The conditions made the All Blacks look a bit less special today. There was plenty of niggle but the Lions gave it back in spades.
A good number of players justified the faith shown in them from last week, AWJ was a wise old pro, Ijote will become a far better player with having him by his side. Sexton and Faz worked today and created space outside them, Jiffy Jr again played well once he was given space. The back row balance was spot on. Hovis and SOB were a pain at the breakdown.
I'd have liked to seen Webb brought on, but then Murray goes and pulls one out of the bag at the right time. Sinkplunger had the red mist descend. He took exception to something, but he will need to keep a lid on that. Mako??????? He'll be lucky to be in the squad next week. I know the front row have spare capacity in the top 2" but he was and is a liability.
Kieran Read is just immense.
I'd have liked to seen Webb brought on, but then Murray goes and pulls one out of the bag at the right time.
I was calling for Webb to come on and then steaight away Murray scored so I shut up!
Thought Warburton played the ref really well. As AA said "hands off 6" was pretty frequent, and straight away he was obliging.
Glad to see SoB back to his best - usually saves it for England matches!! Pushing him out to the 10/12 channel to combat the big runners made a lot of work for him. Maybe Stander to come on as he tires.
I liked seeing George stay the full 80 - he's a lot fitter than his belly suggests!
I'm actually semi- positive about the 3rd test. More game time together, no midweek game distraction and a fit squad.
Who will drop out of the 15/23?
I reckon McGrath/mako swapping seats, otherwise as you were.
Vunipola may bench as you say otherwise the same I think. Lawes was very good off the bench but AWJ offers more grunt early on I think.
What will happen woth SBW now? Will he be cited or was the red enough?
Red means an automatic hearing. Likely to miss the next test but as its the all blacks maybe not.
Has previous but no reds
Mako's scrummaging issues have returned; wonder if he'll revert to being an impact sub?
Funny that Sinkler fancied the quick tap near the end and his team mate had get him to calm down!
Funny that Sinkler fancied the quick tap near the end
You've spelt "giving an all black a quick slap" wrong!!
Sbw hearing already set for tomorrow.
3 Ozzie' s on the panel, biscuits irrelevant.
Has Vunipola been cited?
No word - I'd say he's lucky if not.
Mako and sinkler where rumbled in the scrum by something. Sinkler could of cost us the game with his angry stomping up to the hooter and after too. Maybe they all wanted to play league rules with SBW first red for the allbacks in how long?
first red for the allbacks in how long?
50 years. 🙂
Mako pinged for 3 pens - one completely wrong he was on his feet.
Well, yes, but take his arms away and he couldn't support his bodyweight. He wasn't strong and stable. 😆
Garces was dreadful for both teams today - can everyone complain and get refs like him out of the game.
"I don't think it's a penalty"
"He's got him by the head, Jerome, it's a penalty". 🙄
Simply embarrassing
Yes you are Jamba, I will take lucky win, sets it up beautifully next week.
I was listening when meant to be working, I know Toby scored but how did he go, who was giving the penalties away.
Genuine red?
Faletau took his try well and was quietly effective, no errors.
Vunipola was pinged loads an carded, Itoje gave a few needless pens away too.
Genuine red?
Assuming that you mean SBW, yes. It should never have been a question of what colour the card was, but how long the ban should be.
Once again, the thuggery of NZ detracts from what a great team they are.
Still banging that drum Flashy 😆
[i]Karen Reed [/i]
I really don't know how I keep my bladder in control reading this thread 🙄
This should make Krytons piss boil!!
You knows it boys bach!
www.facebook.com/LionsBanterPage/videos/1332376103544088/
Karen ReedI really don't know how I keep my bladder in control reading this thread
To be fair DebZ, that may have been an autocorrect/honest mistake.
SOB has been cited and will miss the last test if found guilty. No citing for Mako.
Thats an arse.
Warburton to 7 and POM or Stander to 6?
Not sure it'll be upheld tbh
Intent doesn't come in to it right? Clear swinging arm so doesnt look good for him
Maybe, tbh **** knows. If its a red how did the video ref avoid seeing, Sky showed a replay, I bet had the ref seen it it would have been a pen or yellow and no citing would follow.
Its a farce
Watched the highlights now. Playing catchup against 14 men before nicking it at the end. I am sure the ABs think they where robbed.
end. I am sure the ABs think they where robbed.
Why would you say that? Our defence was good this week, and we were 2-0 on tries. if it wasn't for gifting them the pens thier scoreline would look attrocious. Yes it was hardly a thrashing but the Lions won the match, and it wasn't luck.
I blame Gatland he no doubt coached all the players to give away mindless pens, not to mention keeping kicking the ball dead.
Funny thing is though if Gatland ere the NZ he'd be crucified for not picking another kicker!! Hansen seems immune.
SBW banned for 4 weeks.
Had Barrett made those kicks the score would have been out to 27-9 and no way back imho
An historic win but lets not get ahead of ourselves, we struggled against 14
This is a great photo btw
https://mobile.twitter.com/maroitoje/status/881138448890974208/photo/1
Si solum?
It doesn't matter, the result is the result.
We played better but yes we were lucky, but so what? Good teams ride the ruck. It makes next weekend perfect - angry ABs versus Lions with an amazing opportunity. Still expect the AB to come through - they are better - but makes it great fun and that is what it is all about.
So SBW gets 4 weeks he pleaded guilty btw. Barrett needs to stop playing the ref for cheap pen attempts rolling around in pain then jumping up looking like the messiah has just performed his latest hands on miracle has no place on a rugby feild.
Last week I typed the allbacks had out done themselves. Well they looked like a different team this Saturday disjointed and less slick you can hardly blame the conditions for all of it.
Mako should be on the bench or not picked I think SOB will be out of it anyway cheap shot looking at the replay but slow motion makes things look worse. All in its well set up for the final game.
As a side note anyone else think the TMO is getting in the way of the flow of the game? Trying to dictate cards ect I thought they where just an extra pair of eyes so to speak, who ever the TMO was on Saturday tried to get mako sent off.
Obviously Sonny Bill No Logo's aversion to branded biscuits has seen him handed a long ban. Hopefully SOB has some Jaffa Cakes to hand, do they sell them in NZ?
Not really, if the TMO is asked to look at something then the TV provider gives them the angles. When it has been picked up a card was unavoidable and the similarity to the SBW shoulder put extra pressure on the decision. Better to get it right. Glad someone else noticed Barrett feigning like he'd been knocked out throwing his arms back like that.
Good result for the Lions but both sides can improve. Fingers crossed SOB is available as he was pretty damn immense. Seem to be a bit absent in most games which is probably eternally recovering from injuries but when he is on, he is most certainly on!
Sob went in at 9am uk time that's a huge pack of hobnobs.
The TMO and ref where on a different page. The ref should have final say on the pitch anything else is up to the commission and hobnobs.
Only one NH player has ever scored 4 test tries against NZ. 
[not fact-checked]
I reckon AWJ must be one of tge only welshmen with test wins over NZ, SA and Aus
Danw
Glad someone else noticed Barrett feigning like he'd been knocked out throwing his arms back like that.
Arms in the air is sure sign of being knocked out I've read so Barrett should have gone off for an assessment would of served him right for playing possum. Rugby has always been a game of how much cheating you can get away with
Problem is the TMO's only seem to take their blindfolds off when someone rolls around on the floor
SOB's been inside for over 2½ hours. 😯
A lorry arrived with more biscuits an hour ago.
Oh. Hearing concluded.
Dismissed!
Those Aussies must love Jafa Cakes!!
