LUKE Fitzgerald claims he is "pretty relaxed" about possible British and Irish Lions Test selection after putting himself in the frame for Pretoria.
Lions head coach Ian McGeechan and his backroom staff were yesterday debating the line-up they hope can keep alive the Test series against world champions South Africa. Defeat at Loftus Versfeld would leave the Lions counted out one game inside the
distance. They are also one loss away from suffering a record seven successive Test reversals on tour, having not won since beating Australia in Brisbane eight years ago.
Changes are expected following the Springboks' 26-21 triumph in Durban five days ago, especially up front, where hooker Matthew Rees and prop Adam Jones are tipped for starts as part of an all-Welsh front-row alongside Gethin Jenkins. Rees and Jones will face the huge task of trying to tame 'The Beast' – Springboks loosehead Tendai Mtawarira, whose demolition job on Phil Vickery built an imposing platform for South Africa's success.
Corrective surgery is more likely in the pack than behind the scrum, although Fitzgerald and Shane Williams are putting pressure on England speedster Ugo Monye. Monye's impressive tour came off the rails slightly in Durban when he squandered two golden try-scoring opportunities. One was denied by Springboks centre Jean de Villiers getting underneath Monye as he crossed the line, while substitute Morne Steyn dislodged the ball from his hand in pursuit of a second.
McGeechan must decide whether or not Monye deserves another chance, especially with Fitzgerald and Williams both pressing claims during Tuesday night's weather-ruined draw against the Emerging Springboks at Newlands.
"From a personal perspective, I was pretty happy with my performance," said Ireland Grand Slam winner Fitzgerald, whose father Des played for the Lions against the Rest of the World in Cardiff 23 years ago. "It was a bit pressurised going into the game. You want to put yourself into contention for a Test spot on the weekend. You want to look hungry for work, and you are hungry for work, but it is important you don't force things in those situations. I feel I've done the best I can. It's up to the coaches now, and to be honest, it is a weight off my shoulders. I don't have to think about it now – I've done the best I can.
"I am pretty relaxed about the whole situation. I'm glad I got another opportunity before the Test match to show what I can do, and I feel like I gave a pretty good account of myself. I've been excited about being here with the Lions, and the only down-side was getting a chest infection during the first few weeks that kept me out of things for a while. I felt I had to do a little bit of catching up."
Fitzgerald has already won the RBS Six Nations title and Grand Slam with Ireland this season, in addition to helping Leinster being crowned European champions. World player of the year Williams, meanwhile, has not hit the heights he attained in 2008 – but Test selection would end an otherwise disappointing season on a high.
"I came off the field relatively happy with my performance," said the 32-year-old, following the Emerging Springboks clash. "That's all you can do, really. There is no point forcing it and looking for the ball too often in those conditions. I worked as hard as I possibly could, gave 100 per cent and came off the field relatively happy."
ALTITUDE WON'T BE AN ISSUE, SAYS EDWARDSSHAUN Edwards insists the British and Irish Lions will be ready to storm the South African highveld and level the Test series, after being pushed through the pain barrier, writes Alex Lowe.
The players have been training in specialist altitude masks in preparation for Saturday's crucial second Test in Pretoria, which stands around 5,000 feet above sea level.
Edwards said: "We have continued to work with the altitude masks on, and I know we will be in better shape going back to altitude than when we first went there. They set the masks at 7,500 feet – which is obviously higher than we will be playing. When you see the pain on the players' faces when they are cycling with the masks it is obviously hurting them a bit.
"Loftus Versfeld at the moment is probably the hardest place to play rugby in the world, because of the altitude. It all adds to the challenge facing us on Saturday. I am as determined as can be to make sure that last week in Johannesburg is a week of great excitement and great tension building up to what we hope is going to be the deciding Test."
The full article contains 795 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
