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hancockjr
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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by hancockjr »

hancockjr wrote:The first half seemed to consist of them having the ball and the Lions being unable to get it back, then when we did get it back we'd box kick for 20 yards max gain with 50/50 at best chance of keeping the ball. The box kicking was pretty good quality but I just don't get the odds you work to on them.
Seems Clive Woodward agrees with me:
Clive Woodward from BBC Sport wrote:"But you have got to dominate possession and if you don't they are so talented, so good, so physical, you are going to get beat."

England's World Cup-winning coach told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek: "We didn't lose the game based on selection.

"What happens in the UK, you box kick, the opposition get it, play a couple of phases and normally kick the ball back.

"You box kick down here, the All Blacks catch it and you don't get the ball back."

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liquidfootball2
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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by liquidfootball2 »

Yes it didn't help at all and i totally agree, possession just can't be kicked away especially when keeping the ball in play too, and that is by and large what happened and what poorly directed box kicking does.

The idea of course is to be accurate and high enough with the kicks to give your own wing forwards or backs a chance to sprint and compete when the ball comes down.

NZ, as has been mentioned already on tour, are very good at subtly blocking runners so the defender jumping is normally fairly unchallenged and possession turned over.

So unless the kicking is accurate enough to give a real chance of retention, you'll be punished and the majority of the time this was just what happened.

I actually think the breakdown is the main crucial area where we lost but inaccurate kicking and poor ill discipline conceding too many penalties were definite factors too.

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by liquidfootball2 »

Warren Gatland possibly predictably now coming in for both barrels from former leading players.

Rob Andrew commented

"I'm still trying to work out what happened with that Lions performance. There was an edge missing - it wasn't an angry Lions performance. They should be angry with themselves after Saturday."

Andrew was also critical of the lack of playing time Warren Gatland's first-choice selections have had together, especially in key positions.

"If you're choosing Connor Murray and Owen Farrell who have played one match together, and a back three who have never played together, don't be surprised when they lose.

"You probably wouldn't have picked that back three the moment the plane landed in NZ. How on earth can they fix all these bits and pieces as they're all critical?"

I suppose the lack of time to look at various options in the early games inevitably leads to unfamiliarity between teammates in crucial positions being a problem once the first XV has been settled upon.

It's exactly because of this that it's usual for 10 and 12 to be from the same country. Sexton though hasn't performed and Farrell has, except for his kicking. Williams in at full back was a last minute decision and one I thought a big gamble, as was an untried back three as a whole, but sometimes risks have to be taken.

His obvious inclination to give his own personal (normally Welsh) favourites as much game of a chance as possible, even at the expense of probable starting combinations didn't help either.

I think any coach would have found it an almost impossible job though so i can't really be too critical on this front.

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by liquidfootball2 »

After a very encouraging first half, the Lions lost their way in the drawn game against the Hurricanes. Lawes was protected in the second half and the replacements were packed with a not so splendid assortment of ad hoc replacements from the geographically near Welsh and Scottish squads, this together with a tiring team and with Gatland reluctant to use the bench, made it hard work.

The Lions with only 14 men, following Henderson's yellow for an apparent lift at a ruck, just ran out of steam, battling but exposed.

The Hurricanes may have been missing Beauden Barrett, Ardie Savea and TJ Perenara but they're no mugs and are a dangerous outfit and this was largely a second string Lions.


The first half was decent enough though and they didn't miss too many tackles, showed good defence and won a few turnovers too.

Yellow cards proved crucial in the end but really it's now all about the bigger picture and who could come in for the second test.

Courtney Lawes tellingly subbed very early on in the second half has probably played his way into the starting team alongside Itoje and Henderson should also at least make the 23.

AWJ obviously should be axed imo and Kruis too.
Last edited by liquidfootball2 on 27 Jun 2017, 11:31, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by liquidfootball2 »

Was grabbing a draw from the jaws of victory at least partially Gatland's own fault?

Gatland's reluctance to use what was a seriously sub standard bench of replacements was a direct legacy of his own ludicrous call-up policy based on players being near geographically and entirely his own fault.

Gatland's refusal to use a replacements bench populated with his controversial 'Geographical Six' meant the Lions were denied fresh legs when they were desperately needed to quell the Hurricanes' final-quarter uprising.

To bring any on would effectively have seriously devalued the whole Lions ethos and what should be required to become a Lion.

Gatland knew of the uproar caused back here by his highly controversial call up policy and showed just how vacuous it was by avoiding bringing on any replacements even at a time when they were desperately needed.


Well done Warren, at least the Hurricanes were grateful.

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by liquidfootball2 »

Warren Taffy Gatland makes some big calls and against expectations keeps Wales' AWJ in the side after his underwhelming show in the first test.

He has also dropped the Lions outstanding line out man O'Mahoney for Wales' Warburton although the former isn't as quick to the breakdown and that area suffered.

Finally he has axed Worcester's Ben Te'o after a sparkling first test to have the Sexton Farrell duo at 10 and 12.

Kruis is axed and Itoje in.

Henderson left out completely but places on the bench for Lawes and CJ Stander

Gatland throughout has made clear he has his favourites and as a former Welsh coach seems to be sticking with the players who served him well four years ago despite Wales being fairly underwhelming in the six nations and big question marks hanging over the individuals he has picked.

His controversial 'geographical six' policy he followed calling up 6 nearby lesser replacements from the Welsh and Scottish squads is now in shreds, as will possibly his own reputation be after this tour.

He's playing a massively high risk game with his final throw of the dice and dropping the big star so far in Ben Te'o in order to play the Sexton Farrell combination.

The whole tour now seemingly rests on this match. The reputation of Gatland will be defined by it one way or the other.

If it comes off – and the odds are against it – it will be a masterstroke to rank with the very best. If it fails, it will be seen as a desperate play to get something from a tour that has been buffeted by various trials and tribulations. It is the last shot for glory.

Although there is some logic underpinning the selection there is also a large risk. And a certain lack of fairness. This is a selection made for the team and not for the individual.

The deposed Ben Te’o has been one of the stand-out acts in the red jersey, fierce across the gain with devilish intent in his demeanour and some fancy footwork in his feet.

Even though Sonny Bill featured in the first Test he did not manage to produce any of those magical, game-shaping offloads that cause such havoc in opposition ranks. Te’o was instrumental in stymieing that part of his game.

The former rugby league player has shown consistent form across the last five weeks, one of the few players with the capacity to take the game to New Zealand sides, causing hurt and distraction in midfield.

It is a desperately tough scenario for the 30-year-old. He has made several telling breaks on this trip although the fact that the Lions have not managed to finish off such opportunities might have been held against him.

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by unc.si. »

I think that might be a touch too gushing in praise of Ben Te'o but he played very well in the first test and kept Sonny Bill quiet, which is no mean feat. I watched the game with someone who's actually played against the All Blacks (1980's vintage) and he picked Te'o out as having played well.

I'd agree with Sexton and Murray playing together, and can see how it works with Farrell at 12 if we're on the front foot. Not so sure Farrell can contain SBW as well as Te'o did though. If you don't pick Farrell do you have to have Halfpenny at 15 though? If so then I'd take Farrell at 12 and the back 3 as picked than Te'o and Halfpenny at full back.

I'd have had Henderson and Itoje in as locks though, with Lawes on the bench (or maybe Itoje and Lawes with Henderson coming in off the bench). AWJ didn't do anything to justify being in the 23.

Suspect that the AB's will play a bit wider this time. With Leinert Brown in at 13 and 2 very dangerous fast men on the wings if Sonny Bill starts breaking the gain line and gets his offloads going then we're going to struggle to contain them, especially if the Lions commit more to the breakdown this time out, which they probably have to in order to get enough ball to play with.

Looking forward to the game though. The AB's really are a pleasure to watch. They lost 2 of the greatest players of all time plus a record breaking hooker and centre partnership after the world cup and if anything they look even better than ever.

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by liquidfootball2 »

Yes containing SBW is now a real worry, perhaps even more so as the conditions are forecast to be wet which may mean physicality and bulk are at a premium.

I personally think the All Blacks are likely to adapt by targeting the middle where Farrell and Davies although good tackers don't have the bulk.

You get judged on the big calls and dropping possibly the best performing Lion so far is undeniably harsh and a huge risk as Te'o was largely instrumental in stifling the massive line breaking talent of Sonny Bill Williams as well as showing the physicality and strength to barge through tackles allied to fleet footwork.

The Sexton and Farrell combination is a huge risk considering he's now tossed aside his usual 'Warrenball' tactic of a big battering ram at 12. Let's hope it comes off when it could be hailed as a masterstroke, I'm not too optimistic.

In the first test he picked AWJ over Itoje and has now persisted with the underperforming lock in the hope he'll roll back the years.

Tbf they can't match the all blacks at the breakdown or clearing out after a tackle but they can narrow the gap, the likes of Courtney Lawes and Maro Itoje should have played both tests imo.

I see some sense in Warburton over O'Mahoney as he too is much better in the loose but it's a big loss in the line-out and risks just gaining in one area while losing possession in the other.

You can't expect miracles, and even with a better coach I still think NZ would win, as inevitably making a scratch side into a formidable force in a comparatively short time to face the worlds best team on their own patch in their own conditions and with most of the crowd behind them is a herculean task.

So its not just losing but the manner of it that counts and we could be better at the breakdown even if not quite as good as NZ.

I'm trying not to rubbish or be too hard on Alun Wynn-Jones as we all know what he's capable of and we saw him four years ago lift the trophy in Australia, but he just hasn't been at the races, he hasn't been at the races these last few weeks in fact he hasn't been at the races these last couple of months.

What he undoubtedly is though is one of Gatland's favourites and the former Welsh coach has shown he has a plentiful supply of possibly misguided loyalty to those players.

Kruis also had a poor game in the first test perhaps not helped by just how bad AWJ was as the other lock. So to have two of Henderson, Itoje and Lawes and dropping the incumbents to accommodate would have seemed fair. To not just not pick but to actially start AWJ while leaving Henderson out altogether patently doesn't seem fair though.

Perhaps AWJ being one of Gatland's favourite lieutenants greatly helped his cause, I'm not sure I can think of any other reason.

I just can't see anyway a side will match these all blacks away from home on their own patch atm.

The only fixtures likely to cause any problems would be with them away from home at say a full Twickenham facing a full strength England with a fit Billy Vunipola, and that's just not scheduled in atm for any time soon.

I'm predicting a one sided affair with the All Black's winning by over 20 points.
Last edited by liquidfootball2 on 29 Jun 2017, 15:28, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by liquidfootball2 »

Interesting to read highly respected sky pundit and former England back Stuart Barnes on the side.

"England centre Ben Te'o did well in Auckland to keep Williams quiet, however, he came more into the game when Sexton came on and replaced the Worcester man, with Farrell moving to 12 in the Lions' 30-15 first Test defeat last weekend.

"Owen Farrell and Jonathan Sexton together is 'a gamble' and the game management of Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell is key for the Lions but I have some serious concerns over their defensive roles"

Williams is joined in the midfield by Anton Lienert-Brown, who replaces the injured Ryan Crotty at outside centre, and while Gatland remains adamant Sexton and Farrell can handle the All Blacks duo, Barnes is not so sure.

"I'm very concerned about Sonny Bill Williams and Anton Lienert-Brown because Lienert-Brown is a very good player but it'll be about where the game is played,"

Barnes told Sky Sports News HQ. "Yes, it is gamble."

"I think Owen Farrell is not the greatest defender at 12 and Johnny Sexton will be targeted so it's crucial the Lions play this game in the right parts of the field."

If he's saying that to the major Lions broadcaster here in the UK and naturally being a bit restricted and guarded as to how strongly he expresses an opinion that might be seen as outright criticism, I think I can guess what he may say off the record.

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Re: Rugby discussion

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You do have to bear in mind that Barnes is a tool of the highest order. He was a tool on the pitch, a tool in the clubhouse and he's a tool now.

Shit commentator as well

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by unc.si. »

He is right that Sonny Bill came into the game more when Te'o came off though.

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by forestfan »

Yeah, not sure playing two 10's will cut it against the world's best. We need specialists in every position.

Just feels like he didn't have much idea what his best team might be before the tour, even though you have to be influenced by form. Last week's captain dropped from the 23, original tour captain reinstated... :?

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Re: RE: Re: Rugby discussion

Post by liquidfootball2 »

unc.si. wrote:You do have to bear in mind that Barnes is a tool of the highest order. He was a tool on the pitch, a tool in the clubhouse and he's a tool now.

Shit commentator as well
Tbf I also disagree with him at times but think such a sweeping assessment well wide of the mark.

He was a long way from my favourite player too as he tended to be far too cavalier and take uncalled for risks for my liking.

I do think he's fairly knowledgeable though about world rugby and think you're being far too harsh on him.

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by unc.si. »

Well I'm probably a bit biased tbh. Never played against him myself but have friends that have played both with him and against him. I have met him a couple of times as well. Sort of guy who thought he was gods gift to rugby and had no time for anyone who he considered beneath him, which seemed to be most people.

Anyway, looking forward to seeing whether the Lions can pull something out of the bag. Probably needs a near flawless performance from them to stand a chance and even the All Blacks have the occasional day off...

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by liquidfootball2 »

Brilliant, great to see, had some advantages when Sonny Bill deservedly sent off but scored two tries to nil and did the job.

Absolutely brilliant

Itoje was massive and Lawes made a real difference.

Got away with it to some extent as that defence in the centre still very vulnerable, but not quite so much with 14 and SBW off although Laumape exposed it in the second half too, so still massive outsiders but just enjoying winning in any fashion atm

Gatland needs to take off the blinkers and lose AWJ, although tbf he was a lot better than last week.

Mako Vunipola needs to be demoted too as really buckled under pressure today and gave away far too many penalties as well as being carded.

Although the dreadful conditions admittedly made it very difficult, Williams vulnerability under the high ball was exposed too many times for my liking.

I can see him just making one change for the last test, although I'd still definitely rather have Lawes starting, McGrath for Vunipola.
Last edited by liquidfootball2 on 01 Jul 2017, 10:56, edited 5 times in total.

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by hancockjr »

Great result but with 14 men for 55 minutes to lose by only 3 shows what an amazing side the Kiwis are. Doesn't bode well for the decider.

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by unc.si. »

Great stuff. I'll take that.

O'Brian cited though - seen the vid and can't see that there's a lot in it to be honest. Will be a shame if he gets banned for that - probably the best player on the pitch on Saturday.

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by hancockjr »

unc.si. wrote:Great stuff. I'll take that.

O'Brian cited though - seen the vid and can't see that there's a lot in it to be honest. Will be a shame if he gets banned for that - probably the best player on the pitch on Saturday.
I thought the ref looked at that incident during the math and decided it was ok? If not sounds like we got away with one as another penalty at that point I think would have been crucial.

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by Edmondson »

3rd Test, I'd like to see:


Furlong - George - McGrath (Sinckler-Owens-Vunipola)

Itoje - Lawes (Henderson)

Warburton - Faletau - O'Brien (Stander)

Murray - Farrell (Webb - Sexton)

Te'o - Davies (Joseph)

Daly - Williams - Watson

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Re: RE: Re: Rugby discussion

Post by liquidfootball2 »

hancockjr wrote:
unc.si. wrote:Great stuff. I'll take that.

O'Brian cited though - seen the vid and can't see that there's a lot in it to be honest. Will be a shame if he gets banned for that - probably the best player on the pitch on Saturday.
I thought the ref looked at that incident during the math and decided it was ok? If not sounds like we got away with one as another penalty at that point I think would have been crucial.
As widely expected by pretty much everyone, Williams banned and O'Brien cleared

That Australian citing commissioner has a record of previous spurious citings too

Why on earth cite something previously looked at in detail and from different camera angles by the match TMO and referee, is he trying do undermine the officials?

Not as if they missed it.

http://bbc.in/2t4R7uU

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Re: RE: Re: Rugby discussion

Post by liquidfootball2 »

Edmondson wrote:3rd Test, I'd like to see:


Furlong - George - McGrath (Sinckler-Owens-Vunipola)

Itoje - Lawes (Henderson)

Warburton - Faletau - O'Brien (Stander)

Murray - Farrell (Webb - Sexton)

Te'o - Davies (Joseph)

Daly - Williams - Watson
That wouldn't be too far away from the team I would go with too.

Never change a winning team is a maxim often quoted but in this case given the circumstances and how the game unfolded following the sending off, I think a gamble is needed and some changes justified.

NZ will have 15 starters and will be even more formidable if the rain keeps off.

In my opinion he should roll the dice. This may sound like heresy but I think he should replace Sam Warburton with Justin Tipuric. I don’t think Warburton had a bad game, but he was not at the level that Sam Cane was. Certainly he did his best to get to as many breakdowns as he could and he was slightly slowing down the ball before he tired in the last quarter.

Tipuric is that bit fitter and faster. Defensively he barely misses a tackle and that extra speed would create both attacking and turnover possibilities. It would be a huge call to go with a different captain for the third straight Test but that may be the difference between winning a series.

Other than that like you, I would like to see Ben Te’o involved as he needs to be right from the off and not the bench, even if it means sacrificing the Sexton-Farrell combination, whether at outside or inside centre but a lot of that will depend on the weather and certainly every Lions supporter should be praying for the rain.

Te'o needs to be there I believe as Fekitoa replacing SBW is a completely different type of player. More like a 9th forward.

Mako is possibly better coming off the bench when the play is more broken and i think giving McGrath the number 1 shirt the right move, as well as hopefully going some way to lowering the penalty count.


Possibly O'Brien or Farrell as captain.

(I don't expect him to go down this route though and think only McGrath for Mako likely)

I was way off with the second test prediction, but a sending off and torrential rain were real factors.

The forecast isn't nearly as bad for this Saturday although some rain in the day is possible so if he picks roughly the same team as I expect, I can see the All Blacks winning very easily indeed perhaps by 25 points.

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by liquidfootball2 »

Teams for the third test:-

Teams for the third test:-

New Zealand: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith; 1 Joe Moody, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Sam Whitelock, 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Kieran Read (c).

Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Aaron Cruden, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.

Jordie Barrett makes his full debut (maybe on kicking duty too?), having come on for the final 18 minutes of New Zealand's 78-0 win over Samoa.

Jordie Barrett and Ngani Laumape will make their first starts for New Zealand while Julian Savea also returns for Saturday's series decider against the British and Irish Lions.

Barrett is named at full-back, having made his debut as a replacement against Samoa last month. Israel Dagg reverts to the wing while Laumape replaces the suspended Sonny Bill Williams at inside centre.

The third change to the backline sees Savea selected to the left wing in place of Rieko Ioane, with Malakai Fekitoa named on the bench.

I'm a bit surprised by Savea who has looked a little leaden footed recently but perhaps thinking back to former starring role and more experience

British and Irish Lions: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Jamie George, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 6 Sam Warburton (c), 7 Sean O'Brien, 8 Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Courtney Lawes, 20 CJ Stander, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Ben Te'o, 23 Jack Nowell.

The Lions have exactly the same lineup, imo probably a real mistake

My thoughts would have been:-

McGrath for Vunipola
Lawes for Jones
Te'o (at 12) for Sexton with Farrell at 10

After this selection I can only see a very comfortable win for NZ, with the proposed changes i still would have fancied the all blacks but think it would have been more competitive.

If Jack McGrath had started his superior scrummaging ability would have been capable of laying the foundation for the ball-carrying prowess of Vunipola to make its mark late on when the play is more broken and loose.

Mako gave away numerous penalty infringements and was carded plus he's up against a really top opposition prop, I really think this their biggest error.

His spot was arguably most at threat after an error-strewn display which culminated in him being sent to the sin by referee Jerome Garces. Four of the tourists' 13 penalties at the Westpac Stadium came from the loosehead prop and it was that indiscipline, which so nearly settled the series in the All Blacks' favour,

Alun-Wyn Jones has been one of Gatland's go-to men showing perhaps surprising loyalty to his Welsh lock, despite growing calls for the more dynamic options of Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes to be paired in the Tests. Itoje has since muscled his way into the Test XV to partner Jones, but the far more dynamic option of including England counterpart Courtney Lawes has been turned down again.

Wales lock Jones endured a difficult time in the first Test, but was better in the second in Wellington, his replacement Lawes certainly had an impact when called upon, with his tenacious defence and presence at the breakdown helping the Lions turn the game around with 15 points in the final quarter.

The experimental midfield pairing of Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell struggled to impose themselves in what turned out to be an attritional second Test.

For all the pre-match hype and anticipation, the experimental midfield pairing struggled to impose themselves in what turned out to be an attritional second Test.

They especially struggled in defence against New Zealand's direct attack in Wellington frequently knocked back in contact, they also found their attacking games hampered by the atrocious conditions, while Sonny Bill Williams' dismissal forced the All Blacks into retreat, thereby halting any prospect of an open game for the Lions duo to operate in.

Despite this, both Sexton and Farrell played the duration of the game as Gatland opted against introducing Ben Te'o, despite conditions suiting the hard-hitting England centre.

However, with Hurricanes battering ram Ngani Laumape, poised to replace the suspended Williams, the need to match fire with fire should surely have seen Te'o whisked back into the team in his hometown.

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by liquidfootball2 »

With just a day to go that same again selection just looks wrong to me.

The real problem i forsee with having Mako in the front row is Romain Poite the French referee.

He is very sharp indeed on front row infringements such as binding and taking it down and in fact possibly referees the scrum better than any other current official in either hemisphere.

He will call offences even in cases where other officials have a more lenient interpretation. Mako's actual scrummaging while reasonable is a long way from being his main strength or attribute and he is up against one of the best scrummaging props in the business.

He struggled to avoid being turned in or collapsing time and again and Poite will have no qualms about penalising him.

McGrath is clearly a far better scrummager even if the rest of his game doesnt quite match up as well and Mako has a definite edge in the loose.

Playing the referee, and especially the way he referees the scrum which is so essential, could well be very difficult if Mako comes under a lot of pressure.

I hope i'm wrong but Mako off the bench later on when the play is looser and more broken just makes more sense to me.

I suppose having O'Brien off the pack as much as possible, so he can try and close the Sexton Farrell freeway to the tryline and stop Laumape battering through, may go some way to mitigating the non-selection of Te'o at inside centre even if hardly ideal.

I hope Jones shows why Gatland has shown so much loyalty to him, but it seems a performance from him that was decent enough mainly in that it was nowhere near as bad as his first test nightmare, has kept for me the far younger quicker and impessive foraging talent that is Courtney Lawes on the replacements bench once again.

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by liquidfootball2 »

What tension and the Lions have far exceeded my wildest expectations.

Laumape did make full advantage of the defensive soft spot in the centre and Farrell isn't suited to 12 but that second half was exhilarating and they went so close.

Incredible placekicking from Owen Farrell and Elliot Daly.

NZ scored two tries to nil but Beauden Barrett's poor kicking kept the Lions hanging on

What can you say after that? What an advert for rugby.

I thought the Lions in many respects improved tonight compared with last week. That second half was as good as proper test rugby gets.

People will say it's only a drawn series but the All Blacks are something else, look at their home record. After the first test I'd have bitten the hand off anyone offering a tied series.

Such great character from the Lions to battle on to get results in the last five minutes.

Farrell might be too weak to play where he was selected to start tonight at 12 but the fella has ice in his veins.

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by unc.si. »

Just back from the Trent Bridge Inn after watching the 3rd test. What a game. Sport at its best.

Too many talking points but Itoje's 1st half performance was one of the best I've ever seen.

I need a lie down now :D

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Re: RE: Re: Rugby discussion

Post by liquidfootball2 »

unc.si. wrote:Just back from the Trent Bridge Inn after watching the 3rd test. What a game. Sport at its best.

Too many talking points but Itoje's 1st half performance was one of the best I've ever seen.

I need a lie down now :D
Yes and although it's perhaps not really the time for criticism of anybody, how Gatland and his selectors couldn't find a starting place for him in the first test still annoys me.

And this without hindsight

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by Bob Newhart »

Credit to the Lions where it's due, but the main reason NZ didn't win the series 2:0 is that dicksplash Williams :x

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by liquidfootball2 »

Judged by their own lofty standards, the All Blacks have been bang average this series.

Credit of course to the rush defence and pressure the Lions exerted.

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by Neath boy »

Great class between two excellent teams. Three best Lions today for me were Itoje Furlonhgh and advise with Alun Wyn not far behind. After a very shaky first twenty Farell came into his own

Great series! Love the Lions tours. Great moments in sport.

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Re: Rugby discussion

Post by Ashers »

Did anyone watch any of the games yesterday?

Please can we have your thoughts on yesterday's action and how the teams are shaping up?

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