by Conor O'Shea
1. Number 10s Stay Fit: Overall, the Lions have to get their combinations decided as early as possible in the tour and give them a chance to play together. The mistakes of 2005 will not be made again, hence the reduced size of the squad. However, with only two of the RBS 6 Nations-starting out-halves in the squad, an injury at the wrong time could derail the tour completely.
2. Play With Variety: Despite the physicality of the selection the Lions cannot expect to outmuscle the Springboks. They cannot afford to back down but they must not forget to utilise the strengths of their outside backs. They will come unstuck if they become too one-dimensional.
3. Don’t Turnover Ball In Open Play: The Springboks are arguably the best in the world on turnover ball and they force turnovers with their blitz defence, and with the likes of Bryan Habana they have the artillery to hurt the Lions.
4. Develop A Strong Lineout And Compete There: It is Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha and Pierre Spies v Paul O’Connell, Alun Wyn Jones and Jamie Heaslip. We certainly know the Boks line-out and that Paul O’Connell will be in the Lions set-up but it will be O’Connell without John Hayes to lift him. The lifters will have to develop a relationship with the jumpers quickly if they are to win the aerial battle.
5. Unite The Nations: A failure to truly bring together players who may have had previous from Six Nations, Heineken Cup or Magners League could lead to damaging divides within the tour party. Gone is the 2005 order of one room per person; McGeechan has returned to old school touring and rooming rules. Bond off the pitch and you will bond on it. A good, winning start on the pitch will be important and as the tour evolves the dirt trackers (non test team) and how they conduct themselves and play in midweek games can keep the momentum going for the whole group.
