The original idea behind this midweek match column was to identify a British & Irish Lions player likely to exceed expectations. Then — a few days ago — I realised this is a squad with few Test certainties. And, therefore, few “dark horses” capable of playing an unexpected part in the series. Surprises are in short supply. It isn’t until the final few weeks that the genuine scrap for Test positions will reveal the strength in depth of the entire squad, or the relative absence of outstanding, truly world-class players. Being one of the best from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales doesn’t necessarily make you “world class”.
Maro Itoje belongs in such a category and looked every inch one of the world’s best second rows in Brisbane. Finn Russell, in his 50-minute strut, was also exquisite. The duo provide physical and tactical leadership of the highest order. Russell wins matches with his wonderful fluidity, his vision and his unspoken ferocity. He is a great player without the trophies to prove it. Fair to say, things are belatedly beginning to drop his way.
Russell once again demonstrated his status as one of the world’s best players in the win over the Reds
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The Bath, Scotland and Lions fly half is many things, but he is not a dark horse. Nor is he the one-man-band maverick. Like everyone else, he needs the right men around him, and in the first half against the Queensland Reds it was notable how beautifully he combined with Ireland’s Bundee Aki. There is no way Aki can be an unconsidered sort. He has been one of the best inside centres in the world for years. But with Russell a Test certainty there has been much support for Sione Tuipulotu, the superb Scotland captain. With Huw Jones one of the most penetrative of outside centres, the Scottish trio is many a sharp-eyed analyst’s idea of a Test trio.
Yet here was Russell languidly looping off Aki as the Irishman threatened the opposition with his direct power, only to unleash late, lovely passes to the fly half. The first Tommy Freeman try was gorgeous (with Elliot Daly oozing class and confidence outside Russell before he picked up an injury).
Aki is staking an increasingly strong claim to take the No12 jersey outside of Russell, right, for the Lions’ first Test against Australia
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Drift early onto the fly half and Aki has the ballast and brute determination to barrel his way over whichever line — either literal or metaphorical — is not properly marked. Tuipulotu has perhaps even better hands than Aki but there are few with the Connacht man’s explosion of power. To focus all their defensive capacity on Russell frees Aki to detonate the Wallabies’ defence. To keep a watchful eye on the centre gives Russell the extra half a metre to create poetry and tries.
Brisbane hinted at the blistering potential of this combination in attack. But again, it is Russell’s virtues that lend extra weight to the Irish No12’s selection for the Test team. Aki is renowned as a hard-hitting tackler. He is additionally a magnificent fourth back-row forward at the breakdown.
There was one classic 63rd-minute turnover that was pure Aki. There was also a strip in the first half, effected by none other than Russell. Whereas the rumbustious Ireland centre is used to playing outside the gloriously gifted but as yet defensively frail Sam Prendergast, here he can charge full tilt in defence, knowing Russell himself is more than ready to keep the aggressive tackle line intact.
Russell marshals his men with complete confidence. He lopes around, in love with the sport. Aki hammers into defenders, with or without the ball, a smile never far from his face. The manner in which they acted together for 50 minutes against the Reds was convincing evidence that Len Ikitau and company will have one hell of a time trying to keep Russell and Aki from the keys to the series.
Aki is a superb Test player who has it in him to help elevate Russell towards the ranks of greatness. The two of them in tandem are a partnership made in rugby heaven. Or hell, if you are from the other side of the globe.