Following the 26-24 victory over the Cheetahs on Saturday, HSBC Ambassador and former Lion Jason Robinson has given his verdict on the latest Lions win.
Here’s what the 2001 and 2005 Test Lion had to say about the narrow win in Bloemfontein…
"It was a bit like the great escape for the Lions agains the Cheetahs. They started well and with 17 points in the first 17 minutes and I thought they were going to dominate like the team did against the Golden Lions
earlier in the week. But it didn’t turn out like that.
"I thought James Hook had a great game and played well and Keith Earls’ try was good. Stephen Ferris also scored an impressive try but a real turning point in the match was when he was sinbinned and the Cheetahs took full advantage during this period. It just highlights that the Lions must keep their discipline and ensure they have all their players on the field.
"The Lions had some turn overs of the ball and had the ball stolen in a few rucks so this is another area they need to work on before the tests.
"It was very tense at the end for the Lions and that was a shame as they did quite a lot well and showed some encouraging signs. The Cheetahs could have easily snatched victor, though, and it was only really a
few missed kicks and the missed drop goal that saved the Lions.
"The Cheetahs certainly played better than the Golden Lions but it was also a difficult game for the Lions with a number of players involved for the first time. The early games on a Lions tour are always tricky as the coaches are trying to see how combinations work and the team is always chopping and changing. It makes building momentum quite difficult.
"The coaches have got to be looking towards the Test team now and will be making some decisions. There is no shortage of players who have put their hand up for a place.
"Despite being a nail-biting game for the Lions it will be of more use to them than the easy win over the Golden Lions. Winning by 60-odd points is no real challenge for the team, and it doesn’t put them under any real pressure. Saturday’s game would have really shown who can handle the pressure that will only increase in the Test matches. It will have shown how they coped with mistakes and they will spend time looking at the videos to really look at the players.
"However, the Lions have got three wins from three and they will be pleased with that statistic ahead of their next tough match against the Sharks on Wednesday."
