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2nd test - Australia v British & Irish Lions

I’m just can’t fathom why Faz in the mix at all for this game?! He’s not the player he once was, brings nothing from the bench at either 10 or 12 (winning attitude doesn’t cut it). Either Fin Smith or Marcus Smith would bring something different and extra, and both should feel hard done by. Also not sure about Lowe. I don’t think he’s been anywhere near his best. He looks slow and aside from a massive boot hasn’t done a great deal.

I didn’t want to think that Farrell is nepotistic but it’s starting to really look that way. At least Morgan got on the bench, which is the least that lad deserves.
 
spartan32 said:
I'm just can't fathom why Faz in the mix at all for this game?! He's not the player he once was, brings nothing from the bench at either 10 or 12 (winning attitude doesn't cut it). Either Fin Smith or Marcus Smith would bring something different and extra, and both should feel hard done by. Also not sure about Lowe. I don't think he's been anywhere near his best. He looks slow and aside from a massive boot hasn't done a great deal.

I didn't want to think that Farrell is nepotistic but it's starting to really look that way. At least Morgan got on the bench, which is the least that lad deserves.
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Honestly,

Fin/Marcus have been bad.
I wouldn't bring Farrell on unless Russell goes down injured.
 
Saintjay said:
I think Farrell or Morgan will have a stormer. Followed by a major outbreak of i told you so a short time later.
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I expect a lot from Morgan, up there with the likes of Itoje, Russell, sheehan and Genge as players of the tour so far IMO, so anything short of a 8/10 would be below his tour standard.

Farrell Is another story.
 
Lowe was definitely missing Henshaw / Osborne / Ringrose last week. He's dangerous when given a flat wide pass into space and the only one he received resulted in him putting Jones through for the non-try. Played badly on top of that too no doubt but he's still clearly the only player you want on that left wing.

Aki has it off his right but not to the same standard, wouldn't be surprised to see him punching holes to give Russell the option though or for Kinghorn to get on and start throwing them later in the game. Tui and Jones just don't have it as players who attack the gainline constantly, with Russell and Kinghorn controlling width.

By the sound of it Ringer is still on the same concussion, he might still be eligible next week. I really hope for him that he does, one of the most deserving players to be a test Lion the last 8 years and hasn't been given the chance until now. Same with VdF.

Don't expect the Lions to do anything out of the ordinary but that's a team picked to beat a beefier Oz. Big day for Chessum to try to replace Big Joe's impact. Same for Porter who hasn't looked himself so far. Two players I'd back to get the job done.

Set up for another borefest though, with Aki coming into that backline, the midfield is the most imbalanced available with the two weakest passers of the ball, Aki will be used as a defensive weapon throughout too.

Can't really argue with Farrell getting the best players on the pitch though. Everything can be argued, Faz the most questionable but without Ringer and Tui it was a call between him and Kinghorn or a Smith and Osborne because 12 cover is needed.

VdF is the only call that confuses me, has consistently been the best 7 of the lot for me the last few years, I guess his value is somewhat lost when not reliant on the 7 to go 80mins. Curry has higher peaks and lower troughs and Morgan can cover 6 and 8 more comfortably.

A few unlucky guys for sure but picking the best proven test players is hardly egregious.
 
spartan32 said:
I'm just can't fathom why Faz in the mix at all for this game?! He's not the player he once was, brings nothing from the bench at either 10 or 12 (winning attitude doesn't cut it). Either Fin Smith or Marcus Smith would bring something different and extra, and both should feel hard done by. Also not sure about Lowe. I don't think he's been anywhere near his best. He looks slow and aside from a massive boot hasn't done a great deal.

I didn't want to think that Farrell is nepotistic but it's starting to really look that way. At least Morgan got on the bench, which is the least that lad deserves.
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Lowe's kicking was very poorly directed in the first test. Either kicking straight to Australian players covering the backfield or kicking straight into touch.
 
Everything about this Lions selection just feels as if we’re keeping an extra gear up our sleeves for test 3 if we need it.

Looks on paper like a very structured and tight game plan, Farrells bench selection also indicates that game management thinking and playing to a structure.

Can’t help but feel like Lions could end up losing a close game here if they’re not careful.

It’s not a lineup I’d want chasing a game if they end up behind mid way through the second half, albeit potentially a strong scrummaging addition second half off the bench.
 
If the logic for picking Faz is leadership, stability, and execution in the final quarter, then why not put George on the bench? He has all of those positives as well and the set piece is more important in the closing minutes.

There are some logical inconsistencies with these selections.

This is the general problem with B&I coaches coming from existing home nation coaches. When the chips are down, they chose what they know. Hence, why you have Kelleher, Ali, Lowe, Keenan, and Ryan in the team.
 
ChicagoKid said:
If the logic for picking Faz is leadership, stability, and execution in the final quarter, then why not put George on the bench? He has all of those positives as well and the set piece is more important in the closing minutes.

There are some logical inconsistencies with these selections.

This is the general problem with B&I coaches coming from existing home nation coaches. When the chips are down, they chose what they know. Hence, why you have Kelleher, Ali, Lowe, Keenan, and Ryan in the team.
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But the chips aren’t down. In fact they’re so up most are worried about a Aussie thrashing taking all the excitement out of the thing. So that’s not an excuse. Arguably Farrell has the opportunity to go a little rogue, and plum for some excitement. Earl and pollock on the bench with either smith. Start Morgan. As it stands we’re looking at a lions side designed to bludgeon the Aussies to death, with a bench designed to kick the dead horse. Yes you could argue that winnings all that matters, but I’m not sure that’s true. How you win matters. Farrell has gone for what familiar and shoe horned his son into a side he has no place being in at all, pushing aside aspiring younger talent for one last gasp on limelight before he falls into total obscurity (while getting a nice £100k paycheck to boot).

If we win on Saturday with a lacklustre display, grinding things out through endless rucks and mauls and fat bits flopping over the line, it will be an opportunity missed.
 
TRF_Olyy said:
He played better on Tuesday than the Smiths (heaven knows i'm miserable now) have this tour, tbf
Plus he covers centre, which neither Smith does
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Not sure that’s fair at all. Marcus has done well with what he’s been given and I think Fin has played some decent rugby. They’re both young and need chances to shine (heaven knows Faz has been given any number of chances!) in the midweek game he threw a couple of good passes but let’s not overstate his impact. He can pick a pass, and he can (on the right day) kick well. He’s a defensive liability with his tackling, and he can’t run with the ball for toffee which makes him easy to defend.

Don’t get me wrong, Faz has been a great player for both England and the lions in the past, but his time had already gone. Being gifted a last hurrah isn’t the right call in my humble opinion.
 
It’s partially based on form and injuries, but I can’t get over how poor the Lions & Oz back 3 are.

Compared to 2013, it’s night and day. Not a single back 3 player from 2025 would make the 23.

North and Izzy F were 2 of the top 10 players in world. Halfpenny was sensational the entire tour and established himself as truly world class. Kurtley Beale was stepping defenders all day long.

Cuthbert & Ioane were big, physical freaks.
 
Leonormous Boozer said:
Saying Cuthbert is better than Lowe or Freeman when Tommy Bowe played two test matches that tour.

View attachment 24165
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Freeman is not playing at a high level right now and Lowe is a 12 with a big boot.

LBB & Penaud
Kurt Lee & Cheslin
Jordan, Reece, & Clark

Those 7 players are better than anyone from Oz or the Lions.

In 2013, Izzy F and North along with Savea were the top 3 wingers in the world by a country mile.
 

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