Parrasque
Juniors
- Messages
- 1,406
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2094-1849835,00.htmlMaori spirit spooks hosts
Great Britains lack of preparation cost them the chance of victory last night and the Rugby Football League must learn its lesson, writes Richard Rae
THERE isnt a direct translation for the Maori word Mana, but its usually used to describe an individual of stature and presence, somebody whose sense of pride and purpose is apparent in everything they do. There were a lot of men with mana on the pitch at Loftus Road last night, and most of them were wearing black. Caught cold on a balmy evening, Great Britains lack of match preparation was painfully apparent against a team which has already ripped apart the best in this competition. By the time they started to compete, the Lions were 16 points behind, and though they showed courage in dragging themselves back to within a single score, it both highlighted their early hesitancy and took so much out of them that they were unable to hold New Zealands final charge.
NI_MPU('middle');
The hopes of British fans had risen when Keiron Cunningham first completed the warm-up in one piece, and then emerged from the tunnel in a Lions shirt, the first such sighting of the St Helens hooker for almost three years. His absence in 2003 and 2004 gave the supporters something of an excuse for Great Britains failure to beat the best when it mattered. Finally, after a season in which Cunningham has regained both fitness and drive, they were about to see their case tested.
What nobody who managed to negotiate the appalling traffic around Loftus Road in time for kick-off doubted was that the test was going to be severe. The Kiwis might not have been able to call on Lesley Vainikolo, but coach Brian McClennan named Stacey Jones at half-back. The playmaker had said he intended to retire from international rugby after the first two games of the tournament against Australia, but here he was, and on a narrow pitch with a short in-goal area, his precise kicking was always going to have a huge influence.
That New Zealand intended to play it tough was immediately obvious in Paul Rauhihi and David Solomonas treatment of Stuart Fielden on Great Britains first possession. It cost them two points, but the way in which the penalty was instantly retrieved was grimly instructive. Nigel Vaganas dummy run on to Joness pass seemed to suck in most of the British team.
And if Brent Webb went over unopposed for the first try, Manu Vatuvei might as well have been. Brian Carney was brushed aside with disconcerting ease, and the Irishmans evening wasnt to improve.
He was saved by the video referee when Vatuvei beat him to Solomonas kick, a break Great Britains performance barely warranted, and when he dropped a Jones bomb, Solomona fumbled with the line at his mercy.
Joness high kick to the corner then saw Jake Webster climb so far above Leon Pryce it was embarrassing, but at least by this stage there had been some signs largely courtesy of Cunningham that Great Britain could, if they could actually hold on to the ball, put the Kiwis under pressure. And it was the hookers pass which created the space for Paul Johnson to give the Lions a sniff.
There was still time, but not after Paul Rauhihi and then Toopi crossed. The game, nearly saved, was gone. Whether there were enough positives to think that Australia can be beaten at Wigan next Saturday is arguable. At least Great Britain have had a match, and perhaps the lesson will be absorbed by the Rugby Football League.
Ok, Britain were playing at home and had all the time to prepare in the world. They didn't have players denied games because of the opposition coach and didn't have to travel on a 20 hour flight. They chose not to have warm up games, they could have if they wanted them.
BOOOOOO Great Britain
