Test Match 2: All Blacks v British & Irish Lions (Wellington)

[MikeTheNative]

I understand the Warburton selection considering last week and I think the lions will be attacking the breakdown a bit more. Don't see how Henderson doesn't get in the 23 however and I'm not entirely convinced on the Nowell selection but it's a toss up between him North and Seymour really.

 

[RugbyMarvel]

I have briefly written up my views here;

[rugbymarvel.wordpress.com]

Jones must have some seriously risque pictures of Gatland, otherwise how is he still holding onto his test place.

Rugby Marvel called the Sexton/Farrell axis, but lets see if it now works...

Please comment with your views, like if you like it and follow if you want to read more!

RM

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Warren Gatland ladies and gentleman.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

North and Henshaw out of the tour with injuries so were never in contention for 2nd test.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

So the first test taught us that the ABs play at a much superior pace. We've responded by....

....playing Faz at 12. Like him a lot but he's scarcely the fastest thing on 2 legs and has displaced one of the few really form players. Rather than keeping SBW relatively quite by engaging him in mano a mano as last week, this time we've given him licence to cause chaos in our tactical command, an axis that has barely been tested. He'll be licking his lips at the prospect.

....retaining AWJ. I thought he was worth the gamble last week, but was wrong. Difference between Gatland and me is that I've realised it.

...adding Warbs, who IF he is fit, certainly isn't in form.

....putting the jet heeled Nowell on the bench, who's had his struggles on tour. (That's unfair of me, especially as North is ruled out).

On the plus side Itoje is a no brainer.

Some are suggesting that the starting XV / bench balance has the aim of a bench to keep us in it the last 20 when NZ are so strong. Trouble is that NZ will kill you whenever they sense weakness, whether that's the first 20 or the last. This could be all done and dusted by half time.

 

[Groundhog]

Don't really understand why O'Mahony is being made a scapegoat for the first test honestly. He had a good game, and the Lions were still in touch when he went off, not that that's solely down to him or anything, but people are really misrepresenting him. If they went for a big carrier type I would understand it, but Warburton brings a lot of what of O'Mahony does, minus a line out and form. Stander (if he's been properly rested) or Itoje would have been ok. This is not Welsh bashing, I just don't understand the decision. Tipuric too is an incredible player, I would have been cool with.
AWJ, what can I say. It's a weak call. Shouldn't be in the 23 for reasons everyone knows are obvious
Stander was run through the mill for that long against the hurricanes and then is put on the bench for this one? ******* pick one Gatland. Risking his health doing this stuff. Seriously, managing substitutions should not be hard for a coach with his experience. There should be place for guys like Tipuric and Henderson who are having serious tours.
The Positives for me? The backs look good. Back three is good, but North would have been good for the side. Shame he's injured. Huge Nowell fan, but he's not a 'finisher'. I do worry about how Farrell will deal with SBW, Te'o shut him down reasonably well, but J.Davies should have even more opportunity to run at the Blacks. Lawes should bring the desired impact too, but he should have started.
Another positive is if you were planning on buying a Lions jersey they'll probably be on sale come Sunday.

 

[Saint Matt]

He's on a bit of a hiding to nothing really. He's made a gamble but he's not got any choice this week, have to go all out. Mixture of calls:

I'm not sure I'd have gone with AWJ, think I'd have started Kruis with Itoje. He's trusted him to control our line outs but you're effectively a man down in the loose. Kruis wasn't great last week but he's an outstanding line out forward and is a more mobile body around the field.

Back row, tough on POM but on paper, I get it. If you pick Farrell at 12, you want a mobile 6/7/8 and hopefully Warbuton will give us something at the breakdown. 7 and 8 are pretty obvious selections.

I like Farrell at 12 but that's a call he should have made before the tour. Sexton and Farrell have played what, one game together? It's tough enough to gel as it is on a Lions tour and that's with 3/4 games. 10/12 is huge link and you need understanding there. To ask Farrell to defend there v SBW on the back of playing barely a game in that position all tour is a huge call. Should improve our attack though and an extra kicking option. It's the right call, I believe, but should have been made earlier.

I see why he's gone with Stander on the bench but maybe he should have took him off earlier in midweek.

With a game like this, if there isn't a stand out option, I'd always trust your best players despite form. I'm not sure it'll matter though, we could put any 23 out and it'd be tough against NZ. For a group of players to come together in a couple of weeks and take on a team that has been together for however long, in modern rugby that's harder than its ever been.

 

[TopTen2003]

Don't really understand why O'Mahony is being made a scapegoat for the first test honestly. He had a good game, and the Lions were still in touch when he went off, not that that's solely down to him or anything, but people are really misrepresenting him. If they went for a big carrier type I would understand it, but Warburton brings a lot of what of O'Mahony does, minus a line out and form. Stander (if he's been properly rested) or Itoje would have been ok. This is not Welsh bashing, I just don't understand the decision. Tipuric too is an incredible player, I would have been cool with.
AWJ, what can I say. It's a weak call. Shouldn't be in the 23 for reasons everyone knows are obvious
Stander was run through the mill for that long against the hurricanes and then is put on the bench for this one? ******* pick one Gatland. Risking his health doing this stuff. Seriously, managing substitutions should not be hard for a coach with his experience. There should be place for guys like Tipuric and Henderson who are having serious tours.
The Positives for me? The backs look good. Back three is good, but North would have been good for the side. Shame he's injured. Huge Nowell fan, but he's not a 'finisher'. I do worry about how Farrell will deal with SBW, Te'o shut him down reasonably well, but J.Davies should have even more opportunity to run at the Blacks. Lawes should bring the desired impact too, but he should have started.
Another positive is if you were planning on buying a Lions jersey they'll probably be on sale come Sunday.

So for me I don't think POM is being made a scapegoat but rather an acknowledgement that the Lions have focussed on the breakdown area this week.

The great irony of course this week that it may well lash it down on Saturday which would have suited him to a tee!

The bench does have a serious amount of impact this week but I would argue that there were players who should be starting and then players who would have been equally awesome bench options.

(E.g Lawes starting, Hendo on the bench, AWJ dropped & Tipuric/Stander over Warbs with him dropped and one of them on the bench).


Has anyone got a blinkin' clue on what the defensive plan for Sonny Bill might be? Gatland mentions the importance of it in the presser but he's picked Sexton-Farrell...?


Will Davies line up at 12 in defence with Farrell taking the outside runners?

 

[ALJ]

Last week the Lions backs did well, kept SBW quiet, made breaks and found space - I just don't know why you'd change the starting line up, particularly in such a crucial position (would probably have put North in for Daly but that's not an option).

The forwards were caught napping in terms of tactics and speed of thought - tactics were superb by Hansen and naive by Lions. Speed of thought is what the ABs do best and that's where the Lions need to improve most IMHO.
Given the midweek game, there's only so much you can do with changes yet the really obvious one has been missed (AWJ) and quite how you go from test captain to being out of the 23 is something I can't really explain.

I also fear we lack ball carriers tbh.

 

[valley commando]

I stayed up till 1.30 to see this shite, AWJ shouldnt be in the 23, Tipuric and Biggar should be, Biggar has been the form 10 on tour and merits a place on the bench, don't think Farrell has lived up to the hype and question his inclusion as well. Good to see Nowell in the 23.
Overlooking the best 7 in the NH criminal, for that alone Gats should get a medium sized prison sentence.

 

[McTallshort]

Well if they win all will be forgiven....but they wont

 

[valley commando]

Extreme displeasure towards Gats, not happy that he has gone a little way forward in selecting Itojoe and Nowell in the 23, but overlooked 2 players that have been the best performing players in their particular shirt, Tips would get into any international side (unless Gatland and Howley are involved and say what you like but Biggar is without question the form 10 on tour and deserves a bench spot. AWJ is extremely lucky as is Farrell who for me has been poor.
Henderson is being punished at the expense of the team for his yellow which is ridiculous.

 

[The Jones Boy]

Gatland you numpty, not only are you decreasing the chances for the Lions success, you are also robbing all fans of a tighter tougher contest you Waikato blimp.
We all want to see the best team and it just doesn't look like the best team is being chosen.
If the LIons win the second test then fair play but if they don't and they get abit of a drubbing, Gatland, you are done.

 

[munstermuffin]

What I don't get is seriously what impact have we?
McGrath - A good player but a starter. Him starting and Mako off bench is much more powerful. Also slightly undercooked.
Owens - Not in great form but if he plays well he is an impact.
Sinckler - A good player. I like him and well he's in form.
Lawes - On form but hopefully not flogged and drained from Tuesday. Got a rest so going well he will impact game.
Stander - Was literally flogged to bits Tuesday so can't see it.
Webb - Will do what Webb does
Te'o - Can be good but not the option for chasing a game off bench
Nowell - Again like Stander

 

[munstermuffin]

Extreme displeasure towards Gats, not happy that he has gone a little way forward in selecting Itojoe and Nowell in the 23, but overlooked 2 players that have been the best performing players in their particular shirt, Tips would get into any international side (unless Gatland and Howley are involved and say what you like but Biggar is without question the form 10 on tour and deserves a bench spot. AWJ is extremely lucky as is Farrell who for me has been poor.
Henderson is being punished at the expense of the team for his yellow which is ridiculous.

It's crazy every nation seems to rate him as a top 7 except Wales

 

[Big_Grumper]

I understand the Warburton selection considering last week and I think the lions will be attacking the breakdown a bit more. Don't see how Henderson doesn't get in the 23 however and I'm not entirely convinced on the Nowell selection but it's a toss up between him North and Seymour really.

I'm not convinced by Nowell either and would have used Seymour.

 

[Gavin]

It pains me to say it but I hope that the B&I Lions get smashed and Gatland never gets another coaching job in the NH.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

It pains me to say it but I hope that the B&I Lions get smashed and Gatland never gets another coaching job in the NH.

I mean I kind of want him to stay as head coach of Wales along with Howley if I'm being honest...

 

[MikeTheNative]

I mean I kind of want him to stay as head coach of Wales along with Howley if I'm being honest...

Some people are so mean, I can't believe you would wish that on us.

 

[munstermuffin]

I mean I kind of want him to stay as head coach of Wales along with Howley if I'm being honest...

The Natural Successor