Lions should have put pressure on Boks' backs

What we hoped would be a successful Lions series turned into a loss that’s still hard to believe. In all three Tests the Lions showed a commitment and drive to match the Boks forwards but only then did they attempt to outplay their backs.

- JEFF PROBYN

The Third Test showed the Lions getting closest to their best performance on the tour, dominating possession and field positions and playing some fast hands rugby.

The loss of Dan Biggar early in the game before he was able to get into his stride gave Finn Russell a chance to show what the Lions had been missing in the first two Tests and posed the question: why wasn’t he given a chance before?

Truth is I doubt it would have made much difference had Russell started in either of the first two Tests and may have even made things worse if that were possible.

It was always inevitable that whoever replaced Biggar was going to have the game of his life trying to prove the selectors/coaches wrong for leaving him out.

For all the praise lavished on the Lions players they never really hit their stride and failed to command when they needed to.

A three-Test series with just six tries scored hardly shone a light for the game, with even ‘die hard fans’ finding it difficult to say anything positive about the series when it came to the big games.

The problem appeared that the strategy of beating the Boks at their own game took over the mindset of the team during the games. A mindset which must have been chosen and agreed by the coaches with no voice of dissension being heard from the players at any time.

As I have said many times, all coaches use the water carriers to update the team on the field with directions and tactical play advice, so the mere fact the ball was constantly kicked for the corner rather than taking the points indicates agreement from on high.