2017 Our defence fits bill for Sonny
ROBBIE HENSHAW has hatched a plan for his “surreal” clash with superstar Sonny Bill Williams: shut him down, but do not hunt him down.
Ireland centre Henshaw named Williams as his most talented opponent before the Lions’ second tour match against the Blues in Auckland this morning.
The Leinster battering ram admitted Williams’ star power commands attention, but promised the Lions will not be so wrapped up by the All Blacks midfielder that they lose focus elsewhere.
Williams has taken turns as a champion in rugby league and boxing as well as gracing the All Blacks’ consecutive World Cup triumphs.
Henshaw, 23, looked up to the code-crossing celebrity in his youth but knows he now faces a peer, not a hero. Asked if he had ever seen anyone as talented as Williams, Henshaw said: “I really haven’t. I was a big fan of his when I was a kid, whether that was performing in league or for the All Blacks. To be coming up against him is pretty surreal.
“Now I’m looking forward to playing against him and having a go.
“We definitely tweak our defensive technique for someone that – just not too much.” Williams’ juggernaut running bisects the best of defences, while his off-loading capabilities often turn half-chances into stunning scores. The coach in charge of the Lions defence, Andy Farrell, will know they must not only match Williams’ midfield steel but also stymie his options for shifting the ball out of the tackle. Henshaw admitted that means special treatment for the 31-year-old – but not to the point of forgetting the Blues’ other stellar backline talents. He will have regular Ireland centre partner Jared Payne for company as head coach Warren Gatland examines his midfield options. “If he’s a one-out runner and there’s no one with him, obviously I’ll look to come in and make a double hit on him and try and stop his offload threat. But you have to look at the guys who are flooding through as well,” said Henshaw. “Often as a part of defending you have to use a doubleman tackle on him, one high and one low, and try and stop the offloads around it. “It is definitely going to be like OH BOY: Williams is a big threat to the Lions a tough challenge but we have the right man in place to execute a good defensive system.
“They are a quality outfit and we know they can pull something out of nothing. They’re highly skilled players across the board.”
Henshaw and Payne were the midfield pairing when Ireland famously beat the All Blacks in Chicago last November.
Jack McGrath and CJ Stander also start today having celebrated that momentous win, while Rory Best, captain that day, waits on the bench.
But if any of them are feeling as if they have the inside track, either on the All Blacks or New Zealand rugby, one man who had to swallow his pride in Chicago has issued a note of caution.
Charlie Faumuina, who will go head-to-head in the scrum with McGrath once again, believes the All Blacks are an even meaner animal thanks to that defeat.
“There were probably things we took for granted and they got shown up in that game,” said Faumuina. “We’ve learned from that, we’ve sharpened up.
“As an All Black you never want to lose any game, but if it happens the vital thing is to move on quickly, take the learnings and then go and improve again. They can take confidence from Ireland’s win but this is a different team. I can’t really see it having too much impact for them really.”
ALL BLACK lock Brodie Retallick has joined hooker Dane Coles as a doubt for the first Test after both were ruled out of the Hurricanes’ Super Rugby clash against the Chiefs with concussion. Deluxe Knee Support Brace 2x Deluxe Knee Support Brace H63174 £8.99
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