Warren Gatland has the British and Irish Lions on selection tenterhooks nine days out from the series-shaping first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane.
A favourite of Gatland’s after helping his Wales side to the grand slam this year, even centre Jamie Roberts says four games into the Lions’ ten-match tour that he’s given up guessing who’ll feature in the opening Test on Saturday week.
“We haven’t got a clue,” Roberts said after the Lions’ 64-0 whitewash of Combined NSW and Queensland.
“We’ll just have to wait and see what Warren decides to go with. It will be interesting.”
Gatland will on Thursday afternoon name his team to face the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday and it’s likely most players picked will feature in the first Test a week later.
The Lions also take on the Brumbies in Canberra on Tuesday night, but coach Gatland is unlikely to ask too many Test starters to play four nights before tackling the Wallabies.
Superstar centre Brian O’Driscoll is hoping he and Roberts get first crack at the Wallabies midfield.
A veteran of four Lions tours who burst to international prominence in the 2001 series in Australia, O’Driscoll looked to have secured the red No.13 jumper with a classy display against Country, punctuated by a try and several other magic touches.
Roberts remains likely to get the nod at inside centre but his ho-hum performance in Newcastle has left the door ajar for tackle-busting England centre Manu Tuilagi.
Roberts said no matter who was selected the Lions were united in their goal to win their first series in 16 years after falling to Australia in 2001, New Zealand in 2005 and South Africa in 2009.
“Obviously as an individual, you’d love to be playing every game for the Lions and certainly the Test macthes,” he said.
“But those players who make that Test team have a job to do. Those players who don’t have an even bigger job, in my eyes, supporting the boys.
“We’re here as one. Ultimately we want to achieve the goal of winning the Test series, regardless of what team is picked.”
While he agrees it’s reasonable to assume the team Gatland picks to play the Waratahs will closely resemble the Lions’ Test line-up, Roberts doesn’t believe the door will be shut on those overlooked.
“I’m sure if boys impress enough in that Tuesday team, they’ll get their shot at Test-match rugby and Warren has indicated that,” he said.
“The coaches have made it clear to the players that they’ll give everybody a shot and obviously this Saturday’s selection will probably sway things a little.
“That’s what people are expecting. But, as a side, we’ll wait and see.”
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