MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
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!!
Fortnum & Mason biscuits were flown in specially.
In all seriousness, if that was a citing (and I'm not necessarily saying it [i]wasn't[/i]) then there should have been a few dozen more from that game.
In all seriousness, if that was a citing (and I'm not necessarily saying it wasn't) then there should have been a few dozen more from that game.
All tour, not just that game. See also the shoulder on 1/2p in the Maori game etc.
So predictions for third test?
Should be another great game hopefully.
I think that we'll see Mako and McGrath swapped, and no other changes. (Maybe Lawes for AWJ?)
Think NZ will do it, I reckon close game, with a trademark 15 minutes of rugby by NZ in the second half that is just a level above anything else in the world.
I didn't realise that Itoje was calling the line outs yesterday. Jeez, what a rise to Rugby Superstardom - International player probably first on the England team sheet, Lion and only 22yo.
England & Lions captaincy in 4 years after the RWC maybe?
Think NZ will do it, I reckon close game, with a trademark 15 minutes of rugby by NZ in the second half that is just a level above anything else in the world.
I'd agree. They'll go down as a good Lions team that beat the Kiwis at home nevertheless, and a lot of lessons learned / experience will be brought back onto the NH international fold. The players in this Lions team and their coaches will benefit.
England & Lions captaincy in 4 years after the RWC maybe?
He'll be England captain sooner than that, but agree on a future Lions captain.
I think that we'll see Mako and McGrath swapped, and no other changes. (Maybe Lawes for AWJ
AWJ will start I reckon. Not sure about Vunipola. Usually Gatland would drop him and look for a reaction when he comes back in but its the last game and he is a step up from other options in the loose so he might be kept.
Potentially I guess a_a.....going back a few pages to 'players from other nations that you're been impressed by' Williams and Falatau for me (Always been a massive SOB fan)....and looking closer to home, Mako has been probably the most frustrating home nations player for me, I still think that when it all clicks in a game for him he's one of the best props in the world (in terms of all round ability rather than as a pure scrummer) he just seems to be quite inconsistent still. I think that I prefer him as an impact sub.
Another thought......Lions 2021, on paper quite a few of the test team on this tour should be there which bodes well. All of the front row, Itoje, Kruis, Launchbury in the second row. Back row will possibly all be different....hopefully Billy V will be fit next time! Half backs, Farrell (whom will captain the lions next time imo) Rhys Webb, Connor Murray. Then in the backs most of the touring squad will still be prime age!
I wonder whether Mako is missing Billy - they are very close.
Itoje is unbelievable. There's just something about the lad, nothing flashy, head down grafter. Should be easy to do your homework and nullify him, yet somehow he's always ahead of the game. And his win record is bloody amazing!
He reminds me of a Martin Johnson, when he's a couple Of years older and has filled out (!) he'll be world class. Just a shame he plays for safacens...!
We're going to do them. Or get a complete thrashing. One or the other.
There's just something about the lad, nothing flashy, head down grafter. Should be easy to do your homework and nullify him, yet somehow he's always ahead of the game. And his win record is bloody amazing!
He reminds me of [s]a Martin Johnson[/s]Richard Hill
FTFY.
He's not as invisible as Hill was!
Valid!
Richard was totally under the radar, unless you were watching him.
However, the work rate, the positional play, very similar!
I thing Kruis is more Hill-esque. You don't notice him so much but when you watch him you see the work he gets through. Itoge is unique, a_a nailed it a few pages ago remarking on his athleticism. He seems to have a very complete game and move so quick for someone his size. He has a little way to go though, he needs a bit more hair on his chin (if you know what I mean) so that he doesn't get intimidated by the Etzebeths of the game. Mind you, at his age, nobody messed with MJ. Horrible man!
This Lions tour will throw up some questions for Wales too. Will Liam play 15 ahead of 1/2p, is Warburton now or 6 with Tips 7 or will Moriarty play 6 with Warburton 7? Can we find a 12 who can pass and keep Davies supplied with the ball in space?
Also for England, will your captain get picked? Is Nowel worth a run at 15?
I guess the question re Hartley is how much he is valued as captain because supposedly he's been great at talking to players etc. Will Jones look at Farrell or Itoje for captain? If George now starts, I think that's largely the end of Hartley's England career because as he's shown for Northampton, he doesn't do well benched and seems to do silly things.
For Wales, surely it's got to be hard to look past Williams as FB, especially if they want to look at a more attacking game. Halfpenny has been a great servant to Welsh rugby, but he doesn't offer the same threat going forward.
As for the Lions, I expect the to loose the next test because the AB's seem to be different animals following a loss. They'll ramp up the physicality and push the laws of the game a bit further than usual. Plus the Lions really really need to work on discipline. Mako should probably drop to the bench because he's not been up to his usual standards and may offer more in the loose after 60. Can't see too many changes being made.
For Wales, surely it's got to be hard to look past Williams as FB, especially if they want to look at a more attacking game. Halfpenny has been a great servant to Welsh rugby, but he doesn't offer the same threat going forward.
True but who plays wing if Liam moves to 15, we are not well blessed with depth.
True but who plays wing if Liam moves to 15, we are not well blessed with depth.
Cuthbert. Obvs. 😆
Sanjay is pretty useful and we could do with two of him 😕 You could always stick 1/2p on the wing as they have done a few times but he is still a bit wasted/ limited in attack, though his kicking game out wide would be a million times better than the Welsh lumps North and the Donkey Gatland would probably love to pick if on form. It would be a real shame if he didn't get a spot as he has been the form player for Wales for a good while before this season and his points of the boot have been invaluable, especially come 6N. Can't see Biggar being so reliable kicking the points even though he has come on a heck of a lot. There aren't many/ any other choices as Wales don't have a luxery of choice, if the one dude who is half decent is half fit then they play regardless 😳
It would be a real shame if he didn't get a spot as he has been the form player for Wales
Its more a question of where not if.
Can't see Biggar being so reliable kicking the points
Then you havent watched him much, I couldnt understand why 1/2p was kicking during the six nations.
I think Hartley will still start for England if he is in the team. If Jones is going to use both hookers then it makes sense to have George on the pitch when there is more space. If the bench were seen as replacements it would probably be the other way round. Nowell could be an option at full back, he used to play there for the under 20s with Watson on the wing.
Would Keelan Giles be a possible winger for Wales ? Also what about Scott Williams at 12, only this time tell him to play his natural game rather than do a weak impersonation of Dr Roberts.
Scott Williams and Davies just doesnt work, too similar. Williams isnt a great passer. I'd like to see Patchel tried at 12.
Keelan Giles is still too small, Stef Evans could do a job though.
Would seem odd that a test Lions hooker cant make the team over Hartley who is a good international hooker but no more.
a_a, I think that George is England's 1st choice hooker it's just that they want him on the pitch during the later stages of the game and they want to use both hookers rather than run him into the ground.
Has Evans played centre for the Scarlets ? If you want to lose some sleep what about Cuthbert on the wing with Biggar at 12 and Davies at 10. Gatland may be acquiring a taste for this arrangement even if the players are not particularly suited to it. Tips may have more chance of being selected on the wing than at 7 though, at least when Moriarty is fit.
Has Evans played centre for the Scarlets
No, has played 15 though.
No idea how Davies is above Patch in the pecking order.
Biggar at 12 and Davies at 10.
As long as Biggar works on his tackling, then yes please!
Would give two kickers in Davies/Biggar, as well as flexibility of replacements, as Davies can go back to 15, and Biggar up to 10. Tidy darts, bach!
Watched plenty of Biggar and he has really come on in all areas. In the international game he won't trouble the likes of a fit 1/2p or Farrell for reliability I don't think. Doesn't quite have the same range of some of the best either so stats may look better but kicks completed are not as challenging as the other two I suspect. Last 6N was an anomaly for 1/2p
Totally agree on S Williams and JD2. Fine together at Pro12 level but no more. Patchell at 12 is intriguing but would be found out defensively. If he and Biggar were to play together then I'd want the flatter, more creative 10 actually at 10 but I think Biggar at 12 as someone mentioned would be a disaster. Following the England/ Lions model is fine but I feel Farrell is annoyingly talented far beyond what the Welsh boys are capable of. Better to having the sniping 9/ deep 10 combo and let Webb run the creative stuff keeping defences honest than try to change Biggar/ shoehorn in another 10 to play beside him IMO
Oh and I'm not sure if this was already posed but front row communication is a wonderful thing
In the international game he won't trouble the likes of a fit 1/2p or Farrell for reliability I don't think.
Go watch the last world cup!! Biggar is an amazing kicker, maybe not 1/2p's range but just as accurate, every bit as good as Faz at kicking.
Oh and I'm not sure if this was already posed but front row communication is a wonderful thing
We need a gif of awj slapping Itojes ass in the second trst!!
So where to watch the final game if you are in Chicago?
If you can't find a bar, and have an android phone, try the mobdro app. I imagine there'll be no shortage of Irish pubs showing the game though.
[b]New Zealand team to face Lions:[/b] Jordie Barrett; Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, Kieran Read.[b]Replacements:[/b] Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden, Malakai Fekitoa.
At least the Barrett parents don't have to ferry their kids to different games this weekend 😉 🙂 Interesting team and it will be very interesting to see how the relative newbies fare if on the back foot. Hell of a pack though as ever
Pete,
Timmy O'Toole's. 622 N Fairbanks. Good wings, too.
If not, try The Kerryman, on N Clark. Bit smarter.
http://www.pleasanthousepub.com - The local Welsh society meet here apparent, but I've never been.
What's happened to Dane Coles?
Injured before tour started.