Ireland full-back Rob Kearney believes Welsh rival Leigh Halfpenny is in pole position to claim the Lions 15 jersey in Australia.
Kearney and Halfpenny both travelled with the Lions in 2009 to South Africa, with Kearney winning the full-back slot and excelling in the Test series against the Springboks.
Halfpenny's excellent form with the boot for Wales throughout the Six Nations however has seen him tipped by many to win the race this time round in Australia.
"Leigh's goalkicking alone has made him the standout full-back of the Six Nations. Wales have won a huge amount of games with his kicking skills," said Kearney.
"For me it's quite frustrating because receiving kicks was always a great way to get into games, get some ball and display my strengths.
"That's something I've definitely struggled with throughout this campaign. It shows a little bit as well in terms of my own touches. It's a case of trying to not get too frustrated by it and trying to find other ways to get into the game, although that hasn't been helped by the conditions we've been playing in.
"Last weekend against France was only my seventh start this season because of injury. I always think it's around six, seven or eight games that you start getting back into the run of things."
"Of course it crosses your mind that this weekend is the last major stage to impress Lions selectors, but selection will have been going on throughout the last year. Although a huge amount of emphasis has been put on the Six Nations, it's not the be-all and end-all.
"It's not the only shop window to stake your claim. It's important to recognise that when the team does well, individuals do well. Once you start trying to play as individuals, that's when the team suffers. Ultimately then the player will suffer."
Comments
shoobydo says...
That's an honest assessment by Kearney.
He got turned over and gave away penalties against both England and Scotland where the game position and quality of chase should have made him think about kicking.
He is simply trying too hard at the moment and making poor decisions because of it.
If the Lions tour had been in any of the last 3 years he would have been a nailed on starter, but with Halfpenny and Hogg in such good form, he is fighting for place on the plane.
Posted 17:33 13th March 2013
Expattrussy says...
Kearney at 15 and Halfpenny at 14 is also an option. Halfpenny has wing experience, is strong going forward and defensively sound. I know there are other wingers out there, but none are really hitting top form at the moment........
Posted 17:19 13th March 2013
cliffguy says...
I'm a Welsh supporter and a huge fan of Halfpenny. But I also think Kearney is superb, and hasn't been seen to his best advantage a) because Irealand have struggled to find form and b) because he's really still in the process of coming back. I think the point he hints at, i.e. that games after 6N, such as later stages of Heineken Cup, are important to selection is spot on; form is everything.
Posted 16:58 13th March 2013
Alwill says...
leinster_Goy, I seriously wonder what planet you live on. Halfpenny did have a wobble in fairly atrocious conditions, but still was successful on 8 of 11 kicks as well as being impeccable under the high ball. Not sure in whose universe that is not good kicking.....but then you are the same guy who blames Stephen Jones for losing the last Lions series. For me he's the front runner, but take all three (including Hogg), and decide your test 15 on who hits form at the time. They are all excellent players.
Posted 15:01 13th March 2013
melkdave says...
Halfpenny is going to be the lions 15 ,espically if Sexton starts at FH,because of his goalkicking,and he offers everything the other contenders have aswell.In 2009 against SA it was vital the lions had a rock at 15 under the highball.Because of how they played the game.That rock was R.Kearney.Unfortunatly for him he isnt the only exceptional exponent of the art anymore,Brown,Hogg,and Halfpenny are all very solid under the highball and also have alot of pace in the counterattack.Brown and Hogg are even better at beating the 1st tackle,and making inroads behind the defensive line,while Halfpenny is at least equal to Kearney in that regard and offers an excellent kicking option from the ground for penalties.In my opinionthe 3 FBs will Halfpenny,Brown and Hogg,with Kearney on standby..Espically since he hasnt got any HC matches nowto keep mounting his challange in..Still a fantastic player,but the other FBs have caught up ,and in someways offer just that trifel more atm.
Posted 13:30 13th March 2013
pierredelot1 says...
Lets face it if it wasn't for Halfpenny Wales wouldn't be in the situation they are in now. If Sexton plays 10 for the Lions however there is no need for a genuine kicker at 15, which opens it up for Kearney, but he too hasn't had a great season. Personally i think Halpenny is in the driving seat, he just is so solid and the kicking slump last weekend is the first time I've seen him really off cue. Defence and positioning he's on it as well as pretty cool. They'll both go though.
Posted 13:16 13th March 2013
carpelone says...
Halfpenny is not only kicking, his sense of position is outstanding.
Kearney is a fantastic player too.
Fullback is not a position where the Lions are weak.
Posted 13:15 13th March 2013
leinster_goy says...
i would have had halfpenny above Robbo in the pecking order until last saturday, when halfpenny's kicking went seriously awry and Robbo put in a brilliant all-round performance against france (in particular, his tactical kicking was inch-perfect). i would say they're neck and neck right now. their respective showings this weekend could well decide it
Posted 12:33 13th March 2013