Worsley and Williams get their chance
July 02 2009
There are eight changes to the Lions team to face South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday, as the squad recovers from a 'mental and physical battering'.
Among those changes are the inclusions of Joe Worsley and Shane Williams, with the former making his Lions Test debut and both about to play their last in the famous red jersey.
Worsley has a played eight, won five record against South Africa, many of those against an adversary he regards as 'the best in the world' in the blindside position: Bok workhorse Juan Smith.
"I have played against him for years, I can't remember the first time," said Worsley on Thursday.
"But I think he's the best back-rower they have.
"He is very effective with what he does, he's a very good line-out jumper, he carries ball, tackles, gets around, does the dog as well, all of it well and makes few mistakes. That's crucial in the back row."
With the Boks having made ten changes to their side, many have labelled the series winners for Saturday as second-string, which is not Worsley's opinion at all.
"It was a hell of a physical game last week, but regardless of who they put out it's going to be a hell of a game. They've got a lot of good players over here," he said.
It's fair to say that Williams' performances in the red of the Lions' Test jersey have been mildly anti-climactic down the years when his stellar consistency for Wales is taken into account.
Aside from one glorious night in Manawatu when he danced his way in for five tries, he has found the scoring aspect of playing for the Lions notoriously difficult, meaning his Test appearances have been limited.
There was one start in New Zealand and there has been a bench appearance both there and in South Africa, but on Saturday he gets his second start. Can he break his duck?
"I haven't played as well as I'd have liked on this tour, but I have to take the positives: bench for the second Test and I have the chance for Saturday," said Williams
"It's great being involved and on the bench, but that's why you come on a tour is to start a Test and I have that chance now.
"I am glad I have been given the chance to play my final game as a British Lions player, so hopefully I can go home with my head high."
Yet there is no disguising the disappointment in his voice or expression as he reflects on another tour where his pace and elusive stepping have brought scant reward.
"I'm one of those guys who takes things personally, and because I haven't played well I have beaten myself up a bit, so there's a lot on the line for the side and for me," he said,
"You have to pick yourself up. I have trained as hard as I can, I've worked hard and I've got myself to the test for this week. Now I have to go out, enjoy and express myself and play to the best of my ability.
"You do hit dry spots, but you try not to dwell on it. I dropped the ball by the line here once and I haven't done that since I was 16! But maybe I can get other players over the line as well as myself.
"It's my last opportunity, I won't be wearing a Lions shirt in four years' time. We are proud nations. 2-0 is a bit unlucky as far as we are concerned.
"We thought we should have had something from this tour so we want to win this game, it would be, mentally, great for the guys.
"We are a proud bunch and we want to win this third Test and prove to everyone really that we were a cat's whisker away from winning the series."
By Danny Stephens in Johannesburg