Rugby
Proud of the pride
Christian Hesketh
What makes the contest between the Lions and South Africa's Springboks such an enthralling event is not only the three matches which decide the championship but the club games which precede them. It is in the course of these bruising encoun- ters with famous clubs like the Blue Bulls (Northern Transvaal) that a team made up of players from widely different clubs all
over Great Britain and Ireland begins to take shape and acquire a pattern and iden- tity of its own.
The importance of wearing a green South African jersey is so well recognised in that country that no potential member of the team is allowed to play against the Lions in any match at club level while the tour lasts. The Lions cannot shield their players in the same way and already before the first test was played, they lost the invaluable Robert Howley at scrum half and a splendid lock in Doddy Weir. The latter was the victim of an outrageous foul. As the team had toured South Africa, Ian McGeechan and his comperes have watched the squad develop and, because of the style of play they have encouraged, there have been some breathtaking moments.
As the squad has found its feet and the demand for a place among the chosen 15 intensified, its star players have displayed the élan and panache of inspired school- boys. On occasion they have taken extreme risks but one consequence of their play is that it has captured the imagination of South Africa in a way few previous Lions teams have done. In nearly all the matches played, the magic of Jeremy Guscott has been apparent. How England could have left him sitting on the benches last season remains a mystery. As for the unpre- dictable Gregor Townsend, the flawed jewel in Scotland's crown, he has begun to make more consistent use of the talents no one doubts he possesses. Robert Howley's enforced departure allowed Matt Dawson to take his place at scrum half. As he and Gregor Townsend are club mates in my home club of Northampton and play well together, this looks like a good partnership. Unfortunately, with Townsend injured, and the next test approaching, we might see Mike Cat taking his place.
Before last Saturday's match, doubts were expressed on the ability of the Lions pack to contain their South African oppo- site numbers, but on the day these fears were unjustified.
Saturday's game followed a pattern which has been seen in previous matches, with the home side establishing a com- manding lead before the visitors responded with the authority demanded of a match- winning team. In the North Transvaal game, where the Lions were down 7-18 at half-time, they almost left it too late to win and on Saturday the same thing nearly hap- pened. The team played well, the scrum was rock-solid, but until 10 minutes from the end it was not the Lions who were in control of the game. Nothing was seen of Jeremy Guscott and the Springboks seemed to be holding on to their narrow lead of 16-15. Then the magic moment came when Matt Dawson secured a try which will long be remembered, not only for the dummy he so adroitly sold his adversaries but the single-mindedness with which he ran through five of his opponents on the way to the line. Throughout the match Neil Jenkins's place-kicking was impeccable, and contributed largely to the end result.
What matters in the coming matches is that the team must run with the ball after the first whistle blows because they have the flair and confidence to upstage their opponents. The last thing they must do is allow South Africa to set the pace at which the game will be played. Watching the Lions, this is something they can achieve.
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