Warren Gatland serves up a generous helping of humble pie to his critics

There’s a nice picture in today’s Times of triumphant Lions coach Warren Gatland heading down the tunnel at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium following his side’s 41-16 thrashing of Australia.

He is raising a hand in acknowledgement as red-shirted fans lean over the wall, desperate to shake the hand of the mastermind of the Lions’ first series win since 1997.

Gatland would consider leading the Lions to NZ in 2017: RT this if you want him to return: http://t.co/rcaPKfLqzZ pic.twitter.com/lcjz3szOon

— Sky Sports Rugby (@SkySportsRugby) July 8, 2013

How different to last week, when scorn was being poured on the New Zealander from all quarters, particularly from the west of the Irish Sea.

His decision to ignore sentimentality and instead opt for the team he thought best suited to take on and beat the Wallabies was derided by former Lions, experts and self-appointed experts such as Keith Wood, Willie John McBride, Austin Healey, Ian Robertson and even Phil Bennett. At least Brian O’Driscoll himself, whose ommission was the cause of so much anger, showed a bit of class.

The Sydney Olympic Stadium: the scene of Warren Gatland’s great triumph

 

And Gatland has revealed he thought about packing it all in last week because of the abuse sent his way via social media. Really, you have to wonder why some people send abuse anonymously – but at least they were treated to a generous serving of humble pie on Saturday. I should say, too, that to avoid doubt, I was being sarcastic last week…

Great to see a few selected apologies for Warren Gatland. However, I feel that the intensity of apology should match that of the criticism.

— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) July 8, 2013

Of course, Gatland showed why, after three Six Nations championships and two Grand Slams with Wales, he is such a highly regarded coach. He, and his coaching team, knew exactly what they were doing.

You had to feel a bit sorry for Jonathan Davies, whom next to nobody (Gatland aside) believed should have been starting ahead of Brian O’Driscoll. But while the Irishman had been lacking a spark on the tour, Davies justified his selection with an excellent performance, most memorably setting up the crucial Jonathan Sexton try by cutting through the green and gold defensive line. He also added a valuable left-foot kicking option, which he used to great effect on a number of occasions.

‘You can’t mouth words and then not live them when it’s your turn’ – Brian O’Driscoll on backing #Lions teammates: http://t.co/JJmrmTkx3u

— TheScore.ie (@thescore_ie) July 8, 2013

Davies was one of the stars of the show, alongside compatriot, man of the series, and possible IRB player of the year Leigh Halfpenny. English prop Alex Corbisiero put in a huge shift, and was the linchpin for the Lions. Geoff Parling’s sensational tap tackle on Jesse Mogg deserves a place on the highlight reel, Sean O’Brien was immense, while George North and Tommy Bowe were again monsters on the wing.

I only managed to watch extended highlights (still not knowing the result), but even so, the second half began with plenty of tension, as Australia scored 13 points without reply almost to cancel out what had been a 19-3 Lions lead.

But a glorious last twenty or so minutes saw Sexton ghost over, Halfpenny release North to cross in the corner before Jamie Roberts sealed a glorious win by crashing through from 25 metres out.

Nobody, surely, could have expected such a comprehensive win. Nobody, perhaps, except Warren Gatland.

Australia v Lions: 12 hours late

It’s almost 12 hours since the Lions and Australia kicked off their series decider in Sydney, and I still don’t know the score!

I’ve been working today, and fortunately nobody at the Wellingborough carnival or other fun days saw fit to let me know the result.

It’s also meant I’ve been unable to go on Twitter, Facebook and even our own website since George North and Alex Corbisiero are both Northampton Saints summer signings.

Still, I’ve just about made it to the repeat on Sky Sports. Phew. Any predictions on how this is going to go? I’m going for a pessimistic Wallabies by four…

Warren Gatland, you heartless fool

It’s 12 hours since Warren Gatland made The Worst Decision In The World Ever.

By tossing Brian O’Driscoll on to the cruel scrapheap of sporting history, he has handed Australia the series on a plate.

It is the most inept tactical blunder since Napoleon invaded Russia as well as the most heartless act of treachery since Mufasa was killed by his brother.

And it wasn’t only the whole of the British Isles which was appalled by the decision – the faux pas is also said to have prompted the abdication of the King of Belgium.

***

Third test, Australia v Lions: my team

With Sam Warburton injured, at least one change is needed following the agonising 16-15 defeat to Australia in Melbourne. And a few who started against the Wallabies in Brisbane look like they may be fit again. So:

Stadium Australia, the scene of the Lions decider on Saturday

15. Leigh Halfpenny – point to prove after his last-gasp penalty miss in Melbourne

14. Tommy Bowe – added an aerial threat after replacing Cuthbert in the second test

13. Brian O’Driscoll (c) – not an automatic pick, as I fancy seeing Jonathan Davies and Roberts team up

Australia 21-23 Lions

Ok, so the Lions might have got a little lucky with the wayward kicking of James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale.

But as the Welsh players have been quick to point out, it’s a nice change after the last four or five outings against Australia, where the Wallabies have won games in the final seconds.

 

Superb picture from 1st Test that will b in all the papers tomorow. Note Lions doc James Robson catching George North pic.twitter.com/jBBIy6hqnH

— Brendan gallagher (@gallagherbren) June 22, 2013

All four tries were good, even if the defences for the other two left something to be desired. What a game – lets hope for more of the same next week (if not quite such a nail-biting finale).

The first test in Brisbane was a classic: entertaining, good-quality and tense. I actually cheered when Israel Folau scored his first try, just because I couldn’t help but be in awe of the positivity (taking a quick tap inside his own 22) and class of Will Genia in setting it up.

Of course, I did the same for George North’s brilliant solo effort, which demonstrated strength, power, awareness, pace as well as quick feet you wouldn’t usually associate with a big man out wide.

Players’ verdict:

15: Leigh Halfpenny – missed a kick at goal (he does it so rarely it’s worth noting when he does) but otherwise barely put a foot wrong…8/10
14: Alex Cuthbert – he wouldn’t have been on the pitch if Tommy Bowe was fit, and a couple of errors suggested he might have been the weak link in the backs. But took his try well, albeit thanks to weak tackling…6

First test: Australia v Lions prediction

Here it is, finally. And in haste, here’s my prediction.

The Lions will be too strong for the Wallabies in most aspects of the game, and although it will be a bit nervy and edgy, especially early on, a powerful back line, dead-eye kicking from Leigh Halfpenny and physicality up front will see the tourists to a relatively comfortable victory.

Australia 13-23 British and Irish Lions