Lions Series: rugby365's top 10
Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:08
Mike Phillips, Jamie Heaslip and Heinrich Brüssow lock horns.
rugby365 looks back on the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour and picks the five standout performers from each of the two great sides which did battle in three physical and dramatic test encounters.
The Lions of 2009 are making their way back to the UK this week but the memories of the latests Lions installment will be with many of us for a very, very long time.
All three tests were titanic battles with the injury count alone testament to the players commitment and determination to the their resoective causes. The second test, already dubbed by some as the greatest test ever played, provided enough drama and tension to last us another 12 years while the Lions brave performance in Johannesburg restored some deserved respect to the brand.
Ultimately the glory belonged to Peter De Villiers and his Springboks. While possibly never playing to their full potential, the Springboks showed great experience and power to edge past the Lions and wrap up the series in Pretoria.
Still considered one of the grandest occassions in World rugby, a Lions tour offers players the chance to cement their names in legend. A stage set for the very best players in the world, rugby365's shares their thoughts on who webelieve stood out from the crowd and made their mark in 2009.
rugby365's top 10:
Heinrich Brüssow: (RSA)
A late edition to the squad because of injury to Schalk Burger, Brüssow must surely now have established himself as South Africa's first choice openside. Burger's suspension for the final test ensured the Cheetah's star started the final test and continued to trouble the Lions at the breakdown.
Lighting quick around the park and an outstanding fetcher, Brussow was a thorn in the side of Ian McGeechan’s men throughout the three test series.
Jamie Roberts: (WAL &
Lions)
A standout performer almost every time he had the chance on tour - Roberts arrived in South Africa as a player with huge potential, speed and power - he left it as one of the real rising stars of world rugby.
His partnership alongside Brian O'Driscoll was easily the most dangerous weapon the Lions had in both Durban and Pretoria.
Bismarck Du Plessis: (RSA)
The powerful hooker was a big part of the forward dominance by the Springboks in the first test and a dynamic force in the second one as well. His work in the tight exchanges and set pieces is increasingly impressive and he has clearly emerged as a very important figure in the South African pack.
Mike Phillips: (WAL & Lions)
The outspoken Welsh scrumhalf had a strong tour, from start to finish. Playing against the world leading No.9, Fourie Du Preez, Phillips stood tall and certainly could not be faulted for his commitment to the
cause.
His strength and speed around the breakdown was a real threat throughout the tour and his defensive work, in the face of the powerful Springbok onslaught, was key to the Lions effort.
Bakkies Botha: (RSA)
Missed the final test because of suspension but was colossal figure in the first two tests for the World Champions. His physical presence at the breakdowns and tackle situation is a big part of the Springboks game and without it they did not look nearly as powerful.
Impressive as a lineout option, Botha enjoyed every minute of his battle with Paul O'Connell, Simon Shaw and Alun-Wyn Jones.
Tommy Bowe: (IRE & Lions)
Another player who enjoyed a great tour from first to the last day, the Ospreys wing made himself a first choice selection with a number of top draw performances in the 'warm-up' fixtures.
Shifting seamlessly into the centre for the final test, Bowe was a constant threat to the Springboks and will look back fondly at the B&I Lions tour for years to come.
John Smit: (RSA)
They say you don't know what you have till it is gone. Smit's value therefore was perhaps only fully realised in the 15 minutes of the first test when he had been substituted. Without Smit on the field the Springboks almost conspired to throw away a secure victory.
Playing at tighthead, Smit held his own against both Gethin Jenkins and Andrew Sheridan and put in three solid shifts during the three tests. The Sharks front row forward started the series off with a bang with his try five minutes into the first test in Durban.
Jamie Heaslip: (IRE & Lions)
Many will point just to Heaslip's performance in the final match in Johannesburg but throughout the tour the Ireland No.8 battled bravely. Hardworking around the park and brutal in the contact situations, Heaslip proved to many why Ian McGeechan had such
faith in him.
Fourie Du Preez: (RSA)
Perhaps the most important cog in the Springbok team the Bulls scrumhalf provided control and composure when it was needed while, at the same time, could spark a dangerous attack in the blink of an eye.
With the tactical battles hugely important throughout the series his ability to drive teams back with masterful kicking was also a huge advantage for John Smit's men.
Rob Kearney: (IRE & Lions)
The Irish fullback stepped in to replace Lee Byrne during the first test and never looked back. Reliable under the high ball, dangerous on the counter attack and with a cannon of a left boot, Kearney was one of the stars for the Lions in both Pretoria and Johannesburg.
Individual Picks:
Pete Murison:
South Africa; John Smit, Bakkies Botha, Bismarck Du Plessis, Jacque Fourie, Heinrich Brüssow;
B&I
Lions; Jamie Roberts, Brian O'Driscoll, Jamie Heaslip, Mike Phillips, Rob Kearney
Rob Peters:
South Africa; John Smit, Bakkies Botha, JP Pietersen, Heinrich Brüssow, Fourie Du Preez;
B&I Lions; Jamie Roberts, Rob Kearney, Adam Jones, Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll
Paul Dobson:
South Africa; Fourie Du Preez, Heinrich Brüssow, Bryan Habana, Bakkies Botha, Bismarck Du Plessis;
B&I Lions; Mike Phillips, Rob Kearney, Paul O'Connell, Stephen Jones, Jamie Heaslip
Tim Human:
South Africa; Tendai Mtawarira, Heinrich Brüssow, Morne Steyn, Francois Steyn, John Smit;
B&I Lions; Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips, Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Simon Shaw
Who stood out for you during the series? Let us know...
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