Lions Playing for Pride and Survival
2009 sees the British and Irish Lions tour World Cup Champions South Africa. With the first test already having gone South Africa’s way 26-21, all eyes are on Ian McGeechan’s squad to level the series on the 27th of June. The 37 man squad consisting of fourteen Irish players, thirteen Welsh, eight English and two Scots are looking to ensure pride in the region, but face a difficult task taking on the home team and reigning champions.
The changes for the squad to took the field form the first test include changing the fullback from Lee Byrne to Rob Kearney, Luke Fitzgerald for Ugo Moyne and left wing, Alun Wyn Jones for Simon Shaw, Phil Vickery for Adam Jones and Lee Mears for Matthew Rees at hooker.
The lions will be coming in to this test with some form after show plenty of character to almost come back against the Springboks, coming back form 26-7 to only lose 26-21. As long as they eradicate the handling errors in the game and have greater execution, they should have plenty of fighting spirit against he springboks. Defence in the opening minutes of the game will be a big issue, with soft tries coming in the first test, making it difficult for the lions to actually build any momentum, rather having to contain momentum.
The game will be played at higher altitude than the first test and will be a big test for the lions. The front row has received the biggest change structurally, with Adam Jones and Matthew Rees coming into help hold the scrum and diffuse difficult situations against the Springboks. In the first test, Phil Vickery had a disastrous campaign against his opposite number Tendai Mtwarira, and led to five penalties conceded, where three were converted. Not since 1955 has there been an all Welsh front row.
This test looks to be a thriller with the pride of the lions up against the strength of the Springboks.
