Has Warren Gatland come over all sentimental in his old age? This Lions tour, although it’s very early days, goes against all the arch-pragmatist has done his entire career.
Last Saturday against Japan we had the spectacle of Dan Biggar throwing wide miss-passes to his wings. This week in Johannesburg there were off-loads galore, running in space, long lineout throws over the top, even passes behind their own line.
It finished 56-14 against the overmatched Sigma Lions in the first tour game proper. Perhaps against greater quality of opposition, starting with the Sharks this week, the Lions might revert to Gatland’s old staples of big guys bashing around the corner and bombs aimed at the back three.
Small moments but an inevitable landslide
THAT TACKLE FROM STUART HOGG!! 🙌#LionsRugby #LIOvBIL pic.twitter.com/wZBOw53DEh
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) July 3, 2021
The extreme looseness of the spell just after half-time might have been more severely punished but for a heroic last gasp tackle by captain Stuart Hogg.
But there are always these small moments in the opening games of Lions tour, and the result is invariably the tourists wearing down the opposition.
The biggest detriment to Josh Adams was gasping for breath because of the Jo’burg altitude as he scored four tries, reminding those with long memories of Andy Irvine’s five against King Country-Wanganui in 1977.
The Lions have been winners on the last two tours but apart from George North in Brisbane and the final test in 2013, and some brief moments in 2017, they haven’t been much fun to watch.
These were the Lions of our youth though. Well, those of us whose youth was in the 1970s.
Finn has fun on the high velde
Classic @finn_russell 🎯
And an easy finish for @JoshAdams951’s second of FOUR so far today 🤩#LionsRugby #CastleLionsSeries #LionsSA2021pic.twitter.com/UTCTzUzmW6
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 3, 2021
Maybe it was Finn. The Scotland stand-off was allowed to play his natural game.
Apart from a couple of misjudged touch kicks, he scampered through the game in his usual fashion. There was the full repertoire – no-look passes, delayed deliveries, flat passes under his own posts, the works.
But there was also the kicking game. The pinpoint delivery to Adams for his second try and the one that finally broke the Sigma Lions’ resistance was exquisite.
His midfield partnership with Owen Farrell didn’t look quite test-ready yet, but serviced by BFF Ali Price, Finn looked as comfortable as he is in both shades of blue for Scotland and Racing.
Price was busy and bright, box-kicked superbly and scored the easiest try of his professional career. Hamish Watson pinballed about to great effect, especially for his try in the first half. He got man of the match despite Adams’ quartet of scores.
Harris marks his card impressively
The first try of the 2021 Tour 💪
It only took @LouisReesZammit 3 minutes to score on debut, they don’t call him Rees-lightning for nothing ⚡️ #LionsRugby #CastleLionsSeries #LionsSA2021 pic.twitter.com/rAT3zGx5mo
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 3, 2021
Chris Harris, who Scots supporters have learned to love, was outstanding. He had three lineout takes on a set move the Lions eventually overused. His kick through for Louis Rees-Zammit’s try was perfect, and he carried and tackled effectively.
It’s still too early for test selections, even though we’re just four games away now. We won’t get even an idea of the way Gatland and his management team are thinking until – probably – next Saturday’s game against the Bulls in Loftus Versfeld.
It’s hard to find anyone who has actually harmed themselves so far. It seems to be still an open field for the three tests.