New Zealand ran out 30-15 winners
in the first test at Eden Park, with some thrilling rugby on display from both
sides. The Lions put in their best performance of the tour so far but still
came up well short of a superior All Black side. New Zealand started the
strongest and showed their class early, and while the Lions fought bravely, the
All Blacks always had enough to see out the win.
 |
| Kieran Read: Optimising All Blacks work-rate and skill level |
The
number one ranked side in the world showed that they are still a class above
any other side in the world from the kick-off. They played the early part of
the game at pace and continued to show silky handling skills with offload after
offload stretching and challenging the Lions’ defence. Throughout the squad players
were all capable of playing at this high tempo, including players like Kieran
Read who was returning from injury. The All Blacks also dominated the contact
area, which was vital for them to do to create quick ball. Despite Lions
putting their bodies on the line, New Zealand continually broke tackles or made
ground in the tackle. It wasn’t till Itoje came on in the second half that they
began to get knocked backwards in the tackle. That is an area that the Lions
will need to deal with before the second test if they want to hold onto any
hope of winning the series.
However, the build-up play is
only any good if you can finish your chances. Here is where the two sides
looked poles apart. When offered opportunity, the All Blacks continued to apply
pressure and came away with points. They kept the scoreboard ticking over and
from early on it was clear they would amass a big score no matter how well the
Lions defended. On the flip side, the Lions had opportunities created from their
dangerous backline but were unable to finish them. Often snuffed out by superb
New Zealand cover defence, but too often stopped by handling errors or a lack
of speed in the supporting players. This lack of finishing has been haunting
the Lions throughout the tour and, most worryingly, carried on into the test
matches.
It wasn’t all bad for the Lions.
You could argue this was their best performance of the tour so far, maybe with
the exception of the Maori game the week before. The shock of the team
announcement earlier in the week perhaps hinted at a more expansive and
attacking game plan for the Lions and it seemed to show. They stretched and
worried the All Blacks, and fought back bravely early on to keep themselves in
the game. However, there were still too many individual errors in attack and
defence. Slightly switching off cost the Lions 14 points, with a mistake under
the high ball and a quick tap penalty, and removing those mistakes would have
created a much tighter game. The Lions will also be disappointed with the high
penalty count, with a number of those coming around the breakdown, with offside
at the fringes allowing New Zealand an attacking platform they don’t need to be
gifted.
It was
a fairly comprehensive victory for New Zealand all being told. They were
commanding, they were clinical and they were classy. Yet, at times, they were
stretched and when the game tightened up after half-time, there were opportunities
for the Lions to take the lead. There are clearly things to work on for the
Lions, finishing chances, cutting out errors, winning the contact, but they are
all fixable. Slight alterations to the starting fifteen, with Itoje & Lawes
likely to bring that power in the tackle, could see the game tilt in the Lions’
favour. New Zealand were substantially the best side without a doubt. But the
Lions are still improving, and don’t need to improve a lot more to be in with a
shout in the second test next Saturday. It’s all to play for.
No comments:
Post a Comment