THE SCOTSMAN REPORTS

Published Date: 17 June 2009
By ANDREW BALDOCK
IN Port Elizabeth
BRITISH and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan hailed his team's composure after they slugged out a bruising 20-8 victory over the Southern Kings, which saw Euan Murray leave the field after only eight minutes with an ankle injury.
Scotland prop Murray has undergone an ankle X-ray, which has revealed no fracture, while Welsh fly-half James Hook, who only lasted five minutes longer, suffered a knock to the head and will undergo further assessment.

The home side had two players yellow-carded, and there was ill-feeling immediately after the game when rival fly-halves Ronan O'Gara and Jaco van der Westhuyzen were involved in a pushing match.

Lions centre Gordon D'Arcy, meanwhile, appeared to refuse to shake hands with his opposite number De Wet Barry.

Barry had been a midfield terminator for the Southern Kings, especially during a ferocious first half scarred by several late tackles from a number of players.

D'Arcy said afterwards: "There were some questionable tackles, but that's the way it is. De Wet Barry is a good, physical, strong player. He's one of those guys who likes to get in amongst it.

"I shook his hand, but I didn't want to have a chat with him."

The Lions though held their nerve, building from a 3-3 interval scoreline to triumph 20-8 courtesy of an Ugo Monye try, a penalty try and 10 points from substitute fly-half O'Gara.

It means they go into Saturday's first Test against world champions South Africa with a six-from-six unbeaten tour record.

"They (Southern Kings) wanted to make a game of it," said McGeechan. "It was pretty full on, and we had to keep enough composure to win the game

which was the very pleasing aspect of it. A penalty try proved technically that we kept our heads. We kept doing damage where it hurt them most.

"The players have swapped jerseys, and we move on. We've come out with a win – our composure was very important."

"I am really proud of the discipline we showed – it showed the players' focus – and they got their just reward."

McGeechan's focus now turns to the Test in Durban. He is due to announce his line-up on Thursday. "We might have an initial chat tonight, but tomorrow we will go through every position and have a discussion," he added. "There are close calls in a number of areas.

"I thought we were very professional, which is what I was proud of. The players responded very well to each other.

"They wanted to produce a tough game for us, and they did that. They were keen to do well against us, and that's fine."

Lions skipper Donncha O'Callaghan added: "We were disappointed with the try we conceded at the end, to be honest. It was a hugely physical game, but there was no ill-feeling.

"Things go on in a game, and straight away after a game it's harder to forget about a few slaps in the face"

Southern Kings coach Alan Solomons believes the Lions must beat South Africa in Durban on Saturday – or struggle to stay in the three-match Test series. He added: "If the Lions lose, they've got a very difficult road ahead. It's a massive Test match with a huge amount at stake."

This article was posted on 17-Jun-2009, 06:57 by Hugh Barrow.