Second Test: Australia vs. British and Irish Lions (29/06/13)

[Ospreylian]

Better side won. WG`s 'Valley Boy`s' junket is turning to sh*te somewhat, time to bring in Farrell, Croft, Cole, Manu, and Barrit! The Lions need some big country mentality to beat this weakest of the SH teams.

Yeah that's a brilliant idea! Genius! Let's play two of the most conservative, boring and one-dimensional attacking players around, Farrell and Barritt! Of course, that will unlock the Australian defence, obviously. How about we call up Alex Goode while we're at it, Halfpenny just isn't up to scratch.

I would be able to consider your suggestion to bring in Tuilagi and Croft if you attempted to argue your point logically, rather than spouting a random string of words.

 

[SelimNiai]

I thought Beale played really well. He looked sharp in attack and was always looking to run or bring payers in around him.

MOTM for me was Genia

He wasnt at his best, his kicking from hand was a bit shoddy, seemed to slice many, certainly wasnt getting anywhere near the distance on the kicks to touch

 

[McTallshort]

Its where a gobs***e hooker comes in handy. I miss Mark Regan sometimes

Dont we all, remember his immortal words to the Dunning in the 2007 WC QF "Get up jelly belly you've got another 70 minutes of this"

 

[Zed]

Yeah that's a brilliant idea! Genius! Let's play two of the most conservative, boring and one-dimensional attacking players around, Farrell and Barritt! Of course, that will unlock the Australian defence, obviously. How about we call up Alex Goode while we're at it, Halfpenny just isn't up to scratch.

I would be able to consider your suggestion to bring in Tuilagi and Croft if you attempted to argue your point logically, rather than spouting a random string of words.

Yeah Barritt is a good solid player, but he's not going to be the line breaker the Lions need. Tuilagi needs to come in for Davies.

 

[dasNdanger]

I thought Beale played really well. He looked sharp in attack and was always looking to run or bring payers in around him.

MOTM for me was Genia

Thanks for the feedback. I didn't get to watch the match today, will probably do so tomorrow. I'll keep an eye out for both.

das

 

[William18]

The Lions lost this game because of their inability to break the gain line in attack. Neither the backs nor the forwards were able to provide go forward ball or get the offloads going. So, their "go forward" tactic was to put the ball up in the air. Unfortunately, the lineout was poor - especially at the back.

The attempt to defend for 20-25 mins without leaking any points was ambitious. The only time I remember a team achieving this at test level was France v Wales in 2011 RWC

JD had a good tour until today, but he was terrible in this match. No line breaks, kicked away good possession and what on earth was he doing for the Aussie try? 3-on-3 and he just let his man run past him. Awful.

Lydiate did what Lydiate does. Lots of tackles - but he offered nothing in attack and the back of the line out was very poor. He gave away a penalty in our own half by just being stupid. You can't do that at test level - as the scoreline proved.

That said, I don't think the Lions need to do too much more to win the next test. Sort out the lineout, bring back our line-breakers, give Sexton a safe "go to" option that doesn't involve kicking and I think we'll be fine.

The Aussies' attack plan seemed obvious to me and it was very effective. They go the same direction tight numerous times and then, very quickly spray it wide in the opposite direction. They got loads of line breaks by doing this today and they did it for Falau's 2nd try last week and for AAC's this week. I'm very surprised that the Lions didn't figure it out and prevent their numerous line breaks.

What do the Lions need to do?

1. Bring back Croft for Lydiate to provide go forward attack ball and organise the back of the line out.
2. Bring in Tuilagi for Davies to break the line, or at least to make defenders worry.
3. STOP getting narrow in defense. Get their heads up and LOOK to see where the Wallabies attackers are
4. Sexton and Halfpenny need to stop kicking everything and vary the game more
5. Use the rolling maul more.
6. Actually use turnover possession and spray it wide and get our wingers into the match.

Also, I thought the ref was lenient on the Lions today in some of his decisions.

I had basically the same impression of the game. Good post!

 

[j'nuh]

Ugly stats: Aus had 2/3 possession and territory, made half the tackles, double the rucks, defenders beaten, passes and runs and three times the meters run with ball-in-hand. They're getting better with every half of rugby that passes I'm afraid. I don't see the Lions winning the third test unless they make some positive changes. Fewer tacklers, more attackers please.

Assuming Warburton is out:

1. Corbisiero (Grant jumps ahead of Vunipola to start if Corbs is still injured)
2. Hibbard
3. Jones
4. AWJ
5. Parling
6. SO'B
7. Tipuric
8. Faletau
9. Phillips
10. Sexton
11. North
12. BO'D
13. Tuilagi
14. Bowe
15. Halfpenny

16. Youngs
17. Vunipola
18. Cole
19. Gray*
20. Croft*
21. Youngs
22. Farrell
23. Cuthbert

* Gray on the bench to provide more physicality if needed. Should he come on for Parling, Croft is on the bench to help out in the lineout.

 

[BobbyH]

It was within Halfpenny's range. He's kicked plenty of kicks from further out than that. I was expecting him to nail it tbh. It's why he looked so gutted afterwards. Still a tough kick, and tonight it proved just too far.

Given Halfpenny had already tried and failed from that range with less tired legs at the start of the game, perhaps the call might have been to sub Farrell on just to take that kick. The way he places the ball at an extreme angle definitely gives him a few metres more than Halfpenny...

 

[William18]

Given Halfpenny had already tried and failed from that range with less tired legs at the start of the game, perhaps the call might have been to sub Farrell on just to take that kick. The way he places the ball at an extreme angle definitely gives him a few metres more than Halfpenny...

You can only sub during a stoppage. A penalty is not a stoppage.

 

[lynam1104]

Given Halfpenny had already tried and failed from that range with less tired legs at the start of the game, perhaps the call might have been to sub Farrell on just to take that kick. The way he places the ball at an extreme angle definitely gives him a few metres more than Halfpenny...

Agree that they shouldn't have gone for it from there but not that Farrel would've been better 1/2penny has a greater range.

 

[Largejanner]

Sorry, I assumed from your signature that you would be too busy shoving objects "up your arse" for the duration of the match to darken this thread with your presence.

Wow, reference to my arse and penis all in one post and signature, I`ll ignore the casual regional stereotyping though, you obviously have issues!
I do feel your pain, you Irish boys knew along that Gatland was a **** poor choice and that there is a world of difference between an over promoted club coach getting a team up to beat England in a one off game and a fortunate WC semi-final appearance and a coach with the tactical nous to win a test series in the SH. The one-dimensional Wales playbook and Gatland have been found out, and he had the gall to talk about the "English baggage"!

 

[InsaneAsylum]

wrapped with the result, again you can't separate the two teams but good to see we got the rub of the green this time around, roll on next week for the decider.

firstly, i'm going to forget about all the knock-ons, lets just call it square and say that both teams had shockers. Wallabies seemed to have much better go forward with ball in hand and Lions played the kick chase a lot better. It was a tough ask for halfpenny, i've seen him knock over 50+ kicks before.

JOC i thought showed some slight signs of improvement at 10, but still far from test quality and that brain fart carried back kick out on the full...well speaks for itself really. Genia was furious at him. simmons is soft as butter, useless and gave away the penalty at the end after joubert warned him off, shouldn't be there. MMM, Kimlin or Pyle are worthy replacements. also massive difference when we have an accurate goal kicker in Lealiifano.

I thought Warburton was amazing, seemed to be there at every breakdown and the Lions seemed to lack guidance once he went off. vunipola had a strange one, smashed in the scrum by joubert but made some pretty carries, that elbow on AAC was bull**** though. North and Izzy pretty much cancelled eachother out this week, but North's physical strength is incredible.

Should be interesting if Roberts comes in, he could knock blokes out with that chin

 

[Groundhog]

Wow, reference to my arse and penis all in one post and signature, I`ll ignore the casual regional stereotyping though, you obviously have issues!
I do feel your pain, you Irish boys knew along that Gatland was a **** poor choice and that there is a world of difference between an over promoted club coach getting a team up to beat England in a one off game and a fortunate WC semi-final appearance and a coach with the tactical nous to win a test series in the SH. The one-dimensional Wales playbook and Gatland have been found out, and he had the gall to talk about the "English baggage"!

So your suggestion is we play some of the most one dimensional players in the British Isles? Listen, I can't say I'm pleased with everything Gatland has done, but I didn't expect to be. He has been far in a way the most successful coach we have had in recent years, managing to build an excellent national side out of Wlesh club teams that recently have seen little success in the Heineken Cup. I'd also like to remind you that the "one dimensional Wales playbook" put 27 points between them and England, so it must be better than your multi dimensional english game plan. If you think the Welsh team has been fortunate with their success, then it must be a very long run of luck, because they have beaten England the last three times they met. That seems like consistency to me.

 

[Ospreylian]

Wow, reference to my arse and penis all in one post and signature, I`ll ignore the casual regional stereotyping though, you obviously have issues!
I do feel your pain, you Irish boys knew along that Gatland was a **** poor choice and that there is a world of difference between an over promoted club coach getting a team up to beat England in a one off game and a fortunate WC semi-final appearance and a coach with the tactical nous to win a test series in the SH. The one-dimensional Wales playbook and Gatland have been found out, and he had the gall to talk about the "English baggage"!

You do realise the Lions only lost the game by one point? Gatland is doing a pretty good job with the player base he has, which consists of a lot of big physical types, and not so many exciting running backs.

And sorry, but how was it a "fortunate" WC semi appearance might I ask? Wales were the 2nd best team in that tournament in many people's eyes, and showed that level of form in all matches. They were knocked out after a debatable decision by Rolland, and even then they only lost that semi by 1 point with 14 men for most of the game (they also scored the only try).

When Gatland was talking about the "English baggage" I think he was referring to things like the Tuilagi jetty jumping incident or the dwarf tossing incident. England have, in the recent past, been involved in controversial matters while on tour and I don't think anyone could deny that. Some of the players involved are on this tour, so I'm pretty sure Gatland was giving a warning to those players who were more likely to offend again.

 

[Largejanner]

So your suggestion is we play some of the most one dimensional players in the British Isles? Listen, I can't say I'm pleased with everything Gatland has done, but I didn't expect to be. He has been far in a way the most successful coach we have had in recent years, managing to build an excellent national side out of Wlesh club teams that recently have seen little success in the Heineken Cup. I'd also like to remind you that the "one dimensional Wales playbook" put 27 points between them and England, so it must be better than your multi dimensional english game plan. If you think the Welsh team has been fortunate with their success, then it must be a very long run of luck, because they have beaten England the last three times they met. That seems like consistency to me.

So the Lions choose a coach and the bulk of the squad for a tour of Australia on their ability to beat England, how very Celt!
Only an idiot would build his test team around the players from a nation that lost 3 nil to the Wallabies last year, Gatland is that idiot.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Boys ignore Largejanner is just a troll / WUM with nothing better to do in his life.

 

[sifplay]

So the Lions choose a coach and the bulk of the squad for a tour of Australia on their ability to beat England, how very Celt!
Only an idiot would build his test team around the players from a nation that lost 3 nil to the Wallabies last year, Gatland is that idiot.

This is why you lot struggle to beat one country when you combine 4 against it. As soon as you lose you at each others throat and the English blame the Welsh. The Welsh the Irish and all that the Irish can blame the Scots for is drinking up all the booze coz they did not played much of a part in it.

 

[Ospreylian]

So the Lions choose a coach and the bulk of the squad for a tour of Australia on their ability to beat England, how very Celt!
Only an idiot would build his test team around the players from a nation that lost 3 nil to the Wallabies last year, Gatland is that idiot.

Yeah Gatland! F***ing idiot, leading Wales to 3 Six Nations ***les since 2008. What was he thinking?? Back-to-back 6N ***les? F**K THAT.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

This is why you lot struggle to beat one country when you combine 4 against it. As soon as you lose you at each others throat and the English blame the Welsh. The Welsh the Irish and all that the Irish can blame the Scots for is drinking up all the booze coz they did not played much of a part in it.

Bullsh*t.

The English blame everyone else, and everyone else blames the English

 

[SelimNiai]

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