Peel looking to emulate former heroes
Dwayne Peel could secure the coveted Lions Test scrum-half spot tomorrow - thanks to a little help from former Welsh rugby heroes Rob Howley and Robert Jones.
Both players were among Peel’s illustrious predecessors in the Wales number nine jersey and he has not been shy to tap their knowledge.
Howley featured on both the 1997 and 2001 Lions tours, while Jones was a star of the 1989 Australia trip, setting standards Peel is eager to emulate.
A convincing display against Wellington tomorrow should seal the deal for Peel, despite competition from his fellow Lions scrum-halves Matt Dawson, Chris Cusiter and Gareth Cooper.
And it would continue the 23-year-old’s startling rise to prominence during a career that has already harvested 41 caps and a Six Nations Grand Slam campaign.
“I have spoken to Rob Howley and Robert Jones about Lions tours,” he said. “I speak to Robert Jones quite regularly, and he just told me to give it my best and enjoy the whole occasion.
“Chris Cusiter’s performance (against Taranaki) does push me that bit more, but there was always going to be a massive battle for places because everyone wants to be in the Test match side.”
Peel and Jonny Wilkinson will forge an exciting half-back combination tomorrow as the Lions look to bounce back from their emphatic defeat against New Zealand Maori last weekend.
And it is not the only combination Sir Clive Woodward hopes will click as he sends out a near Test-strength side at Westpac Stadium.
The midfield partnership of Brian O’Driscoll and Gavin Henson has Test team written all over it, while the Josh Lewsey/Jason Robinson/Gareth Thomas back three also finds itself in pole position.
“It is important that Jonny and I get a good understanding going, as it is for any half-back pair,” Peel added.
“There is a responsibility on me to get the forwards where I need them, and almost harry them around the pitch, but I suppose that is the role of a scrum-half and it is the case in every game, regardless.
“Wellington are a quality side, and they’ve featured well in the National Provincial Championship in the last two years, but we had a great training session on Sunday, so hopefully we will be firing on all cylinders.”
Wellington though, will be hard-pushed to emulate the Maori, especially as they are without All Blacks quartet Tana Umaga, Jerry Collins, Rodney So’oialo and Conrad Smith due to national squad commitments.
“It is a real test for our depth, and it is not a normal Lions team they’ve named. That is a Test team,” said Wellington chief John Plumtree, the former Swansea coach.
“It’s not the best prepared we are for a big game, but that is making excuses. The boys will be up for the game.
“We’ve been in two NPC finals, and I guess he (Woodward) sees Wellington as a good side that is hard to beat at the stadium. Hopefully, we won’t let him down.”
Peel and company, meanwhile, headed for Wellington from their Christchurch base today, refreshed by a day’s jet-boat riding on the Waimakariri river.
“It was nice to get away from things and try something different in a new country,” said Peel.
“It is very important to get away for a while – a couple of hours – to chill out and try different things. It would be so bad to come to New Zealand for seven weeks and think that you don’t do anything except play rugby.”
Other Lions squad members took part in a public training session at Christchurch’s QEII Stadium, although only around 1,000 spectators braved the cold weather.
And perhaps the most notable sight for Lions watchers was witnessing prop Andrew Sheridan on the sidelines with his ankle strapped.
Sheridan, fancied by many as the Lions Test team loosehead, , suffered a knock during the Maori game, but he would need to be fit for Saturday’s appointment with Otago in Dunedin, otherwise those hopes could find themselves on hold.
The Lions management have made no official comment on Sheridan’s problem, but injuries have already taken a considerable toll, with Lawrence Dallaglio, Malcolm O’Kelly and Simon Taylor playing no further part in the trip.
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