Lions must come out fighting says Edwards

Pa
Friday 26 June 2009 05:27 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The British and Irish Lions are being warned they must tame South Africa early in tomorrow's second Test in Pretoria if they are to have any chance of fighting back in the series.

Lions defence coach Shaun Edwards has warned of the danger of allowing the Springboks to get their noses in front - a situation, he points out, England were never able to alter during their 2007 World Cup final defeat in Paris.

"The big thing with South Africa is you cannot allow them to get into a lead," Edwards told Sky Sports News, as he helped to fine-tune the gameplan for tomorrow's match.

"England saw that in the World Cup final.

"If you let them into a lead they are very good at putting a stranglehold on the game.

"We need to be in touch with them after half-an-hour."

England have called up veteran lock Simon Shaw for his Lions debut, following their 26-21 first-Test defeat in Durban last weekend.

It is a change, Edwards believes, will make the tourists harder to break down.

"There is no doubt that Simon Shaw is one of the best defensive players in the world," he said.

"He is a colossus."

The Lions are set to fly to Pretoria only today, less than 24 hours before kick-off - a decision taken to try to minimise the difficulty of acclimatising to a venue high above sea level.

"The rationale is that you either come for eight days - there is no doubt that after eight days at altitude its effects diminish - or you come for less than 24 hours," Edwards explained.

"Then your body does not realise you are at altitude, and the effects are not quite as harsh."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in