Conor Murray will be vital to the British and Irish Lions’ cause in search of a series win over South Africa, regardless of his captaincy, according to former Leinster coach Matt Williams.
After the early injury to Alun Wyn Jones against Japan on Saturday, Munster’s Murray was named the tour captain for the Lions series to South Africa.
However, Williams believes that the tactics that Warren Gatland will use to beat the Springboks is what made Murray an integral part of the Lions XV even before the announcement was made that he would be taking over from Jones.
Speaking on Monday’s OTB AM, Williams discussed the tactical mind of the Lions head coach, and how he feels the Lions could attack the world champions.
“Gatty [Warren Gatland] approaches these tours with a solid plan in place on how he is going to play,” Williams said.
“We saw that when he went to New Zealand last time. The rushing defence, the scourge of rushing defence that has tormented us all for the last four years and ruined the game to a certain extent; he brought that to stop New Zealand.
“New Zealand wanted to play width, he wasn’t going to let them play width. It was brilliantly done; you have got to give huge credit to the strategy that he brought in place to almost beat New Zealand.”
Williams believes that Gatland has already eyed the chink in the Springboks' armour, and will be hoping to exploit it.
“He will have some form of strategy to deal with South Africa’s physicality,” Williams said. “Definitely one aspect, and we saw it on the weekend, was box kicking out of your own half.
“Getting the ball behind that rushing defensive line, and South Africa are the ultimate physical challenge.
“In their defence, they narrow their line in, so they don’t spread right across the field, so they are only halfway across the field, but they come up at 100mph.
“That really can rattle your cage, but what does that leave? That leaves the space behind.”
This space in behind the rush defence is the reason that Williams believes Murray will be pivotal in the Lions’ hunt for a test series victory over the Springboks.
“Conor [Murray] is brilliant at attacking that space behind the rushing line through his kick,” Williams said.
“I thought, after watching the game at the weekend, that that was very obvious that Gatland has got that as part of his attacking strategy.
“That makes Conor valuable to him, and his nomination as captain just confirms all of our theories; it now becomes reality.”
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
