Rugby news, lions tour, paul
oconnell
Lion King O’Connell departs the Den and leaves the pack exposed, but can they ‘pounce’ back
They may have been blessed
to be the first Lions Test team with two former captains in their ranks but
with the loss of one of them suddenly the tourists look denuded of generals
alongside their young captain, Sam Warburton, especially up front.
Paul O’Connell has been
immense since the squad first came together in the Vale of Glamorgan six weeks
ago, and now his absence leaves a huge void.
If it’s cruel on him to miss
out on the rest of the tour with a fractured forearm having recovering from a
back operation on New Year’s Eve, it’s equally damaging for the Lions.
One suspects O’Connell even
surprised the management with the trademark force of his personality, not to
mention the tackling, carrying, breakdown work, lineout skills and innate sense
to come up with the big play at the big moment. At 33, he was playing as well
as ever and like any pack with him as a fulcrum, you could throw a blanket over
them. He’s a loss.
‘He’s one of the best
[locks] and he’s in the form of his life as well,” admitted forwards coach
Graham Rowntree yesterday. “He came into selection quite late because he’d been
out for so long with injuries during the season. Suddenly he came back on the
radar after that game against Quins in the European Cup. He was fit, in fact I
don’t think he’s ever been fitter.
“He’s a good leader, without
stamping over what Sam says. Paul is a very good leader within the group but he
is very respectful of Sam being captain. He leads by example.”
Trusted Lieutenant
Suddenly, of the pack only
Jamie Heaslip has experience of captaining at the highest level as a trusted
lieutenant for Warburton.
Geoff Parling, a noted
lineout operator as well as an unstinting worker around the pitch, will replace
O’Connell, after he was withdrawn from captaining the Lions today against the
Melbourne Rebels.
“We’ve said that right from
the outset; that the attitude and intensity of the midweek team makes the
series, because on a Saturday they were the ones who were straight into the
changing-room, congratulating the lads,” added Rowntree.
He described Parling’s form
for England this season as “exceptional”.
“He certainly helps me
within the group, having such leadership in the lineout. But Geoff is more than
just a lineout forward. He’s a very clever footballer, a good ball-carrier. His
workrate involvement is very high and he is getting better and better, but he
has got to be to go in a squad like this one.”
The Lions have also been hit
by a knee injury to Alex Corbisiero, which has made him a major doubt for the
second Test and makes Mako Vunipola a real target for the Wallabies at scrum
time.
Court’s call-up
Speaking of Tom Court’s
ensuing call-up from holidays in his native Brisbane with his family and
friends, Rowntree said: “We are not quite sure whether he [Corbisiero] will be
right for the weekend.
“He is certainly out
tomorrow night so we need a bit of cover. Tom happens to be in Brisbane. I
didn’t realise he was Australian. He gives us good cover, temporary cover, for
Corbs.”
The Wallabies have also been
hit by injuries and yesterday confirmed centre Pat McCabe (neck) and winger
Digby Ioane (shoulder) will play no further part in the series.
The pair will be joined on
the sideline for the second Test by fullback Berrick Barnes, who was concussed
in the first half of last weekend’s match and has been ruled out of the second
Test.
Leali’ifano recovering
But inside centre Christian
Leali’ifano is “making an excellent recovery after he too sustained concussion,
in the opening minute of the first Test” according to a Wallabies statement
while Adam Ashley-Cooper (shoulder) should also be fit for next Saturday’s
game.
A warrant was also issued
for Ioane’s arrest yesterday after he failed to show for a court hearing into
allegations of assault, with a new date for his hearing expected to be set in
the next few days.