The Rugby Thread

[PET]

Overall the LIONS looked good and will still improve, I feel very comfortable watching them and they will IMO win 3 - 0.

The replacement front row was a problem, that will need some attention, but class will always come to the fore - see the next Test!

[arcadianagain]

[quote="dtaai-maaiThe first Aussie try came from another questionable penalty after several minutes of Lions pressure in the Aussie 22. Good try, but lucky to get the chance.

Lions were being given the advantage until the ref decided there was an infringement, they should have gone back for a Lions penalty. I agree with the other posters, why kick away possession to dangerous backs. Play the game you`re good at and dominate with the forwards.

[musungu]

I thought the Lions were pretty impressive as they had more possession, more territory and had 14 turnovers (against 3 lost) and they will only get better. Yes they could have lost if the Aussies had had a better place kicker but overall they were better and honesly deserved their win.

The referee had a poor game but next week, Joubert will be in place, and the Lions should then be able to 'clear away the Aussie defenders hanging around at the back of the rucks and making a nuisance of themselves'.

[dtaai-maai]

At the end of the day, we almost lost it by not having the lead we should have had at half time. But we didn't, and that was a huge win for the Lions, even though it was only by 2 points.
Just as well they missed so many kicks, but most of them should never have been given in the first place.
Sorry, pharvey, but Phillips had a poor game. On balance, I still think he's the no. 1 scrum half, but only just. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the mid-week side to prove that today was an aberration.

But what I forgot to say was how good it was to see the Lions pretty much dominating most aspects of the game and how much I enjoyed watching it. And how knackered I was by the end! I made so much noise when North scored that my Swedish neighbour asked my wife if I was okay! Bless, he couldn't possibly understand... And how good it feels to stick it to the Aussie press!

The main threat was Falau, and now we know what to expect, I trust we won't be kicking the ball down his throat too often!

I'm going to have a look at some of the press reports now.

[JimmyGreaves]

This is bad news:

British and Irish Lions lock Paul O'Connell will miss the rest of the tour of Australia after fracturing his arm in Saturday's first-Test victory

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/lions-tou ... s-updates/

[pharvey]

Didn't get to see the game live, but finally managed to download from Youtube and have just sat through an enjoyable couple of hours......Even managed to avoid the result and this thread up to now!! I don't think the site digs in Vietnam are used to rugby supporters, so some apologies/explanations may be required in the morning...

Agree with the majority of comments, certainly some concerns in the front row on the replacements side - Jones looks to be suffering a little with fitness and the Lions will really need him to get a lot closer to the full 80.
Phillips did not have his best game - a couple of silly errors, but the break-down was an absolutely 'mare so I have some sympathy. Certainly cannot see him missing out on a starting spot come Saturday.
Sexton didn't have his best either, which is a bit of a concern - Halfpenny thankfully once again with a great kicking display, so, so important at this level.
North - superb try and inches away from a second. Great all-round display from him once again.

VERY BAD news with Paul O'Connell - a huge blow for the Lions.

[dtaai-maai]

Online stream for Saturday (From 2pm Thai Time): -

http://cricfree.tv/sky-sports-2.php

New Zealand vs France (2:35pm KO)
NSW Waratahs vs British & Irish Lions (4:40pm KO)

Will this link show the test on Saturday?

[Big Boy]

I find it works well when there's nothing worth watching. As soon as something decent is being shown, you get a message saying something like number of users for your region has been exceeded, try later. I guess you probably need to log in now, and keep it logged in

[dtaai-maai]

I take it the rugby's not on Expat TV, BB?

[Big Boy]

I've just checked Saturday and Sunday, BBC1 & ITV1 - not on either.

[arcadianagain]

I think Sky Sports have the exclusive deal, again.

[dtaai-maai]

Yes, it's on Sky Sports 1 at 5pm Thai time. Taking BB's advice, I've got it on now and I hope it will still be functioning smoothly when I need it!

[dtaai-maai]

Well, I managed to see nearly all of the game between 2 streaming sites in spite of 3BB's attempts to stop me by not giving me the download speed I'm paying for.

What a game. Probably one for the connoisseur, but what a game nevertheless.

The Lions had a fantastic first 10 minutes, but only 3 points as a result.
Vunipola had a nightmare start, but came back magnificently as the game progressed.
The support from the Lions fans was incredible.
I thought the Aussie skipper made a mistake by not kicking for goal (an easy 3 points) with 10 minutes left.
The moment of the game for me was when North put Folau over his shoulder and charged on. Great stuff.
I thought the Lions had done enough, but the Aussie try was well worked and made them worthy winners of a game in which there was nothing between the two sides.

I thought the Lions were the better side last time out, but lucky to win because of the Wallabies' pathetic kicking.
This time I thought both sides were even, but the Lions were unlucky to lose because of that first Halfpenny kick that hit the crossbar.

Devastated that we lost, but a great game to watch IMO, and doesn't this make the next one something special?!

[arcadianagain]

This must be a sporting first, you being a Spud and all.

[caller]

I didn't enjoy it!