The British and Irish Lions are coming to terms with the massive loss of pack leader Paul O’Connell while also biting their tongue in frustration at the Wallabies’ good fortune with influential second-rower James Horwill.
A clearly unimpressed Lions assistant coach Graham Rowntree has refused to bite about Horwill’s exoneration from a rucking charge just before Irish second-rower O’Connell was ruled out the rest of the Test series with a broken arm.
The former Lions captain is set to be replaced by in-form Englishman Geoff Parling in Saturday night’s second Test at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium.
Parling has been withdrawn from the Lions’ mid-week team to play the Melbourne Rebels on Tuesday night, with Ian Evans starting in his place at lock and Welsh back-rower Dan Lydiate taking over the captaincy.
While Rowntree claimed the squad would be galvanised to overcome O’Connell’s loss and they also had enough depth to cover it, he admitted he was a massive loss.
“He’s such a big influence on the group and has been playing exceptionally well. But you have to get on with these things,” said Rowntree, who admitted the 33-year-old might stay on tour to help with his leadership qualities.
“He was in the form of his life as well.
“I’d like him to stay on, but I’m not sure what he’ll do.
“With the Lions, you just have to roll with the punches in terms of injuries and changes of personnel.”
The Lions also have prop Alex Corbisiero (calf) in doubt for the second Test, where they can claim their first series triumph in 16 years.
The Wallabies injury toll from the 23-21 first Test loss was more severe, however, with backs Digby Ioane (shoulder), Berrick Barnes (head knock) and Pat McCabe (neck) ruled out, and Christian Lealiifano (concussion) and Adam Ashley-Cooper (shoulder) still in some doubt.
“I think last weekend was an intense, brutal encounter and I think this weekend will be another level,” Rowntree said. “It’s certainly the way we are planning for it again.
“Our intensity and accuracy has to go up another couple of gears and I’m confident we can do that.”
The Lions camp is known to be dismayed at Horwill being cleared of rucking Alun Wyn Jones at Suncorp Stadium but Rowntree said: “It’s happened – we move on.”
The forwards coach praised the resilience of the Wallabies scrum after they overcame a tough start to finish the night with two key wins at the set-piece which almost stole the game.
“I keep getting asked about this supposed weakness in the set piece for this nation but they’re not surprising me at the moment,” he said.
Snobby Deans
Guest
Totally disagree Dirk - no way North would have known that Folau would have gone into Barnes and cause the damage it did. He was looking at the ball, not the player. If players have to start thinking in those sort of terms for every collision, then rugby would be the worse for it. If you want to talk "grubby", talk about he deliberate knee to the head of a prone opposiition player (QC on McCaw) . . then again, I guess that was the Kiwi's fault for "whinging" about it. And I don't care what anyone says, what Horwill did was disgusting and he was very lucky to get away with it; just because some Aussie QC decides that the Aussie captain wasn't guilty doesn't mean he isn't guilty. Funny how people talk about neutral refs; maybe a neutral citing reviewer wouldn't be a bad idea to reduce the possible perception of bias. If there was a belief that Lucas was maimed by Farrell, then he should have been cited. A missed opportunity by the Reds / ARU. What would you expect; the Lions to offer Farrell up on a plate?
Roarer
Guest
Dirk's a grub for calling North the gentle giant a grub.
formeropenside
Guest
I did not think there was anything in the push of the player with the ball - even if he pushed him into Barnes on purpose, the aim of the game is to put the man with the ball on the ground.
Dean Vincent
Guest
Well put ChrisT When did all this apparent Clockwork Orange style violence kick off??? North pushes a guy with the ball and apparently he's a "grub". He was probably trying to regain his balance like the Aussie skipper Barnes is the concussion kid and shouldn't be playing the game in my opinion with his track record
ChrisT
Guest
Sorry to interrupt your whining but exactly which of the Lions players is whinging about anything to do with foul play? Care to quote us? While you're at it, you might want to reconsider your 'grub' outburst bearing in mind it was probably the most innocuous looking shove you'll likely see on a rugby pitch. If that's your reaction you might want to watch future games from behind clasped hands in the foetal position - could be a bit scary. Besides, how can you castigate anyone hurting Barnes. That boy gets injured just thinking about rugby.
Gussy Boi
Roar Rookie
POC kicked someone in the head a couple months ago, "accidently", he should never have been on the tour in the first place....get on with it.
Dirk
Guest
Agreed kombie. No mention of the deliberate effort to maim Ben Lucas. Quietly swept under the carpet. Nor any mention of the deliberate push of Folau into Barnes when the grub north could have pushed him into touch far more easily. Typically, the nh players can dish it out but whinge when it's put back on them.
Derm
Roar Guru
Eh yeah - please.
kombiutedriver
Guest
What about Farrel's effort to detach Ben Lucas's ear in the RedsLions match two weeks ago? Are you going to say the same to him?
jus de couchon
Guest
Occonell is a very big loss but he will remain with the Lions. Horwill deliberately stamped on someones face and should play no further part in this series. Shame on Australia for allowing this.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
POC was the enforcer/intimidator of the Lions. Parling is no slouch though.
grotto
Guest
This is huge.