It seems the British & Irish Lions' tour down under might end with Duhan van der Merwe still warming the bench. As the Lions gear up for their final and inconsequential Test against Australia in Adelaide, whispers suggest the high-flying wing might miss out again, despite some impressive individual numbers.
While coach Andy Farrell is expected to rotate his squad, giving some of the less-used players a chance to shine, it appears Van der Merwe hasn't done enough to sway the coaching team. Critics argue that Van der Merwe, a South African export, has become too predictable on the field. After an ankle surgery back in April, his comeback performances have been a mixed bag. He did show flashes of his bruising running style, but his defensive game and aerial skills left much to be desired.
His last appearance off the bench against the Waratahs didn't help his case either. One play in particular, where he bulldozed through only to fumble at the last moment, became emblematic of his struggles throughout the tour. Despite topping the charts for tries and meters run, his one-dimensional play seems to be his biggest hurdle.
"Powerful but predictable, dangerous with the ball but tactically found wanting,"
reads a critique in The Telegraph. This has seemingly put him behind Blair Kinghorn and a rejuvenated Mack Hansen in the selection pecking order.
The Lions, meanwhile, are chasing a historic clean sweep on this tour. Not since their 1927 rampage through Argentina have they managed a flawless victory record in a multi-Test series. With the series already in the bag, the last Test in Adelaide is more about pride and perhaps personal redemption for those who get the nod to play.
As the Lions look to conclude their Australian saga on a high note, all eyes will be on who makes the team sheet. But for Van der Merwe, unless there's a last-minute change of heart from Farrell, it might just be another viewing from the sidelines—a tough pill to swallow for a player of his caliber.