False Dawn 2?

The British and Irish Lions 74-10 annihilation of the Golden (formerly Gauteng) Lions evoked memories of the same game 12 years ago when Jon Bentley’s try kick-started the Lions ultimately successful tour. Suddenly all the naysayers from the weekend’s stuttering win in Rustenburg have changed their tune.

There’s now a feeling that the Lions can take on the world champions in their own Highveld back yards and upset the odds. A tall order for a scratch side against a team with such strength in depth as the Boks, but a possibility nonetheless.

Much rests on the emerging midfield partnership of Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Roberts. Their combination of guile and power in attack is balanced by them both being quality defensive operators, stopping the opposition centres crossing the gain line.

The fly half and centres berths are where the Lions seem to have an edge – Francois Steyn is unpredictable as a number 10, and can be overconfident and get isolated when in the centre. Stephen Jones would be my fly half for his steady hand and underrated eye for a gap, plus his unflappable kicking.

A back row of Heaslip at Number 8 with David Wallace and Tom Croft roaming on the flanks should be a good counter to the Boks such as Juan Smith and Pierre Spies who are certainly in the Croft school of pacy back rowers. Lee Mears makes an impression far larger than his actual size, and may well be at the front of the queue for the hooker berth, whilst the dynamic Gethin Jenkins and old head Phil Vickery battered the Lions around the fringes sand look to be in pole position for the first test.

The second row battle for lineout supremacy will be critical, with Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha practically unbeatable on their own throw and adept at disrupting opponents ball. Paul O’Connell and whoever his partner is (Alun Wynn Jones?) will have to compete to at least ensure they don’t get clean ball.

It certainly seems to be one of the most together Lions tours for a while – the way in which players seem to know where their team-mates are already bodes well for the way in which they’ll have to stick together when the Boks get physical.

I for one am looking forward to it, and feel the Lions can pull it off. If they win the first test – a fast go-forward start will do it – then we can take the series.