South Africa v B & I Lions: Second Test Talking Points

Warren Gatland has made a few changes to his British and Irish Lions team for the crucial 2^nd Test against the Springboks, it is these changes that suggest he is readying for a physical and tactical onslaught from the Springboks who have reverted back to the 6-2 bench split that served them so well in the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Scrum Dominance

As far as crucial Tests go, the Mako Vunipola-Frans Malherbe scrum battle is at 1 apiece right now. Malherbe had the better of Vunipola in the World Cup final, while the England loosehead proved a nightmare for Malherbe in last week’s Test match.

Gatland playing Vunipola as a starter is a change that seeks to get early set-piece dominance against Malherbe who may be better served now that he is starting. Vunipola also brings a ton of energy on defence and certainly brings a lot more physicality compared to Rory Sutherland.

Tactically Astute Scrumhalf

Ali Price was exceptional in the 1^st Test and may feel hard done by that he will come off the bench this week, but it seems there is a method to Gatland’s madness in this case. The Springboks will undoubtedly stick to their strengths and seek to be more accurate in their execution, so the Lions need to be ready to counter these tactics

In Conor Murray they have the perfect tactician to outfox the Springbok halfback should it become a tactical duel of the boot. He has the experience to absorb any sort of pressure that comes from the home side and the added leadership he brings will also be crucial.

Sacrificing Offense For Defence

Elliot Daly has been a shining light on attack on this tour, he has been a menace with ball in hand and did not look out of place in the Test run-on side last week, but this week he, like Price, drops to the bench for Scottish centre Chris Harris at outside centre.

The one thing that is obvious about a wounded Springbok side is they will come out guns blazing and one of their sharpshooters is the brute that is Damian de Allende. Harris is an excellent defensive proponent and while it is nigh on impossible to stop de Allende at times, Gatland will be relying on the defensive reading of the underrated Gloucester centre to plug any defensive holes that may be exploited.

Strengthening Bench With Experience

While he went unpunished, Hamish Watson could have cost the Lions last week with his reckless tackle on Willie le Roux. He is a wonderful player, but he is unsuitable for the purpose of closing out a Test match which should be an arm wrestle and it seems the Lions coaching staff have recognised that and moved to rectify that. 

One of Gatland’s most reliable lieutenants during his tenure with Wales was Taulupe Faletau and this weekend will make a return to the Lions Test team taking Watson’s bench spot, it is a sensible move for Gatland whose experienced bench proved to be the difference last week. Faletau not only brings experience but he also brings composure, gain-line dominance and a work rate that will be important in the final minutes.

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