1st TEST: South Africa v Lions

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sir. Speedy @ Jun 20 2009, 06:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Disagree with your analysis on Monye. You can argue that the SA defence was very good, but all he needed to do was dive sooner. Worked against Province. Also failed to get the ball out wide when there was an overlap 5 metres from the tryline. Both wingers were poor, though I'd like to think we'll see more attacking play from the wings next week. Bowe came into the attacking line more towards the end. More of that next week, as we can't rely on JR and GOD all the time.

I must add the 3rd match official made me cringe.[/b]

thought the ref was a bit of a prick with him, especially how snotty he was over the first Monye call and overruling him wrongly wouldn't have gone down too well hence his snippy reply in the second half for the Phillips tmo.

 

[noikz]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Steve-o @ Jun 20 2009, 05:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

And the BEAST!!! What a game he had. Jenkins who?[/b]

Yeah he did a great job of not driving straight, not sure what that's got to do with Gethin though.

Funny how the ref saw the ball go out when it didn't (when Jones was away) but didn't notice Mtawarira cheating constantly. Good SH teamwork.

 

[shtove]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Steve-o @ Jun 21 2009, 04:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Boks were fantastic 1st half and PdV tried his best to mess it up with all those subs in the 2nd half. What was the man thinking? A lot of those players didn't need to come off.
I thought Brussow was great today, took his try well. Impressive rolling mauls from the Boks.[/b]

No they weren't. Subs is an excuse. The game changed when Vickery went off at 45. And what about the panic stations when those guys were brought back on in the last 10? Never seen that before.

Brussow was good. I was expecting him to give away points, but he took the try really well and should have stayed on.

 

[steynboi]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shtove @ Jun 20 2009, 07:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Steve-o @ Jun 21 2009, 04:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Boks were fantastic 1st half and PdV tried his best to mess it up with all those subs in the 2nd half. What was the man thinking? A lot of those players didn't need to come off.
I thought Brussow was great today, took his try well. Impressive rolling mauls from the Boks.[/b]

No they weren't. Subs is an excuse. The game changed when Vickery went off at 45. And what about the panic stations when those guys were brought back on in the last 10? Never seen that before.

Brussow was good. I was expecting him to give away points, but he took the try really well and should have stayed on.
[/b][/quote]


the springboks played poorly when they took big time contributors off like tendai, took there captain off and pienaar off. then they played poorly and just held them off. the lions got better but i don't agree with PVD's coaching its not him what makes the springboks good it's themselves he took themoff too early and jake white would of never done that IMO.

The beast owned the other props in the scrum. Does anyone know a place where i can get a gif of plessis threatening o' driscoll :bravo:

 

[shazbooger]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Olyy @ Jun 20 2009, 04:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I don't think it was really monyes fault with those tries (the first at least), he can't really help being tackled[/b]

I dont think Monye did too much wrong apart from carrying the ball under one arm into contact. You always always always protect the ball. They kicked in behind him a few times but he handled it better than I thought he would. The only difference between Monye and Fitzgerald is that the latter carries in both hands, minimising the chances of a spill resulting from a tackle from behind. A minor point really, so I'd have Fitzgerald on the bench cause I think Monye deserves another shot.

Overall its hard to be critical of anyone in the backs. Jones missed one kickable kick, and some good defense from the Boks allowed the score to grow. The entire front five were destroyed which is pretty much unforgiveable and they got sod all support from their back row. Wallace carried well, Heaslip was in trouble early (not easy at the back of a retreating scrum) and aside from turning up to finish a lot, Croft didnt do much for me.

As for the Boks, I thought Botha was immense, Du Preez impressive and Steyn looked solid. Didnt see anything of the SA backs though so havent a clue. Pienaar did alright but to be honest I would have been fine playing behind that forward performance.

Mears, and Vickery will probably be the obvious scapegoats but I'd include Jones in the second row. He wasnt poor but you need more power and dynamism. Skyboys talked about Shaw but it'll probably be O'Callaghan or Hines.

The biggest frustration for me was the coaching staffs reluctance to substitute Vickery earlier. Should have been after 25 mins really. I know it doesnt happen often but it was clear he was going to cost us more points and in the end it was another 9 before they made the call they new they had to make. So I dont actually blame Vickery, I blame the coaching staff for not helping Vickery out.

Will be interesting next game. The Boks totally dominated up front (more then I expected) but the Lions dominated out wide (more then I expected). If the Lions can get their forward game together they could have a chance (a slim chance).

 

[Steve-o]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shtove @ Jun 20 2009, 08:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Steve-o @ Jun 21 2009, 04:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Boks were fantastic 1st half and PdV tried his best to mess it up with all those subs in the 2nd half. What was the man thinking? A lot of those players didn't need to come off.
I thought Brussow was great today, took his try well. Impressive rolling mauls from the Boks.[/b]

No they weren't. Subs is an excuse. The game changed when Vickery went off at 45. And what about the panic stations when those guys were brought back on in the last 10? Never seen that before.
[/b][/quote]

You cracking me up over here.
We were up 26-7 when PdV starting pouring on all 7 subs. PdV totally messed us up with those.

Also, only Smit came back on when Carstens, who isnt a tighthead either, got injured.

 

[MunsterMan]

Tiger Woods came back on too.

I still think we left this one behind us with all the wasted opportunities, and the Boks should have had at least two sin binnings in the second half.

 

[steynboi]

Lions didn't really have wasted opportunities they were taken from them by a more convincing team who could execute better, JDV used his senses and put his arm under the ball so it would not be grouned hes smart then the flicks it out so it would be a 22. Monye was takled well as SA had the better defence, the lions really need to execute better at the lineout.

One last thing why is there so much about this O'Connell guy i heard some analyst says hes better than Matfield. I still laugh at what i seen them write up.

 

[Ozzay]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Steve-o @ Jun 20 2009, 07:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shtove @ Jun 20 2009, 08:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Steve-o @ Jun 21 2009, 04:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Boks were fantastic 1st half and PdV tried his best to mess it up with all those subs in the 2nd half. What was the man thinking? A lot of those players didn't need to come off.
I thought Brussow was great today, took his try well. Impressive rolling mauls from the Boks.[/b]

No they weren't. Subs is an excuse. The game changed when Vickery went off at 45. And what about the panic stations when those guys were brought back on in the last 10? Never seen that before.
[/b][/quote]

You cracking me up over here.
We were up 26-7 when PdV starting pouring on all 7 subs. PdV totally messed us up with those.

Also, only Smit came back on when Carstens, who isnt a tighthead either, got injured.
[/b][/quote]

''injured''

The ref was a joke!

Most captians though would of asked for yellow cards, but O'Connell didn't?
Im sure Smit would have.

The scoreline flattered the lions IMO

Matthew Rees of all people impressed me

 

[shtove]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Steve-o @ Jun 21 2009, 06:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shtove @ Jun 20 2009, 08:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Steve-o @ Jun 21 2009, 04:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Boks were fantastic 1st half and PdV tried his best to mess it up with all those subs in the 2nd half. What was the man thinking? A lot of those players didn't need to come off.
I thought Brussow was great today, took his try well. Impressive rolling mauls from the Boks.[/b]

No they weren't. Subs is an excuse. The game changed when Vickery went off at 45. And what about the panic stations when those guys were brought back on in the last 10? Never seen that before.
[/b][/quote]

You cracking me up over here.
We were up 26-7 when PdV starting pouring on all 7 subs. PdV totally messed us up with those.
[/b][/quote]
SA's last score was by Brussow from the maul. When did Vickery go off?

Scrum completely turned around and Lions began to dominate. I expect to see that from kick off next week, although Genius Gatland will probably put both Williams on and Powell at 8.

 

[MunsterMan]

If the SA defence was so much better why did the Lions score more tries and break the line way more, as well as waste try scoring chances with poor finishing. (Monye and Phillips)

If Adam Jones had started, the Lions would have won. Fact.

 

[SaintsFan_Schweinsteiger_Webby]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (steynboi @ Jun 20 2009, 07:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Li...JDV used his senses and put his arm under the ball so it would not be grouned hes smart then the flicks it out so it would be a 22.[/b]

If De Villiers gets his arm under the ball and holds it up, it's a scrum 5, attacking ball.

If Monye is judged to have lost the ball forward, it's a scrum 5, defending ball.

The referee seemed to misinterpret the situation and I don't see how a drop-out can possibly have been the end result. The ball was either lost forward or held up. It was just wrong. This of course begs the question as to why a television match official was appointed as part of this particular group of officials when he clearly doesn't have the necessary level of English. Either appoint an all French officiating team, a referee who is bi-lingual, or just make sure all the match officials are fluent English speakers and can actually understand each other!

 

[monkeypigeon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SaintsFan_Schweinsteiger_Webby @ Jun 20 2009, 08:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (steynboi @ Jun 20 2009, 07:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Li...JDV used his senses and put his arm under the ball so it would not be grouned hes smart then the flicks it out so it would be a 22.[/b]

If De Villiers gets his arm under the ball and holds it up, it's a scrum 5, attacking ball.

If Monye is judged to have lost the ball forward, it's a scrum 5, defending ball.

The referee seemed to misinterpret the situation and I don't see how a drop-out can possibly have been the end result. The ball was either lost forward or held up. It was just wrong. This of course begs the question as to why a television match official was appointed as part of this particular group of officials when he clearly doesn't have the necessary level of English. Either appoint an all French officiating team, a referee who is bi-lingual, or just make sure all the match officials are fluent English speakers and can actually understand each other!
[/b][/quote]

Yeah, and what happened to the penalty advantage that was being played before the nearly try by Philips that was given as a scrum to South Africa? If we got no advantage surely the penalty stood?

Edit: and Super Rob 'Jesus' Kearney was awesome today.

 

[Aeros]

Hopefully PDV puts Fourie at 13 from the beginning, Jacobs was exactly what I expected.

I personally think the Boks would have continued playing awesome if they kept Du Preez,Smit,Brussouw and Beast, the team fell apart after those subs, no one can argue about that, they DID dominate the first half.

Still we won, hopefully PdV got a big scare and realized (I think he did, sending Smit and Pienaar back) not to be an idiot.

I think Steyn did okay at 15, except for the two knock-ons.

Too much kicking by Pienaar (he did play well) and Pietersen seemed bad? Hopefully we'll see more of M.Steyn next week on his homeground.

I was delighted with the first half and disgusted with the last 25 minutes, but I still blame PdV.

 

[monkeypigeon]

Prematch from Planetrugby:

1 Tendai Mtawarira v Phil Vickery.

DM: Mtawarira is a strong scrummager and powerful ball carrier, while his defence is fearsome and he'll hit rucks for 80 minutes. However Vickery is the complete prop, executing the core duties consistently well, while adding that bit extra around the park that sets him apart from "Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeast".

DS: Vickery is back to his quiet and accomplished best on this tour, and in a game where scrummaging is set to be paramount, that will count for a great deal against the rawer Zimbabwean.

Verdict: Vickery.

Gotta love PR.

http://planetrugby.com/lions-09/story/0,25...5388349,00.html

 

[Aeros]

Hehe

I hope Schalk Burger doesn't start next week... Heinrich Brussouw is class.

I do think we should all just chill out, I'm seeing a lot of angry Lions supporters. Don't worry boys, we'll put in a real performance next week to show you how its really done

I have to say I was really really impressed by O'Driscoll and your backline.

 

[Cymro]

Just watched parts of the game ...

Vickery was dire, scrum only sorted itself out when Jones came on, Rees was pretty good to be fair. Bod and Robers were immense.

Oh and Steve-o ... Beast is a loosehead and so is Jenkins ... you might need to say Vickery who!

 

[steynboi]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MunsterMan @ Jun 20 2009, 08:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

If the SA defence was so much better why did the Lions score more tries and break the line way more, as well as waste try scoring chances with poor finishing. (Monye and Phillips)

If Adam Jones had started, the Lions would have won. Fact.[/b]

no disrespect but how is it a fact. it never happened not always is it down to players sometimes it fault lays with the coaches like PDV not playing fourie he could of stopped the centers alot more than jacobs did.

i don't get why all these lions fans think there gonna win everygame watching sky sports today they said its great to wear a lions shirt not really when 4 years ago you were disgraced by the kiwis hardly a proud shirt to wear.

imagine if there was a southern hemisphere team combining the aussies, africans and kiwis

but it was a great match

 

[Aeros]

"imagine if there was a southern hemisphere team combining the aussies, africans and kiwis"

That would never work, ever.

The Lions might have won IF Jones started, Bokke might have won with 20 points IF Fourie started, they might have won even further IF those subs never happend... IF...IF...IF...

We can't dwell on what MIGHT have happened all we can hope for is the coaches to realize what they did wrong, and to correct it (God please let PdV grow some brains)

I'd give Steyn another chance at 15 and start Fourie, Pienaar should kick less, maybe bring in M.Steyn or start him?

 

[Sir Speedy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (steynboi @ Jun 20 2009, 09:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

i don't get why all these lions fans think there gonna win everygame watching sky sports today they said its great to wear a lions shirt not really when 4 years ago you were disgraced by the kiwis hardly a proud shirt to wear.[/b]

Firstly, we don't think we'll win every game. In fact before the tour, you'd find very few British (and Irish...) folk who did. That doesn't mean we shouldn't back the team to win.

Secondly, lolwut at the New Zealand reference. What's that got to do with being proud to represent the British Isles (and Ireland...)?

Care to spout more nonsense? Or are you done for today?