allblacks.com takes you inside the travelling British & Irish media as we turn towards Saturday’s crucial second Test - The Telegraph - Paul Ackford
One of Britain’s most widely-respected rugby columnists, Ackford has no doubt Sir Clive Woodward can bring the 2005 British & Irish Lions level in the Test Series, yet is under no illusions about the enormity of the task.
“It’s a huge ask given the scale of their defeat and the loss of key players to injury,” Ackford told allblacks.com. “I believe what they have to do is tap into a sense of grievance... perceived or real, it doesn't matter. It could be the Kiwi media, their hotel food, anything. So long as it fuels a performance from them.
"This Saturday is as much about self-worth as technique and tactics.”
The former England lock is not just speaking from the safety of the Press box. Ackford was part of a 1989 Lions pack that famously lost their first Test against Australia, before blasting back to take an epic series 2-1.
“What disappointed me most in Christchurch was the apparent lack of intensity across the board,” Ackford admitted. “Usually in a Test match of this magnitude, there are areas where one side has an edge - we knew it was going to be tough containing the New Zealand backline but no one expected the Lions to go so badly up front.”
The man once renowned for his big-match temperament believes victory in the provinces has been no preparation for the white-hot cauldron of Test match rugby.
“Everything goes up a notch in internationals and the All Blacks front-five were clearly better than anything these Lions had faced previously. That caught them on the hop. The other factor is that the man who has been their best scrummager and ball carrier on this tour, Andy Sheridan, wasn't in the Test 22.
“Like others, I also thought Henson should have played the first Test. Against Bay of Plenty he showed he had time on the ball - a priceless quality - and against Southland he demonstrated he had power as well. It was asking a lot of Jonny Wilkinson to do a job when he hadn't done for 6 years. Henson is also cocky which is a good attribute in Tests.”
So 1-0 down, is Sir Clive feeling the pinch?
“He's been on the ropes before,” Ackford smiled. “What will worry him is whether he has the quality of players available to him, given injuries, to turn it round. In a way you have to admire Clive's selection for the first Test - even though it backfired badly on him. He had the balls to make some unpopular decisions and he thrives in adversity so watch out.
“The coverage back home has been pretty big leading into the first Test, with the Sunday Times devoting 7-9 broadsheet pages to the tour. It will still be big this week because obviously the series is still alive. Yet with Wimbledon as well as the cricket - and the Open (golf championship) starting soon - if the Lions lose the second Test, interest could drop off rapidly.”
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allblacks.com takes you inside the travelling British & Irish media as they continue their tour of duty downunder - Westgate Sports Agency - Angus Morrison
A former Chief Sub-editor of The Southland Times and Sports Editor of the Evening Post in Wellington, Morrison shares both the caution and confidence of his fellow Kiwis as the first Test looms.
“I genuinely believe the only team who can beat the All Blacks at the moment are the All Blacks themselves.” He cited the over-confidence he believes cost New Zealand dearly in the 1999 World Cup semi-final against France:
“So there is a precedent... but these Lions will have to hold onto the ball for as long as possible. New Zealanders shouldn't under-estimate the likes of wing Gareth Thomas and prop Gethin Jenkins either - maybe we'll see more Welsh players in the second Test."
A Kiwi now working for the Westgate Sports Agency in Cardiff, Morrison is in unique position to witness some of this tour’s 'cross-cultural' dynamics.
"Do they need a Test win to ensure continued support back home? That's a definite yes. Clive will be either a hero or a zero after Saturday night. There won't be anything in-between."
And while he is also filing copy for London-based tabloid News of the World, Morrison doubts there is any real fire surrounding this week’s omission of Welsh pin-up Gavin Henson from the Test team.
"Too many of the Lions players looked too comfortable with their position in the 'Second XV' against Southland. At least Henson looked genuinely angry to be left out. I don't think his omission is divisive as such - but it's not something Clive Woodward has defended very well.
“It's one thing to leave Henson out of the starting line-up, yet another altogether to leave him off the bench. He can play in any position in the backline except halfback and kick goals from up to 60m out. So if it's 16-15 to the All Blacks with five minutes left... I know who every Lions fan - not just the ones in Cardiff - would like to see out there.”
One star who will be 'out there', albeit in the No 12 rather than No 10 jersey, is England's Jonny Wilkinson.
“His goal-kicking still has the British public on board,” Morrison admitted, “the entire country gasps if he misses. But it's been so long since we saw the rest of his game, the legend has taken a bit of a dent. And I’m not convinced about playing him at inside centre. His shoulder isn't going to thank Clive Woodward for that call.”
Enjoying the fleeting taste of home, the veteran journalist is under no delusions about the magnitude of what awaits both teams this Saturday.
"It’s huge. If only because there is so much pressure on both coaches... reactions from both sides at the final whistle are going to be fascinating. My prediction? New Zealand by 14 with Dan Carter and Ali Williams both having stormers.”
