ROB KEARNEY is the only player who won’t be considered for selection for tomorrow’s sixth tour match when the Lions travel to Port Elizabeth to take on the Southern Kings. The Ireland fullback suffered a dead leg during Saturday’s victory over Western Province and was replaced by James Hook.
Dr Gary O’Driscoll confirmed that Kearney would miss the game. “He got a knee to the thigh. You can’t tell the full extent of the damage at the time so we just took him off as a precaution. He has the full range of movement in the thigh and while he won’t play tomorrow he will be available for selection for the Test match.”
The position that appears to be giving the most concern from a medical standpoint is scrumhalf. Scotland’s Mike Blair withdrew on the morning of last Saturday’s game after a mild sprain failed to clear up, while Mike Phillips wasn’t risked because of some bruising to his back. Harry Ellis did play the full match but yesterday woke up with a mild chest infection.
O’Driscoll is adamant all three could play if required and in that respect the Lions management have given the medical team until tomorrow morning, the day of the match, to ascertain Blair’s availability to play.
Martyn Williams had five stitches inserted in a knee wound but showed no ill effects from the shoulder injury that he had been rehabilitating prior to the match. Nathan Hines (contusion) and Jamie Roberts (bruised shoulder) are both fit to train and play if required.
The accepted wisdom was that Lions coach Ian McGeechan would not select any Test players for tomorrow’s game but the Scot once again reiterated he will be using the Port Elizabeth game to have a final look at players and that the team to face South Africa in Durban would not be selected until Tuesday night.
It was a stance pursued by assistant forwards coach Graham Rowntree. “I think you’ll find a few guys playing on Tuesday and Saturday.”
As if to emphasise the point he highlighted the fact that Gethin Jenkins or Andrew Sheridan might be required to play at loosehead but did then concede that Adam Jones could play there if required.
There’s no doubting, though, the Lions are stretched, personnel-wise. Kearney’s injury takes him out of the equation and there are only six fit backrow players left on the tour. Given that Williams has stitches in his knee he is unlikely to be named against the Southern Kings, therefore probably guaranteeing that David Wallace plays.
Playing Joe Worsley there didn’t work and in fairness, the Englishman has been among the most used players.
McGeechan is unlikely to play his full Test backrow but that’s not to say that Jamie Heaslip or Tom Croft won’t start. Ideally the Scot would like to limit the involvement of potential Test players to 60 minutes maximum.
When quizzed earlier, the medical team, including chief physiotherapist Phil Pask, explained there was no physiological argument against a player playing tomorrow and Saturday. Potential Test candidates carrying injuries are unlikely to be risked, so Roberts is another unlikely to play.
Up front, Ross Ford and Euan Murray should start, along with Simon Shaw and in the backrow David Wallace and Heaslip could line out. Paul O’Connell could be asked to lead the side or in his absence it might be Brian O’Driscoll. Playing either would appear an unnecessary risk.
Behind the scrum, Blair would start, possibly with Ronan O’Gara, while Gordon D’Arcy and Shane Williams are likely to be included at centre and wing.
Luke Fitzgerald and Keith Earls’ versatility could see them chosen anywhere along the backline right to fullback. While McGeechan has clarified his desire to use all six matches, it’s reasonable to assume he is going to ask as few players as possible to double up in a Test week.
Only if there is a genuinely tight call might he afford himself another look or to resolve bench issues. The team for the Southern Kings will be announced at lunch-time today, while in Durban Springboks coach Pieter de Villiers will name his team for Saturday’s first Test around the same time.
