3rd test - Australia v British & Irish Lions

[Grizwald]

Sione tore his pec before the 6N but returned for Glasgow and was playing 80 minutes in the last few games of the season - also bagged a couple of MOTM awards. Hopefully we'll find out more about his fitness after the tour but he looked good in the warm ups and the first 60 of the first test.

Think it was his bicep, but tomatoe, tomato.

 

[ncurd]

So two changes to starting 15 and 1 change to the bench from a winning team.

Why are people acting shocked, surprised and/or dismayed?

 

[curtbob7]

Harsh on Genge and Chessum.

Aki lucky that Tui is injured.

Kelleher lucky to be ahead of George as well IMO.

 

[Which Tyler]

So two changes to starting 15 and 1 change to the bench from a winning team.

Why are people acting shocked, surprised and/or dismayed?

Is anyone?

Just speaking for myself, I'm underwhelmed, annoyed and resigned.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

9 consecutive Lions test starts for Furlong is quite impressive.

 

[Grizwald]

9 consecutive Lions test starts for Furlong is quite impressive.

It is and matches AWJ. Itoje will be 34 next tour so a reasonable chance he could make some history.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I don’t like the amount of Irish that seem to have found their way in, Ryan doesn’t deserve the start over Chessum, Porter doesn’t over Genge either and Farrell on the bench is an eyesore.

That being said, there are no Borthwick level stupid selections.

I won’t get to watch the game live though as I’ll be driving the family to the coast. Poor admin by me I know.

 

[Which Tyler]

I won't get to watch the game live though as I'll be driving the family to the coast. Poor admin by me I know.

Leave (very) early to "beat the traffic"?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I think Ryan is in because of how much the pack struggled first half last week coupled with him being very good off the bench. He'll tackle anything that moves and hits rucks like a demon. Can play the McCarthy role, minus the carrying, a lot better than Beirne or Chessum.

 

[munstermuffin]

Harsh on Genge and Chessum.

Aki lucky that Tui is injured.

Kelleher lucky to be ahead of George as well IMO.

Genge is held back on purpose. Is seen as a finisher like last week. Nothing to do with form. He is flying it and Faz said on him specifically it so that levels are at a premium all the way through.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Mad that he'll be back up to Baird this autumn now.

 

[dirty harry]

Im concerned that this team relatively unchanged partied after last Saturday, and have nothing to play for.

I genuinely think this is such an uninspiring selection Aus will be extra motivated to turn the 1st team over.

I would have wanted at least 6 changes, specifically for flair and highly determined players to prove a point, to keep the team high tempo and motivated. I get it, its elite sport, players should be highly motivated, butbits the top inch that makes the difference, and its virtually impossible to reach that with nothing to play for.

I would have wanted to see George, Chessum, VDF, Morgan, White, VDM start, with at least Smith on the bench.

Farrell on the bench just stinks IMO.

 

[Groundhog]

TOO. MANY. IIIIIIIRRRIIIIIISH. Why are they still allowed to take part when they abandoned the Union. If the Scots even think the word referendum again we should booth them too!

In all seriousness, it's a dead rubber. I won't be able to watch it and I'm not put out by that. Selections are meh. From a biased POV I think VdF has been a bit shafted. Owen Farrell obviously exceedingly lucky.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Owen Farrell obviously exceedingly lucky.

Presume you mean unlucky? Should be starting and captain.

 

[Ddanno]

It'll be a matter of who wants it more.
Do the Aussies want revenge, and the Lions just want to be home?
Or do the Lions want a white-wash, and the Aussies just want to be anywhere else?

It's all a bit "3rd place play-off at the RWC"

I'll probably watch it, as I've nothing better to do this weekend, but I won't bother to walk the half-hour in to the club

Yeah definitely dodgy stream day for me and I'll be half watching it while I play Bloodborne or something

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Alex Mitchell has been named in every 23 of the tour.

Poor lad hasn’t been able to go out on the sesh once.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Alex Mitchell has been named in every 23 of the tour.

Poor lad hasn't been able to go out on the sesh once.

Oh to be a Lion not in the match day squad tomorrow. What a session.

 

[Reiser99]

Oh to be a Lion not in the match day squad tomorrow. What a session.

Surely they can't relax yet. Someone can still get injured

 

[ncurd]

Surely they can't relax yet. Someone can still get injured

Would be quite having to start someone who has clearly been on the lash.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Surely they can't relax yet. Someone can still get injured

I think it's generally a match day contingent of about 28-30. The 23 specialist positions and then an outside back and back five player.

There's a good 8 lads whose duties are done.