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The Springboks tactic that resulted in Aki's Lions Test selection

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

The Lions have revealed that a particular attacking Springboks tactic coloured their thinking when it came to the selection of their third Test team which includes Bundee Aki at inside centre for his first appearance in the Test series. Robbie Henshaw started the opening two clashes with the Springboks wearing the No12 shirt, with Elliot Daly and then Chris Harris positioned outside him in the No13 Lions channel. 

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Beaten in last Saturday’s second Test, Warren Gatland has now had another rethink about his Lions midfield, moving Henshaw out to occupy the outside centre berth and bringing in Aki from the cold at inside centre with a view to shutting down one aspect of the threat posed by South Africa.

“Bringing Bundee in, they use (Damian) de Allende a lot in terms of off nine as a hit-up merchant,” suggested the Lions coach about his Aki logic. “Bundee has been brought in there to try and negate that, but he is also a good rugby player in terms of getting some go forward. He is not just a hit-up person, he has got some really good footwork and offloading ability and the other thing was to give Robbie an opportunity at Test match level in that 13 channel too.”

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Lions coach Warren Gatland outlines his disappointment with a World Rugby statement

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Lions coach Warren Gatland outlines his disappointment with a World Rugby statement

Gatland also explained some of his other calls, revealing how the unheralded Adam Beard came close to forcing his way in to start the first Test of the series. The Lions eventually went with Maro Itoje and skipper Alun Wyn Jones at lock, a partnership that has stayed intact and will be there again for this Saturday’s decider. However, rather than have blindside-cum-lock Tadhg Beirne providing cover on the bench, as was the case in games one and two, Gatland had opted for an out-and-out lock in Beard.

One of the strengths of Adam Beard is his maul defence is outstanding,” outlined the Lions coach. “In the South African A game he did a great job and he was quite unlucky not to start the first Test in the second row. We felt we needed something like that to negate one of their strengths if they go to that in the game. Tadhg has been unlucky.

“Sam Simmonds, we talked about some of the guys we have on the bench and as the game breaks up he hasn’t had a huge amount of opportunity but he has been training well, he has got that speed and power and hopefully he gets the chance of the game does loosen up a little bit.”

Reverting to the backs where Gatland has changed two of his back three starters and also preferred Finn Russell to Owen Farrell on the bench, the coach added: “There have been some really tough calls in terms of that and Stuart (Hogg) has had the first two games. 

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“One of the definite strengths of Liam Williams is his aerial game and unfortunately with our whole back three last week, we weren’t great in that area. We put a lot of balls down so we felt we needed to make a few changes there. Then Finn comes in as someone who is just back to full fitness. It has taken the whole tour but he adds something a little bit different and hopefully that second half, when things do loosen up a little bit and we do get some more ball in play time and we do get some tempo, that he can come on and add to that. He definitely offers something a little bit different from an attacking perspective.

“We have been pleased with Ali (Price) on this tour in terms of the tempo he has brought and that is we have moved him back in (for Conor Murray), we thought he played well in the first Test. We even spoke about the likes of someone like Marcus Smith as well. He brings something a little bit different and asks and poses different questions of the defence – and that is something that Finn is able to do.”

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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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TRENDING Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea
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