Stephen Ferris hopes for changes within the Lions pack ahead of second Test against All Blacks
Monday 26 June 2017 13:16, UK
Former British & Irish Lion Stephen Ferris believes there are still positions up for grabs ahead of the second Test against New Zealand, highlighting the strengths of Rory Best in particular.
Ferris, who toured with the Lions against South Africa in 2009, says that the Lions struggled in their battle against the All Blacks forwards pack at Eden Park on Saturday and would like to see a few changes to the side ahead of the second Test in Wellington.
The Lions fell to a morale-damaging 30-15 defeat to the world champions in the first Test with tomorrow's final midweek tour match against the Hurricanes acting as a final opportunity for players, especially within the forwards, to stake a strong claim for a starting place.
"Sean Fitzpatrick talked about needing to win the breakdown," Ferris told Sky Sports. "We were underpowered in the scrum and for me, if there's one person in the Lions squad that is unbelievable at the breakdown it's Rory Best."
"He is like another back rower around the ruck and for me would do a great job being in there. He is without a doubt one of the best scrummaging hookers in world rugby.
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"He has proven that with club and country and for me, him being in the hooking position would shore up that scrum but him starting for the Lions against the Hurricanes is a good sign that he is not going to be involved at the weekend."
Ferris also hopes to see some changes in the Lions' second row highlighting the importance of offering a more complete approach to their forward play,
"I would love to see a bit of muscle into that second row - somebody like Courtney Lawes and Ian Henderson," added Ferris.
"During that game only a couple of weeks ago against the Chiefs they were unbelievable - like two men possessed and that is what we didn't see at the weekend.
"Alun Wyn Jones struggled, yes he took a bit of a head knock. George Kruis wasn't too bad in the line out but he didn't offer enough around the pitch and if you're somebody with the ball carrying capabilities of Iain Henderson and the man mountain Courtney Lawes who runs around smashing people then you really need two people like that who are going to set the tone."
The squad players featuring in the fixture against the Hurricanes on Tuesday will be looking to force their way into the Lions set-up on Saturday and can take confidence from the impressive performances by backs Liam Williams and Elliot Daly in last week's victory over the Chiefs.
However, Ferris doesn't expect Warren Gatland to make a massive shake-up within the Lions starting line-up.
If you're somebody with the ball carrying capabilities of Iain Henderson and the man mountain Courtney Lawes who runs around smashing people then you really need two people like that who are going to set the tone.
He said: "They have a big chance against the Hurricanes tomorrow night and fingers crossed they will put in another heroic effort.
"I don't think he will make that many changes although everybody thought that before the last warm-up game going into the first test and then we have seen Elliot Daly come in."
Meanwhile the former Irish flanker has dismissed the significance of Gatland's war of words with Steve Hansen over the All Blacks' targeting of Lions scrum-half Conor Murray during the first Test in Auckland.
"It's mind games yet again by the man Warren Gatland," said Ferris. "A couple of weeks ago it was something different. Last week it was blocking - it's just one thing after another.
"The big thing for me as a past player is you just want to be talking about the teams. You don't want to be talking about the head coaches having a go at one another. Steve Hansen has shown that he is defending his team and will defend his team over the coming weeks but it's very interesting.
"It's going to lead to an amazing game, first of all tomorrow against the Hurricanes but also into the second test here in Wellington."
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