Gatland dilemma after Tuilagi shines for Lions in Rebels rout

Manu Tuilagi might have thrust his sizeable frame into the British and Irish Lions Test team picture after starring in yesterday’s victory over Melbourne Rebels.

The Leicester and England powerhouse made his presence felt through a number of trademark surges, while he also played a key part in creating an outstanding first-half try for wing Sean Maitland.

There were also strong performances from the likes of No 8 Toby Faletau, flanker Sean O’Brien, plus both locks Richie Gray and Ian Evans as the Lions fought back impressively from the previous Tuesday’s 14-12 loss to the Brumbies in Canberra.

Lions head coach Warren Gatland is due to name his team for the second Test tomorrow.

Brian O’Driscoll and Jonathan Davies forged an impressive centre combination against Australia in Brisbane last Saturday, but Gatland might decide that he simply cannot do without Tuilagi’s revered game-breaking quality.

His contribution was all the more impressive given that he had not played since suffering a shoulder injury two weeks ago.

“The shoulder felt really good,” he said. “There are no issues. I was straight into it with the contact.

“I feel good. I just wanted the game to go on.

“It was an open game with plenty of rugby played, and it was an exciting game to play in. I’ve been doing a lot of fitness work the last two weeks, so I am glad to be playing again so I don’t have to do any more fitness.”

Gatland has stressed throughout the tour about selection being an open book, and Tuilagi led a handful of players who could not have done much more.

“I think a lot of us felt it was the last chance for all the lads that didn’t play last Saturday to hold their hands up and do their best for the coaches. We will see if we figure on Saturday,” he added.

“We left everything out there, and at the end of the day that is all you can ask or hope for.

“If I get the call for Saturday, I will be ready – there is no question about that. I feel as though I am back to where I was before the injury, so there’s no doubt I am ready to go if selected.

“We just wanted to go out there and play some good rugby, get the offloading game going and try to keep the tempo up. The most important thing was to get the win and continue the momentum from last weekend.”

The countdown now gathers pace to Saturday’s second Test at Etihad Stadium, and Tuilagi said: “It is going to be a massive four days for us.

“Whoever is playing in that Test, it’s all about the team. If you are not playing you’ve got to put all the disappointment aside and try to help all the players out who are going to play.

“Saturday is another game and everyone is desperate to be involved. I am no different. I want to play in the Test matches.”

Australia openside Michael Hooper believes the Lions will miss the presence of Paul O’Connell during the remainder of the tour.

O’Connell has been ruled out of the second and third Tests in Melbourne and Sydney after fracturing his arm last Saturday.

Having stood toe-to-toe with the 2009 Lions captain and Ireland second row, Cooper knows the influence he has in the Lions’ camp.

“Paul’s an intimidating figure when you see him standing across from you in a lineout,” he said.

“He attracts a lot of attention. He’ll be a big loss to their camp and it’s a shame.

“He finished the game with a broken arm so you can see how much he wants to be there.

“There will be someone who steps in who is just as good. Maybe they won’t bring the same emotional or spiritual thing that he’d bring, but skill-wise it will be the same.”

While O’Connell will miss the business end of the series, Australia were celebrating the availability of captain James Horwill.

Horwill was controversially cleared of stamping on Alun-Wyn Jones at the Suncorp Stadium by a disciplinary hearing on Sunday evening.

“It was great to keep our skipper. He’s a massive motivational part of our team,” Hooper said. “We get a lot of drive from him in the words he says and his presence on the field.

“We know that O’Connell was a big player for the Lions, very similar to Horwill.”

Hooper spent much of the second part of Saturday’s first half playing at centre due to a succession of injuries that decimated Australia’s midfield.

“It was really enjoyable at centre, I’d love another crack at it. It was good, James O’Connor and Adam Ashley-Cooper helped me out,” he said.

“I was shaking a bit at one point – there were a few things going on that I was unaware of.

“I’ve played two games (there) for the mighty Manly Marlins back home, but that’s about it.”

Australia must win the remaining two Tests if they are to repeat their series triumph of 2001 and deny the Lions a first successful tour for 16 years.

“We’re brown bread you could say if we lose. It’s do or die for us now, there’s no buffer,” Hooper said.

“We wanted to win every game. That’s not realistic now, but we’d be happy with a series win.

“It would be really exciting if it came down to a series decider. We have to put everything into this weekend, it’s huge for us.

“We put ourselves in a position to win at the weekend and we need to do that again.”

British and Irish Lions head coach Gatland has revealed that Alex Corbisiero and Jamie Roberts are unlikely to participate on Saturday.

England loosehead prop Corbisiero and Wales centre Roberts missed the 23-21 first Test victory with respective calf and hamstring injuries.

Article source: http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/10507220.RUGBY_UNION__Buoyant_Purdy_on_top_of_the_world/

Gatland dilemma after Tuilagi shines for Lions in Rebels rout