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"anagallis_arvensis - Member
"I'm surprised at the mention of Nigel Walker because he was the definition of an out and out finisher - he rarely did more than run straight at the try line."
Search him out on youtube, he didnt just run straight!"
Hey, I saw him often enough from the terraces, no need for YouTube. The archetypal fast Welsh wing. Every single club in Wales had at least one, but his claim to fame was that he was an Olympic/Commonwealth hurdler and that single point gave him an undeserved place in the Welsh team almost before he'd played any rugby.
The same happened at roughly the same time with Derwyn Jones - just because he was 6ft10" he basically had his place in the Welsh team booked. The fact he was awful anywhere apart from lineout was irrelevant.
Bad days for Welsh rugby.
Of course now I'm a bit older and less partisan it may be worth revisiting these 'classic' players to see if they are as poor as I remember. I'll save that for another night.
(Oh and AA, I'll give you the fact that Walker scored a few good tries for Wales.)
[url=
click[/url]
Ugo Monye = poor mans Nigel Walker!!
Thats a joke by the way!!
What I was trying to say is that Monye can finish but there is more to his game than clueless pace, he does come inside as well. My memories of Nigel Walker are all "headless chicken" but I'll have to reconsider after that wonder-score!
Melon is Gethin Jenkins nickname not Worsley's!
there is a better feed on http://europeanrugbyfans.com but you have to register on the site
My mates brother Steve Pill got picked before Walker for Welsh U18's Walker went off to Athletics. Steve was hailed as the future of Welsh rugby. Sadly Steve turned out to be a bit flaky and never fulfilled his early promise. I saw him play a few times at Newbridge when his head was in the right place he was an amazing player.
Looks like todays game is the one to beat up on the tourists. Come on Lions if they want to dish it then dish it back.
They have announced the SA team now as well. no real surprises mind you.
Think the Lions test team is pretty nailed down - just back row and wing to decide upon I reckon
Bah! Murray injured and off after one tremendous scrum.
Lions look like a bits and pieces team tho - still Earls and Hines both doing well out of position. Blair a real mixed bag. Still losing the brakdown
Humpf! Pffttffpt
Balls - I didn't realise it was an afternoon kick off. Hopefully sky will have series linked it. Just read the BBC sport play by play and it didn't make good reading - were they total pish or just a bit pish? No mention of Ford until he was subbed and the 2nd best scrum half in Scotland was mentioned about 4 times for knock-ons or dropped passes.
"edit"And if you press the submit button twice you post the same thing twice"edit" 😳
Hugo - the lions looked rather disjointed - MUrray off with a leg injury after the first scrum, Hook off with a head knock early on.
Blair had a mixed bag - some really good stuff and some not nearly so good. Nice tidying up of loose ball but some passes not to hand. Put hinself around the park tho
ford was not obvious around the park
I thought Blair and O'Gara were dreadful - they seemed to kill the momentum every time they got the ball. Mind you, the Sky commentators were talking about ROG being in the test team.
I thought Blair was better than Ellis - but that ain't saying a great deal - cleaned up some bad ball well but some passes not to hand - I thought he was much quicker than Ellis from the rucks. Rog made a try saving tackle
Rog made a try saving tackle
Blimey!!! How was Monye on defence? Still rushing up and missing?
anagallis_arvensis - MemberRog made a try saving tackle
Blimey!!! How was Monye on defence? Still rushing up and missing?
[url= http://theeastterrace.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/05/ronan-ogara-looking-to-patent-unique-tackling-technique.html ]O’Gara’s style is almost unheard of in professional rugby as it involves the fly-half standing fully upright as an attacker approaches, turning his head away, closing his eyes and gingerly sticking his arm out before travelling backwards at speeds of up to 50mph. [/url]
Oh, and while we're at it...
Riki Flutey's Lions' diary - Exclusive[/url]
Dear Diary,Tumeke bro! I’m now officially a Lion, got the jersey and everything!
Well, I was a Lion when I was in the reserves for the Wellington Lions, but now I’m a British Lion. Check that out! I asked my Uncle Turoa and he reckoned he’s pretty sure I’m the first guy from my whanau, maybe even my whole iwi to be a British Lion. He’s gonna check anyway, just in case.
But bro, we are shit as, eh? Well, we were pretty shit till I came on, then we scored a try straight away and then I nearly scored one using the old Wainuiomata sidestep, but we got through in the end thanks to a try from one of the forwards called Alan Win Jones. I said to the boys after, we should just pick that Alan Win guy every week, cause then we’ll win, cause it’s in his name. Win? Geddit? Oh, I cracked up anyway. Some of these guys have no sense of humour, eh?
This week I’m sharing a room with a guy called Brian, who’s from a place called Dublin. I didn’t recognise him when I got to my room and he was already in there unpacking his stuff. I thought he was a forward for a start cause he’s a bit fat and looks like an egg, but then when I saw him taking off his T-shirt, and it was half over his head and half on his shoulder and for a second it looked like a sling, and THEN I recognised him!!! I said “Oh, bro you’re Brian O’Driscoll!!!” and he got all freaked out when he heard my accent.
I remembered him from 2005, I even played against him for the Maoris. He was the guy that fell over and hurt his shoulder and then was on the TV every day sayin’ “I coulda died, I coulda died” and that other bald-head egg with no chin was up there carryin’ on like someone had nicked his last kumara. Funny, man. 2005 was wicked.
Anyway, I haven’t been sleeping too good cause old Brian has nightmares eh, he’s always calling out “Tana! No, Tana! No!!!” in his sleep and it wakes me up. And I’m like “shut up bro!” and then wakes up and feels real stink and says not to tell any of the boys about his dreams. I tell him it’s sweet as, I have nightmares about Tana too, from when he used to make me clean his boots when I was in the Hurricanes B team, which was before I went to London, eh. Old Tana eh, he was a crack up...
So this week we’re playing the Golden Lions, and the weird thing is we’re the Lions, and when I played for Wellington, THEY were the Lions. It’s like everyone’s the Lions! Out of it. Anyway I’m hoping I’ll get picked for a game this week. I see that Keith guy who can’t catch for shit has got “injured”, and so is that halfback guy. Yeah, right. I saw one of the coaches, Graham I think he’s called, has got ****ed up ears, he was lurking around behind the team bus with a lump of wood after the game. I reckon the “injuries” little Keith and that halfback from Scotland got might have been inflicted by Graham, eh? Anyway it frees up a midfield spot for me so I might get to start. Will be awesome ‘cause I know some of the Golden Lions players from the Super 12 days. But if I need to kick goals we’re in deep raupo.
Pretty bummed out about the Super 14 though, eh? Man, if we have to play them Bulls we’re in the poop too, eh? Chiefs got done though man, probably best I wasn’t allowed to go up and watch it. A big chur to the Chiefs boys though, they were part of a record-breaking final. Most points conceded, biggest margin of defeat. Choice.
Righto youse fullas, I gotta shoot off and get some kai.
Ka kite
Riki
[url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8104207.stm ]my favourite player gives an insight to waiting for the test team to be picked....its a bit like christmas eve!![/url]
Hook and Murray are out of the first test now
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby_union/article6518339.ece
anagallis_arvensis - Membermy favourite player gives an insight to waiting for the test team to be picked....its a bit like christmas eve!!
I love Adam Jones he gives good interview. Top man Top player.
God they were poor last night. Breakdown was shocking
Feel really sorry for Murray. Cannot believe Vickery is likely to start.
Gutted Hook is out. Fantastic Fly Half in the old Welsh mould
We find out today then!! How exciting, shame some moronic friend of Mrs Anagallis arranged her wedding for saturday!!
oh and 500
Mrs Anagallis arranged her wedding for saturday!!
My sisters wedding is on the day of the 3rd test which knowing my luck will be the decider!!!
Interesting to see the team announcement - any idea what time?
WalesOnline:
Lions (vs South Africa, first Test, Saturday June 20)
15. Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland)
12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
11. Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England)
10. Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales)
9. Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland)
7. David Wallace (Munster/Ireland)
6. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England)
5. Paul O'Connell (Munster/Ireland) Captain
4. Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
3. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England)
2. Lee Mears (Bath/England)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
Replacements
16. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)
17. Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
18. Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster/Ireland)
19. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
20. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England)
21. Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Ireland)
22. Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland)
No big surprises there is there. My only problem with with Vickery. I didn't think he should have been brought out there but the guys on 5Live seem to be talking him up big time...I'm obviously missing something. Wallace is a good pick for me. Hopefully, Byrne will have a stormer at FB and Kearney will be a good replacement if a change in tactics is required.
Really feel for Hook - he would have been on the bench for sure but the Jones - Phillips combination is very tried and tested. Can't see them having any problem implementing the management's tactics. I'm really looking forward to this one. I'll be watching it down in Pembrokeshire too!
I'll be watching it down in Pembrokeshire too!
Nice! Whereabouts? I spend a fair bit of time down that way!
I shall be watching in one of the fine boozers of that London's famous London's famous Chelsea
Agreed re Hook. Would have been the perfect utility back sub, IMO. A game winner as well. Also agreed re Vickery. Really not sure he's good enough at the moment.
big, big mistake leaving martyn williams out... (im biased though)
Croft Heaslip Walace will have their work cut out...
can't wait!!!!
Should be good - thankfully they didnt put sheridan in the 22 either or williams - glad to see really as neither have been performing and would have deserved it
Bring on Saturday!
I worry about Vickery too, he seems to give alot o penalties away. Hopefully he will have a good game though.
Would have been the perfect utility back sub
That's the worst of it - you can stick him anywhere - I have the feeling that there will be injuries. Thankfully ROG is on the bench - he'd have been murdered. What is it with him? Never sure whether to admire him for his front...he really goes out and asks for it from the big fellas.
Nice! Whereabouts? I spend a fair bit of time down that way!
Spending the weekend in Caerfai Bay...any suggestions of what not to be missed? It's a stunning county and thankfully, out of the way for most people. I'm thinking about visiting Abereidy Beach and re-living my stag weekend jump off the platform into the lagoon but I'm not sure I'll be man enough second time round (in fact, I wasn't the first time round either...but I was "le stag" so didn't have a choice).
big, big mistake leaving martyn williams out... (im biased though)
I hear you waihiboy - must have been a very tight call in the meeting room for that one. However, if Broussow exposes Wallace, you couldn't wish for better than Williams to replace him.
I think Martin Williams should be in the team - swapped for Wallace and Ford on the bench not Rees - hines should be on the bench if not in the 15 as well.
All those are marginal picks tho. Looks like a good team
Hee hee TJ - you're not showing any bias there at all. I am disappointed though that there are no Scots. Not really a B&I teams, more a W,I&E team. Gonna be one hell of a game.
Way up at Caerfai, eh? I'm usually t'other side of Haverfordwest when down there.
The Preselis are lovely for a walk in the sunshine. Try the Tafarn Sinc in Rosebush. Crazy place, but brilliant with it!
Darcy - not just that - I think Fords offers more than Rees - neither has been exactly great hence Mears gets in the 15. I think Hines physicality and handling skills would be useful. Trouble is DOC has been great as well.
Compared to the last two lions tours tho its really fair!
Trouble is DOC has been great as well
I'm not disagreeing with you TJ, just teasing. DOC might have been what they call a captain's pick. Does the captain get involved in team selection for the Lions?
And I'll defer to you on on Ford/Rees - not too up on either of them.
DOC has been great as well
I thought he had done nothing myself.
Fair selection all in I think.
The backrow has a a nice balance to it.
I would have Blair ahead of Ellis. Neither has been great but Blair is a different type of scrum half so allows a change of plan.
Ford played himself out of contention. Rees probbaly in better form.
DOC vs Hines vs Shaw (and AWJ for that matter) all very close.
Vickery?? I know Murray is out but I agree with everyone else. Surely A Jones would have been a better option?
As a proud Scot I am very disappointed no Scots in the 22. However I think Murray is the only one that deserved to be there on merit. Blair maybe on bench as above.
Kind of depressing not to have any Scots in there - John Beattie's comments on the BBC sport site were pretty fair. How come guys that perform week in week out for their club sides suddenly become p!sh the minute they play international rugby? Is not all down to the celtic(magners) league, some of them play in England and France.
I agree that none of the Scots on tour deserved to be in the squad on merit - But then why didn't they pick a few more in the first place 😀
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8107269.stm
In all the selection excitement I missed this - Murray is out of the tour now. I should think they will need to replace him as if another prop gets injured they would be short. Also Hook should be back on Tuesday
Hayes is the most likely replacement for Murry, not great but wont let anyone down. Test team for me is pretty good only player that I'd change is Vickery who I think isnt as good as A Jones and Monye's defence worries me but no one really stood out, suprised Earls didnt get a run on the wing at some point as he seems a threat with ball in hand (when he catches it). Williams or Wallace is a tough call and Croft seems the best 6 from a not great choice. I would have had Hines on the bench and would have left O'Gara in Ireland even fatty Goode would have been better at least he can tackle.
It appears Hayes is the replacement. I'm pleased for him - the Bull! Like you say, he might not blow the world away, but in a battle, I'd gladly have him by my side.
The subs don't look right to me - not balanced. I thought that the selectors would go with a full replacement front row but they'd rather have a second row AND a replacement back row despite Croft and AWJ being able to cover both? I would perhaps have had Hines starting on the field with AWJ/Croft covering both areas from the bench.
Rees and DOC are lucky to be on the bench - they haven't done much to deserve that.
O'Gara is very, very lucky that Hook was injured and Ellis must be poisoning Blair's coffee.
I'd better start sending texts now to find out who is coming to watch the game, and what we are drinking. It certainly won't be Castle lager. Maybe a nice pint of creme de menthe?
£$£%£ing hell.#
#
I just submitted a longish entry about the bench not looking all that good and the %$^%$ing thing disappeared.
So, it doesn't make sense to me to have a 2nd row plus a back row on the bench when AWJ and Croft can cover both areas. It would make more sense to me to have a full front row on the bench and start Hines, with either AWJ/Croft on the bench covering both 2nd and back rows.
Jon in that situation we could end up with front rows replacing back row, those boys are not built to play back row at altitude!! Front row is a worry...
There was a big video analysis done recently and DOC came out of it described as "the glue that holds the Irish pack together". His workrate is absolutely off the scale. Given that ruck ball is one of the Lions major problems I am not surprised he is there. Remember he already has a Lions Test cap, he is very underrated outside Ireland.
Goode was brought back from exile in France to steady the ship and he isn't quite up to it. Johnson must be praying Myler or Cipriani can front up next season. O'Gara can run a gameplan, kicks very well for field position and has a superb record on pressure place kicks. He is on his third Lions Tour and has won 2 HEC, a Grand Slam and a couple of Triple Crowns. He might be a bit flaky but he gets results when it counts.
Its a real pity there were no Scots in there. Murray was unlucky, Blair was just rubbish, Cusiter might have done better. Strokosh could have been flown out if he wasn't injured, he is a good player.
I am massively looking forward to this, I think we have a real chance. Things could get a bit tough if certain players get injured though - Mears, POC, Croft, Heaslip, Roberts, BOD, Bowe.
i can't contain my excitement i think im going to wet myself! 😆
So then.. predicted scores?...
I am hoping that the boks choke like their cricket team did yesterday and we get a win that will give us some extra confidence and momentum for the rest of the tour..
Im thinking 20 - 14 to the lions... well that's what my optimistic inner hopes for. 🙂
I think the Boks are going to be very suprised. the lions are much better than many folk think and the Boksa re not as good as they think. 10 pt margin to the lions with the boks making a comeback at the end. 2 boks sinbinned
Yeah I was impressed with how the lions kept their cool against the kings onslaught.
Theres still Vickery though to give us 10 mins with 14 men :o)
Altitude shouldn't be a worry to any of these players now, whichever position they play. If it is they haven't done the prep correctly.
Maxray, I'd be happy with a 3-0 win to the Lions - and I agree about Vickery
im going for 27-20 or thereabouts for the Lions. 4 years wait for 3 games!!
Theres still Vickery though to give us 10 mins with 14 men :o)
Ref: Do you want a minute to talk to your team
Borthwick: No, that's ok
Next whistle, Vickery goes for ten minutes. One of the funniest moments of the 6N
robbo1234biking - Member
im going for 27-20 or thereabouts for the Lions. 4 years wait for 3 games!!
Or a 12 year wait if you are South African.
I predict a boot fest that poor old ball is going to spend more time in the air than a transatlantic jet
16-15 to the Lions. Then the Boks will come back and beat us to a pulp in the 2nd and 3rd tests.
SA 26-21 Lions Ooh that were a near miss them saffers were hanging on roll on the 2nd test
We was robbed!
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By great SA last ditch tackles!Are the Lions Scotland in disguise? 3 times over the line without scoring, 2 kicks missed, great comeback at the end, valient defeat
A mates brother is working out there and hes just emailed me he says all hes heard for 6 months is how SA are going to put 50 points on the Lions he said the bar he was watching in in Johannesburg went very very quiet for the last few minutes. We have them worried.
Right, is it now clear that Vickery shouldn't be out there? Over and over, I hear it, yet the selectors and management place faith in him. What am I and the rest of us missing?
The second Jones came on, our scrum was different. Surely that wasn't solely down to fitness? Literally, the next scrum when Jones was on, we held our own. Every scrum up to that we were destroyed, or gave away a penalty. There are others up front who have to ask themselves some difficult questions, but I was getting tired of Vickery shaking his head in a puzzled fashion after yet another penalty at a scrum.
You saw it, from the first few scrums (and our first two dicked up line-outs), the Boks drew massive confidence from it and that was where they won the first half. Fair dues, a game of two halves where they were the better "better" side in their better half...that sounds like bollox but you know what I mean.
Vix has lost too much weight and concentrated on loose play, where we need him, in the tight against the beast he is about 2 stone lighter than his 2003 RWC weight and bulk. As an older ex-player(loose head prop) myself I appreciate that as you get older you need to get fitter to stay on top of the play and the younger guys.
I am afraid it is stength vs fitness.
Other props have both over him at the mo.
On the other hand I reckon if we had played more of the way we played in the last 20 mins we would have had it.
BRing on test 2!
SUrely the beast was boring in on Vix. I thought that was illegal? Mind you when hair bear come on it didn't happen again. Maybe the beast couldn't get his line right with all that hair in his way.
My predictions for 1st test team were right apart from Nugget. I would have played him from the start.
Agree with the post that the Beast was turning in, but still should have been sorted out. Don't understand why Vickery came back on after half time - BTW have a lot of time for Vickery who seems a good hard honest pro, but was shocked by how he was dismantled. It was funny that the commentators were stressing that Adam Jones was a smaller man, which is true as far as height is concerned, but he is 20stone+, and he made a massive difference.
It's now clear that we have to play Jones and Rees (although I haven't rated him until today). I would also play Shaw/Hines with AWJ, although I'm sure O'Connell will keep his place. Would also play Williams instead of Wallace and consider Hook at 10 if he's fit as I feel we have to continue with the attack we showed in the closing stages of the match, and Hook is a class attacking 10. If not, there may even be a case for Flutey at 10 (although I personally don't think he should be on the tour).
Other than that, same side for next Sat, with Kearney to start at 15 and maybe a case for Williams in for Monye - although we would be relying on Shane rediscovering his 08 form.
Desperately disappointed, but do feel we can level the series next week if we can sort the pack out. 🙂
i think thats it personally. i expect the series to finish 3-0. I don't see roberts and BOD having the same impact as they did today as SA will adjust tactics to counter their threat.
I really hope I'm wrong, as the last 20 mins of todays test were really exciting, but i can't help thinking it was more down to SA taking off Smit and Pienaar and thinking the game was over.
Oh so nearly. If only ..............
Murray hadn't knackered his ankle
Shane had found some form
Cussiter had gone on tour
We had a proper no 10
And Geech had listened to the armchair experts 🙂
Well this arm chair expert was right about Vickery.
Vickery was done over well and truly. I don't think the beast was turning in on him. Vickery was turning under the pressure. As above no-one I knew thought Vickery should have been there. We could see that outcome. Stunned Geech and co could not!
For test 2
Jones and Rees in (case for Ford though as he is so powerful)
Williams starting
Kearney starting.
I would also bench Phillips. His service is shocking for test level. Blair and Hook would be a very interesting combo. Cannot see it happening though.
Alas I think it will be 3-0. We only ran them close at the end as SA thought they had it in the bag.
I dont think Shane Williams has got it back yet. Lets see what he can do mid week if he's over is bug. Taz is right about Phillips service he is still trying to take a step before passing. But having said that I dont think Blair is the answer and neither Ellis. Maybe bring Blair or Ellis on half time to change the game a bit.
Bloody Jones and his Kicking. I am fed up of saying that if Jones had done his job and got his kicks we would have won the match. Never bloody liked him. Give Hooky some test experience next time?
if bloody jones had got his two early conversions we would have won!! cant miss kicks at that level.
amazing the difference when you put the welsh front row in 😉
If Jones had kicked the penalties we would have been 6 points up.
If Vickery hadn't started SA would have been at least 9 points down.
If Monye could put the ball down we would be ?? points up.
If Phillips hadn't stretched and knocked on, we would have been 5/7 points up.
All ifs and buts. We lost.
Team to face emerging Springboks below: Will be the last game on tour for quite a few of these guys I suspect. I wonder if Hayes has a chance though being such a beast come scrum time.
Backs: K Earls (Munster and Ireland); S Williams (Ospreys/Wales), R Flutey (Wasps/England), G D'Arcy (Leinster/Ireland), L Fitzgerald (Leinster/ Ireland); R O'Gara (Munster/Ireland, capt), H Ellis (Leicester/England)
Forwards: T Payne (Wasps/England), R Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland), J Hayes (Munster/Ireland), D O'Callaghan (Munster/ Ireland), N Hines (Perpignan/Scotland), J Worsley (Wasps/England), M Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales), A Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales).
Replacements: L Mears (Bath/England), P Vickery (Wasps/England), S Shaw (Wasps/England), D Wallace (Munster/Ireland), M Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland), J Hook (Ospreys/Wales), U Monye (Harlequins/England).
Interesting that Hook is benching, maybe he is thought about for bench next weekend. Looks like M Williams is not going to start saturday. Shane picked at 14 again which must be annoying for him.
anyone see the game tonight?
Yup. Not the best game ever. Half the lions looked like they were on the plane home and it didn't gel as a team at all.
Just watched it on S4C with the sound off and subtitles on (can't understand welsh and it disrupts me abusing the ref!)
Only caught the 2nd half which looked pretty poor, Hook didn't seem to run the game on the few occasions we had the ball with some poor kicks (I know it was windy), think that's him out of starting unless Geech is mad.
Williams looked good on defense and I might be tempted instead of Moyne.
Good on Vickery winning the penalty that drew the game but please Geech don't play him in a test ever again!
I accidently just found S4C on my Sky box, changed channels and couldn't find it again! Know what channel no. it is?
first half was better - but not a lot
Sorry DezB watched it on freeview so don't know about Sky. For Saturday I think the highlights are on at 9pm if you haven't got skysports and you want to watch it.
Subtitles suggested the 1st half was better, was it the pack or O'Gara doing a better job?
Thought Hines was going to do his usual and get himself sent off from the clips I saw, why does he like a scrap so much! Though might be worthwhile to get in the Boks faces on saturday and disrupt them a little.
O'gara controlled the game reasonably well - and the rain didn't tip down early on. Very few scrums i the first half
Hines was taunting the Boks trying to get them to lose their temper I think and maybe protecting the smaller guys - lucky not to give away a penalty
He's good at starting scraps but does lose the head quite often too. Still might risk it as we need an edge in the pack.
Liked Flutey's tackle late on in 2nd half but still can't get past BOD and the man mountain Roberts.
Looking forward to the game on sat still.
Hines should be in the test team. It needs his steel and he is also a great ball player. really good hands for a big bloke. He has got better at controlling his temper - a year or two ago he would have clocked one of them and gone to the bin
It would be good if he made it as I'd love to be able to cheer a Scotland player on. Blair should make the bench and get some game time as he does have quicker service than Philips though he has been pretty average so far this tour.
I think Blair will be for the bench as he got no game time at all today. ellis was his usual self - too bloody slow to decide what to do! When he plays instinctively he is good but sometimes he just leaves the ball at the base of the ruck for far too long. One time Martin Williams virtually pushed him out of the way to play the ball.
Doc had a good game as well I thought.
Earls was good as well
Yeh pretty average last night I thought. I know you prefer Hines TJ but I would like Shaw in the 2nd row but either of them really and to be honest i would drop O'Connell - I just dont see him doing much and he doesnt run onto the ball and then falls to the ground in the tackle. Other than that I didnt think anyone really put themselves up for a test place from last night.
Oh and doesnt Powell look strange without the facial hair!!