South Africa coach Peter de Villiers can’t wait to pick apart a British and Irish Lions squad he said he largely expected.
De Villiers said the Springboks will be out to atone for the 2-1 loss to the Lions when they last clashed in 1997.
“It is a good squad, which is what we expected, based on the players who were on form in the Six Nations and understanding the type of players that Ian McGeechan was looking for,” De Villiers said on Tuesday.
“Now that we know the make-up of the Lions squad we will be able to advance our preparations in terms of our analysis of their strengths and weaknesses, how we expect them to play and how we must prepare for the three Tests.
“A Lions tour is always a momentous occasion. Our guys know the magnitude of the task that lies ahead and they know the expectation that there is, especially in view of the disappointments of 1997.”
De Villiers said he was surprised only by the choice of lock Paul O’Connell as Lions captain ahead of countryman Brian O’Driscoll, who led Ireland to their first Six Nations Grand Slam in 61 years and the Lions on their last tour to New Zealand four years ago.
But it was typical of McGeechan, in charge of his fourth Lions party, in choosing a forward who was not a national captain.
He chose Martin Johnson to lead the ’97 squad.
O’Connell was captain of European club champions Munster, and led Ireland in O’Driscoll’s odd absences.
“He drives a forward pack with his character and it was important to have that focus in the forwards,” McGeechan said. “We need that impetus up front and Paul is a very special character.”
O’Connell said: “It’s a fabulous honour. The tour to South Africa represents a huge challenge for the touring party as we will be playing against the world champions.
“However, I’m confident we have the talent and attitude to represent the famous shirt to the best of our ability and to be successful.”
He’s among a record 14 Irishmen selected; Wales had 13, England 8 – their lowest total since 1977 – and Scotland 2.
Four players will be making their third Lions tour – O’Driscoll, Ireland flyhalf Ronan O’Gara, England lock Simon Shaw and Wales flanker Martyn Williams. Shaw was the only survivor from 1997.
Irish and Munster duo, flanker Alan Quinlan and outside back Keith Earls, offered the most unexpected selections.
“Keith came onto the radar at the start of the season. He gives an option at fullback and outside centre,” McGeechan said. “Alan Quinlan is someone who will have quite a big impact on the character of the squad as it evolves.”
New Zealand-born midfielder Riki Flutey, who made his England debut only last November, will enjoy the uncommon honour of having played for and against the Lions, as he was a replacement for Wellington during the 2005 tour.
Among those missing out included the injured Jonny Wilkinson and Gavin Henson, and national captains Ryan Jones of Wales, Steve Borthwick of England, and Mike Blair of Scotland.
The 10-match tour starts against a Highveld XV in Rustenburg on May 30. The Lions will have six games against provincial sides before taking on South Africa in the first test at Durban on June 20 followed by the Emerging Springboks.
The second Test is at Pretoria on June 27 and the third at Johannesburg on July 4.
Derm
Roar Guru
To be honest, I didn't bother my arse counting since there were only 3 or 4 of us. If you like, I'll give it a whirl whilst I'm doing my knitting over the weekend.
Knives Out
Guest
I'd forgotten about that. How did we do points wise?
Derm
Roar Guru
That all depends on whether you know anything about the squad in the first place, KO, and have actualy seen any of them play. Don't forget the low response rate on guessing who might be in the Lions Squad. That people weren't even willing to guess speaks volumes. ;)
Knives Out
Guest
I would have thought that a conservative team would have selected three passing numbers 9s, and not actually three number 9s noted for their running and breaking ability. The fact that Hook and Cipriani haven't been chosen isn't telling at all. They have had bad years. End of story. Were McGeechan determined to play a 'defensive, attritional and pretty damn negative' brand then I doubt he would have selected Flutey, Earls, Halfpenny or S. Williams.
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
It's pretty obvious how the Lions plan to play. Selecting three physical scrum-halves, none of whom is known for the speed of his pass or the subtlety of his game, is rather a giveaway. The fact that none of the uber-talented trio of Hook, Cipriani and Croft (all of whom are ideally suited to an expansive game) has been selected is also rather telling. The Lions will be defensive, attritiional, and pretty damn negative. It's a shame, but then it's unrealistic to expect flowing backline moves and vaulting ambition from a scratch team.
Knives Out
Guest
I believe an Irishman once did, having emigrated to SA.
Nick (KIA)
Guest
I'm really disappointed with this effort from De Villiers - where's the ranting lunatic we love? I guess these comments were prepared for him. Also, the thing about Flutey - in early reports I heard he would be the only player to have played for and against Lions, now he is afforded an 'uncommon honour'. Are there other players who have played for and against Lions?