proved to be a mistake. It is good to have quality players in reserve as part of the system but you also have to be realistic when it comes to game time. You need to mould a team by playing together and the test team need at least 4 outings before it can be considered ready as Ciaran Fitzgerald pointed out. With such a squad you need a longer lead in time and thus a longer tour. You are dealing with human beings and not management modules. Southampton may now not be so pleased with their investment. The tour coaches are the same guys that coached teams to death in one of the most boring 6 nations in memory. Andy Robinson destroyed a fairly useful England side. Andy sometimes struggles for intellectual brilliance. They should have beaten Wales, definitely beaten Ireland and blew up against a poor French team in the worst game of rugby ever. Scotland were not at the races thanks to Matt Williams. While Ireland under 4 year Eddie have always bottled the big ones save for a good performance against Australia and holding on by their finger tips against South Africa and Argentina. The other victories were against poor teams and that includes the win over England in Twickenham. And therein lies the problem with rugby within these islands. Mike Ruddock must be grinning from ear to ear as he coached a mediocre Welsh team to immortality and glory to win the grand slam. It is no coincidence that he also coached Leinster when they were at their best in the recent past.
As the spinning reaches even more ridiculous heights of optimism is there a way back? Never say never, that’s true but where is to going to come from? Geordean Murphy quotes the famous thrashing of Leicester by Ulster and the following week’s reversal. That did make me smile. They can play Henson all over the pitch if they like, put Darcy in the centre and Murphy at full back. Although the former may be preoccupied by his girl friend’s dignified performances on the streets of Cardiff. Maybe even bring back Mike Gibson it will not matter one bit. Nigel Melville says if those in the valleys hark back for some romantic notion of throwing the ball about they are going to be sadly disappointed. Firstly you have to win the ball. And I have seen no evidence of neither winning nor effective use of it.
My thought for the day and the lasting impression I have of Southern Hemisphere rugby is the laser precision pass from centre to winger, at full hurtling tilt, half way across the pitch brushing the touchline and splitting the defence. A pass of at least 20 meters that can split the atom. Is there a British or Irish player capable of that?
Yer Man In The Stand.
