The British & Irish Lions have barely been in New Zealand a week. There are still 17 days until the first Test against the All Blacks, yet they are already facing up to an early mini-crisis, after losing out 22-16 to the Blues in their second tour match.
The early blemish to their tour scorecard is likely to hurt less than the fact they were outclassed by the lowest-ranked side in the New Zealand Conference of Super Rugby, writes Paul Radley.
Different league
New Zealanders were said to be anticipating a 10-0 series win against the Lions. Well, they might have to make do with 9-1, after the tourists managed to edge past the Provincial Barbarians in their opener at the weekend. It is a distinct possibility, judged by the defeat against the Blues.
The Auckland side are the worst performing New Zealand side in Super Rugby, yet they realistically looked a class apart from their guests at Eden Park. They scored three tries to one by the Lions.
The winning try should be hanging in the Auckland Art Gallery. It was a masterpiece, created by the sleight of hand of Steven Luatua and Sonny Billy Williams, and finished by the mazy running skills of Ihaia West.
Sonny thrills
By his standards, Williams has maintained a relatively low profile since a ruptured Achilles ended his Olympic Games sevens hopes last summer. The limelight that a Lions fixture brings automatically brought the best out in the All Blacks centre.
He was extraordinary. The Lions put 17 phases together from the first kick off, but were denied a try by a scarcely fathomable turnover by Williams. He did similar two minutes later, puncturing the early Lions optimism in the process. In the 35th minute, he made a trademark offload. In injury time at the end of the first half, he scored a try. Then at the end, his offload that set up West to win it brought the house down.
Not to worry, Lions. Maybe the All Blacks will not pick him for the Test matches.
Best to worst
It is stating the obvious to say the Lions have had a taxing first week on tour. What is remarkable is how many of the likely Test probables have blotted their copy books already.
Stuart Hogg, the player of the Six Nations and the likely No 15 in the Test team, appeared to still be on the plane, let alone jetlagged, in the opener against the Barbarians.
Then against the Blues, Liam Williams, regarded by many as a probable starter on the wing, had a nightmarish cameo off the bench. He was shown yellow for repeated aerial offences. When he returned after 10 minutes in the sin binned, he essentially refused to compete for a kick off restart aimed at him.
Then to cap it all off, Rory Best, the Test hooker elect, threw away the last chance for the Lions to win the game with the last minute line out.
It was a shambles.
English engine room
At least the Lions looked less fractured than they did against the Barbarians. Not that that is saying much.
Arguably the biggest success for the touring side was the success of Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes as a partnership. The duo had been central to England’s Six Nations title win earlier this year, when Itoje played in the second row and Lawes at blindside flanker.
In harness in the second row in Lions red, they were responsible for the majority of the good things the away side did against the Blues. When the Lions needed to up the ante as they trailed on the hour mark, it was Itoje and Lawes who were pounding the gainline.
Fonder in absence
Whither Owen Farrell?
Maybe it is good for the England No 10 that he has barely been spotted so far on tour. Absentia has moved him closer to the fly-half spot in the Test team.
Dan Biggar missed his chance to stake a serious claim to the position, despite starting against a rookie No 10, Stephen Perofeta, who was making his first start for the Blues. Johnny Sexton, who was roundly criticised for his form in the opener on Saturday, similarly failed to impose himself when he arrived off the replacements bench.
Farrell will presumably figure somewhere, be it at fly-half or inside centre, against the in-form Crusaders on Saturday. His appearance cannot come soon enough for the touring side.
pradley@thenational.ae
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