Lions stifle Crusaders in ugly win

It’s been a trying week in Warren Gatland’s hotel room, that much is sure. The Lions coach, back in his native land of the long white cloud, had a countenance that would put any rain cloud to shame for much of the first two games on tour. The first, a narrow win against a team of Johnny Nonames comprising the Provincial Barbarians and the second, a convincing loss against the country’s weakest Super Rugby franchise. There was, it would appear, cause for some concern, if not alarm.

To be fair to the touring Lions, the first Barbarians game was played in front of a 90,000 strong crowd in the north of country at Whangarei. It seemed that the Lions had to pay their respects to the region of Tane Mahuta and the people it gives shade to. Only three days after landing and less than that in training sessions, the Provincial Barbarians, playing what is likely to be the biggest match of their careers were leading until an Anthony Watson try in the 52nd minute quelled their hopes of a famous victory. It was a lacklustre performance from what seemed like a hotch-potch ensemble of Lions.

The second game, three days later, against the Auckland Blues would have allowed for better acclimatisation and preparation. Or at least it should have. However, the second row unit of Laws and Itoje, together with the starting centre combination of Henshaw and Payne could not exert dominance on New Zealand’s weakest Super Rugby franchise. Tana Umaga is used to beating the Lions. First with the captain’s armband in 2005, and now in the coaches’ box in 2017. However, unlike the first essay, this was not a win any right-thinking Blues fan was expecting. When they got it, courtesy of a couple of magical offloads from Steven Luatua and Sonny Bill Williams finished off by blistering pace from Ihaia West, Umaga’s coaching box was as elated after a long season as Gatland’s was dour prior to a long tour.

When the head coach announced his team to play the Crusaders therefore, the only unbeaten team in the Super Rugby competition, he had to unleash a few of his trump cards. The XV that lined up at Christchurch was one that was picked to redeem Gatland. Not one that was picked in an effort to challenge for starting berths. This team was as close in the key areas to what the Lions’ starting XV would look like. It is unlikely that he would have wanted to show Steve Hansen that lineup until later in the tour. However, Umaga’s Blues forced his hand.

The resulting ugliness was not entirely a bad thing. Fans of Super Rugby will be disappointed by the anomalous lack of tries. Fans of the hard grind would have been delighted with the tourists’ defensive effort and line speed. Mako Vunipola personified the kind of effort that will be needed to make a mark in New Zealand, with some outstanding commitment in shooting up defensively, making big hits and carrying the ball strongly. His team mates obliged and willingly smashed into the Crusaders from kick off.

The determined line speed of the Lions, fuelled by their mid-week loss, rattled the Crusaders. Richie Mo’unga likes time on the ball. He was denied any of it by an outstanding rush defence that shut down all his options forcing him to kick the ball away. Without the reassuring presence of the injured Ryan Crotty outside him, Mo’unga functioned well below par, knowing that the long ball used to such good effect domestically was not available to him with the umbrella formation Andy Farrell had drilled to perfection. The Crusaders struggled to get wide, and the Lions kept making the tackles. The pressure was evident when Sam Whitelock fumbled at kick off. The Crusaders rarely mess around in set pieces and losing three crucial line outs with their all All Black second rowers was a factor that Alan Wyn-Jones and George Kruis can feel extremely happy about.

The hosts should have gotten closer though, with Joe Moody and Wyatt Crockett being penalised unreasonably by Mathieu Raynal when they were clearly dominant against the Lions front-row. The scrum penalties hurt the Crusaders, so much so that they spurned the opportunity of a scrum under the posts for a 5m line out, which was again spoiled by the excellent Vunipola.

Apart from Jack Goodhue’s (watch this lad) superb break which was fumbled by a nervous George Bridge, the Crusaders never came close to scoring with their 30% possession. Israel Dagg showed solidity, but none of the game breaking counter attack that even David Havili possesses. With Ben Smith under an injury cloud, Cory Jane’s exile may yet come back to haunt Hansen.

The Lions’ win, like Mako Vunipola, was unspectacular but hard working and physical. It will be the recipe that helps them get close. Without some finishing ability and creativity though, they will not be able to beat the All Blacks. Steve Hansen would not have failed to spot the acres between the onrushing first line of defence and the back three. No doubt Barrett will spot it well before Mo’unga did as well. Sean O’Brien was excellent for the Lions, as were Peter O’Mahony and Taulupe Faletau. Whether O’Brien will be in the Test XV though, is doubtful. If he isn’t, it will be a crying shame.

The All Blacks will definitely be better than the Crusaders. Retallick, Barrett and whoever starts at half back will ensure that. The worry for the Lions is whether they can get any better than they were on Saturday.