The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

I didn't enjoy it!

Well, there's no accounting for taste...... plenty of Wendyball on I suspect

I for one thoroughly enjoyed it...... aside of course from the result. Overall, the Lions need to raise their game for the decider in Sydney.

As DM says, Vunipola had a nightmare start - I really thought we were going to have massive problems up front, especially with O'Connell also missing. BUT, for the grace of God, and a huge effort from Vunipola, he turned things around very well. That said, it looks like Corbisiero will be fit and IMHO will move straight into the starting XV with Vunipola moving to the bench. Adam Jones really needs to get nearer the 80 mins.

The breakdown again was an absolute 'mare and very fiercely contested. For that reason I honestly believe Phillips will come back in to the starting XV, but as a minimum the match-day 23 to add his bulk. Warburton was immense in the lose, and if he does not come through tests and scans on his hamstring, he'll be a huge loss. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Faletau leapfrog into the starting XV, but would honestly be amazed not to see him at least brought into the match-day 23.

Sexton again, didn't have a great game.... can't say I've really had anything good to say about Farrell at flyhalf, but actually watched the Rebels game today (downloaded) and he put in a very sound performance...... worthy of a start(?), perhaps. It's certainly a far closer call on selection.

Jonathan Davies did not enjoy a great evening at center either - a fit again Jamie Roberts will come back in with Davies fighting for a spot on the bench with Tuilagi who also put in a good performance against the Rebels.

Halfpenny.... what can you say, another great performance and you certainly cannot blame him for the loss/missed kick(s)..... despite the fact he'll no doubt be feeling pig-sick. I'm sure he'll get himself back in the right frame of mind for kicking duties on Saturday.

George North...... if only for one moment of the match

North.PNG (194.4 KiB) Viewed 875 times

The DECIDER......

A changed team.... a change in tactics...... a win by 8!!!

[dtaai-maai]

Adam Jones really needs to get nearer the 80 mins.

I wouldn't be too worried about that. He was on for a fair old while this time, and when he was replaced, Cole did a great job this time. I'm more concerned about the fitness of the locks and the line out.

Interesting thoughts about Sexton/Farrell - I wonder? I'm not entirely convinced that O'Driscoll will start either.

I think the Lions have definitely got it in them to win the decider. Unfortunately, so have the Wallabies!

[pharvey]

Adam Jones really needs to get nearer the 80 mins.

I wouldn't be too worried about that. He was on for a fair old while this time, and when he was replaced, Cole did a great job this time. I'm more concerned about the fitness of the locks and the line out.

Fair comment, but Jones truly has a huge effect on the front row. Also remember, Australia made changes at the same time, so Cole was not playing against the starting prop - taking nothing away from his performance of course.
On the lineout/locks - I can see Hibbard and Youngs switching places, with Hibbard starting and Youngs moving to the bench. Hibbard certainly seemed to have a bit more accuracy in the lineout and does add to the scrum. On the locks... well, quite simply O'Connell is a massive loss - what would the Lions do to have him available for the final test?! AWJ has put in some great performances as I'm sure he'll do so again on Saturday - certainly have to front up to the Aussies.

I'm not entirely convinced that O'Driscoll will start either.

I think the Lions have definitely got it in them to win the decider. Unfortunately, so have the Wallabies!

Personally, I don't think there's any doubt that BOD will start - Roberts will be brought in inside him and this will give him some added space IMHO. BOD playing with a bit more space/time will be a big bonus.

Yes, the Wallabies certainly have it in them to take the decider..... but let's be fair, it's the Lions all the way!!

[caller]

a change in tactics

Yes, that was the reason I didn't enjoy it so much, but as with the 1st game, I thought we should have been out of sight before any fightback. Hopefully, we will manage that in the 'final'.

[JimmyGreaves]

More bad news on injuries:

British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton is out of the deciding Test against Australia in Sydney on Saturday with a "significant" hamstring tear.

If selected, Brian O'Driscoll is likely to captain the side in what would be his ninth and final Lions Test.

Either Ireland's Sean O'Brien or fellow Welshman Justin Tipuric is likely to replace Warburton in the starting XV.

[pharvey]

Certainly not the news I was wanting to hear...... another big loss in the pack.

I think the replacement needs to be Tipuric - a natural out and out 7 and IMHO will give a better link to the backs than O'Brien will, outstanding as he has been on tour. The link something we really need to help bring in the back 3 who were fairly quiet in attack last week - the breakdown, I have no doubt is going to be a nightmare again

The experience of BOD will now come heavily into play and if Gatland had any doubts over his selection, I think the injury to Warburton will have blown those away.

[JimmyGreaves]

WOW

British and Irish Lions: Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Tommy Bowe (Ireland), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Jamie Roberts (Wales), George North (Wales), Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), Mike Phillips (Wales); Alex Corbisiero (England), Richard Hibbard (Wales), Adam Jones (Wales), Alun Wyn Jones (captain, Wales), Geoff Parling (England), Dan Lydiate (Wales), Sean O'Brien (Ireland), Toby Faletau (Wales)

Replacements: Tom Youngs (England), Mako Vunipola (England), Dan Cole (England), Richie Gray (Scotland), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Conor Murray (Ireland), Owen Farrell (England), Manu Tuilagi (England)

[richard]

So it's Wales vs Australia then

Australia by a narrow margin methinks

[dtaai-maai]

Wow, indeed. I'll be interested to hear the reasoning behind O'Driscoll being left out altogether. Is he injured?


EDIT:

"Brian was disappointed but he appreciated that he was spoken to before the team announcement," said Gatland.

"It's the first time that a coach has ever made the decision with him in 15 years of rugby.

"Jamie is back fit and has been given the nod in terms of his partnership with Davies."

So, dropped on form. Well, I hate to say I told you so... but it is nevertheless a bit of a surprise.

[pharvey]

Have to say, that one was a shock... I hope moving JD to outside center also improves his game on Saturday - can't say he really set things alight last week either.

AWJ certainly leads from the front, and I'm not at all worried with his leadership qualities for the match. Great to see Faletau getting a start - he certainly deserves it, and will bring another dimension to the backrow.

O'Brien has certainly been a class act on tour, but again was surprised that he was selected ahead of Tipuric who I really do feel would have offered a better link with the backs. We need to avoid the nightmare at the breakdown and get the likes of North, Bowe & Roberts et al running hard and fast at the defence....

I'm sticking to my guns....... Lions by 8

[JimmyGreaves]

A bit of Gatland Slagging and O'Driscoll should have retired from George hook

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2013/0703 ... ions-tour/

[pharvey]

A bit of Gatland Slagging and O'Driscoll should have retired from George hook

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2013/0703 ... ions-tour/

So basically, BOD should read "GOD", Gatland is a and the Welsh players are ultimately shite.....

Jesus - is BOD the Lions??? Some of the comments on the Web are painful......
"O'Driscol's magnificent career insulted by Gatland..",
"I won't bother watching the match now...",
"Welsh selection sickening and without any basis...",
"Why bother? Let's leave quietly now......" - makes my ******* blood boil..

The overreaction to this team selection has been incredible - with the anti-Welsh sentiment frankly a joke... and a poor one at that...... Although there has been the odd glimmer of banter around the boards - from actual supporters rather than muppets!

I for one was amazed at BOD not captaining the team into the final test - to be dropped out of the squad entirely obviously goes to form. It does surprise me that Davies is there, as he has also had a couple of poor games.

Of the 10 Welsh players, who shouldn't be there? Tuilagi for Davies? Heaslip for Faletau? Youngs for Hibbard? Murray for Phillips?

Davies aside, IMHO all have made very valid claims for a test start based on form... Heaslip admittedly for one can count himself unlucky.

Are you seriously going to drop the likes of AWJ, Adam Jones, Halfpenny, North? I just hope Sexton has a good game and we see the latter 2 brought into attack more than we saw last week.

Anyway, Welsh or not, come Saturday (or a recorded Sunday viewing) I will be supporting the BRITISH & IRISH LIONS !!

I think we'll see Tuilagi come on, and his partnership with Roberts could be an interesting one to watch!!

[JimmyGreaves]

Can't believe that Shane Williams didn't get the No. 10 shirt and Tom Jones is not even on the bench.....

[pharvey]

Can't believe that Shane Williams didn't get the No. 10 shirt and Tom Jones is not even on the bench.....

You and me both JG!

[pharvey]

Well today's the day and the deciding test between the British & Irish Lions and the Wallabies.......

Let's hope we can avoid "BODgate" and the "Sheep-shagger Selection" scandals, and actually concentrate on a great game of rugby!!

My little Niponese mates have decided to grant everybody a half-day today, so dependent on getting a decent stream, I shall be supporting from the off

COME ON YOU LIONS!!!!!!!!!