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

[anderton46]

Rhys webb plays the sort of low tempo rugby you'd imagine a SH prop would manage.

 

[dullonien]

Our forwards have been shown up a little for pace imo. Unable to get to the breakdowns quick enough to compete. NZ are lethal with quick ball.

Owens for George (he's more mobile)
Itoje for AWJ
Lawes for Kruis
Tipuric for SOB

Sexton for Faz

 

[Reiser99]

At least the Lions haven't scored a couple of tries at the end when the game has gone to hide the problems. That was Englands problem. Oh look they just lost...no they lost completely.

There is definitely a blueprint to win here, just needs refining and a few changes as people have suggested.

 

[Penne Rara]

Crockett, arrgghhhhh

 

[Truth]

Rather boring last 15 minutes. Had the Lions scored it would've made this game much better. As expected All Blacks won but this Lions definitely brought it to the All Blacks.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Davies is so powerful

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Nice consolation try.

 

[Saint Matt]

Warburton has missed more tackles than other 3 backrowers. How is that possible?

Atrocious. What exactly does he offer off the bench? He isn't good enough to start and brings no impact at all. Our replacements have been really poor, we lose a line out in good position, Sexton throws a murder of a pass in the build up to the try. That scrum finished the game off, all over when NZ went more than a score in front.

Went exactly as most predicted, soft errors, not clinical enough and lost concentration at key periods. Couple of nice moments but not consistent enough or decisive enough to come close to winning.

 

[dullonien]

Maybe Webb for Murray as well.

Murray was decent throughout, great kicking early on, but that's not what we need imo.

 

[Maverick1987]

Rather boring last 15 minutes. Had the Lions scored it would've made this game much better. As expected All Blacks won but this Lions definitely brought it to the All Blacks.

Did they ? I saw the ABs in total control for 65 of the 80 minutes probably .....

 

[anderton46]

Rhys webb plays the sort of low tempo rugby you'd imagine a SH prop would manage.

 

[Reiser99]

Maybe Webb for Murray as well.

Murray was decent throughout, great kicking early on, but that's not what we need imo.

No, loose kicks are even more dangerous. Maybe Webb could have come on earlier to snipe against a tired defence.

 

[Bluemoon]

FAZ-Sexton was a fail. Murray was slow, but I don't think the tactics he's been asked to play were the right ones.

11-15 were very good. 4-8 had a tough day - need a faster back row.

 

[munstermuffin]

It can be argued Sexton AWJ Warburton Kruis and maybe 1 or 2 played themselves out of 23.

Both centres and Liam Williams only 1s who really guaranteed starts

 

[TRF_Olyy]

All Blacks just never switch off, you can't give them an inch.
Three tries from pouncing on the slightest chances. Just ruthless.

 

[smartcooky]

30-15.

That score flatters the Lions a little. I don't think they were that close frankly

All Blacks nailed their opportunities and dominated the contact areas for the most part.

 

[anderton46]

It can be argued Sexton AWJ Warburton Kruis and maybe 1 or 2 played themselves out of 23.

Both centres and Liam Williams only 1s who really guaranteed starts

Agree. What was most surprising for me was Kruis. I see him as that guy who makes almost no mistakes and is the model on consistency. So its such a shame that in his biggest game he had one of his worst. Watson and Daly were also quite good, although I can imagine North being drafted in just because he'll feel the need to try and change something.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Biggest sin of the Lions is every time the ref blows his whistle they all go to sleep and stop paying attention to what is happening. When do you ever see NZ turn their back on the opposition and wander around aimlessly after the ref blows his whistle? NH teams really need to sort it out. Mistakes happen but turning off every single time the ref blows is just **** attitude.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Well mid week team have all to play for in terms of breaking into the test 23. Lawes is one who can, as well as Stander.

 

[Maverick1987]

30-15.

That score flatters the Lions a little. I don't think they were that close frankly

All Blacks nailed their opportunities and dominated the contact areas for the most part.

Bugger off smart cooky now I have to agree with you haha . The lions were completely outplayed for start to finish in almost every area .

It's ok to talk about leaving tries on the field but that's what happens when you have an invitational side . Imo it's becoming a waste of time . There's not much chance England would beat the ABs and they are together 15 weeks a year (at a guess) there's no way the lions can win when they are together for 5 weeks . It's time to look at alternatives imo maybe a tour up in the NH ? Home advantage may act as a leveller ?