Lions in SA
'Lions will come roaring back'
2009-07-03 07:37
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London England fullback Delon Armitage says the Lions have let themselves down but will come out all guns blazing in Saturday's final third and final Test against South Africa.
He also blasted Springboks coach Peter de Villiers for initially defending back row Schalk Burger's eye-gouge on Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald in last week's Test in Pretoria, saying if de Villiers' child was the victim, he would not have done so.
The London Irish full-back said that the British and Irish Lions, 2-0 down in the three-Test series, had what it takes to beat the world champions.
"They've got one Test to redeem a bit of respect, to show people that they did have a good squad, they did gel well together as a team," Armitage said.
"This is a great opportunity for them to show everyone that if they'd started well enough they could have won those first two Tests," he added at a promotional event at a south London sports school.
"To come back from South Africa without a win would be heartbreaking for them so I think they're going to go out there and look to get a win.
"Everyone's saying, oh, it's over, the series is finished, whether they win or lose. But it's about pride," he added on Thursday.
Emerging England star Armitage, who missed out on a Lions squad place, said the tourists had all the ammunition to master the Springboks.
"They know they have let themselves down because they were good enough to win the series," the 25-year-old said.
"They had the squad and the players and the personnel to win. If it wasn't for certain errors they would have won the games comfortably.
"They'll be kicking themselves now for it."
Though Burger's gouge on Ireland back Fitzgerald was enough to earn him an eight-week ban, Armitage was equally offended by de Villiers' defence of the flanker.
"There's no room for that in the sport," the Trinidad-born back said.
"To say that eye-gouging is a part of rugby, there's no way that it's a part of rugby and I'm glad it's been reprimanded.
"He's wanting to defend his players but there's certain things that players need to realise they can't get away with.
"Apologising - does that make it all right? No. If it was his kid playing he wouldn't have said the same thing."
Armitage, who played for his country in this month's two Tests against Argentina, said England were on the up and the battle now for him was keeping his number 15 shirt.
"We're getting stronger, a lot of young guys have had opportunities and have taken it so hopefully we can take that into the Six Nations, even into the autumn internationals - everyone gelling as an England team.
"There's quite a young squad so I think we can do really well.
"My ambition is to keep that England shirt, keep those guys working to try and get that shirt off me because I want it to be mine for as long as possible, especially with the World Cup (in New Zealand) coming in two years' time.
"I don't think playing 11 games is good enough. I want to be one of the best full-back in Europe and to do that you've got to be playing every single international game for England."
His friend and international colleague, Harlequins wing Ugo Monye, has been disappointed by the Lions Test results but is nonetheless enjoying being a member of the squad, Armitage revealed.
"I don't hear from him anymore since's he's met his new friends in the Lions!" he added.