Gloucester’s former New Zealand lock Jeremy Thrush believes the only way the Lions will win the series against the All Blacks is by playing traditional northern hemisphere rugby, dominating the set-pieces and driving mauls.
The 32-year old Thrush, who won 11 caps between 2013 and 2015, is expecting New Zealand to win the series 3-0, as they did in 2005, unless the Lions manage to exploit any rustiness in the World Cup holders in the opening Test.
Thrush made his debut for the All Blacks during the 2013 series against France when, as against England a year later and against Wales last summer, they had to come from behind in what turned out to be their least impressive performance of the series.
“New Zealand can be a bit cold at the start which is why they have arranged a warm-up match against Samoa,” said Thrush, the former Hurricanes captain who played for the Barbarians against England at Twickenham last Sunday. “They know they need to go into the first Test firing and do a lot better than they have done in the opening match of a series in recent years.
“The Lions will have a far stronger bench than France, England and Wales. The All Blacks pride themselves on their 23 and using the whole squad but the Lions will back themselves to have the same impact from their replacements. What is important for them is to play to their strengths, not look to emulate the way New Zealand play.
“They can learn tactically from the way Ireland beat the All Blacks in Chicago last year when they complemented a really strong set-piece with a driving maul. New Zealand sides do not often come up against teams who play like that. The Lions are still going to have to play a bit to win the series and they will have to be smart.”
Thrush expects the Lions to rush up in defence as quickly as England did against the Barbarians. “Even if we had an overlap, it was hard to get the ball wide,” he said. “The Lions know that, if the All Blacks are able to spread possession, they will be a threat with the flair they have.
“New Zealand will know what’s coming. They will be devising ways of countering the Lions’ defence and, for me, it will be a really interesting feature of the series. The Lions certainly have attacking threats: the Scarlets played like a Super Rugby side against Munster in the Pro 12 final and the Premiership final between Exeter and Wasps was entertaining.”
The Lions will be fully extended in the warm-up matches in a way they were not in South Africa in 2009 and Australia four years ago when for the most part they faced markedly inferior opposition. After opening with a scratch side on Saturday in Whangerei against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians, the tourists face the Blues, the Crusaders, the Highlanders, New Zealand Maori and the Chiefs before the first Test.
“The warm-up matches will be full on and almost like Tests,” said Thrush. “A New Zealand Super Rugby derby is virtually an All Black trial and there is a lot of depth there because the systems are so good. The drive to stay in New Zealand and make the All Blacks jersey is massive. Players want to get there and, if they arrive, stay on. You do not want the journey to end.”
It did for Thrush two years ago when, at the age of 30, he joined Gloucester. “The style of rugby is different here. I would not say it is better or worse. Some areas are tougher, such as the way forwards go about things in the Premiership which means that it is physical every week.
“Sometimes in Super Rugby you come off the field having run a lot and got your hands on the ball but your body does not feel battered. I enjoyed the style of rugby when I was in New Zealand but since I have been over here, a bit older with legs that do not go as fast as they used to, I am enjoying my rugby.
“The series in New Zealand will be a contrast in styles. Two of the Tests are at Eden Park where the All Blacks have not lost in the professional era. As a player, it is not daunting but challenges you and can be a mental barrier for the opposition. I would like a 3-0 win for the ABs. If the Lions are going to win one, it will be the first. I see that as their only chance.”
