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

[SelimNiai]

Hockey... are you a closeted Canadian? It was also the perfect ending, gave Boston some payback for the Leafs

Not that I know of :lol:

 

[j'nuh]

I don't think Barnes has an English player bias. He just prefers certain players and those are more likely to be English. Ben Youngs was the man of the match before he came near the pitch, Sean O'Brien was of course perfect in every way too. And lets not even start on the perfection that is Farrell. If you're a lock you just get ignored and Conor Murray only gets commentated on when he fecks up.

I agree. Barnes seems to comment on what he knows from a player's reputation, rather than what he sees in front of him unless there's something very notable in front of him (eg a penalty kick, a turnover, a well-worked try). I think this is bad enough, but what makes it worse is that since he commentates on the same teams most weeks, he builds up a knowledge of certain players reputations, but knows very little about the other players. It isn't because Youngs is English, but because he's a Tiger. (Same with players from Leinster, Northampton, Saracens etc.)

 

[TommyVercetti]

Halfpenny, Bowe, BOD, Tuilagi, North, Sexton, Phillips, Vunipola, Youngs, Jones, AWJ, Parling, Warburton, Faletau, Tipuric

Bench: Grant, Hibbard, Stevens, Croft, O'Brien, Youngs, Farrell, Cuthbert

Davies is unlucky to drop out with his form, but Manu is the type of ball-carrier we need in midfield and alongside BOD, the perfect foil. Cuthbert unlucky to be demoted, but I have a feeling Cummins will start for Oz and Folau will switch wings so I'd rather Bowe defend against him than Cuthbert. Croft as 2nd row cover is a bit of a risk but so what, I think we should take a few risks and try and wrap up the series now rather than be conservative and risk laying down and dying and letting them even it up. It's clear from the fact that - having only won because Beale couldn't convert a kickable penalty in the last minute - we need to make improvements so I think that comes in the form of changes. I think the Aussies will really step it up at the breakdown in the next text so the all-Welsh backrow is purely to be as competitive in that area as possible.

 

[Thingimubob]

Halfpenny, Bowe, BOD, Tuilagi, North, Sexton, Phillips, Vunipola, Youngs, Jones, AWJ, Parling, Warburton, Faletau, Tipuric

Bench: Grant, Hibbard, Stevens, Croft, O'Brien, Youngs, Farrell, Cuthbert

Davies is unlucky to drop out with his form, but Manu is the type of ball-carrier we need in midfield and alongside BOD, the perfect foil. Cuthbert unlucky to be demoted, but I have a feeling Cummins will start for Oz and Folau will switch wings so I'd rather Bowe defend against him than Cuthbert. Croft as 2nd row cover is a bit of a risk but so what, I think we should take a few risks and try and wrap up the series now rather than be conservative and risk laying down and dying and letting them even it up. It's clear from the fact that - having only won because Beale couldn't convert a kickable penalty in the last minute - we need to make improvements so I think that comes in the form of changes. I think the Aussies will really step it up at the breakdown in the next text so the all-Welsh backrow is purely to be as competitive in that area as possible.

Pretty much the team I'd pick, love to see that back row play again. Only difference I'd have is have is one of Hogg or Davies on the bench instead of Cuthbert.

 

[Butty1]

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.

I agree, Faletau was excellent, a team can not carry 2 back row players who like to play wide or even on the wing...... Heaslip and Croft play too wide. Back row must be balanced. A 6 must be a hard working tackler (AKA Richard Hill in 2001 - man mountain and keystone to test 1 win). Lydiate will give that, or Faletau at 8 if you don't play him, warburton needs help can't jackle and tackle all on his own, some else has got to do the dog work. Bowe on the bench in the backs, Manu should be on the plane back home, not ath is best, that shoulder injury has rocked his confidence.
Also does Paul Wallace get paid money every time he mentions an Irish player on sky, he's very good at it.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Did you watch the first test, or today's game, Butty?

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Butty1]

Halfpenny, Bowe, BOD, Tuilagi, North, Sexton, Phillips, Vunipola, Youngs, Jones, AWJ, Parling, Warburton, Faletau, Tipuric

Bench: Grant, Hibbard, Stevens, Croft, O'Brien, Youngs, Farrell, Cuthbert

Davies is unlucky to drop out with his form, but Manu is the type of ball-carrier we need in midfield and alongside BOD, the perfect foil. Cuthbert unlucky to be demoted, but I have a feeling Cummins will start for Oz and Folau will switch wings so I'd rather Bowe defend against him than Cuthbert. Croft as 2nd row cover is a bit of a risk but so what, I think we should take a few risks and try and wrap up the series now rather than be conservative and risk laying down and dying and letting them even it up. It's clear from the fact that - having only won because Beale couldn't convert a kickable penalty in the last minute - we need to make improvements so I think that comes in the form of changes. I think the Aussies will really step it up at the breakdown in the next text so the all-Welsh backrow is purely to be as competitive in that area as possible.

Sorry but Davies has been the most consistent player in the backs on tour. He wins all the strength test and Manu has only played just over a game on tour, not at his best, defence at 12 isn't that good, looks like he's lacking in confidence....
Bowe on bench. Remember his hand injury.......full 80 with contact, maybe not

 

[Butty1]

Did you watch the first test, or today's game, Butty?

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I've watched them, more than once...sad really

 

[TommyVercetti]

Sorry but Davies has been the most consistent player in the backs on tour. He wins all the strength test and Manu has only played just over a game on tour, not at his best, defence at 12 isn't that good, looks like he's lacking in confidence....
Bowe on bench. Remember his hand injury.......full 80 with contact, maybe not

Yes Davies has played well, however it's about balance. You can't simply just chuck the best 15 players in and hope for the best, or their wouldn't be the point of positions. I don't care about 'strength tests' (sounds like some bull**** you just made up anyway to try and add weight to your arguement), he's clearly not a crash-ball option and I think we need that for gainline success to build momentum upon, and Tuilagi is the type of player who BOD flourishes alongside and capable himself of bits of magic.

 

[Groundhog]

Yes..... Irish players are being over mentioned.

 

[Butty1]

Yeah, I think the same.
Not too sure on it, though. In theory Croft could do 10/15/20mins in the donkey row and it'd be fine, bit imagine if AWJ took a knee to the temple 50seconds in. I'd rather an actual lock was about to cover.

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Is that instead of a stamp to the face in the third minutes, sorry I mean an off balance miss places stray boot......how silly of me...!

 

[Butty1]

Yes Davies has played well, however it's about balance. You can't simply just chuck the best 15 players in and hope for the best, or their wouldn't be the point of positions. I don't care about 'strength tests' (sounds like some bull**** you just made up anyway to try and add weight to your arguement), he's clearly not a crash-ball option and I think we need that for gainline success to build momentum upon, and Tuilagi is the type of player who BOD flourishes alongside and capable himself of bits of magic.

You could use the 6ft 6 inch wingers for that type of work, Davies is a class ball player with an excellent left peg.12's need to be able to play and read the game, not sure Manu fits that bill. He's a great ball carrier but you need more at 12

 

[dullonien]

He does make a point regarding the back row. Ideally you don't want your openside making 50% more tackles than the other two back-rowers if you also want that openside to be competing for the ball in the ruck. With Polock's interpretations of the laws at the breakdown, maybe Warburton consigned himself to a tackling role, because he knew there was no point competing over the ball, but if the ref this Sat allows more competition, I hope the other two backrowers get into double figures when it comes to tackling, so Warburton can swoop in and compete for the ball, instead of having to be the one who makes the tackle.

Faletau's stats for today's game are impressive on ESPN's scrum, 16 carries making 60m, 7 passes, and 13 tackles. Lydiate put in 15 tackles. Compare this to Croft and Heaslip who made 8 and 9 last Sat, they need to put in a little more work in that department if they start the second test or our best jackler will be out of the game.

Edit. Kindly reminder Butty1. If you want to quote more than one person you can use the multiple quote option. Select the "+ button on the initial posts you want to reply to, and on the final one hit 'reply with quote' and all the posts you selected will appear in one reply box. You can also edit a previous post to add more if you wish. Saves double posting, and keeps things looking a little neater.

 

[Jockstap]

He does make a point regarding the back row. Ideally you don't want your openside making 50% more tackles than the other two back-rowers if you also want that openside to be competing for the ball in the ruck. With Polock's interpretations of the laws at the breakdown, maybe Warburton consigned himself to a tackling role, because he knew there was no point competing over the ball, but if the ref this Sat allows more competition, I hope the other two backrowers get into double figures when it comes to tackling, so Warburton can swoop in and compete for the ball, instead of having to be the one who makes the tackle.

Faletau's stats for today's game are impressive on ESPN's scrum, 16 carries making 60m, 7 passes, and 13 tackles. Lydiate put in 15 tackles. Compare this to Croft and Heaslip who made 8 and 9 last Sat, they need to put in a little more work in that department if they start the second test or our best jackler will be out of the game.

Edit. Kindly reminder Butty1. If you want to quote more than one person you can use the multiple quote option. Select the "+ button on the initial posts you want to reply to, and on the final one hit 'reply with quote' and all the posts you selected will appear in one reply box. You can also edit a previous post to add more if you wish. Saves double posting, and keeps things looking a little neater.

At the beginning of the first test selection, Heaslip made more metres per carry than Faletau while having played less, this is why he's consistently being picked, he works harder. O'Brien has played brilliantly all tour, he had more turnovers and made more tackles than Warburton before the first test, as the pudits have consistlenly mentioned he's the form back rower of the tour, it's his penalty count that stands against him. I agree with the calls for Lydiate though, he's been excellent, has a huge engine and now that O'Connell is gone I'd have him in for his workrate. My backrow for the tests would be

6 Lydiate
7 O'Brien
8 Heaslip

The Stats before the first test - http://www.rugbyworld.com/news/blog...tlands-test-selection-and-what-the-stats-say/

 

[Butty1]

At the beginning of the first test selection, Heaslip made more metres per carry than Faletau while having played less, this is why he's consistently being picked, he works harder. O'Brien has played brilliantly all tour, he had more turnovers and made more tackles than Warburton before the first test, as the pudits have consistlenly mentioned he's the form back rower of the tour, it's his penalty count that stands against him. I agree with the calls for Lydiate though, he's been excellent, has a huge engine and now that O'Connell is gone I'd have him in for his workrate. My backrow for the tests would be

6 Lydiate
7 O'Brien
8 Heaslip

The Stats before the first test - http://www.rugbyworld.com/news/blog...tlands-test-selection-and-what-the-stats-say/

I hadn't seen them stats, thanks for sharing them. Heaslip has made more meters but out on the wing (where back rowers should be....not), Faletau makes the hard yards. Back to the stats.....my back row, it would never get picked, but well balanced and backed by the stats.

6 Lydiate
7 Tipuric
8 Faletau

Also both Young brothers to start and Bowe on the bench. Tom Youngs was man of match in first test. Awesome game.

 

[j'nuh]

I hadn't seen them stats, thanks for sharing them. Heaslip has made more meters but out on the wing (where back rowers should be....not), Faletau makes the hard yards. Back to the stats.....my back row, it would never get picked, but well balanced and backed by the stats.

Teams need to play with a little fluidity. There's nothing wrong with a backrower appearing in the backline every so often, especially in attack.

 

[Saintjay]

If you are a lock not named Courtney Lawes, you get ignored! Another who Barnes has a hard on for

And me.

Me for Courtney. Not Stuart Barnes for me. I have not met Herr Barnes if I had it might be a different story. He's not made out of wood.

 

[McTallshort]

Are we still talking about the backrow! The most competitive area on the tour with a real lack of any injuries.

I think you could play a number of combinations but I think Gatland will pick Croft for his lineout combination with Youngs (something the Lions have struggled with), Warburton because he is captain and has played very well this tour and Heaslip because Falatau has played a full game today. It is a winning combination and thats why Gatland will stick with it but if the 2nd test is lost then I could see a change in all 3 positions for the final test with Lydiate, SOB and Falatau. Can I also add how unimpressed I have been with Tirpiric I understand he may not have had the most chances but he really has not done much with the time he has had.

 

[dullonien]

Can I also add how unimpressed I have been with Tirpiric I understand he may not have had the most chances but he really has not done much with the time he has had.

Most tackles, and most turnovers of any Lions player prior to the first test isn't doing 'not much' in my view. Very few penalties given away as well. He's not had the opportunities to show that phenomenal open field running, but still....

Imo he's been better than SOB this tour, despite having less opportunities. I would have loved to have seen the Warburton-Tipuric combination this tour, a little surprised it's not been tested at least once.

 

[McTallshort]

Yeah playing against who? would like to see those stats