Generally the Lions played well against the Baa baas, but obviously we can't read too much into anything against such a weak and half-arsed opposition. God they were terrible. How can such a great looking team on paper just be so inept?
Farrell should be nowhere near that squad. I would have taken Biggar, Burns, Wilkinson, Flood, Paddy Jackson, Priestland, Hook, Ruaridh Jackson, and even Henson over him. The lions made 20 kicks out of hand - way too many against an opposition that had a ridiculous amount of defensive holes to exploit - and a lot of these were aimless kicks to touch or kicks back in-field from Farrell. He got himself isolated numerous times, which led to fast turnovers. He got charged down. He lashed back at Brits when he should have kept cool. He offered nothing in terms of attack. I just cannot see how he got on the plane. Can we just play Sexton for the rest of the tour and have Halfpenny or Tipuric or anyone else as back-up? Why take a player just to keep that player's daddy happy?
Brits should have been red-carded for his punch. Cannot understand why swearing at the ref (Hartley) gets you red-carded, yet swinging your fists full-force at someone's face is a lesser offence. The latter sets a far worse example of the sport imo. Hartley is a douche, yes, but I don't believe anyone can be absolutely certain he directed his swearing at Barnes, or at Tom Youngs, as he claimed. Brits' offence on the other hand is black and white.
I thought Tipuric played out of his skin. He is ridiculously fit, and was making some great runs and working hard even in the last 5 mins (in sweltering heat). I've said it before, but he would be one of the absolute definite starters for the tests for me, perhaps the most definite.
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