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AA - and the tone of your recent posts just emphasises my point
Another hope if Teo starts is to hope he can draw SBW into a dick swinging bosh contest, Roberts did this with Wales a few seasons ago and the All Blacks only pulled away when SBW went off and they passed round Roberts instead.
That's an interesting narrative.
Alternatively, the ABs targeted Roberts and knackered him out before running round him in the last 20 minutes.
Tactically, they've tended to reorganise for the last half hour by bringing an extra playmaker in and passing wider as teams tire.
Usually works for them?
With Hogg gone 1/2p is really the only sensible choice. When ireland beat them in Chicago they did it by beating them up front. Liam has been poor and Watson didnt look to have great decision making with his little cameo at 15 and Daly like the other 2 isnt a full time full back.
at least he's a full time rugby player, not an unemployed bum 😉
think Davies deserves another shot to stake a claim, he runs good lines and if we have a 10 and a second play maker at 12 his lack of passing ability is not too much of a problem...
With the players we have and our relative strengths and weaknesses a forwards dominated game with some rapid wingers to finish chances when on is our best hope, Watson and North give us that
Playing JD wastes the strengths of North and Watson, or any other player outside.
He does run good support lines and finishes well, which might turn out to be the plan running of O'Teo's offloading game , but so does JJ and he can pass.
OR might as well play O'Teo in his better position at 13 and let the real finishers , North and Watson, get some ball.
Or let Henshaw have a go at his best position, 13, rather than having to cover 12 'cos the coach picked such an unbalanced squad.
Roberts should have been there from the start, ideal dirtrack 12 bosher, but their lovers tiff has taken priority.
BTW, Henshaw's the best FB left too 
Best bet now is to call up Roberts as a 12 to move Henshaw to 15 just to please Phil Mitchell.
AA - and the tone of your recent posts just emphasises my point
I dont really care tbh
Its a shame 'cos you often have insightful things to say - but too often lazily just belittle instead and any perceived criticism of anything welsh sets you off on a tirade
Alternatively, the ABs targeted Roberts and knackered him out before running round him in the last 20 minutes.
TBH I was surprised they didnt just run round him and score tries from the start.
He does run good support lines and finishes well, which might turn out to be the plan running of O'Teo's offloading game , but so does JJ and he can pass.
I agree and I would pick Joseph and would love it if Wales had a player like him. Like I said they he deserves a shot as he was injured about 10mins into his first game.
Playing JD wastes the strengths of North and Watson, or any other player outside.
OR might as well play O'Teo in his better position at 13 and let the real finishers , North and Watson, get some ball.
Teo's passing is awful too so I'm not sure how he would be any better. I think Davies is better than Teo. If we can pick both Sexton and Faz whoever plays 13 and their lack of passing would be less of a problem for the wingers.
Not sure Roberts would have captained Wales this am if he and Gatland had fallen out.
With Hogg, Faz and Lawes injured I would imagine 15, 10 and 5 are priorites for bench sitters although I wouldnt be surprised to see Roberts bought in too. Not sure the current Wales squad has any decent players to fill those but then Anscombe is in the same time zone and can cover 10 and 15 and knows the super dooper teams, he's bang average though. Is there a Gray brother on the Scotland tour?
Like I said earlier I think Gatland was right picking a smaller squad to ensure everyone gets a fair crack at a start before the tests and he will have known injuries will mean bringing players in. I think this is the right move for squad unity.
Its a shame 'cos you often have insightful things to say - but too often lazily just belittle instead and any perceived criticism of anything welsh sets you off on a tirade
you do realise Gatland is not welsh dont you?
J Gray is with Sotland and I hope he is not asked or refuses to go on the lions. Be much better off staying with Scotland. I hope all the scots refuse to go on the lions especially Russell.
I doubt they are as petty and small minded as you!
See - again witg the insults
Its nothing to do with being petty or small minded. they have a choice of continuing to develop Scotland as a team or go and sit on the bench for the lions dirt trackers. No chance of a test spot, no chane of any meaningful action. Russell especially does not need confusion from differnt coaches.
If they had been picked from the start then fine - they have a chance of th test team. Now - its merely to be cannon fodder
In all the (usual) bickering, has anyone mentioned the NZ - Samoa result? 😯
See - again witg the insults
Insult of the century!!!! 😆
I hope all the scots refuse to go on the lions especially Russell.
But if the cap fits!
In all the (usual) bickering, has anyone mentioned the NZ - Samoa result?
Briefly, like you said 😯
Our only hope is that a try fest has left them under done whilst the Lions have been playing much stronger opposition and are battle hardened.
Its not much of a hope though!!
They looks shit 😆 that Barrett fella is a show pony, you wait till Jonny Sexton gets hold of him!!!
It's a bickerthon 😆
Well the ABs scored a few brilliant tries against Samoa.
SBW and ALB looked like they'd always played together rather than it being the first time. TJ Perenara was all action once he'd come on.
So Samoa aren't the strongest but it was still an impressive display. Any rustiness was gone after 20 minutes.
All the bench impressed too.
So Samoa aren't the strongest
but also weren't the weakest Samoan side.
True but it was the Samoans first game together since last november. I'm not suggesting it will make much difference but the tough games the Lions have played will improve them. Last time in NZ they just played the Manawatu girls u15 prior to the tests and so looked good but were under done. Same in Aus last time. This tour is the first in the Pro ear that the Lions have played full super dooper teams and whilst many will be critical of the losses but the reality is its setting them up well..
Still not likely to get that close to them over 3 tests I dont think.
Worth a look I think.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to sitting with my traditional Saturday bacon roll and coffee and seeing the cleverly coached attacking/scoring moves* that everyone other than Farrell have been hiding being put into practise before the AB's match.
*accepts I'll most likely be disappointed.
I'm looking forward to sitting with my traditional Saturday bacon roll and coffee and seeing the cleverly coached attacking/scoring moves
The Maori backline does look good.
nice little Vid here showing Russells skills.
http://rugbyonslaught.com/watch-finn-russell-breaks-filth-sinagpore/
😯 Just logged back on after posting this morning.....you chaps sure do know how to have an argument!!!
Just logged back on after posting this morning.....you chaps sure do know how to have an argument!!!
No we dont
Oh Yes we do....
The big boys did it and ran away!
Group hug, everyone?
😀
So long as its not with the smelly fat boys in the scrum 😉
Hey AA - were you a scrum half when you played?
Openside mostly, scrum half starts the fight, flankers arrive first and get it going before the fat lads arrive and beat the shit out of you!
That or full back.
Did once get sent off in a touch rugby match.
🙂
Did once get sent off in a touch rugby match.
A fact that comes as no surprise to me at all.
So - to get back to rugby - anyone give Scotland a chance against Aus? IIRC 15 pts to Aus is the betting 4:1 against Scotland to win
Looks like a good team from Scotland but a bit weak in the back 3 but the boys are on fire and J Gray has been rested so he is nice and hungry to eat a few Aus forwards.
I'm gonna set my alarm to watch it - its 6am our time I believe. I think 4:1 is good odds - our chances are higher than that and there has not been 15pts between us for the last few games
I have to say, bravo to Scotland for taking on Australia this summer. Knowing they'd have very few first team players lost to the Lions means they knew they'd be able to properly test their (almost) first XV against some very good opposition.
30-40 points to Australia.
Sorry.
Got a hat to eat? Last twice we have played Aus we have been within a handful of points and this Scotland team keeps on improving. Missing Hogg, Seymour, Maitland and Visser has somewhat blunted our attack tho. Picked our two biggest centres to smash theirs and a very mobile back row who will try to steal their ball.
CFH - last 5 Aus / Scotland games have all been within one score
SCOT 22-23 AUS
SCOT 34-35 AUS
SCOT 15-21 AUS
AUS 6-9 SCOT
SCOT 9-8 AUS
I hope all the scots refuse to go on the lions especially Russell.
I see your point but what about the players? It's the pinnacle in terms of selection. Why deny them that?
Besides, being in the Lions environment and training with top players can surely only be good for anyone brought in? Also, a player brought in could have a blinder in a midweek game and, in conjunstion with injuries, suddenly find themselves catapulted into the test arena.
Sure, it would be better for England in Argentina if they had all their players available (except Mike Brown)or Ireland in Japan or Wales on their tour but what's best for the Lions?
Sure, it would be better for England in Argentina if they had all their players available (except Mike Brown)or Ireland in Japan or Wales on their tour but what's best for the Lions?
Indeed. We should all get behind the Standard Life Investments British & Irish Lions. Hell yeah! 😀
Namastebuzz - I think the players would be better off with Scotland and then getting a rest and a full preseason. It would be different if they had been selected from the beginning but they will have no chance of making the test side and cementheads coaching is so different to toonies
Scotland giving the aussies all the trouble they can handle so far,two lovely opportunistic tries.
That was some score line from the AB's. They look to be on a different planet to most teams and don't seem to struggle when guys like Carter or McCaw retire. Amazing. Still can't see ads a three nil humping.
Interesting call ups by Gatland; are they really the best options out there? Hmmmmmmm.
and an exceptional try for the locals 🙁
Australia playing some great stuff and some really poor stuff!
Scotland 17 12 up at the half. Some lovely play from both sides. Scotland denying aus time and space in the midfield and going for turnovers. Batman in the bin for lying all over the ball again. superb crossfield kick for a try to keep Aus in it
I want to see Scotland going for the shove on their scrum
Looking good. Scotland will back their fitness in the second half and the Scots bench is not as weak as it has been
are they really the best options out there?
No but if you need the players by tuesday.
What's it on?
What channel is it on? Tj?
Moriarty going home, back injury.
Sky 1
duckman - I'm watching dirty feed. don't pay no money to the dirty digger. Lots of pop ups with hidden off buttons but it works
http://www.vipleague.is/rugby/484284/6/australia-vs-scotland-live-stream-online.html
If you have an android phone try mobdro
Using somebody else's sky go log in, so sticking it to "the man"
CaptainFlashheart - Member
I have to say, Blah Blah Blah...30-40 points to Australia.
Sorry.
😆
Well played Scotland in a proper test. Some awesome defence there.
*does the happy dance*
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CFH - got a hat to eat? Now will folk please take us seriously?
Agreed, great result.
This fedora goes awfully well with bacon and eggs.
Well done, Scotland!
LOL @ CFH
Well done Scotland nipped out to walk dog prior to the end so I can watch the Maori game. Great stuff. Chieka's desk must be sore!!
That's a fantastic result for Scotland. They've made great strides forward and are underrepresented on the lions in my book. (even more so now with the four additions)
Not sure if I should be pissed off that Cory ****ing Hill will get a Lions shirt or really pleased for the lad..on balance pleased for him but pissed of with Gatland for picking him.
I can see the sense as all those 5 will be really happy to go and sit on the bench for 2 games they are close by and are needed for tuesday and the likes of Launchbury or Grey the younger might not want to piss their coaches off for little reward and a bigger squad would have caused other problems.....but still.....
That penalty with 10 secs to go though....
Fair play flashy.
Well done Scotland!
Lions players chosen geography over form/ability, just wrong.
Can I gloat just a little bit please?
Great game from Scotland linespeed and turnovers won it for us. High penalty count nearly lost it that and a couple of poor box kicks.
Magnificent performance from the Scots back row and even our weakish back 3 did fine. Stopped that huge winger of theirs well. Scots defence and linespeed forced Aus into a lot of kicking and once again we scored from chargedowns and intercepts - this is not luck - Scotland play for this by pressuring the kicker and the midfield.
A mention for Barnes - I thought he had a good game even if he did keep penalising us but he made sure the breakdown was a contest.
Spawn - if it wasn't obvious before we should have had half a dozen players with the lions it is now. Old cement head just hates Scots
Absolute piss take that Cory Hill gets a lions squad place and the Gray brothers and Launchberry don't.
duckman - MemberThat penalty with 10 secs to go though....
Had me sweating " oh no not again"
https://twitter.com/brianmoore666/status/875945286132224000
Shane Williams did that last time, I seem to recall in Aus the one before last that English centre happend to be on holiday with his boots in Aus
@spawn from a England perspective I am glad that the players not initially selected can focus on Argentina and then a good rest.
The Lions are a fantastic tradition I love dearly but we are looking at a 0-3 scoreline.
Well done to Scotland, thats a fine win
Spawn - if it wasn't obvious before we should have had half a dozen players with the lions it is now. Old cement head just hates Scots
It was obvious before!
I was banging on in the 6N about how good Scotland were, the unfortunate thing was the Twickenham game where they bottled it against a good England side. I was at that game and wanted to see what Scotland could do. It's just a shame Wales bottled it the whole 6N, but at least most of the Welsh players got rewarded for it!
It's like when Woodward lead the last NZ lions tour and put far too many England players in. Pick on form not country
Having said that I wouldn't have taken ickle Jonny - he looked absolutely knackered at the end of the season and lost his form and there are plenty of good second rows around
However Gatland has said he wants a fast paced attacking game to take on the ABs - and then doesn't select the best players for that sort of game. Russell, Dunbar, Barclay and Watson
@jamby
A STW first, I agree with you 🙂
Great stuff from BIL pack apart from daft pen conceding. Itoje outstanding as is Vunipola. Murray trying too hard to make a break. Sexton looking good. Davies doing what Davies does but him and Teo doesnt work. North ****s up for try but has done well otherwise. Watson no chances 1/2p is 1/2p.
Lions are not going to win tests playing for penalties and kicking goals
Sexton looking pretty good but what a comparison to the earlier game
Stats for the scotland game don't make pretty reading. 18 turnovers is what won it for us - behind on everything else including being on the wrong end of the penalty count 15 to 8
This scotland team have discovered they can win big games and win well - thats us now 4th in the world rankings I believe
So how would the Lions win TJ?
As Barnes said in the first half Britain doesnt have the players to take on NZ in a running try fest.
Russell <<< BB
Hogg/Liam/Watson <<<< Smith or Dagg
No wingers as good as Smith Dagg Savea
Tips or Watson <<<< Savea junior or Cane.
By playing the game Gatland says he wants and by selecting the best players who can play that game. High risk high reward. I'd rather the lions went down 30 - 40 than 9 - 20.
Scotland play the high risk high reward game which has got them up to 4th in the world.
Gatland simply ignored 4 or so of the best players in their position in the 6N - preferring reputation over form Watson, Russell, Taylor, Dunbar Barclay all outplayed the welshmen who were selected
Personally I think the Lions can do it, a whitewash is not what I would be predicting. However the Bledisloe cup after where Australia will be humilated again is a forgone conclusion.
Another solid try 🙂 Good old school northern hemisphere getting stuck in. I hope I'm going to enjoy watching this series, hoping to catch a game at the Maori Chief in Melbourne, might be outnumbered
A whitewash is what I am predicting and nothing in this game changes that
Itoje is having a great game. Will Gatland play him instead of AWJ?
This is a game that seems to have gone on a lot longer than 80 mins
By playing the game Gatland says he wants and by selecting the best players who can play that game. High risk high reward
Words words words and no content as usual.
Itoje is having a great game. Will Gatland play him instead of AWJ?
I have no idea how the commentary team are suggesting Itoje is not the first player on the sheet. AWJ may make the bench.
Thats the test team that played tiday unless Faz makes it.
Webb for Laidlaw and AWJ for Henderson although he has carried well off the bench.
North might not make it too, Daly may be a better option.
SOB very very good but backrow need to work on support lines for Teo and Davies