We don’t deserve to have lost series, Lions lament
By Luke Phillips, 29 Jun 2009 Luke Phillips is a Roar Pro
The British and Irish Lions were left licking their wounds after a nail-biting 28-25 second Test loss to South Africa on Saturday sealed a series defeat.
The Lions controlled the first 40 minutes and led 16-8 at half-time, with Stephen Jones putting in a faultless display with his boot, kicking 20 points in the match at Loftus Versfeld.
But it was not enough to stop a late Springbok comeback in the shape of a Jaque Fourie try converted by Morne Steyn, who then kicked the match-winning penalty on full-time after Ronan O’Gara took out Pierre Spies when contesting an up-and-under.
“I’m very proud of the players,” said McGeechan. “They don’t deserve to be two down in the Test series, it’s as simple as that.
“They put in a fantastic effort and today was a tremendous performance.
“It’s disappointing that we’ve given South Africa an opportunity they shouldn’t have had.”
In a hard-hitting match, the Lions were decimated by the end, with Adam Jones (shoulder), Gethin Jenkins (cheekbone), Tommy Bowe (elbow) and Jamie Roberts (wrist) among those taken off because of injury.
“We think there are some significant injuries, three or four,” confirmed McGeechan.
The Lions head coach also decried some refereeing decisions that have not gone the way of his team.
“We haven’t had the rub of the green in some of the decisions this week or last week. The result won’t change, you’ve just got to live with it,” he said.
Lions captain Paul O’Connell added: “We’re bitterly disappointed at a huge opportunity lost.
“It’s a big challenge, the Lions coming together as a team. As rugby gets more and more professional, the harder it is to come together and gel as a team.
“It takes a lot of open-mindedness and hard work from the coaches and players to do that and I think that in fairness we did it. We were just a bit unlucky and made some crucial mistakes at times.”
O’Connell said there would be no problem motivating his troops for the third Test next Saturday at Ellis Park, Johannesburg.
“It’ll be a disappointing few days but the guys will be looking forward to playing next week. Motivation comes from wearing a Lions jersey.
“If we’d played badly it might have been a difficult place, but that’s not the case.”
But Springbok skipper John Smit warned that there would be more to come from the hosts.
“We want to keep up standards,” he said, looking ahead to the third Test.
“We still haven’t quite hit the button yet. It’s still early season for us, we still have a lot of work to do to really get full throttle going.”
South Africa’s Schalk Burger and Bakkies Botha were both cited for foul play during the win.
Making his 50th appearance for the Boks, flank forward Burger was cited after allegedly gouging the eyes of Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald in the first minute, earning him ten minutes in the sin bin.
Second row Botha was cited for dangerously charging Jones in the fourth minute of the second half.
Both players will appear before Judicial Officer Alan Hudson of Canada in Pretoria on Sunday.
If the cases are proved, both are expected to miss next Saturday’s third test.
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Greg Smith said | June 29th 2009 @ 5:49pm | Report comment
‘don’t deserve’ – they’re right… they don’t deserve the first 6 games they were gifted !
2-0
Thanks for coming losers !
Campbell Watts said | June 29th 2009 @ 9:17pm | Report comment
Boo hoo!
Poor old Lions, robbed I’m sure!
Reality check – you lost this one, the last one and the series! Just not good enough! When will the northern hemisphere produce a Lions side good enough to beat the south again eh?
Haven’t heard much from old Knives Out today have we!!!!
Funny that!!
ABMAN said | June 29th 2009 @ 9:23pm | Report comment
If the Lions were good enough they would’ve won pretty simple really.
Not sure that I would be as smug as you are though lads.
Remember noone stays at the top forever.
Ytraboy said | June 29th 2009 @ 9:25pm | Report comment
Now now lads don’t be so harsh
Darryl SA said | June 29th 2009 @ 9:30pm | Report comment
Much like the Boks didn’t deserve to win the 1997 series. As I recall the comment from the Lions fans then was “look at the scoreboard”.
Ditto!
Ben J said | June 29th 2009 @ 9:37pm | Report comment
The Lions talked themselves into a pile of @#!$ the moment they declared they are out to take the Boks on out front and this is why they brought “beasts” as Rowntree promised. Well, in the end it just was’nt enough though I must say that it was as thrilling and brutal as you will see this year. 12 more years boys!
Colin N said | June 29th 2009 @ 9:50pm | Report comment
“When will the northern hemisphere produce a Lions side good enough to beat the south again eh?”
Hopefully in four years, but there’s surely no point in speculating about what will happen in four years is there?
This Lions side was written off as one of the worse ever, but produced outstanding rugby, to come very close to beating the South Africans in both games. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite go the Lions way, but most TRUE rugby fans believe this has been a great series between two very good sides and are perhaps realising that the gap between the north and south isn’t as big as some people think.
Knives Out said | June 29th 2009 @ 9:54pm | Report comment
Colin, there has been about 6 new aliases crop up over the past week, all with the same grammar and prose, and basically saying the same things. Don’t allow yourself to be trolled.
Greg Smith said | June 29th 2009 @ 9:56pm | Report comment
Springboks got good practice for the Tri Nations. Thanks to Ian McG and his lads. 2021 isn’t that far off. South Africa should/could be Word Champions again (2019 RWC) Fingers crossed.
Let’s hope NH hemisphere rugby union can get it into the same league as SH rugby. Then 2012 would be a stiff challenge.
It’s a bit funny that in Britain, they’re claiming this as ‘The Best Game Ever !’ (poor lads have little to compare it with)
In South Africa, it’s another classic but not nearly worthy of ‘The Best Game Ever !’ LMAO !!!!
Ben J said | June 29th 2009 @ 9:59pm | Report comment
Colin N
The Lions in my view made this an epic test series regardless of the results. I think that players such as Kearney, Croft, Bowe etc. will return to their clubs and countries having experienced the toughest rugby of their lives and are the better for it. In the end the Boks did the 4 home countries (except Scotland) a massive service and Southern hemisphere fans will now take notice next time these players run out in the next Six Nations.