Melbourne Rebels v British and Irish Lions (25/06/13)

[Amiga500]

I'd be tempted to do so, personally going with Tipuric and Faletau, but SOB was taken off early and Faletau played the full 80, so SOB looks likely to get a bench spot.

Indeed.

It looked like Gatland had his squad for the weekend picked before the players started the warmup today. Which to me is poor form from Gatland.

Faletau was immense throughout. SOB good in parts, forcing it a bit in others.

It is unfortunate for Faletau that Heaslip was probably our best backrower on Sat, otherwise he would almost certainly start. As it is, he could definitely do a great job off the bench.

I personally would go with a 6.O'Brien, 7.Warburton 8.Heaslip combo, with Faletau on the bench for Sat. It means you've decent flexibility in cover across the back row with 6 (O'Brien and Faletau) 7 (Warburton and O'Brien) and 8 (Heaslip, Faletau and O'Brien).

It also means every one of your backrowers is effective around rucks, mauls and the breakdown. With the back-3 the Lions have, you don't need a wannabe winger out there getting in the road - that body would be better served ensuring quicker supply of ball to that back-3.

 

[pd rugby]

I thought the back row at the end was well balanced (Croft, Tipruic and Faletau), and the back row at the beginning was well balanced esp if you add heaslip for Faletau. Shame that neither will be a starting back row for the tests. I can't see Croft on the bench for second row cover not strong enough, Gray would be better suited. Reckon Manu may start, with BO'D and Bowe will be on the bench with Farrell. Don't see Phillips being benched (would start with Youngs given his record against aus and the fact Genia has already ran rings around Phillips).

 

[Amiga500]

Ben youngs was excellent when he came on

He was good, he wasn't excellent - ignore Stuart Barnes.

Youngs had a complete mare against the Brumbies and I expect that is counting badly against him in Gatland's eyes - Gatland is probably not sure whether he trusts him or not. But uses him anyway as he is a better foil to Phillips than Conor Murray.

 

[Amiga500]

Oh, and I would have hooked Phillips the second he started jogging back after Genia ran around him for their 1st try on Sat and gave him a ticket for the first flight home right after the match.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

You could be right Dullonien, it seems unlikely that those guys who had a full 80 - evans, gray, Tuilagi, will into the test squad. On the other hand, you could argue that its only tuesday (the games on saturday) , and as substitutes any of those guys should have enough in the tank for then.

Croft as second row cover is really tempting, though not sure Adam Jones would appreciate being told to scrummage with that lot behind him . However, you'd think that would giev us a real edge at the breakdown, so maybe Gatland shares your thinking.

Amiga - your'e right that Youngs was gash against Brumbies, but his pack didn't do much for him... Murray had a pretty obliging pack today, and still looked crap.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I would also love to see a back row of 6.SOB, 7.Warburton, 8.Heaslip with Faletau on the bench.

Manu on the bench.
Bowe in for Cuthbert, with Maitland or Zebo on the bench?

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Seems unlikely that Fatty will drop Cuthbert, and why should he. If it wasn't for Cuthberts tries over the last year, Wales would have been half as succesful.

Also, you're forgetting that theres only space for one back after Farrell and Youngs... Probably be Bowe, so I think Manu will miss out.

 

[SelimNiai]

I call for Faletau to start Saturday, played so well today and on the whole has done all tour. Would be a crying shame to see him miss out.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

I call for Faletau to start Saturday, played so well today and on the whole has done all tour. Would be a crying shame to see him miss out.

Agree- he NEEDS to be in that 23 - arguably starting, but certainly on the bench , where I'd have him do ahead of O'Brien.

 

[lynam1104]

I call for Faletau to start Saturday, played so well today and on the whole has done all tour. Would be a crying shame to see him miss out.

He was certainly very good today but as others have pointed it our he played the full 80 hes unlikely to start, he may bench but i'm not sure. Also Heaslip was the best Backrow on saturday which makes the position difficult.

Game was overall good things for the lions, but a bit of a dud in terms of meaning we know the test team mostly and this just confirmed certain things or gave Gats an insight into who his bench will be.

And Henry I can only assume Bowe will start as it was mentioned he was fit and fully training so I imagine he will slot right in hes as fast as Cutberth and offers more in general.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

And Henry I can only assume Bowe will start as it was mentioned he was fit and fully training so I imagine he will slot right in hes as fast as Cutberth and offers more in general.

Completely agree he offers more... Just a question of whether Gatland thinks Cuthbert has done enough to be dropped... I'd LOVE to see Manu on the bench but I can't see it happening. I can't think of a better man to replace Brian OD after an hour...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Maybe the guys who played the full 80 today will still be in contention: Gatland always says he wants his training sessions to be as close to real match intensity as possible, so surely this is just a standard Tuesday training session for the guys?

 

[munstermuffin]

Completely agree he offers more... Just a question of whether Gatland thinks Cuthbert has done enough to be dropped... I'd LOVE to see Manu on the bench but I can't see it happening. I can't think of a better man to replace Brian OD after an hour...

As long as BOD is breathing he will be on the field. Bench will be Cuthbert Farrell and Youngs with Grant Hibbard SOB and Lydiate. Croft will remain at 6 with option of covering locks

 

[Zed]

Good performance from the Lions. I think Gatland should makes some unforced changes for the 2nd test. Youngs in for Phillips, possibly Felatau as well. Tuilagi had a good game, solid, but not enough to start. Bring him on with 30mins to go.

 

[dullonien]

Tuilagi was good when he got involved, but for some reason he barely touched the ball in the second half. Still worked hard supporting those around him at the breakdown etc. I think he'll just miss out on the matchday squad for Sat, because I expect Cuthbert to retain his place, with Bowe coming onto the bench.

 

[SelimNiai]

Think it should be said that Maitland had a good game, one stray pass asode he didnt do much wrong and took his try well. Certainly his best showing in the tour so far.

 

[dullonien]

Think it should be said that Maitland had a good game, one stray pass asode he didnt do much wrong and took his try well. Certainly his best showing in the tour so far.

Yeah he was better than his other performances, but Zebo was still better today.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Agree on that, I thought he was great too.

It has to be said that the second try was a beauty.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Tuilagi was good when he got involved, but for some reason he barely touched the ball in the second half. Still worked hard supporting those around him at the breakdown etc. I think he'll just miss out on the matchday squad for Sat, because I expect Cuthbert to retain his place, with Bowe coming onto the bench.

This is one thing that frustrates me: he spends lots of time offering extra protection at rucks, when I'd like to see him ready to receive the ball.

I think Tuilagi has done very well - his willingness to pass in my opinion shows that he respects the ability of the guys around him - where in an England shirt he's usually the main attraction. I'd actually like to see him take contact more often at 12 - we'd certainly see him make more line breaks that way.

 

[SelimNiai]

Yeah he was better than his other performances, but Zebo was still better today.

Not sure about Zebo being better. Not saying he was bad at all, cos he wasn't but it looked at times his stepping and twisting was confusing our players let alone the Rebels defenders.