SCOTLAND'S 29-26 WIN over the Mãori All Blacks just might go down as one of our most-significant victories ever. Fourteen of what many people might consider Scotland's current first-choice starting XV were missing, either on Lions' duty, injured or not picked – yet we still beat a talented side who brought typical Mãori passion and commitment to what was an international-ferocity clash.
Given this was a relatively untried Scotland side, the errors were to be expected, but, against this, they produced some excellent moments, scored some spectacular, typically-Scottish counter-attacking tries, with several stand-out performances – from Ollie Smith, then entire threequarter line, George Horne and the back row.
The MAB were ferocious, from their opening Haka, which was an almost Bob Fosse-inspired production number, via some Munster-class stretching of the Laws at the breakdown. But, they too had come to play and they gave the Scottish defensive structures a serious work-out.
We still don't know what the cost of this win was, however. The injuries to Ben Muncaster and Adam Hastings looked worryingly severe, if either or both are ruled-out of the remainder of the Tour, we are really down to the bare bones. Against this, Toony finally got Fergus Burke into a Scotland shirt, and he looked good in his off the bench cameo.
I was a bit worried about that one, prior to the kick-off, and during the game, at times, but the spirit of the side carried the day, so, onwards and upwards towards Fiji and Samoa.
EXCITING AND INTENSE though the game in Whanganeri was, it was merely the appetiser for the real Test Match in New Zealand, the All Blacks v France match which followed, from Dunedin.
The French squad has been roundly criticised since it was named. No Dupont, N'Tmack, Penaud, Ramos, Bielle-Biarrey among others. The more scatter-brained members of the Fleet Street hack pack were forecasting a horrendous thumping for the recast “Les Bleus”. It didn't quite work out that way, as it took a late Beauden Barrett penalty to put the ABs out of reach in a 31-27 win.
This was a genuine Test Match, full of great handling and running, amazing physicallity and some wonderful individual play. I was particularly impressed by the line-out leaping of AB's debutant Fabian Holland. I sometimes feel, European locks do not get as high in the air as they might, Holland was repeatedly hoisted to take the ball at full stretch and his line out command played a huge part in the home team's win.
The fact that France could field such a depleted side and still give the ABs such a tough game is testimony to the quality and depth of talent in the Top 14. This Test series will be a cracker.
THE PROBLEM with the 2025 Lions, as I see it, is, they are being assessed through the spectrum of “England Expects” - “Fleet Street” is driving the comments and perceptions and making their usual ham-fisted job of it. They see the squad as “The Greater England Lions”, who must win every game with style and panache, two intangibles which are only infrequently obvious in English national sides.
The reality is, Saturday's game in Sydney was the fourth pre-Broadway try-out, maybe more in Philadeplphia than Hicksville, Kansas, but still a try-out; if they do a serious pratt-fall in two weeks' time, criticise them: meanwhile, the Lions remain a work-in-progress.
I think this is the problem, the Lions no longer have the luxury of a long tour, with plenty of games leading to the Tests, in which the team can gel and grow. These modern ultra-short tours suit the big clubs and the host Union, they do nothing for the Lions except help downplay the brand.
But, to our tale. From a Scottish point of view, it was a good day. “Shuggiepulotu” laid down a strong marker for the Test centres pairing, although Andy Farrell may still be tempted to pick his son or Gary Ringrose – or both.
Scott Cummings had a storming game, he looked closer to a Test animal than the “Dirt Tracker” status his previous performances seemed set to label him; ran the lines-out well and made some telling contributions in the loose. He is now right in a four-way fight to lock the Test pack alongside skipper Maro Itoje. Blair Kinghorn looks to have nailed down the 15 shirt, as much because Hugo Keenan again struggled as from him being exceptional – he was merely competent, but a competent Kinghorn is still a class act.
Pierre Schoeman had a good game, but, in truth he remains in most minds, third in the loose-head pecking order while Duhan van der Merwe made some good runs and looked more-comfortable in defence than before, but remains at the moment more Dirt Tracker than Test Animal.
Ben White replaced Man of the Match Alex Mitchell, but, in truth, his speed of ruck clearance and energy did not mean a drop-off in scrum-half efficiency.
The media consensus appears to be that Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan and Tadgh Furlong will be the starting front row in the Tests. I am not so-sure, perhaps Farrell sees them as the Lions' very own “Bomb Squad” - in which case, who starts in the front row?
I WAS going to do a critique of Hollie Davidson's outing as Match Referee for the South Africa v Italy game in the afternoon. However, two minutes of “are we not the greatest rugby players ever, playing in Loftus Versfeldt, the greatest rugby stadium ever”, from the Sky South Africa commentary team was more than I could stand, so, I bailed. Sorry Hollie.
Fortunately, Amazon delivered my copy of Sir David Murray's autobiography “Mettle” just after 4pm, so, I switched to Test Match Special, opened the book and started reading. I was, however, slightly disappointed – David has almost completely ignored his great work with the MIM and Livingston Bulls Basketball clubs, for stories from the Rangers Years. I have long thought his time in Basketball was much-more interesting.
So, I switched on the Springbok game to watch an entertaining second half, well-officiated, as ever, by Wee Hollie. A good win for the Bokke, but, some good stuff from The Azurri. By the way, for all the hype about Cheslin Kolbe – I reckon he's not as good now as Kurt-Lee Arendse.
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