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The threat to Jones' Lions Test spot that's being backed by Will Greenwood
By Josh Raisey
British and Irish Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones’ Test place against South Africa may be under threat, according to three-time Lions tourist Will Greenwood.
The former England centre provided a player-by-player guide to Warren Gatland’s 37-man squad recently in The Telegraph, and while he did not necessarily talk down the Welshman’s chances of making the starting XV, he suggested that there is stiff competition from Ireland second row Iain Henderson.
Greenwood wrote “Henderson is in my starting Test XV at the moment,” adding that the Ulster captain “never has a bad game.”
Henderson had a standout Guinness Six Nations alongside fellow tourist Tadhg Beirne, ruling the skies in a pack coached by former Lions captain Paul O’Connell.
Jones could end up partnering Henderson in the second row against the Springboks, but Maro Itoje is a player that shone in the 2017 series against the All Blacks under Gatland and though he was not firing on all cylinders for England this year, he is likely to start if he is playing at his usual high level.
It is not just the Irishman’s strength at the lineout that has caught Greenwood’s eye, rather he has praised him for his ball-handling, comparing him to fellow 1997 tourist Jeremy Davidson.
“He reminds me a lot of Jeremy Davidson from 1997– a huge, Irish lump who is massively effective– because he’s not just a huge lump,” the 2003 World Cup winner wrote.
“He is a clever rugby player who is top-quality in the lineout and a great ball-handler.”
Henderson is accustomed to playing at blindside flanker, as is Itoje, which means Jones could well pack down alongside both of them in the first Test. Nevertheless, this is an indication that no one is guaranteed a starting berth against the Springboks, and even the squad captain faces stiff competition throughout.
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It might be legal but he’s sailing pretty close to the wind. Not a lot needs to go wrong for Finau to end up in the bin. Was it late? Not quite, but borderline. High? A couple of CM within the laws, no room for error with that one. Did he wrap the arms? There was a token effort to wrap one arm, the intent was clearly to hit with the shoulder. So yeah, it’s legal, just. But as we all know, a very slight change in the dynamics could easily have him seeing red. Hopefully not when it really matters.
Go to commentsYou forget this is Rassie Erasmus who is still holding the Springbok keys. Even with Felix Jones orchestrating a really tight RWC SF last year. It still wasn't enough to get England past their particular Springbok Monkey in world cups. The reason is FJ was going off of what they did in 2019 not necessarily adapting to current Springboks. So yes, Australia can get passed England because let's be honest, England have a one track strategy, Springboks do not. Even with rush defense I wouldn't be surprised if Rassie continually tweaks it. Also bear in mind Rassie is happy to sacrifice a few mid year and inter World Cup matches to pin point how opposition plays and how to again tweak strategies to get his Springboks in peak performance for the next World Cup. As much as most teams like to win games in front of them and try to win everything, Rassie always makes sure to learn and train for the greatest showdown International Rugby has to offer. Tbh, most people remember World Cup wins and ignore intermediate losses as a result but will remember also WC losses, Ireland, even if they won games in the interim. So even if games are won against the Springboks, it's likely Rassie is just getting a feel for how opposition is moving and adapt accordingly…in time. For Rassie, a loss is never a loss because he uses it as a chance to learn and improve. Sometimes during a game, again like the England match in last year's Semi Final.
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