Challenge now between the ears
Lineout time: Alun Wyn Jones of the Lions wins the lineout during game two of the series between the Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions at Etihad Stadium. Photo: Getty Images
In golf, there's a saying: "You don't draw a picture on the scorecard". It's usually in response to an ugly shot that has a Prince Charming ending. Sometimes Test rugby is more hard than handsome, more brute than beauty, but long after the detail is forgotten, the scoreboard will be remembered. The only thing that really matters about the 16-15 Wallaby victory against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday night is that it points to a decider this weekend in Sydney. That's beautiful.
This was a hard game to interpret. The stats recorded the Wallabies as enjoying 64 per cent of possession but that dominance didn't translate to momentum – at least not until near the conclusion of the match.
Momentum is delivered by usefully constructed, consecutive phases of recycled possession but it is destroyed by errors. It wasn't until the match-winning sequence in the 76th minute, where the Wallabies delivered double-digit phase numbers in the Lions' quarter, that they advanced error-free in a threatening manner.
Until then, they had continually thwarted themselves. Israel Folau pushed a pass, Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor dropped balls cold, Kane Douglas spilled twice in contact, and Joe Tomane received a pass while already over the sideline.
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Rugby is easier for a spectator than it is a player, but that doesn't mean it's easy.
Not all of these out-takes were unforced, of course, as the Lions were often damaging and always belligerent in defence. Coach Warren Gatland's tactical selection of Dan Lydiate reinforced the breakdown and was almost the masterstroke. Lions captain Sam Warburton was ever on the ball in an equally phenomenal, and almost match-winning performance. But the lines between diamonds and dust are fine. Warburton went off late and the pendulum swung, ever so slightly, but just enough.Biggest challenge between the ears
What do the respective coaches have up their sleeves now? There is little doubt that either Robbie Deans or Gatland would have intentionally foxed in this match. For the Lions, it was about victory; for the Wallabies, survival. Up until minute 80, tomorrow was another day that could take care of itself as and when required. But now such issues must be considered.
Will there be changes – either forced through injury or dictated by a change in tactics or a loss of form? And what's to become of Wallaby captain James Horwill, who faced another judicial enquiry for the same charge, after an appeal by the International Rugby Board on their own appointed judicial commissioner's decision. What about double jeopardy? I'm no lawyer but I've seen movies about such matters and the combatant got away with murder. The ordeal, irrespective of the outcome, may in the end galvanise the Wallabies, but not before it distracts them, as they know they won't be the same without their captain.
Even though there are other leaders within this Wallaby team who can toss the coin and make the necessary decisions, they'll still miss Horwill's leadership. Will Genia and Ben Mowen, who were both tireless and again among the best afield, can fill the role of captain. But Horwill, like those others, brings with him something unique and special.
What they can't replace is Horwill's presence. Horwill is the man these guys look to across the change room and grow a leg. No words need be spoken. He's the one they'll follow on the field without question. His selfless and uncompromising persona is the essence of the Wallabies' values and allows his teammates to believe – in themselves and in the cause. When he chooses a scrum instead of a gift three points, his teammates believe they'll score the try. Even though they may not have scored at that play, the result came soon afterwards.
The biggest challenge this week is between the ears. In a post-match interview, Lions lock Alun Wyn Jones said the Lions didn't want to take this series into a third-Test decider. That luxury is gone, and how they deal with it might determine the series. Are they tough enough to brush off their disappointment and turn up on Saturday with a fresh and focused mind? Are the Wallabies measured enough to suppress the joy of victory, as the real prize is not awarded until after next week?
Captain and coach from both sides will survey their teams, cuddling some and cajoling others as they seek to harness the winner's mindset. It's the balance between belief, focus and execution.
Each week in this series, the stakes have risen. But as of next week, the Tom Richards Cup will be part of a fairytale for one side and failure for the other.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/challenge-now-between-the-ears-20130702-2p8p2.html#ixzz2Xu9TPtsb
White says defeated tourists to 'crumble’
Water boys: Lions players trained at North Sydney Oval on Monday in preparation for a big week. Photo: Dean Sewell
Brumbies coach Jake White believes the British and Irish Lions ''will crumble'' if they are beaten in the opening Test against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.
White, who coached South Africa to World Cup victory in 2007, said that whoever won the first Test would win the series and that defeat for the Lions would raise questions about coach Warren Gatland's selection policy and preparations for the three-Test tour.
''There's so much pressure on this first Test, whoever wins this will win the series,'' White said.
''I think Warren knows that this Lions side will crumble if they don't win in Brisbane. They have staked everything on winning that first Test match. They played in Hong Kong in the heat, in the rain against the Reds, they've tried combinations against the Waratahs and they rested players against us.
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''And that's fine, Gatland knows that this first Test will make or break the series. They will believe with the game time, combinations and time they've had to gel on-field performances with off-field synergies and dynamics will be enough to carry them through.''
White believes the losing side on Saturday will be ''psychologically broken'' and says a defeat for the Lions would put Gatland's decision to build the core of his starting XV around Wales' Six Nations-winning side under fire.
''The Wallabies are banking on the fact that the home ground in Brisbane is where they play their best rugby,'' White said. ''If they don't win there, it is highly unlikely they are going to play better rugby in Melbourne and then in Sydney.
''They've got [Will] Genia and [James] Horwill who love playing there, they will be banking that if they are to win a Test match, they will be looking to win that one in Brisbane. Conversely the Lions, with the dynamics they have of playing North, Cuthbert and Halfpenny, which is the Wales back three, and playing Warburton as a captain, who is the Wales captain, if they lose this Test match, the other countries' players are going to be banging on the door saying, 'OK, we need to change'.''
White argued that the future credibility of the Lions is at stake, given that the tourists have not won a series since South Africa in 1997. ''If the Lions lose, you've got to ask yourself the question: when are the Lions going to win a series?''
But he also believes there is equal pressure on Gatland's Wallabies counterpart Robbie Deans given his decision not to play any warm-up games in contrast to the Lions.
''The Wallabies will think they are right having players fresh,'' White said. ''If Australia win, they will say that's the recipe for winning the first Test match while if the Lions win, then they will say they got it right.''
As for the Lions' preparations, White said he would have followed the blueprint used by Clive Woodward in 2005 by bringing a squad of 44 players and having two clearly defined sides.
Telegraph, London
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/white-says-defeated-tourists-to-crumble-20130618-2oghd.html#ixzz2Xu9prWIW
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