O'Connell happy bar has been raised

LIONS TOUR:LEIGH HALFPENNY bounced into the room as befits a 20-year-old who has just begun to live a dream. Forced to stay behind in Cardiff until he was able to prove his rehabilitation from a thigh injury he now considers himself a bona fide Lion.

Paul O’Connell’s gait was a little more measured but there is no doubt that he too was chipper about on-field events over the previous 24 hours.

The Lions’ captain had watched from the stands at Ellis Park as a team led by Brian O’Driscoll eviscerated the Golden Lions 74-10 before offering his congratulations in the dressingroom afterwards.

The Limerick man loves a challenge and he certainly faces one in Bloemfontein tomorrow as the Lions face the Free State Cheetahs, presented with an opportunity to banish the disappointment of last Saturday’s narrow victory over a Royal XV in Rustenburg.

Far from being cowed by Wednesday’s excellent all-round display, O’Connell can’t wait to take to the pitch once again. He cited an example offered by Ian McGeechan as a source of inspiration. In 1997 Richard Hill and Neil Back were vying for the openside flanker role, each one pushing the other to new heights in successive matches when starting because they desperately wanted a Test place.

O’Connell feels Wednesday’s team laid down a marker collectively and individually and it is now up to the latest incumbents in red shirts to take up that challenge. “It makes you excited about playing on Saturday, makes you look forward to playing again.

“I think it is great for the tour what happened on Wednesday night, we played some great stuff. We did the simple things very well last night, something we probably didn’t do four days beforehand. The offloads came from good, quick ball and being accurate. It gives the tour a bit of momentum.

“One of the first things that Shaun Edwards said yesterday morning was that we don’t try and go out and play razzle-dazzle rugby. A lot of what happened on Wednesday night was doing the simple things well. We have to do that on Saturday first and foremost.

“Defensively it is important that we step up from last Saturday. We conceded three tries which was disappointing. It’s about trying to keep our composure; play to win first and whatever happens after that happens.”

It was suggested that there were 14 Test places up for grabs and that O’Connell was the only one assured of a starting position. He shrugged off the assertion and it is interesting to note he singled out Alun Wyn-Jones for special mention. It may indicate the Welshman and the Lions captain are viewed as similar players by management and possibly won’t play as the Test pairing many had envisaged beforehand.

“Alun Wyn (Jones) played fabulously well. The lineouts went really well, he carried ball around the field, offered great support play and made a load of tackles as he always does. It’s great to have such competition for places across the pitch.

“I have seen that with Ireland and Munster, that when there is competition the general standards of what everyone is doing are raised. That’s a good thing for us.”

He also dismissed the notion that any one player would be wrapped in cotton wool because of their priceless value to the squad, a reference to O’Driscoll’s performance.

“I don’t think you want to be putting some of the more delicate guys out twice a week. That’s a difficult thing to do especially the guys who have a lot of years under their belt. It’s tough for some to get out twice a week. It’s important, though, that we have our match fitness, that we are used to altitude but also that we have as many players (as possible) available to us for the Tests.”

When it was suggested he had just called O’Driscoll old, O’Connell laughed: “Don’t quote me like that.”

While the Lions’ captain addressed weightier matters, Halfpenny marvelled at simply being amongst the squad. His animation was understandable and he only became a tad more muted when discussing the perils of his new responsibility in looking after the Lions mascot, a remit passed on by Keith Earls. “When I was first told that I was going to go home until my injury was ready I thought my tour was over.

“They told me two weeks but what I heard in my mind was that I was going to miss out altogether. I was heartbroken when I first went home. I remember watching the first game; that made me want to get out here. I feel ready to play. Last weekend there was a massive improvement in my fitness. I am back to full strength with my kicking.”

So what about his new ward? “Lennie the Lion is in my room tucked away. He went training earlier so he got quite hot. I can understand now why Keith Earls was pleased to hand him over because he is hard work. He keeps going missing all the time and can’t keep still. The boys are joking around and keep getting me fined. It is a tradition of the Lions and I am pleased to be involved with that.”

Two players for whom tomorrow can’t come quickly enough.