The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

The scan on Healy's ankle has apparently shown severe ligament damage and he'll be on the plane home. Gethin Jenkins is also suffering problems with a calf strain, so Alex Corbisiero (England) flying out to replace Healy, will now be joined by Ryan Grant (Scotland) as cover/possible replacement for Jenkins.

[JimmyGreaves]

The British & Irish Lions have suffered a further major blow with Wales prop Gethin Jenkins forced out of the Australia tour with a calf injury.

Lets hope no more prop injuries!

[dtaai-maai]

Cracking 1st half, so glad you reminded me, JG!

The first 10-15 minutes, the Reds came out of the blocks on fire, with some handling errors and some great defence stopping them from scoring. As the half progressed, the Lions came more and more into their own. Some astonishing stuff from George North and some decent running and great goal kicking from Farrell.

Whatever happens as subs come on, this is exactly the sort of game the Lions need - a real test.

[pharvey]

Whatever happens as subs come on, this is exactly the sort of game the Lions need - a real test.

No question there DM - what they didn't need was the injury to Bowe.... this is a worry.

OK, not the test side, but there were some worrying gaps in defense - not helped when Farrell moved to the center (out of position to be fair). Farrell had a better game today, but Sexton is head and shoulders above the guy and a cert for a test place.

One thing for sure is the likes of Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Paul O'Connel, Jonathan Sexton and George North all coming off the bench in this game, are near certainties for the test side IMHO.

A win for the Lions...... and also a win for Wales in their first test - SPOT ON!!

[pharvey]

Simon Zebo is flown out to join the Lions squad as cover for the injured Tommy Bowe - although Bowe may be raring to go again in 2 weeks.... some light at the end of the tunnel for Bowe it seems. Would be good to see Zebo have a run-out possibly next weekend - very exciting player on his day.

HHF standings after 3 matches of the tour.....

Lions-HHF.PNG (13.27 KiB) Viewed 561 times

Congrats to Richard on the yellow cap for R3, and to BB currently leading the pack..

[pharvey]

Just a day away from the 4th game of the tour and an outing against the "Combined NSW & Queensland County"

British Lions

15 Sean Maitland, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (c), 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Stuart Hogg, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jami Heaslip, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Sean O'Brien, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Alex Corbisiero.
Replacements: 16 Rory Best, 17 Ryan Grant, 18 Matt Stevens, 19 Alun Wyn Jones, 20 Toby Faletau, 21 Mike Phillips, 22 Jonathan Davies, 23 Leigh Halfpenny.

Cuthbert gets another chance to prove himself after a fairly disappointing game against the Reds, Heaslip IMHO now favorite over Faletau for the test No.8 gets another start.

Jamie Roberts needs to put a big marker down, so I believe we'll see a decent display from him - would be great to see his partnership with BOD work as well as it did on the previous Lions tour.

Also interesting to see Stuart Hogg at Fly-half.

Here's looking forward to a cracking game.... free of injuries!!

[pharvey]

Online links for live stream: -

http://cricfree.tv/setanta-canada-live-streaming.php

http://cricfree.tv/setanta-hongkong-live-stream.php

[JimmyGreaves]

This is a walk in the park HT 38-0. Let's hope no injuries.

Don't agree with:

Former England hooker Brian Moore
Lions boss Warren Gatland said he would have liked two more preparation games; how about not having three walk-over games out of first four instead?

[dtaai-maai]

Yes, some fantastic play by the Lions. Unfortunately, I don't know enough about the Aussie opposition to judge if they're any good or not!

[richard]

What a farce and waste of time. I should have multiplied all my points differences by 10 on Superbru

So boring. I'm switching over to the cricket. Far more exciting and entertaining

[dtaai-maai]

^^Richard, I can only assume you've never played a game of rugby in your life!

Excellent performance by the Lions, some really good, flowing, running rugby - and that from what is a long way from the test side.

I don't think Gatland did O'Driscoll any favours by leaving him on for 80 minutes, but I do hope he puts him in the test XV - he's a big game player and he still has what it takes.

[richard]

DTM,

Played rugby from aged 11 to 27 and been following it for nigh on 55 years so I do know a little about the game

[Big Boy]

Played rugby from aged 11 to 27 and been following it for nigh on 55 years so I do know a little about the game

But was that real Rugby, or being a Yorkshireman, Rugby League, which probably rates below pharvey's wendyball?

[dtaai-maai]

Deleted: Richard, do me a favour and don't post crap when I'm pissed.

[richard]

Played rugby from aged 11 to 27 and been following it for nigh on 55 years so I do know a little about the game

But was that real Rugby, or being a Yorkshireman, Rugby League, which probably rates below pharvey's wendyball?

Union. Followed both as I grew up in Hull (a rugby league city) Played at my peak for east Yorkshire schools and Nat West bank in London. All banks relocated staff with rugby experience from Wales and Yorkshire to London to play in inter bank competitions.

Never tried 'wendy ball'. Was told it was for softies and followed by yobos