The results of the first and second Tests of the Qatar Airways Lions Men’s Series might have been the same but everything else about the two encounters in Brisbane and Melbourne was completely different.
That was certainly true of the impact of the bench for The British & Irish Lions.
A week on from a first Test where the Lions went from a 24-5 lead to winning 27-19 after a Wallaby fightback, it was the Lions replacements who swung the tide in front of more than 90,000 at the MCG in that dramatic 29-26 success.
While the comeback had already begun with two quick tries before half-time, it was thanks to the second-half replacements that the Lions were able to complete a remarkable turnaround following Hugo Keenan’s last-gasp try.
It is therefore no surprise that the two changes to the Lions starting XV for the third Test in Sydney have seen two of the standout bench performers last week promoted to the run-on team.
Those two are James Ryan and Blair Kinghorn, who had both missed out on selection for the first Test, the latter running out of time to prove his fitness following an injury against the Brumbies 10 days earlier.
But with the Scot’s ability to cover multiple positions off the bench, he was a logical option to join the replacements and that versatility proved invaluable at the MCG.
Introduced with 20 minutes to go, Kinghorn replaced James Lowe on the left wing and his combination of size and pace instantly troubled the Wallabies.
In just a quarter of the game, he made more metres than all but three Lions backs and will now get the starting spot on the wing – a position he has filled regularly for Toulouse at club level since moving over to France.
The other back who came off the bench in the second Test was Owen Farrell, replacing Huw Jones as the Lions reshuffled their backline.
His combination with Finn Russell gave the Lions a dual-playmaker option as they probed for a way through and that allowed them to play with greater tempo.
He even lined up in the outside centre spot at times in defence, a role he has not fulfilled much in the past, but despite the threat of Joseph Sua’ali’i, Owen Farrell and the Lions were able to control possession and territory in the final quarter.
A big reason for that was the dominance of the Lions scrum. The decision to put Ellis Genge on the bench after impressing as a starter in the opening victory might have raised some eyebrows, but the England loosehead showed what an impact player he can be.
Packing down alongside his international teammate Will Stuart, the Lions got on top of their hosts in the set-piece, allowing them to earn penalties and control field position as they sought a way back on the scoreboard.
Genge’s carrying was also impactful, while Ryan made his presence felt in similar fashion. In fact, it was the Ireland lock’s charge from scrappy ball that set up the final breakdown and try for Keenan to win the game.
That was enough to get him a starting gig in the third Test, while Genge will be held back once again for maximum impact when Andrew Porter’s race is run.
And we must not forget Jac Morgan, who was everywhere after replacing Tom Curry. There was of course the clearout late on, but the Wales flanker was also the top tackler off the bench and popped up time and again to help produce quick ball.
As the Lions aim to stay unbeaten in Australia, that bench could again have a huge role to play.
Interestingly, Andy Farrell has made one significant change for Sydney. For the first time in the Test series, he is employing a 6-2 bench, with Ben Earl coming back into the 23, with his ability to cover centre offering more flexibility.
He takes the spot of the outside back – Kinghorn for the second Test, Bundee Aki the first – while Ollie Chessum is back on the bench after starting in Melbourne.
Andy Farrell will hope his bench does not need to turn the game around in the same way this weekend, but if the Wallabies start fast again, he is safe in the knowledge that there are plenty of gamechangers just waiting for their chance to make it 3-0.
