"Lacks personality" - Lions legend Scott Gibbs rips apart Gatland's selection

Friday, 06 August 2021 at 22:00

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byRugby Rucker

Scott Gibbs has been giving his thoughts about the Lions’ performances so far on the SARugbyMag website.

“We knew there were going to be changes and that they would give us an idea of the identity of the Lions team going into this decider,” said Gibbs.

“This is probably what the first Test side should have looked like."

BACK-THREE:

15. Liam Williams (Wales)
14. Duhan van de Merwe (Scotland)
11. Josh Adams (Wales)

Gibbs said: "There’s a much-needed change in the back three because of the erratic-ness of last week’s performance and also the insecurity it provided in the first Test, so Williams and Adams get their shots.

“Liam is very good under the high ball, one of the great counter-attacking full-backs.

“Josh Adams, up until the week before the first Test, was the shining light in a Lions jersey.”

"Duhan van der Merwe retaining his place just strikes me they want to rely on more of a carrying presence.

“I expect it to be another attritional type of performance.

“It does concern me that it will be a performance based on we have to match fire with fire.

“I think that’s going to be a very tall order for the Lions.”

CENTRES:

13. Bundee Aki (Ireland)
12. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)

Gibbs said: “Gatland looks to have gone back to kind of an element of safety with Bundee Aki joining Robbie Henshaw in the midfield.

“There is huge onus on them to get across the gain-line.

“The Lions have knocked on the ‘Boks door, but it has been fortified, there have been no gifts.

“If you look at Aki and Henshaw, they are just going to continue to hit and be hit by the sterling midfield defence of the Bo

HALFBACKS:

10. Dan Biggar (Wales)
9. Ali Price (Scotland)

Gibbs said: "The bench is more explosive, with the inclusion of Finn Russell to create deception and to create some opportunities that may be a game breaker,” said Gibbs.

“If Russell gets some game-time, it means the Lions will try to play to win rather than play not to lose this Test.

“I would like to see him have 30-35 minutes, rather than coming on late in the last quarter to try and rescue it.