Prop Phil Vickery has a chance to redeem himself in the British and Irish Lions’ third and final Test against South Africa on Saturday after a humbling at the hands of the Boks’ ”Beast”.
The England World Cup winner suffered a torrid time at scrum time in the first Test at the hands of opposite number Tendai Mtawarira, whose every movement on the field is greeted by roars of ”Beast!” from the crowd.
Vickery was mauled by the Zimababwe-born Mtawarira, conceding a hatful of penalties before being replaced by Adam Jones just five minutes into the second-half.
The Cornishman was then dropped for the second Test, which the Boks won 28-25 with the last kick of the game, but has received another chance with Welsh front-line props Jones and Gethin Jenkins out injured.
”You know you’ve had a shit game when you receive text messages straight after the game from your mum, missus and sister saying they still love you,” Vickery joked on Friday.
”But it’s a new challenge on Saturday. It’s not about last week or the week before, it’s all about tomorrow.
”It’ll be good to get back out there. It’s unfortunate for Adam. I’m confident in myself, my ability and the people around me.”
Lions scrum coach Graham Rowntree said it would be a ”huge psychological challenge” for Vickery but one he was capable of overcoming.
”He’s a strong character, one of the strongest characters I have come across in the game, both as a fellow player and someone who I’ve coached,” Rowntree said.
”It’s going to be tough. Let’s not beat around the bush, it was an uncomfortable day in the office for Phil, by his own admittance and by my admittance.”
Vickery also got backing from Lions forward coach Warren Gatland, a former Waikato and New Zealand hooker — though he never played a Test for the All Blacks.
”He’s got to go in with a bit of confidence. He’s had a good chat with Adam Jones, who didn’t think much of the Beast at all.
”Technically he had to work on a few things, but he’s been around for a while, he’s very experienced.”
Gatland added: ”Not every day in the office is a great day. You get back in, learn from that and go forward.”
Vickery, who will be winning his fifth Lions cap to add to 73 England appearances, said the atmosphere in Ellis Park would be enough motivation for the team to produce a stirring performance.
”It’ll be a great occasion, with two teams that are really up for it. We’ve got nothing to lsoe and the Boks have got nothing to lose,” the Wasps player said.
”Hopefully we’ll sign the tour off with great credit.
”Ellis Park is one of the most hostile environments to play rugby, but you always want to pitch yourself against the best players in that kind of environment.”
Gatland added: ”The boys are really gutted and disappointed that we’ve lost the series.
”We’ve come here and earnt some respect and if we don’t front up and perform then that could be all just thrown away, the hard work and the effort that the guys have put in over the last five or six weeks could all go down the tubes.
”Some tough questions will be asked of the players on Saturday. It’ll be a real test of their character.”
Asked whether the tour would be ranked a failure if the Lions were whitewashed, Gatland was emphatic: ”Absolutely. We’ve got to win the game.
”We’ve got to perform well. If we go out there and get well-beaten then you’ve got nowhere to hide and that would be very disappointing.” — AFP
