British Lions Squad
- Thread starter Lord Camomile
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DuckQuack'sEcho
More Cowbells No Vevezula
49-18 canter for the All Blacks.
Will Pom Rugby ever reach respectability again?
Will Pom Rugby ever reach respectability again?
past caring
The Cathars were right
You just discovered the game, convict? Thread's been going a while now - where you been? 
Edited to add: we'll see how you do against Wales in December - and try calling any of us Poms - see how well that goes down....
Edited to add: we'll see how you do against Wales in December - and try calling any of us Poms - see how well that goes down....
past caring
The Cathars were right
Anyway, seriously......
Problems as I see them.
Gareth Thomas played a blinder as captain - but he's not a centre. he should be in at wing or full-back. The fact that neither he nor Wilkinson are real deliverers of the ball meant that the service that Shane Williams did get was awful....I think Queto should have gone on tour and been picked at centre.
I think Wilkinson let us down - the two attempts at drop-goal were a mistake tactically - the All Blacks were on the back foot at that point in the game and we needed to keep them there by running at them and hitting them. You could see in the latter stages of the game how the Lions were sapped from having to constantly tackle - we should have taken the game to them whilst we had the chance. But to be taking the wrong option and then missing the kick? All you're doing is giving the ball away.
I've said all week that I don't think the selection of more Welsh players would make much odds - it's the game plan that's wrong. Running at the All blacks from anywhere - with support - was the way to play them. But Woodward just isn't up to that kind of rugby.
The All Blacks pack were phenomenal - mobile and competitive. Of the Lions pack I think that was only true of Jones, Moody, Thompson and Easterby.
No excuses, the All Blacks deserved to win - and Carter was superb, a real class act.
But the refereeing was abysmal - the All Blacks constant off-the-ball obstruction (mugging would be more accurate) was missed/ignored, he continually ignored their going over the top in the ruck, their preventing the tackled player from releasing - in fact giving penalties the other way. And what the fuck was that bollocks with Dwayne Peel and the quick penalties? Fair enough, bring it back if the player is stealing a couple of yards forward - but when it's a few feet to either side of the mark? Disgraceful.
Problems as I see them.
Gareth Thomas played a blinder as captain - but he's not a centre. he should be in at wing or full-back. The fact that neither he nor Wilkinson are real deliverers of the ball meant that the service that Shane Williams did get was awful....I think Queto should have gone on tour and been picked at centre.
I think Wilkinson let us down - the two attempts at drop-goal were a mistake tactically - the All Blacks were on the back foot at that point in the game and we needed to keep them there by running at them and hitting them. You could see in the latter stages of the game how the Lions were sapped from having to constantly tackle - we should have taken the game to them whilst we had the chance. But to be taking the wrong option and then missing the kick? All you're doing is giving the ball away.
I've said all week that I don't think the selection of more Welsh players would make much odds - it's the game plan that's wrong. Running at the All blacks from anywhere - with support - was the way to play them. But Woodward just isn't up to that kind of rugby.
The All Blacks pack were phenomenal - mobile and competitive. Of the Lions pack I think that was only true of Jones, Moody, Thompson and Easterby.
No excuses, the All Blacks deserved to win - and Carter was superb, a real class act.
But the refereeing was abysmal - the All Blacks constant off-the-ball obstruction (mugging would be more accurate) was missed/ignored, he continually ignored their going over the top in the ruck, their preventing the tackled player from releasing - in fact giving penalties the other way. And what the fuck was that bollocks with Dwayne Peel and the quick penalties? Fair enough, bring it back if the player is stealing a couple of yards forward - but when it's a few feet to either side of the mark? Disgraceful.
1927
Funnier than he thinks he is.
OK we were beaten by a far better team and there's no way the Lions would have won todat against that team.Last week the score flattered us and today proved what the result could have been given running conditions.We were never gonna beat the ABs using Plan A,and although Plan B resulted in a greater defeat it was the only chance we had of even trying to compete.
Tommo was a revelation and played his best game on tour,gethin played well but White was a liability and why Rowntree came on for Jones I dont know.Second row performed far better than last week,atleast we secured some line out possesion,but POC cost us points and yardage at vital times again today.7-0 up and attacking within 15 metres of their line and he goes staright over the top unnecessarily and momentum lost. Back row to a man were top drawer and Jones and easterby made a mockery of the original tour selection and the selection for the first test.
Peel ahd a great game and was always looking to try something,but why was he continually prevented from taking quick penalties? Johnny Wilkinson you are the weakest link,now fuck off! had no idea how tro get the backs moving,long miss passes to OC meant Henson only received one pass in the time JW was on the field.JW should have gone off when he first felt his shoulder go as he was not at all committed after that,and why,when possession was so hard to secure did he insist on kicking long down field,especially at the kick off when he gave the forwards no chance. Henson and Shane were woeful in defence today,but Shane wasnt there for his defence and never had a chance to show his attacking skills. Alfie cant be faulted for his commitment and captaincy although I wondere about some decisions on the field but I wonder whether there were orders from SCW,thought Henson might have had a pop once or twice with pens,cos JW was out of sorts and tbh if he aint on kicking form he aint worth having there!
Robinson despite comments to the contrary above was better today and Lewsey just played the way he's played the whole tour.
Having said all that the ABs got away with murder,gotta be one of the worst refereeing performances ever seen in international rugby.We would have been beaten whatever happened today,but we were certainly up against it when we had to play against 16.The non intervention of the touch judges at certain points is just more evidence of SCWs crap approach to this tour,he was the one that demanded they stay out of things after the first game of the tour.
For next week get rid of POC,JW has to go,I dont care who comes in and ffs tell the OH not to kick ball down the throats of the ABs who today scored atleast one try direct from a kick off without us even touching the ball.
Tommo was a revelation and played his best game on tour,gethin played well but White was a liability and why Rowntree came on for Jones I dont know.Second row performed far better than last week,atleast we secured some line out possesion,but POC cost us points and yardage at vital times again today.7-0 up and attacking within 15 metres of their line and he goes staright over the top unnecessarily and momentum lost. Back row to a man were top drawer and Jones and easterby made a mockery of the original tour selection and the selection for the first test.
Peel ahd a great game and was always looking to try something,but why was he continually prevented from taking quick penalties? Johnny Wilkinson you are the weakest link,now fuck off! had no idea how tro get the backs moving,long miss passes to OC meant Henson only received one pass in the time JW was on the field.JW should have gone off when he first felt his shoulder go as he was not at all committed after that,and why,when possession was so hard to secure did he insist on kicking long down field,especially at the kick off when he gave the forwards no chance. Henson and Shane were woeful in defence today,but Shane wasnt there for his defence and never had a chance to show his attacking skills. Alfie cant be faulted for his commitment and captaincy although I wondere about some decisions on the field but I wonder whether there were orders from SCW,thought Henson might have had a pop once or twice with pens,cos JW was out of sorts and tbh if he aint on kicking form he aint worth having there!
Robinson despite comments to the contrary above was better today and Lewsey just played the way he's played the whole tour.
Having said all that the ABs got away with murder,gotta be one of the worst refereeing performances ever seen in international rugby.We would have been beaten whatever happened today,but we were certainly up against it when we had to play against 16.The non intervention of the touch judges at certain points is just more evidence of SCWs crap approach to this tour,he was the one that demanded they stay out of things after the first game of the tour.
For next week get rid of POC,JW has to go,I dont care who comes in and ffs tell the OH not to kick ball down the throats of the ABs who today scored atleast one try direct from a kick off without us even touching the ball.
bendeus
Bellend Tagline Generator
Jeez! Just watched a masterclass of rugby. The ABs were phenomenal, and I don't reckon that there's a team in the world who could have lived with them on that kind of form.
Got to agree with 1927's player summaries, except possibly that I think that JR was as shit today as he has been all tour. Pity that Ickle Shane never got a chance to show what he's capable of; he's just not designed for that type of game, and I stand surprised that he managed to get up after a couple of those tackles.
As for the refereeing - fucking abysmal. As a previous poster has said, it wouldn't have changed the result, but it sure as hell could have made it a bit more respectable. I was really dissappointed that a team of the AB's obvious class and style should feel the need to sully an unblemished performance with a string of nasty, cynical, off-the-ball indiscretions in the manner in which they did (such as Sivivatu thrusting the ball in Ickle's face after his try).
Anyway, Wales versus NZ on November the 5th at the Millenium Stadium. Some fervent and extremely optimistic Taffies already convinced that we'll beat them. Some fucking hope! I sure as hell reckon we'll make a better fist of it than the Lions did though, especially considering that basically the same team only squeaked a victory by one point against us last year, and that only because Jones missed about 12 points worth of kicks. Roll on the Autumn!
Got to agree with 1927's player summaries, except possibly that I think that JR was as shit today as he has been all tour. Pity that Ickle Shane never got a chance to show what he's capable of; he's just not designed for that type of game, and I stand surprised that he managed to get up after a couple of those tackles.
As for the refereeing - fucking abysmal. As a previous poster has said, it wouldn't have changed the result, but it sure as hell could have made it a bit more respectable. I was really dissappointed that a team of the AB's obvious class and style should feel the need to sully an unblemished performance with a string of nasty, cynical, off-the-ball indiscretions in the manner in which they did (such as Sivivatu thrusting the ball in Ickle's face after his try).
Anyway, Wales versus NZ on November the 5th at the Millenium Stadium. Some fervent and extremely optimistic Taffies already convinced that we'll beat them. Some fucking hope! I sure as hell reckon we'll make a better fist of it than the Lions did though, especially considering that basically the same team only squeaked a victory by one point against us last year, and that only because Jones missed about 12 points worth of kicks. Roll on the Autumn!
Andy the Don
Wise men say only fools..
Nothing really to add, apart from to praise the AB's. Yes they were cynical & slightly dirty. But with their brilliance that can be forgiven. The tight five were mean & hungry. The back row awsome working as a unit. The HB's run the game mixing up up with runs & great tactical kicking. Carter, had what must be the most complete performance on the field at fly half I have ever seen. The back division are a dangerous mix of power, speed & skill. Their unloading of the ball at the point of impact should be shown as a master class to all rugby players. Played off the park, but what a side those AB's are..
1927
Funnier than he thinks he is.
Andy the Don said:
No it cant! The ABs are consistently the best team in the world,but they ahve always beena cynical cheating side.If they needed to live on the wrong side of the law to be successful I could understand it more,but they dont and it only detracts from their rugby ability.
The taking out of BOD last week and the trip on Josh Lewsey were not required last week and the continual infringement by Collins today was equally superfluous.
They ABs have done this sort of thing for years,taking people out off the ball,blocking at the kick off,fringing at rucks etc. but as soon as northern hemisphere teams try to "play to the referee" they are penalised,its almost accepted taht it is part of NZ rugby and they get away with it. Something which also pisses me off is that NH teams playing down under have to adopt to SH rugby and refereeing styles,but when NH teams come up here our referees bend over backwards to tolerate their style of play.It has atleast been refreshing tyo see the Lions in both tests going to work on players on the wrong side,there's more than one AB who has the marks to show for being in the wrong palce on the floor,but hell thats how they want it innit.
I am excited at the prospect of New Zealand against Wales in the Autumn. We did only lose by a point last year but it was more or less a second string side. The "first" team played against france and gave them a thumping.
New Zealand were awsome and are without doubt the world's best team. McCaw was superb and Carter brilliant.
New Zealand were awsome and are without doubt the world's best team. McCaw was superb and Carter brilliant.
starfish
No dialogue. Just plot.
1927 said:
Very, very true. They have always had a win at all costs ethos. Still as has been said it wouldnt have made a difference to the result but it would be nice to see them not doing it. Or at least to see them be penalised for it.
Apart from that it was a pretty awesome performance from them. Am still mesmerised by Carters play.
I am not excited about the prospects of the All Blacks playing Scotland in the near future.
Andy the Don
Wise men say only fools..
Auckland 13 - Lions 17
Another excellent win for the "dirt trackers", against the side that they were billing as the 4th test..
Another excellent win for the "dirt trackers", against the side that they were billing as the 4th test..
starfish
No dialogue. Just plot.
Third & Final Test tomorrow then i can cancel Sky Sports. SCW must be really struggling with players now if hes got to pick Greenwood again.
I think he does have something against the Scots players, a dead match, nothing to lose, yet he still picks Dawson & Byrne on the bench
I think he does have something against the Scots players, a dead match, nothing to lose, yet he still picks Dawson & Byrne on the bench
DuckQuack'sEcho
More Cowbells No Vevezula
Eden Park rout. 38-19 to the All Blacks. Three-nil whitewash in the series by the All Blacks.
Now for the Tri-Nations which starts tonight between Aus - SA. Good clash expected.
Now for the Tri-Nations which starts tonight between Aus - SA. Good clash expected.
Andy the Don
Wise men say only fools..
38-19 AB's another saturday & more AB brilliance. The AB's are to rugby to what the Dutch were to football in the 1970's total rugby. Watching them play is like watching the immortals. This AB team will be recognised as the rugby equivalent of the Brazil 1970 WC winning team, the West Indies 1984 cricket team, as the best the sport has produced.. Congrats to the AB's, but I do not think any world rugby team could like with them at the present.. Still bring on the Ashes..
jannerboyuk
...just kids gone wild.
I have to disagree. Nothing has been tested yet and a series against a poor and out of sorts Lions doesn't tell you anything. I watched the Aussie vs France test last Saturday and the speed and pace of the aussies and at time the French would have been a much different proposition for the ABs. Very much a matter of the tri-nations, the tour of europe and indeed the next world cup before judging the ability of these ABs.Andy the Don said:
Red Faction
Allez Les Rouges
Red Faction said:
im sorry i feel vindicated
i really wanted to be proved wrong
i wanted the lions to do well
but now BOD has an awful injury that was completely unnecessary
and of the muntermen that went
hayes and ROG have spoken about their disappointment of the whole thing
(and not in terms of defeats)
and the lions still consider this tour to be a success...
because it made money
thats not how this thing should be judged at all
its not even about winning the tests
its about showing the ability to win the tests, that the management and selectors have done their jobs properly
anyway
roll on the domestic season
