Umaga is a talisman in the same mould as Lawrence Dallaglio, in that he leads by example. Umaga is like a thoroughbred, but there is nothing brittle in his temperament. His running was powerful and direct. It was as if he wasn’t going to be kept out, whatever the quality of the defence that the Lions put in front of him.
It was his most convincing performance at centre for some time, and he dominated with his sheer presence. These days, with most of the leading international teams fairly equal in stamina and fitness, it is hard to get an edge in terms of mind games. Yet the All Blacks were at their intimidating best. It is an aura they had lost since 1995, but Umaga has made sure it is there for this series.
What you get with Umaga is not just a physical battering. He made the break that led to Sitiveni Sivivatu’s try through a mix of power and skill. The movement was started by Aaron Mauger, who put him through a hole in the defence. It wasn’t a gaping hole, and a couple of defenders laid hands on him, but with an explosive burst he blasted out of their grip. There was still plenty to do, because when he looked for support Sivivatu was 20 yards away on the left wing. His pass looked effortless and it hit the mark with pinpoint accuracy, allowing the wing to side-step Josh Lewsey and out-pace Jason Robinson to the line.
The Lions were unable to meet fire with fire in the midfield. Sure, they were on the back foot, but the same applied to the 1997 series in South Africa, where Scott Gibbs led the defence that smashed the Springboks. Valiant though the Lions were at Jade stadium, they lacked that sort of defensive presence. The pity is that the Lions had a young centre capable of taking Umaga on in Gavin Henson, but he was left out. Before the game I made a strong case for his inclusion, but Sir Clive Woodward stuck to his tried and tested. Henson might not have stemmed the All Black flow, but he has been the form centre of the tour and last night he should have had the opportunity either to revel in the challenge — or disappear. One of Henson’s most infectious traits is his self-confidence, and although he is inexperienced, the only way you get experience is to be given chances.
I had a similar situation on the 1989 tour of Australia. I was under consideration for the first Test, but in the end my inexperience at international level counted against me. The Lions were beaten convincingly and I got my chance in Brisbane. The big difference is that unlike Gavin, I wasn’t expecting to be picked, whereas we know that the boy from Pencoed probably thought he would get the nod. The Lions coaches have suggested that he is not quite up to running speed with their defensive pattern, and I take their point. The one doubt you have about him is that his workrate in defence is not high enough.
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Against New Zealand you have to make a tackle, get up and sprint back. There’s no room for ambling, because they’ll exploit your lack of focus immediately. You cannot afford to take your eyes off the All Black attack, and Henson needs to inject urgency into that part of his game.
However, if you’re in form the coach must also have the courage to select you. Woodward has to admit that too many of his selections were wrong. An out-of-sorts Jason Robinson proved that. The Lions are running desperately short of dangerous runners and the midfield combination does not pose much of a threat. Stephen Jones and Jonny Wilkinson are good tacticians and clever enough to make the odd break, but because neither has genuine pace, you can rein them in after a few metres. By contrast, if it’s Dan Carter or Umaga, they will go 30 yards.
The Lions need a strong midfield carrier. It has surprised me that Tom Shanklin never had a run at centre. It’s too late now because he’s out with knee damage. But it does leave the door open for Henson, and having known Ian McGeechan for 15 years, I can’t imagine that he will not back Henson to have a crack at Umaga.
He must be given the opportunity in Wellington. Let’s find out if he’s got what it takes, because it will be the hardest challenge he has ever faced. It could be the making of him against an opponent as intimidating as Umaga, and he might just be the inspiration that the Lions are going to need. It didn’t do me any harm.
Jeremy Guscott won 65 England caps from 1989-99 and toured with the Lions three times, making eight Test appearances