2nd test - Australia v British & Irish Lions

[General Melchett]

This is a pretty good analysis. It's interesting how Faz singled out JGP in the build up for the try and while it was a great fast ball to Keenan there other more key pieces of play in that build up.

Russell's patience and decision making were absolutely huge. Deciding not to go for the DG because he recognised that the Wallabies were knackered and slow at getting into position defensively. Ballsy basketball offload after attacking the space and committing Suualii which created more space out wide. Deciding to play safe by not throwing out wide to Conan because he was isolated and/or may have knocked on in contact (interestingly Keenan didn't pass to him either and instead backed himself to finish).

 

[odw26]

This is a pretty good analysis. It's interesting how Faz singled out JGP in the build up for the try and while it was a great fast ball to Keenan there other more key pieces of play in that build up.

Russell's patience and decision making were absolutely huge. Deciding not to go for the DG because he recognised that the Wallabies were knackered and slow at getting into position defensively. Ballsy basketball offload after attacking the space and committing Suualii which created more space out wide. Deciding to play safe by not throwing out wide to Conan because he was isolated and/or may have knocked on in contact (interestingly Keenan didn't pass to him either and instead backed himself to finish).

One of Russell's criticisms in the past (and, even recently on this forum), is that he likes to force a pass, and I think that passage showed just how much he's matured in recent years. It would have been so easy to try to be the hero and throw the miracle pass in that scenario as he's done (both successfully and unsuccessfully) in the past, and in the first test.

For me, that try really epitomised what the Lions could be about, as every nation played their part. Stuart made the initial break to get behind the gain line, if Morgan doesn't get that clear out, it's very likely a turnover or holding on penalty, Russell keeps the ball alive, and Keenan finishes superbly, isolating the outside shoulder of the Australian defender.

 

[General Melchett]

One of Russell's criticisms in the past (and, even recently on this forum), is that he likes to force a pass, and I think that passage showed just how much he's matured in recent years. It would have been so easy to try to be the hero and throw the miracle pass in that scenario as he's done (both successfully and unsuccessfully) in the past, and in the first test.

For me, that try really epitomised what the Lions could be about, as every nation played their part. Stuart made the initial break to get behind the gain line, if Morgan doesn't get that clear out, it's very likely a turnover or holding on penalty, Russell keeps the ball alive, and Keenan finishes superbly, isolating the outside shoulder of the Australian defender.

Yeah very fitting that Keenan got the winning try. Seems like a top bloke and had a horrendous couple of weeks with Delhi belly. You can also see why Morgan doesn't give away many penalties - did all he could in the circumstances to stop his team from losing the game. That clear out was as big as Keenan's try.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

The issue of both Morgan and Genge going off of their feet in the clear out and effectively sealing off wasn’t really brought up. If it had been pinged for that then no complaints really.

 

[Jimbo]

The issue of both Morgan and Genge going off of their feet in the clear out and effectively sealing off wasn't really brought up. If it had been pinged for that then no complaints really.

Completely agree with you but to start pinging something that was fairly constantly let go all game would also be wrong, the inconstancies are what I think detracts a lot of would be fans from the game, at-least if officiating can be consistent in the context of a single game it’s a step.

 

[TommiG88]

The issue of both Morgan and Genge going off of their feet in the clear out and effectively sealing off wasn't really brought up. If it had been pinged for that then no complaints really.

I don’t think Morgan was off his feet, once he cleared the Aus defender out, he became of his feet. If that is the concern, then every ruck would become a penalty.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Morgan and Genge did nothing different than both sets of players all game.

I thought the ref was poor in quite a few areas but then it’s always the same in the south hemisphere, we end up with rubbish refs.

 

[Reiser99]

Morgan and Genge did nothing different than both sets of players all game.

I thought the ref was poor in quite a few areas but then it's always the same in the south hemisphere, we end up with rubbish refs.

Nothing to do with the southern hemisphere, it's cause all the best refs are English and so we have to make do with second rate refs.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Agreed, yes.

 

[AlRums]

Nothing to do with the southern hemisphere, it's cause all the best refs are English and so we have to make do with second rate refs.

Carley? Pearce? Really?

 

[BrokenWing]

Never heard of Really.

 

[Reiser99]

Agreed, yes.

View attachment 24181

Carley? Pearce? Really?

You chose to mention Carley and Pearce instead of Dickson...you should both be embarrassed.

 

[ncurd]

Carley? Pearce? Really?

Heres the scary thought. Who's better?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

You chose to mention Carley and Pearce instead of Dickson...you should both be embarrassed.

Low hanging fruit.

Heres the scary thought. Who's better?

Carley is definitely in the bad category, I prefer Piardi (who I thought was pretty good yesterday, got his positioning wrong once or twice but got the big calls right for me).

Pearce is grand, still has some head scratchers and bad games but that's the way the game is.

Looking at the panels for the 6n and RC, Brousset, Carley, Dickson and Brace stand out as below the level of the rest. Williams and Ridley are my personal favourites (I've also gotten over my Gardner beef, I think he's really come on) but really, I don't think they're making any less mistakes than others. I really hate how Pearse refs the breakdown, it's the prem on steroids, and don't love his attitude but removing bias, he's definitely a good ref.

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The stylistic changes between French, RC, SA, English and the remainder of the URC nations refs is my biggest frustration. I've heard the amount of time spent preparing for a specific referee on a test week is considerable. Not an easy thing to coordinate but World Rugby really need to unify how the game is reffed.

The irony of yesterday is that SH refs absolutely do not penalise Sheehan or Morgan.

 

[General Melchett]

Scots can't say anything about referees. Here's Mike Adamson sending himself off in the 79th minute after another shocking performance. Holly is now Scotland's number one ref.

 

[ncurd]

The stylistic changes between French, RC, SA, English and the remainder of the URC nations refs is my biggest frustration. I've heard the amount of time spent preparing for a specific referee on a test week is considerable. Not an easy thing to coordinate but World Rugby really need to unify how the game is reffed.

The irony of yesterday is that SH refs absolutely do not penalise Sheehan or Morgan.

I still think the big mistake is as Barnes retired (possibly Owens) is not appointing an elite panel of retired referees whos job is to make sure there consistency between the unions. I really dont know what World Rugby does is terms of trying to guide consistency.

Its been a perpetual problem for decades SH referees really couldn't give a damn what happens in the breakdown whilst NH refs can get really anal about it.

 

[Ddanno]

Scots can't say anything about referees. Here's Mike Adamson sending himself off in the 79th minute after another shocking performance. Holly is the now Scotland's number one ref.

View attachment 24182

Yeah Holly's good, would like to see her get some 6n games

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

St Alun Wyn of Jones was the best ref ever.

 

[Which Tyler]

Carley's gotten a lot better this last year or so.
Pearce too, but less so.
Dickson... hasn't

 

[AlRums]

You chose to mention Carley and Pearce instead of Dickson...you should both be embarrassed.

I forgot Dickson