Jonathan Joseph goes hunting for a Lions Test place against the Highlanders in the Zoo
Forsyth Barr Stadium’s 5,000-seater stand known as the Zoo is Dunedin’s party central when team are in town
JONATHAN JOSEPH goes hunting for a Lions Test place in the Zoo today.
England’s try-scoring centre needs to help silence a bunch of rowdy Highlanders fans under the Forsyth Barr Stadium’s unique roof.
And in particular, the 5,000-seater stand known as the Zoo which is Dunedin’s party central whenever the Super Rugby side are in town.
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Warren Gatland’s line-up for the first date with New Zealand on Saturday week is starting to take shape.
But one of the big question marks is over who plays outside-centre against the All Blacks on Saturday week. And JJ is desperate to be the one.
Joseph — who has 16 tries in 33 Red Rose appearances — said: “It would be an unbelievable honour and an amazing achievement to play in the Tests.
“It would be something I could be really proud of, the pinnacle. But I’ve got to put in some good performances because it’s no easy task trying to get that jersey.
“I owe Warren Gatland a lot. I want to prove myself on the big stage and there’s no better place to do it. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen, but I have to give myself the chance.
“There are people who are playing very well and that’s what these games are for — to put your best foot forward.”
Off to the Zoo
THERE’S a lot to be said about tame New Zealand rugby fans . . . but not in Dunedin.
The student town is South Island’s party capital. And with tickets less then a tenner they pack out the Zoo.
It is strictly over-18s and fancy dress is encouraged — gorillas are the No 1 choice.
Their motto is: “You are not doing it unless you are Zooing it.”
The stadium — which also hosts pop concerts — has a pitch made up of real grass strengthened with synthetic fibres.
Joseph’s chief rival, Wales’ Jonathan Davies, suffered concussion just 28 minutes into his only appearance of the tour so far against Crusaders on Saturday.
Kiwi-born Jared Payne should also be in the running after winning 17 of his 20 Ireland caps in midfield. But he failed to shine in last week’s defeat by the Blues and lines up at full-back side today.
Bath star Joseph, 26, added: “I feel fresh and have a good two weeks under my belt in terms of Lions training.
“Now it’s about getting better and building some momentum after the boys beat the Crusaders. It is up to us to keep it going.
“I’m very excited about playing under the roof.
“Everyone likes to play in the dry, on a firm field — all the boys have spoken about it and we’re looking forward to it.”
Fekitoa's a goer
ALL BLACKS reject Malakai ALL BLACKS reject Malakai Fekitoa has a point to prove against the Lions.
The 23-capped Highlander was a shock omission from Steve Hansen’s squad to face Warren Gatland’s men.
Instead, the centre gets a chance to play them in Dunedin — and put himself in the shop window.
His agent Bruce Sharrock revealed the snub could lead to a move — with clubs in England and France likely to pounce for the 25-year-old.
Sharrock said: “We need to take stock of everything at the moment.
“Fekitoa will get through this Lions game and then maybe look at something. He’s disappointed — but so are lots of guys.”
Highlanders coach Scott Macleod warned the Lions they will face a backlash from the dumped All Black.
He said: “When you get dropped from a team that you dearly love, it’s a really emotional time.
“Fekitoa’s taken a couple of days to recover, as you would expect.
“But what I think you will see is that he will want to perform for the boys.”has a point to prove against the Lions.
The 23-capped Highlander was a shock omission from Steve Hansen’s squad to face Warren Gatland’s men.
Instead, the centre gets a chance to play them in Dunedin — and put himself in the shop window.
His agent Bruce Sharrock revealed the snub could lead to a move — with clubs in England and France likely to pounce for the 25-year-old.
Sharrock said: “We need to take stock of everything at the moment.
“Fekitoa will get through this Lions game and then maybe look at something. He’s disappointed — but so are lots of guys.”
Highlanders coach Scott Macleod warned the Lions they will face a backlash from the dumped All Black.
He said: “When you get dropped from a team that you dearly love, it’s a really emotional time.
“Fekitoa’s taken a couple of days to recover, as you would expect.
“But what I think you will see is that he will want to perform for the boys.”
The Highlanders are the fourth best Kiwi side in Super Rugby but are without their skipper, All Blacks full-back Ben Smith, and Test scrum-half Aaron Smith.
But the locals will look to out-run the Lions in their unique indoor stadium and Joseph will be head-to-head with a player with plenty to prove — Malakai Fekitoa who was left out of Steve Hansen’s Test squad.
Joseph will be out to improve the Lions potency after just two tries in three matches on tour so far.
He said: “Fekitoa is a good player so I’m looking forward to that match-up.
“It’s just another name though. At international level you’re always playing against world-class players.
“You have to be at the top of your game. It’s exciting.
Andy's hard line
ANDY FARRELL has warned his Lions not to ‘bitch or moan’ about the busy Tour schedule.
The defensive coach made it clear that city-hopping every few days would be no excuse for poor performances.
The Lions checked out of their Auckland base for Christchurch on Thursday and moved on to Dunedin on Sunday morning.
Farrell said: “One thing we discussed before we left is that there is no bitching or moaning about anything and we get on with it.
“This is the schedule. That is what touring is all about. You have to embrace it.”
Tomorrow, the Lions head to Rotorua to prep for Saturday’s Maori All Blacks clash.
In total Warren Gatland’s squad will clock up 1,800 Air Miles in a week that has seen them stay in four different hotels.
On his methods, Farrell added: “Everyone should be a leader in defence. If somebody messes up, everyone pays for it.
“I’m still looking for people to grab hold of the system.”
“It’s obviously harder here because the team keeps changing and you are in different combinations all the time.
“But it is up to us to get up to speed as quick as we can.
“That is about the work we do off the field and the constant chat we have — whether when we go for a coffee or whatever.
“We have to make sure we are all clear in our heads about what we’re trying to do.
“We have to be on the same page, or we will end up messing up. With any team, the more time you spend together, the more fluid you get.
“It’s definitely something we are looking to do and we want to set our standards quite high in this game.
“We’ve got to really get our attack going.”
LIONS: Payne; Nowell, Joseph, Henshaw, Seymour; Biggar, Webb; Marler, Best, Sinckler, Lawes, Henderson, Haskell, Warburton (capt), Stander. Reps: Owens, McGrath, Cole, Jones, Tipuric, Laidlaw, Farrell, Daly.
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