3rd test - Australia v British & Irish Lions

[Leonormous Boozer]

Jesus, things really must be bleak out west

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/benetton-vs-bath/109108

Please don't enter this arena nephew.

(Lainster v Northampton isn't a valid rebuttal because we're chokers and that's not the URC's fault)

 

[Scotty]

It was Thursday at 8:11 AM - AFTER the team was announced. You had enough confidence in the team to think the Wallabies might only just sneak it at best

What's wrong with this thinking the Wallabies would sneak it? Given the team and full internationals.

I thought the lions would sneak it again but it didn't happen it's sport you idiot

 

[TRF_Olyy]

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/benetton-vs-bath/109108

Please don't enter this arena nephew.

(Lainster v Northampton isn't a valid rebuttal because we're chokers and that's not the URC's fault)

Bath don't represent the Premiership, they're more like a Barbarians/Lions concept

 

[Dean Cooperfield-West]

What's wrong with this thinking the Wallabies would sneak it? Given the team and full internationals.

I thought the lions would sneak it again but it didn't happen it's sport you idiot

Because it's like thinking a bunch of sixth formers might sneak a win against the the Chiefs. It's possible but highly unlikely. The Lions were surely the underdogs going into this third one with that team they put out. I can't see how anyone could have reasonably thought it wouldn't be a whitewash

 

[IT157]

Not upset Australia won. If it had been a 3-0 series win we would have been bombarded with "oNE of THe GreATeST LiONs teaM EVeR!" This team certainly wasn't.

 

[McTallshort]

Not a vintage Lions tour that. The last two have been pretty uninspiring to be honest. Yes one was during COVID but even then the Rugby wasn't up to much.

Gatland and Farrell have coped some flack over the last 3 or 4 tours and that's going to happen when you pick a coach who's managing one of the 4 nations involved. They will by default select the players they have had success with, it's because of those players they got picked to coach the Lions.

I would prefer that the coach was selected outside of the 4 Union head coaches and wouldn't be bothered if that was someone who wasn't a Brit or Irishman.

 

[Scotty]

Because it's like thinking a bunch of sixth formers might sneak a win against the the Chiefs. It's possible but highly unlikely. The Lions were surely the underdogs going into this third one with that team they put out. I can't see how anyone could have reasonably thought it wouldn't be a whitewash

I disagree, even if the Lions were underdogs, aus still were not heavy favourites. I believe selection was terrible and led to a poor performance along with Aussie stepping up. But to say Lions were highly unlikely to the game is just post hoc rationalisation, I think we have all seen every one of them Lions play much better and overall were the better team (on paper).

It was reasonable to say prior to the game that the Lions could win as it was to say Aus would edge it. It was a poor performance.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Despite losing the series, I actually think the Wallabies will end the tour the happier side. To me, the Lions have underperformed given the talent that they had on paper. Australia dominated large parts of the last 2 test matches. Aussie rugby still has a pulse which is good to see. I think Schmidt got his selection wrong in the first test which is why we dominated. The Wallabies look good in tests 2 and 3.

Amazing what a difference 2 or 3 properly big forwards and a canny, stroppy 9 can make.

 

[Which Tyler]

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/benetton-vs-bath/109108

Please don't enter this arena nephew.

(Lainster v Northampton isn't a valid rebuttal because we're chokers and that's not the URC's fault)

You'd think an Irishman would be used to the concept of a club rotating out the entire starting XV, saving them for a more important match later

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I disagree, even if the Lions were underdogs, aus still were not heavy favourites.

At the bookies, at least, lions were heavy favourites - closed at -8.5

 

[Scotty]

At the bookies, at least, lions were heavy favourites - closed at -8.5

Oh i agree, I was making the point that even if they were, your prediction was a realistic one even if wrong.

Dean is just looking to make himself look like he knows what he's talking about and isn't at all making himself look like a twat.

 

[Becca]

That was a bit of a damp squib all round, wasn’t it ?
The Lions were poor, not a vintage team. They were lucky this wasn’t the decider.
Australia were definitely bolstered by White and his annoying tache. I felt he, and Skelton in particular, got away with far too much but fair play to them. They’ll certainly miss White if he truly has retired.
I wasn’t impressed with the Ref at all. He seemed a bit out of his depth this week.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Not upset Australia won. If it had been a 3-0 series win we would have been bombarded with "oNE of THe GreATeST LiONs teaM EVeR!" This team certainly wasn't.

And the shitest Wallabies team ever. Tbf they just don’t have the depth and finishers. Certainly not a vintage wallabies like the team of 2001. But they ended this the same as 2013 in terms of score and not totally embarrassed. Last one ended up the RWC final and next RWC is in Aus.

 

[General Melchett]

Amazing what a difference 2 or 3 properly big forwards and a canny, stroppy 9 can make.

Nic White is a pound for pound shithousery all time great.

 

[AlRums]

Not upset Australia won. If it had been a 3-0 series win we would have been bombarded with "oNE of THe GreATeST LiONs teaM EVeR!" This team certainly wasn't.

 

[dirty harry]

Lions player ratings vs Australia: Crazy game in Sydney - Ruck

Lions player ratings vs Australia from the third test. The Wallabies avoided a 3-0 defeat by beating the tourists in Sydney.

www.ruck.co.uk

These player ratings are insane! More nonsensical than the selections.

Aki is rated a 6.5 and Russell a 5

Nonsense ratings, but also their info is off lol

 

[General Melchett]

Not a vintage Lions tour that. The last two have been pretty uninspiring to be honest. Yes one was during COVID but even then the Rugby wasn't up to much.

Gatland and Farrell have coped some flack over the last 3 or 4 tours and that's going to happen when you pick a coach who's managing one of the 4 nations involved. They will by default select the players they have had success with, it's because of those players they got picked to coach the Lions.

I would prefer that the coach was selected outside of the 4 Union head coaches and wouldn't be bothered if that was someone who wasn't a Brit or Irishman.

This is how I see it.

A HC independent of the four nations would solve all sorts of problems. Andy Farrell absolutely earned the right to lead this tour and was head and shoulders above any other candidate. That said I do like the idea of switching to someone independent like Schmidt or Galthie in 2029.

Farrell absolutely deserves credit for (a) winning the series and (b) fostering a very harmonious environment which can't be easy with around 40 men who aren't used to working together and being away from home for six weeks. I was critical of him for fast tracking his son into the test 23 and a few other selection calls which to me looked like were made pre tour. I am massively into merit based decision making and I just think that was lacking a bit - but that's just my opinion and I have no issue if people don't agree with it because I get that we all view things through different lenses. It's also normal that we instinctively jump to the defence of players/coaches from our own nation if we think that they are being unfairly criticised. I'm also mindful of the fact that I don't see what goes on behind the scenes and there may be other reasons behind certain decisions.

Like handbags on the pitch, there are no grudges afterwards and we shake hands and move on............to slating each other at the next 6N.

 

[Saintjay]

Nonsense ratings, but also their info is off lol

Rated Curry pretty high.

Let me guess your computer says no.

 

[curtbob7]

Russell player of the series give me strength

 

[Becca]

Russell player of the series give me strength

In fairness, it was voted for by Howden……and we all saw how drunk their representative was !!