As he looked forward to capturing the Lions for the first time this week, Iain Henderson couldn’t imagine how challenging the circumstances would be.
Things went smoothly until it became apparent yesterday morning that a member of Lions management tested positive for Covid-19.
Contingency plans were quickly forged when the entire Lions cadre was isolated in their own hotel rooms, subjected to PCR and lateral flow tests, and asked to to prepare for the game with the sharks last night. The test results confirmed another positive case, this time a player, and meant that eight more were considered close contacts.
And so the rest of the squad finally made their way to Ellis Park, less than two hours to kick-off a game that looked almost certain to be canceled at some point.
In a speech last night after the Lions’ 54-7 win in Johannesburg, Henderson said one of the strangest days of his career was.
« We were waiting for results, guys who weren’t sure if the game was going on, if it was positive, close contacts, so many different variables, » said the Irish ban.
« You sit on the edge of the bed and waiting to go We were told to prepare as if the game was going on and I think as simple as that is, it’s not easy.
« So the bus should leave at ten past six and at six the boys were still not one hundred percent sure. They sat in their red polo shirts and shorts in their rooms, waiting to get the all-clear so they could play.
« Having this lack of preparation on game day when we usually go for a tour, share a few meals and Have a very different day than today, so for the guys it was like they did. « Great. »
The Lions scored eight attempts last night.
Source: Dan Sheridan / INPHO
The upheaval resulted in the Lions having to change their 23rd game day at the last minute as Tour Captain Conor Murray, Liam Williams, Anthony Watson, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies, Stuart Hogg, Chris Harris and Tadhg Beirne were all disfellowshipped.
Josh Adams got into the starting XI and scored a hat trick, while the other late call-up players also helped pull eight attempts past the mismatched Haie. </ "There's every list of excuses we could have used," said Henderson. “We could have pulled out of the tackles and dropped our heads, but the guys didn't. They supported each other to make sure we kept what we wanted to do on this tour on track.
“Of course it was a very difficult day. There are many guys out there who couldn’t perform their usual game routines. There are so many other reasons besides the obvious ones that the guys could have turned to but they didn’t.
They don’t currently have a game scheduled for this weekend after their game against the Bulls was postponed , but head coach Warren Gatland confirmed last night that they are still hoping to find replacement opponents.
Get members-only video analytics and insider reports from Murray Kinsella of The42 in South Africa
Given the current Covid cases in both camps and the fact that the first clash with the Springboks is in just 16 days, there is of course also doubts about the feasibility of the test suite.
Henderson said he and his teammates would just adjust to whatever happens next and continue to do their best to avoid Covid.
« We’re getting up , we get on the locked bus. We drive through locked gates for training, back on the bus, back to the hotel.
“The hotel employees are the only people who cook food or sit behind the desk, they are the only ones you might have contact with .
« From a media perspective, this is widespread among many teams getting cases – this is a surprise management must have planned.
» I don’t think it’s given the number of cases and the rapid spread is particularly surprising, but that the guys are showing up like they did, I’m really proud. «
600px wide
400px wide
300px wide
Notify me of further comments by email
TheJournal.ie supports the work of the Irish Press Council and the Office of the Press Ombudsman and our staff work according to the Code of Conduct. You can get a copy of the code or contact the council at www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1890 208 080 or email: [email protected]
Please note that TheJournal.ie uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising. For more information on cookies, please see our Cookies Policy.
News images are provided by Press Association and Photocall Ireland unless otherwise stated. Irish sports images are provided by Inpho Photography unless otherwise stated. Associated Press wire service.
Journal Media does not control or accept responsibility for any user-generated content, posts, comments, submissions, or preferences. Users are reminded that they are fully responsible for their own created content and their own posts, comments, and submissions, and Journal Media fully with respect to such content and its ability to provide such content, posts, comments, and submissions and effectively guarantee and hold harmless. Journal Media has no control over and is not responsible for the content of external websites.
Switch to the mobile website
Websites:
TheJournal.ie |
Noteworthy |
The42 |
Boards.ie |
Adverts.ie |
Daft.ie
Keywords:
