Dafydd James: Lions must bring back creativity for Sydney Test

12:48 04/12/2013
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  • Former Wales and British and Irish Lions winger Dafydd James gives Sport360° his thoughts ahead of the crunch Test between the Lions and Australia. With the series poised at 1-1, it’s winner-takes-all in Sydney on Saturday…  

    What the Lions need to do is simple; they have go to hell-for-leather and play no holds barred rugby.

    Saturday’s performance was a pretty shoddy display, the play was sloppy and no momentum was gained. I think if we’re honest, the Lions didn’t take the bull by the horns and didn’t approach the game as if they were going to win it.

    Australia had everything to play for and the Lions lost which makes this weekend’s game the last chance saloon for the Lions. I think the Lions need to approach the game as a bit more of a spectacle, like they did in the first game and come back with something to shout about.

    Warren Gatland, however, doesn’t need to make wholesale changes, just the attitude and approach needs adjusting. It’s hard to see how the Lions could have put out a stronger team on Saturday, except perhaps in the case of Tommy Bowe; his injury may have taken a psychological toll.

    The Lions never really had the chance to express themselves. They never got enough ball out to the wings which meant they weren’t able to fully utilise George North and in general the midfield play was poor.

    There was no creativity at all, which is very disappointing. There has been talk that creativity could be brought into the side in the form of Jamie Roberts, but he hasn’t played for three or four weeks, and will his hamstring hold up?

    Although Roberts is a one-dimensional player, that might be what the Lions need at the moment. He’s a runner and he could take the initiative. The squad needn’t change and I think I would run with the same backline.

    If someone is to come in then Manu Tuilagi might be that man – and move Brian O’Driscoll to the bench – if you want something a bit more robust, but I wouldn’t change much. If anything, perhaps another ball carrier in the backline to keep the ball moving and create some chances.

    In terms of the front line, I think Justin Tipuric is a great player and he must be a little disheartened that Sam Warburton is captain and is therefore in front of him in the pecking order, but is chance is now sure to come due to the Welshman’s injury. 

    Tiperic is a very talented player, very quick and good with the ball in his hands. He’s a thinking player that creates space. The scrum and the rucks is where the game could be won and lost.

    On Saturday, the Lions didn’t do anything in the scrum and the Aussies nullified them. If you can’t get a clean go at the ball then you can’t get your strike runners involved. North, Tuilagi or whoever plays with the ball will want a clean look at the 10 and get to the gain line.

    The Lions have lacked ideas. they need to keep things simple, get over the gain line and suck them in. They need to be more streetwise and need to fine tune. It will come to down to who can come out the freshest. I’m just hoping the guys look after themselves this week and come out refreshed.

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