Test Match 1: All Blacks v British & Irish Lions (Auckland)

[KeyboardWorrier]

 

[General Melchett]

Fair enough on your thoughts. However I've met him and I can tell you he is a decent personable down to earth guy, willing to spend time chatting with the likes of me and plenty of others at an ex internationals retirement do, he arrived at around 8pm and didn't leave until after midnight, long after his commitment to the event, taking time to chat openly over a beer with all and sundry.

His style reminds me of Sir Alex Ferguson - hungry, intimidating, deadly serious no nonsense kind of guy who hates losing and uses siege mentality tactics with tea cups flying and the old hair drier treatment at half time. But is also known to be personable and good company in social situations.

 

[corny]

On game tomorrow there was a great review on Off Ball and by position this was the jist.
1. Mako and Jack McGrath both in great form. And it could be argued it'd be better with Jack starting as Mako is the better finisher but both have form.
2. Same as above. George could be seen as a finisher but what was interesting is how Gatland see's Owen as the perfect finisher.
3. Easy to pick Furlong and Sinckler. Also both on form
4/5 - AWJ is lucky but Itoje is key to finishing games and needs that impact no other lock bar Henderson can offer.
Backrow. Starting 3 easily picked out. The bench again mentioned Warburton won't offer the impact of a Stander or Tipuric and this may be key.
9. Easy explained.
10. It was said Farrell deserved it as both have been playing very well BUT Sexton has played well the last 2 weeks but before that he had 2 awful months where Farrell has been consistent.
Centres. It was said they have been the form guys by a country mile in squad and the stats showed. BOD was on this and said he reckoned Payne was possibly in as his stats that were good. But Henshaw he reckons has had very poor handling this tour and that may be part of reason behind his poorish tour.
Back 3. Was agreed they are form guys but was noted as a caution that despite their individual talents the lack of time as a unit may be small issue and it's not as if they have the fall back of playing together at international level in past.

Its said a lot that Warburton doesn't have the same impact......but might be completely wide of the mark. Players coming off the bench have to do more than carry.

Its likely the game will be tight by the time he comes on. So, making tackles and fiercely contesting an obscene number of rucks might be the order of the day. Thats Warburtons game in a nutshell so he might offer plenty of 'impact'.

 

[Bluemoon]

Its said a lot that Warburton doesn't have the same impact......but might be completely wide of the mark. Players coming off the bench have to do more than carry.

Its likely the game will be tight by the time he comes on. So, making tackles and fiercely contesting an obscene number of rucks might be the order of the day. Thats Warburtons game in a nutshell so he might offer plenty of 'impact'.

I'm really not getting the idea that Sam can't carry or won't offer an impact. He really can carry.

I'll accept that he hasn't got Tipuric's ball skills, but he is better over the ball and in defence. He also is very good at organising a defensive line around the ruck. The real question is whether he is fit. If he's fit, then the bench spot is warranted for me. For what it's worth I see Stander being involved in a test at some point.

Really excited now gents. Alarm clock set. Bacon ready for the morning. As is the beer!

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Guess it's unlikely that the game will be on in Kefalonia airport. So it's ears shut and devices off all the way home and then watch as live.

Enjoy the match, everyone. Hope it's a right proper dust up.

 

[TopTen2003]

Well, we've debated the selection, analysed the performances, and been engrossed in the tour. It's now down to business.

Like many others in the British and Irish Isles, the bacon and eggs are ready, and the alarm is set.

Go Lions!!!

 

[General Melchett]

Its said a lot that Warburton doesn't have the same impact......but might be completely wide of the mark. Players coming off the bench have to do more than carry.

Its likely the game will be tight by the time he comes on. So, making tackles and fiercely contesting an obscene number of rucks might be the order of the day. Thats Warburtons game in a nutshell so he might offer plenty of 'impact'.

He and North are taking up two valuable squad places, AWJ too if he doesn't perform tomorrow. Sorry but there are too many reputation picks for my liking and not enough emphasis on form and fitness.

 

[The Jones Boy]

I think it's a strong Lions team and a strong Lions bench.
If the Lions can play cohesively and dictate the pace of the game they will go a long way toward having a tight test match.

Chances are at some stage this All Black team will click and kick into a higher gear, thats when the Lions game management will be at its most needed and thats when the big names must stand up and deliver.

Excitng game on the way.

 

[munstermuffin]

I'm really not getting the idea that Sam can't carry or won't offer an impact. He really can carry.

I'll accept that he hasn't got Tipuric's ball skills, but he is better over the ball and in defence. He also is very good at organising a defensive line around the ruck. The real question is whether he is fit. If he's fit, then the bench spot is warranted for me. For what it's worth I see Stander being involved in a test at some point.

Really excited now gents. Alarm clock set. Bacon ready for the morning. As is the beer!

This is more the wider issue. A fully fit Warburton is a great player. But he's at 60% I think.

On Stander being involved in tests I agree. Can see at least 30 guys over 3 tests playing

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Being told at the end of your shift to be in in 6 hrs for the Lions glamorous life of a barman or what!

 

[Jockstap]

So just back from one or two drinks and I reckon we're going to absolutely dick the All Blacks. Bunch of shaking babies,can't pronounce fish so and so's, not sure if I should use an apostrophe there. Anyway I reckon Farrell is the perfect man for the job, sure he's basically Irish anyways, that's where he gets his good looks from, himself and O'Mahony could be twins, good luck Lions and I know you'll have mayed the Kiwis by the time I wake up.

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

can't pronounce fish so and so's, not sure if I should use an apostrophe there.

Apostrophe should go after the 's'.

 

[KeyboardWorrier]

Oh man, this is gunna be a siick test match. Got the Pizza dough ready, got the beers. Finally, some proper rugby competition.

 

[Jockstap]

Apostrophe should go after the 's'.

At 5 in the morning that's a win imo.

 

[smartcooky]

The welsh squad isn't top quality. Gatland has now far more depth with the Lions than he used to have with Wales. This will be a close one.

With all that talent of four unions at his disposal, in 2013 he struggled to beat a rock bottom Wallaby team (2-1) . The All Blacks thumped the same Wallaby team 3-0 in the same season, and the South Africans beat them 2-0.

Of all the NZ coaches coaching overseas, I rate Schmidt and Cotter considerably higher that Gatland. With only a limited talent pool at his disposal, Cotter did absolute wonders with Scotland. How good he would have been at say Wales, or Ireland?

 

[GoTheNaki]

Just over 3 hours to go....... I'm really not sure which team is gonna show up from both parties tbh. Do the ABs allow the Lions to stifle them like they did the Maori's? I just feel there are too many line busters in the ABs for something like that to happen... But I've seen the Chiefs and Crusaders both neutralise Beauden Barrett and his back-line recently, so surely that tape has been looked at more than once... Idk. If we break the line and score in the first 10 minutes, and have had chances before that, then I'll feel a lot better. But if the Lions are slotting penalties to get to 6-0 etc, and the ABs aren't getting anywhere, it's going to be a frustrating night for me.

 

[KeyboardWorrier]

Just over 3 hours to go....... I'm really not sure which team is gonna show up from both parties tbh. Do the ABs allow the Lions to stifle them like they did the Maori's? I just feel there are too many line busters in the ABs for something like that to happen... But I've seen the Chiefs and Crusaders both neutralise Beauden Barrett and his back-line recently, so surely that tape has been looked at more than once... Idk. If we break the line and score in the first 10 minutes, and have had chances before that, then I'll feel a lot better. But if the Lions are slotting penalties to get to 6-0 etc, and the ABs aren't getting anywhere, it's going to be a frustrating night for me.

The Lions will have to be leading by atleast 10 at half time to have a chance.

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

Have dropped a cheeky $10 on Mako at $81 to score the 1st try. I'm hoping he is the 1st and last of the Lions' successes in this game!

At 5 in the morning that's a win imo.

Hell, if you're still awake you might as well just soldier through to the game...

 

[GoTheNaki]

The Lions will have to be leading by atleast 10 at half time to have a chance.

Idk man.......... It feels like vs France 2015 all over again... You know.. When the country knows we've got a good team, and that we probably should win, but **** happens. I feel like then.

 

[Penne Rara]

Idk man.......... It feels like vs France 2015 all over again... You know.. When the country knows we've got a good team, and that we probably should win, but **** happens. I feel like then.

You mean 2007? France got destroyed in 2015