Michael Corcoran's Blog

by Michael Corcoran

Have you ever been in a car or bus that broke down in the fast lane of a motorway and were forced to change to another vehicle, whilst dodging the other traffic as it flew by at top speed?

I’m afraid that’s what the stressed out members of the media were forced to do on the way to the game v Emerging Spingboks at Newlands, or should that be Wetlands, here in Cape Town last night.

The bus chugged to a halt just after we had started our journey, the overflow 52 seater following behind was carrying 2 passengers, we had to disembark carrying laptops and equipment, dodge the oncoming drivers and climb aboard the bus behind.

We survived and lived to tell the tale.

The second of three cold fronts to sweep the Cape this week struck with a vengeance in the lead-up to last nights game. Cape Town Airport was closed because of strong winds and most of the game was played in monsoon like conditions.

With waves of seven metres, many were disappointed with the cancellation of boat trips to Robben Island and those hoping to see the surrounding area from Table Mountain were equally so as it’s been covered in cloud most of the week.

The nearby V and A Waterfront is an alternative attraction; there are lots of bargains on offer, and loved ones left at home could reasonably expect some extra thought being put in to a “brownie points” present.

The Lions have also been battered about a bit this past week.

Team selection - McGeechan's record indicates that we may not see many changes

After losing the First Test, there has been lots of debate about team selection for the game in Pretoria on Saturday. Clearly changes are needed, however Coach McGeechan’s track record would suggest there may not be as many as some would anticipate.

It is, of course, a prime source of conversations among the media camp followers.

Casual discussions regarding team selection can lead to many debates, and they can get more and more heated as “media cabin fever” sets in. Weeks of travelling, eating and watching games together can lead to normally sane people coming up with some strange thoughts and ideas.

A recent example: fellow journalist says after Test One, “never saw Vickery play like that before, it’s all down to Paul O’Connell, he was scrummaging behind him”

My reply, “I take your point, but was Paul also scrummaging behind Adam Jones when he came on?”

“Eh, I hadn't thought of that” came his reply.

Moving on.

My team for the second Test would show 6 changes from last week: Rees and Jones in the front row, Donnacha O’Callaghan with Paul O’Connell in the second row, O’Gara for Jones at out-half, Fitzgerald for Moyne on the wing and Kearney to continue at full back.

However, I expect Rees, Adam Jones, Fitzgerald and Kearney will be the only changes from last week’s XV when the team is named at lunchtime tomorrow.