These are your rugby morning headlines for Tuesday, August 3.
‘Lions couldn’t catch a cold’ – Lawrence Dallaglio
British and Irish Lions legend Lawrence Dallaglio has delivered a scathing verdict of the tourists’ performance under the high ball during their 27-9 defeat by South Africa in the second Test.
After being comprehensively beaten in the first Test, the hosts turned the tables on Warren Gatland’s men to level the series ahead of a tantalising decider in Cape Town this Saturday.
The Lions’ back three of Stuart Hogg, Anthony Watson and Duhan van der Merwe came in for flak following the match and Dallaglio feels the aerial battle was where the game was decided.
“They [South Africa] won all the key areas that they lost in the second half of the first Test, especially the aerial battle,” Dallaglio said.
“Let’s face it, the Lions couldn’t catch a cold! They were peppered with high balls — as they were the previous week, but this time did not cope, and thus conceded control of the game. They dropped the ball six times and each time that meant lost momentum.”
“Because of what happened during the week with Rassie [Erasmus]’ video, every incident was analysed in minute detail,” he added.
“So whether he meant it or not, Rassie got what he wanted. The first half was 64 minutes (instead of 40) and the constant analysis slowed the game down and that suited the ‘Boks more than the Lions. Whatever Rassie’s reasons for his video, they worked.”
READ MORE: Warren Gatland accused of ‘calamitous selection error’
Marler bemused by Sinckler citing
England and Harlequins’ Joe Marler says he can’t fathom why Kyle Sinckler was the only player to be cited following the second Test in Cape Town.
Sinckler is alleged to have bitten Franco Mostert in the second half of the game, but the prop was the only man picked out from a match with several flashpoints.
Stuart Hogg, Cheslin Kolbe, Maro Itoje and Faf de Klerk were all involved in controversial incidents in an encounter which will be remembered for the wrong reasons, such was the turgid fare served up. You can see the catalogue of incidents here.
And Marler says he is bemused that only Sinckler was cited.
“I just can’t believe that is the only thing that has come out of this game,” Marler said on talkSPORT.
“I know my citings; it is crazy, no one even knew about that one!
“Unless you are really looking out for some of the darker arts in it, you’re not seeing that.
“There were so many; there was Kolbe’s with the challenge in the air, there were so many other things and it’s just been throughout the whole series of some sort of headline here and some sort of headline there.
“I guess part of that, the reason why there have been so many headlines, is because a lot of the rugby hasn’t really been doing a huge amount of the talking.”
Lions to name team for final Lions Test
The Lions are set to unveil their team for the crucial third Test at noon on Tuesday, August 3.
Changes are expected from the head coach but the question is, how many?
Wyn Jones will hopefully come back into the reckoning after missing the first two Tests with a shoulder infection, while Kyle Sinckler will need replacing on the bench should he receive a ban, with Zander Fagerson the tight-head cover in the squad.
Elsewhere, there could be possible changes in the back-line, with Liam Williams, Josh Adams, Bundee Aki and Owen Farrell having all been mentioned as possible personnel to bring in.
You can follow the announcement live here on WalesOnline.
READ MORE: Lions tour descends into toxic, spiteful mess that shames rugby
Springboks issue statement after Rassie Erasmus misconduct announcement
South Africa Rugby have issued a statement after director of rugby Rassie Erasmus was summoned to a misconduct hearing by World Rugby.
Following Erasmus’ hour-long monologue criticising officials after the first Test, in which he offered to stand down from his post, World Rugby expressed disappointment with “individuals from both teams” commenting on the selection and performance of match officials, but went further with the Springboks hierarchy.
“Having conducted a full review of all the available information, World Rugby is concerned that individuals from both teams have commented on the selection and/or performance of match officials,” a statement said.
“However, the extensive and direct nature of the comments made by Rassie Erasmus within a video address, in particular, meets the threshold to be considered a breach of World Rugby Regulation 18 (Misconduct and Code of Conduct) and will now be considered by an independent disciplinary panel.”
A statement from South Africa Rugby, issued via the Springboks’ official Twitter account, read: “SA Rugby has noted the charges brought by World Rugby and will respond through the designated channels. There will be no further comment from SA Rugby until the process is complete.”
‘All momentum with the ‘Boks’ – Habana
Springboks legend Bryan Habana says South Africa are now in the driving seat ahead of the series decider on Saturday.
Habana, who has been working for Sky Sports as a pitchside pundit during the Lions’ tour, believes the return of Duane Vermeulen to the hosts’ ranks will be a crucial boost for the home side, adding that Gatland’s charges will have to “throw everything and the kitchen sink” at the ‘Boks.
“I would like to think that the momentum is with South Africa,” Habana said on talkSPORT.
“I think, going into this past weekend’s game, you sort of thought that the Lions were lacking in a little bit of structure.
“We still don’t know what type of game plan they want to be playing. I think with the selection of Conor Murray and Chris Harris, you sort of felt it was going to be a lot more tactical, which it sort of played out to be.
“Going into this weekend, you think the Lions have to throw everything and the kitchen sink and some to get some reckoning from a structure perspective.
“So I feel from an ascendancy perspective, South Africa have also recalled Duane Vermeulen, who has been injured and there was a reason he was the player of the final in that 2019 Rugby World Cup final.
“He’s respected and brings a huge amount of power and tenacity to that Springbok pack.”
While on Sky Sports, Habana said he believed that Erasmus’ astonishing rant at the officials had a big bearing on how the game panned out.
“We chatted last week before the video was released, and I defended Erasmus coming out and highlighting a few things post the first Test, in comparison to Warren Gatland a week prior calling out the TMO,” Habana said.
“I thought Gatland had an impact on Marius Jonker’s decision making in the first Test match.
“Without a doubt, Rassie Erasmus’ 62-minute video had an impact on the officiators and how things went.
“I understand Rassie’s frustrations in terms of clarity and communication, but I don’t think it’s a good look on the game.
“And I think World Rugby could have nipped everything in the bud, if they put out a statement a few weeks prior. And by the time this article comes out, we might already have seen World Rugby take action against Rassie.
“We don’t want the game to be a stop-start affair, with each decision scrutinized or debated.
“The referees have an incredibly difficult job, and one of the great things about rugby is the respect we have, most importantly, for the officials.
“Erasmus’ 62-minute video, without question, had a massive impact on that first 60 minutes of rugby we saw.”
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