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Martin Johnson runs rule over AWJ's Lions skipper claims

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Speculation about who should skipper the 2021 Lions on their tour to South Africa has stepped up another notch. Paul O’Connell, captain on the last tour to the home of the Springboks in 2009, nominated Owen Farrell some weeks ago ahead of Maro Itoje as his potential candidate.

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Martin Johnson has now agreed that Farrell will have a chance, saying: “I’m sure he will be up there in the thick of it.” However, the skipper of the successful 1997 trip to South Africa, believes Alun Wyn Jones can potentially defy his veteran status and challenge to lead the tour under Warren Gatland. 

Jones stepped up for the injured Sam Warburton in the 2013 series decider in Australia and although he will only be two months shy of his 36th birthday by the time the South African tour starts in July next year, Johnson reckoned the Welshman could still have what it takes to lead. 

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Speaking to Sportsmail, the 2003 England World Cup-winning leader said: “You are only looking at playing four or five games on the tour so if he has got the form, no, it [his age] is not an issue. And he has certainly got the experience. Willie John (McBride) was what – 33, 34 – when he did it?

“What you really want is a captain who is going to get in the Test team and command his position, which is tough because there are lots of good second rows around. It’s all to play for.

“There are obviously some guys with credits already. Alun Wyn Jones has a lot as a Lion and as Wales captain. Itoje has got a lot as a player, but they have got to do it all again. They [the coaches] won’t be picking off 2018, 2019 and 2020. These guys will have to be doing it in 2021.”

Second row has traditionally been the position of choice for the Lions captain when touring South Africa. Aside from McBride, Johnson and O’Connell, there has also been Bill Beaumont, another lock, who skippered the 1980 tour. 

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“I get all that. Fran (Cotton, tour manager in 1997) said that,” agreed Johnson about the thinking of having an enforcer lead the team. “It’s probably easier to captain from the middle of it all when you can show that you’re right into it from the first minute and you’re in it for the full 80, which you might not be on the wing. But Ieuan (Evans) would have been a brilliant captain in 1997 and I don’t think anything would have been different.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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