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1/2 going home too, not to be replaced.
Eh? sorry just checked BBC sport - Halfpenny.
I'm not sure about the front row for tonight being the test choice. Meers is still too wee and his line-out throwing isn't any better than the other two. If they really want to dominate the scrum (which I think They do) they will go with Jenkins-Ford-Murray for the 1st test. Beast the boks good and proper and make them think twice about playing a hooker as a test prop.
Has the Lions Captain ever been dropped from the starting XV? if O'Connells form doesn't pick up a bit I'd be going with AWJ and Hines as first choice 2nd row.
1/2p out is a blow not only because we are starting to look a bit short of real pace in the backs with Shane looking like he is out of test contention but also he is a damn fine kicker with more range than any of the 10s we have. A 50 yard kick to win the match and you have Jones or O'Gara even at altitude they are going to struggle.
Ryan Jones is a great player but has been struggling for form all year, didnt do much on the Welsh tour
He played well against canada and was knocked out from the kick off against the USA!!
"Turgid, safety first rugby, the lack of achivement compared to the recent past in the european cup shows that the standard has fallen"
Fair enough, a prem team has only managed 2 finals out of the last 3 - the Irish teams have been strong.
The welsh have been stronger in the anglo welsh cup, but it's only a minor tournament and not a priority for teams trying to win H/C and prem titles.
"we are starting to look a bit short of real pace in the backs with Shane looking like he is out of test contention"
Who's lacking pace, Bowe or Monye?
I'm looking forward to see how Jones (not another!) gets on.
Another game tonight. Wonder how good an internet feed I can get this time. Can't wait for the tests now.
"Who's lacking pace, Bowe or Monye?"
Monye from what we've seen so far.
Bowe has the gas at the moment and works well with fellow Osprey at 15, Byrne.
Moyne has impressed me. I'd like to see him tested further against better opposition but Bowe and Moyne would be my choice ATM
Quite interesting to actually see them being able to enjoy themselves on tour this time! Good to see them mixing as well (assuming you are watching the sky coverage)
Fair enough, a prem team has only managed 2 finals out of the last 3 - the Irish teams have been strong.
The welsh have been stronger in the anglo welsh cup, but it's only a minor tournament and not a priority for teams trying to win H/C and prem titles.
Given the hype you would imagine the guiness premiership would win everytime, especially as the French top14 dont seem to take it that seriously. A poorly coached Ospreys team apart none of the Welsh teams have the firepower to do that well, and the cider league is shite a really very poor level of competition.
Monye is impressive on attack but I remain to be convinced of his defence, not first up tackling so much as his tracking back and kick returning. Fitzgerald has a big opportunity tonight and the management are clearly hoping that Shane finds some form. Suprised anyone thinks Monye lacks pace, he seems a bit similar to the likes of Tom James a great athlete but lacking the footballing instinct, but then I havent seen much of him so could be wrong.
Everyone just pray that BOD doesnt get injured as we are very short of options at 13, Earls would give me the fear if picked in a test.
For pure speed you have Bowe and Monye and thats it thats what I mean who else is going to run 50 meters and beat the Boks
Not Boyband O'driscoll, that's for sure! Porky's past it. Don't believe the hype
Jeez how slow is Phillips delivery tonight he could send his pass from the base of the scrum by 2nd class post and hes telegraphing the pass
kaplin is a ****
Not Boyband O'driscoll, that's for sure! Porky's past it. Don't believe the hype
No other options though
Jeez how slow is Phillips delivery tonight he could send his pass from the base of the scrum by 2nd class post and hes telegraphing the pass
He's not the most rapid ut he's playing quite well
Spikey Mike is another flanker, not just a 9!
Is it me or does Paul o'connel go down far too easy. He almost falls into tackles!
And will o'gara stop kicking the ball away!
Much better half Phillips came good see I told you he was lightning quick at the base of the scrum 😆
Kaplin was obviously told something by someone about the scrum at half time and realised Gethin as all over DuPliess. He was my MOM too awesome performance by the number 1 number 1. Tackles, jackles and going forward in the scrum
CaptainFlashheart - MemberNot Boyband O'driscoll, that's for sure! Porky's past it. Don't believe the hype
Got a hat to eat? Bod had another good game - line breaks, great passing blah blah blah. Sue he ain't the quickest - I don't think he ever was but when you can read the game like he does..............
Vickery just put himself out of the test team. Jenkins immense again.
All looking good
Hat is firmly on the hatstand still, TJ.
BOD isn't as good as the hype, IMO. He threw a lot away today, despite a couple of good bits.
Vickery was indeed a muppet. No test shirt for him. Gethin? Superb.
Simon Shaw v good as a replacement, I thought. O'Connell needs to watch his back, especially as Ryan Jones is on the way out as well and can play 4/5 and captain a side as well!
Other highlights? Mikey P, well, OK so his passing is a touch off, but who cares when he bosses the game like that! Great performance.
Alun W-J? Class act. Saffer trying to bounce him out of a ruck, he just stood tall and bashed him away!
ROG was pretty steady, I thought. May well make the bench
Shane was more composed, but still a little stifled.
Roberts - Huge, as ever. Worried about the shoulder, though.
Thats it flashy - you are off my chrimbo card list. Bod is god!
I knbow what you mean really but he does have the knack of putting others into space and rarely makes mistakes.. didn't see much of Shane. Think he is for the bench at best. Its just not working for him Byrne great again. Back row did better as well. Not sure who it all was but wallace maybe? Rucking better anyway
What did Vickery actually do? was it justified?
Did anyone else watching the tinterweb feed have to keep refreshing every few minutes when it froze or is my broadband tossed
Shane got no ball but Fitzgerald didnt look a world beater, its Monye's chance to grab the 11 shirt on saturday. I thought O'Connel was very good again, not convinced by Ferris, didnt do much first half, but at 8 choices are limited. Wallace did pretty well, Martyn Williams need a huge game to displace him.
marks out of 10:
Byrne 7
Fitz 6
BOD 8
Roberts 7
Shane 5
O'Gara 5
Phillips 7
Ferris 5
Croft 7
Wallace 6
O'con 7
AW Jones 7
Adam J 6
Mears 6
Gethin 9
Vickery 0
What did Vickery actually do? was it justified?
Vickery does get pinged an awful lot. I know he can be a muppet but I reckon he must have shown his backside at the South African ref associations annual chrimbo dinner to get pinged by saffa refs so often.
not convinced by Ferris
Not surprised isnt he crocked and on the plane home
pantsonfire - MemberDid anyone else watching the tinterweb feed have to keep refreshing every few minutes when it froze or is my broadband tossed
It sometimes like that - we have two puters and tend to open a few different feeds to see which is best. A bit luck of the draw
Cheers TJ I will pinch my girls laptop and try that on sat
Not surprised isnt he crocked and on the plane home
Leamy then was it, whoever it was didnt seem to do a huge amount till it became very loose at the end.
It was Herr Lipp at 8 wasnt it
Wallace / Croft / Heaslip was the back row
The irish bloke with 8 on his shirt whoever he was, can you tell I watched it with the sound off?
Just spotted that S4C welsh channel 4 have highlights at 10 tonight might catch the bits that I missed while it was reloading the P2P feed
Match stats on http://www.scrum.com/lionstour/rugby/match/28101.html
Most yards - bod 131 with 2 clean breaks next Byrnes 87
Jones 10 tackles Heaslip 10 tackles Jenkins 7
Gethin was awesome tonight.
POC is a worry. He needs to up his game. Seriously doubt he will be dropped though
Phillips has way too slow service but still think he is in the box seat for test selection. Really wish Blair would up his game to what he is capable of.
Mears I think did himself harm tonight. Missed a strike and several dodgy throws. Ford back in the running I think
BOD is awesome and the reason Roberts is shining is BOD makes the space for him (as well as the fact he is an awesome player in his own right and can take advantage of that space!!)
400!
Phillips has two types of service, when its going to backs and something is on it goes pretty quickly, when its going to forwards its slow as he's trying to draw defenders onto him plus make sure the donkey catches it. He did it for wales all season and its pre-planned, goes blind slow slow slow a few times then zips it open to the out half. He' by far the best 9 on tour and he hasnt ****ed anyone yet!!
and he hasnt ****ed anyone yet!!
Yet...he came pretty close last night though - but on the other hand the scrum half is supposed to be a thorn in the side of the opposition. If I ever played against danny care then I am sure I would try and get him the wrong side of the ruck!
TandemJeremy - Member
What did Vickery actually do? was it justified?
A Shark was moving back onside very slowly so Vickery took him out (off the ball obviously) and for good measure fell into the side of the ruck. Very deserved yellow.
I thought O'Gara looked to be playing a different game from the rest of the team at times.
Mears has had some good write ups in the papers, so a few people were impressed(?)
Just say no to Vickery
Mears had a bit of a mixed game i thought. BBC sport raved about his performance but from what I saw - other than the try - he was ok. The missed hook in the scrum was shocking and they mainly threw to the front of the line out or the middle jumper comming forward so not exactly challenging throwing. I think Ford needs to be given a chance - he was pinged for a couple of marginal squint throws on sat but he is an extra no.6 in the loose unlike the diminutive meers.
If Phillips was doing the slow service on purpose he should get a roasting for it. He needs to get the ball away from the rucks before he gets ****tted - like he did twice last night. Standing with your hands on the ball at the back of a ruck is a schoolboy error.
I'm still standing by what I said about O'Connell - he's my 4th choice lock behing AWJ, Hines and Shaw. He's just not bossing anyone on the park, he's tackling like a girl and going down far too easily in the tackle.