THE LIONS SELECTION picture is likely to become a little clearer after the weekend’s assignment against New Zealand Maori, but Warren Gatland will still face a number of big calls heading into the first Test against the All Blacks.
Debate rages over whether Owen Farrell or Johnny Sexton should occupy the out-half berth, while there is also a case being made for Gatland to accommodate both in his side if Farrell shifts to inside centre.
Then there is the back row dilemma, an area the Lions will need to get right if they are to compete with a powerful All Black unit expected to be led by the fit-again Kieran Read.
The Sam Warburton conundrum has given Gatland an extra headache as the tour captain struggles to shake off an ankle problem which has severely disrupted his involvement so far.
He is likely to be fit, but the general consensus is that there are better, more dynamic options available to Gatland, including Sean O’Brien who has really stuck his hand up with an impressive display against the Crusaders.
Justin Tipuric is also in the mix for that number seven jersey but former All Black great Dan Carter believes O’Brien could be the best option after showing what he can do against the All Blacks last November.
“He is a fantastic player,” Carter said. “New Zealanders have lots of respect for both players [O'Brien and Warburton] and that’s another great situation to be in: to have that depth and those decisions.
“Sean O’Brien has physicality at the breakdown, he is so strong over the ball and so defensively sound and he showed what he is capable of last year. He is a world class player.
“That’s the beauty of this Lions squad. Guys are bringing their best and as a team and a squad that will help. You need that depth off the bench. You need guys to come on and make an impact and that they are not being picked just because they are the second-best player but because they are going to make a difference where historically the All Blacks are at their strongest.”
The All Blacks are certainly well aware of what O’Brien would bring to a Test match and while Warburton and Tipuric have their own strengths, Ronan O’Gara says the Leinster flanker is the type of player Gatland needs in his side.
“I know him, I know his character,” the former Ireland out-half said.
“That is the kind of challenge he would relish. He is brilliant for a dressing-room. He’s made of the right stuff. He doesn’t mind getting busted up and he’ll come back for seconds.
“I am biased as I don’t know the character of too many of the others but an awful lot of this has nothing to do with rugby at all. It is an awful lot to do with character.
“They will be tested and pushed like they’ve never been tested before. I know from going into battle with him what he’s made of.
“Peter O’Mahony less so because I only played a few games with him.There are a few good guys up front that need that big game because if it is parity, the New Zealand backs are just too good. Look at Ioane against Jack Nowell, it was just too easy.”
So Carter and O’Gara agree O’Brien should get the nod at openside, but what about that number 10 position?
“That is one of the biggest dilemmas for Warren Gatland and this team,” Carter continues.
“You have got two absolute quality tens with Sexton and Farrell but do you play them both? They had a good 60 minutes together against the Crusaders and it seemed to work pretty well. I thought Farrell started that game brilliantly. He really controlled things but when you see him having to take ball into contact as part of the midfield role it feels like you lose a bit of a playmaker and he needs to be in control. He is in great form at the moment, so it is a dilemma but a good one to have.
“I originally thought that Owen Farrell should be starting at 10 but the more time has gone on the more I am thinking maybe the better option is Sexton and Farrell. I’m still unsure. There are just so many pros for both those options.”
O’Gara is a little more certain in his mind and doesn’t think the Sexton-Farrell axis is a good idea from the start.
“I don’t see how he can start the two of them in a Test match,” he explains.
“I just think it’s a good idea maybe with 30 minutes to go, but starting Johnny at 10 and it means playing Farrell at 12, physically I just don’t think it’s a good idea for the first 30 minutes against Sonny Bill Williams or whoever they are going to play in the centre.
“I think they are two 10s to be honest. I think Farrell plays his best rugby at 10. I think he’s an exceptional player when he has full control. When he’s at 12 it’s a little bit harder because you could see even in the Crusaders, it was probably sprung on them so quickly they had calls where Farrell was at 12.
“Up until Tuesday I would probably have gone with Farrell [over Sexton at 10] but I don’t know. I think his performances for the last 24 months have been better than anyone else’s as a 10. But he missed a bad kick. I know it’s only once but it was still a bad kick, so that’s why the alarm bells went off in my head.”
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