Test Match 3: All Blacks v British & Irish Lions (Auckland)

[Caitlyn Jenner]

Last match for Cruden and Faumuina.

And 50th for both!

 

[Pom in Exile]

Long time lurker, first time poster.
Despite the obvious selection issues and despite all reason, common sense and history pointing towards an ABs win...I've got a feeling in my water that the Lions are going to sneak it (pretty sure it's not my prostate).

 

[Red Enigma]

The Lions have never faced a team as remotely as strong as this one - if they keep 15 guys on the field. The strike power is phenomenal and when Perenara links up with the starting 10,11, 12 and 15 it will just be a matter of how much the AB's win by. Watched far too much rugby over the last 60 years not to recognise a great team when I see it. The Wellington shambles was simply a "one-off" event and the Lions took advantage. Good on them, they won fair and square and scored the tries. Now they face a team significantly stronger than the 1st two tests - particularly on attack - and I expect the final score to show it. Hope we see some of that Hurricanes flair and our tight five catch their passes when caught up in the backline. Hope both sides end up with full teams on the field, no injuries force changes, and the referee swallows the pea in his whistle.

 

[mustardcharlie]

The Lions have never faced a team as remotely as strong as this one - if they keep 15 guys on the field. The strike power is phenomenal and when Perenara links up with the starting 10,11, 12 and 15 it will just be a matter of how much the AB's win by. Watched far too much rugby over the last 60 years not to recognise a great team when I see it. The Wellington shambles was simply a "one-off" event and the Lions took advantage. Good on them, they won fair and square and scored the tries. Now they face a team significantly stronger than the 1st two tests - particularly on attack - and I expect the final score to show it. Hope we see some of that Hurricanes flair and our tight five catch their passes when caught up in the backline. Hope both sides end up with full teams on the field, no injuries force changes, and the referee swallows the pea in his whistle.

Well I must disagree. I think this is one of the weakest NZ teams, I have seen. May be not 60 years but rugby since '63. I remember Colin Meads. Zinzan. Dan Carter. They are still favourites of course, (NZ) but I'm going for the Lions to win it by more than 5 points.

 

[Nubiwan]

The thing about Warburton is we can't actually say he was the right call as he played against no opposite number and as a unit it was against a 2 man backrow. So the jury is 100% out still on that 1

Too right. This nonsense over not changing a winning side. We played 14 men for an hour FFS. Justifies nothing, and proved little for our back row competing for ball against 2 opponents. Plus a pack that couldn't really get ascendency with a man advantage.

 

[Red Enigma]

I am happy you disagree - no need for a forum if everyone agrees and rugby is a notoriously subjective game to analyse. Perhaps I should have qualified my comments to acknowledge the game has changed a lot over the years. The AB's now have backs bigger than forwards, but just as fast or faster than the old style backs.. How are the lions going to handle the guy who gets little attention - Julian Savea, one of the worlds leading test try scorers and a guy miffed at being dropped for a slow period when other stars get to play their way into form. Forget how these guys played for the Hurricanes against the Lions - they were missing Ardie Savea, Perenara and Beady Barrett - all key parts of the combo. Today they are all involved and hopefully the world will see their class. If the lions win I will be the first to congratulate them but sadly I just can't see it, no matter how many times I rerun the videos to judge their potential. Just cracked open another bottle to steady the nerves - going to be a long day!!

 

[Nubiwan]

Thats the spirit.
No point to get up in the morrning if you think you're going to lose.

Well, I will be. Rather hoping we win, but expecting defeat. No shame in that, and not at all arsed to admit it. I'll still be breathing after the match and move on, win or lose.

To win we need - mako to shore up his scrummaging - lions to reduce penalties - lions be more clinical with chances in red zone - defend like madmen - ref to send off an AB.

In all seriousness, no need to expect a blowout tomorrow. At even strength in the 2nd test, the lions were stronger. Against 14, they're were shocking.

 

[Nubiwan]

I am happy you disagree - no need for a forum if everyone agrees and rugby is a notoriously subjective game to analyse.

Etc. Etc.

Just cracked open another bottle to steady the nerves - going to be a long day!!

Confidently nervous then. That's convincing.

 

[Nubiwan]

Totally different era. Getting ****** on tours in those days was par for the course irrespective of nationality.
Selecting on merit trumps everything else.

would it were true for this tour......

 

[Nubiwan]

Yes, I haven't said Scotland didn't deserve more, largely at the expense of some Welsh players, I've said the problem with Scotland is 1 year where they up their performance simply isn't enough to push ahead of others. Using the A beat B argument, Ireland should dominate the Lions as they beat both England and the ABs. The reality is you look at current form as well as form over a longer period of time, you want to know your players are consistent. The Australian wins have been impressive, the loss to Fiji wasn't. That's what I mean about consistency, you can't have players being as up and down as the Scots still are. The 6N are again proof of that, beating Wales and Ireland but then falling to pieces against England. Glasgow doing well in Pro 12, falling to pieces against Sarries. Scots have not shown an ability to continue putting in good performances, they switch too readily between good and absolutely ****. Do you really want players that prone to flip flopping against NZ? When Scotland can string together a series of wins then maybe they will get a look in. On only 2 occasions in the entire history of the 6N have Scotland managed to win 3 games. 2 times!

So basically, the Scots have a long long history of being poor at rugby and quite frankly don't deserve to simply be handed respect and places on a platter, they have a lot of earning to do and that will only come through winning. If they continue to win then credit to them, respect will come. However they can't keep losing more than they win and still demand they be respected, it just doesn't work that way. Look at what England have had to do to earn the respect of other nations, it's taken a hell of a lot of work for us to not be deemed a bit of a joke side by the Irish and Welsh and that was with England actually winning more games than either of them in total each year. Scotland will also have to work hard and earn it and right now it seems many Scottish players aren't willing to accept that fact. I've also found a fair few of the Scottish players are loathe to give respect whilst demanding they receive it. Their attitude towards England in particular is frankly embarrassing.

Well said..... Doesn't excuse cronyism in the lions camp.

 

[Nubiwan]

21 pages and the match has still not begun!

I'll make that 23.

 

[KeyboardWorrier]

It's 22 pages.

 

[Nubiwan]

Long time lurker, first time poster.
Despite the obvious selection issues and despite all reason, common sense and history pointing towards an ABs win...I've got a feeling in my water that the Lions are going to sneak it (pretty sure it's not my prostate).

An excellent first post......

 

[Nubiwan]

It's 22 pages.

Hang on a bit

 

[The Jones Boy]

Squeaky bum time...

If any of you are in London and want a rowdy crew to enjoy the rugby with, we will be down at the Belushi's in Hammersmith across from the Pc and District line tube stations.
You should hear us long before you see us.
A bunch of crusty old mongrels in black.
Good luck to all and sundry.

 

[KeyboardWorrier]

I was in London this time last year. Awesome city (duh).

 

[The Jones Boy]

Where are you now...

 

[KeyboardWorrier]

... right behind you...



In Australia.

 

[The Jones Boy]

Ha Ha, It wouldn't be hard to get behind me, I've got the turning circle of the ***anic.
Aussie?
Really?
Whadja do wrong?

 

[Pom in Exile]

An excellent first post......

I may have 'peaked' a bit early, but it wouldn't have been the first time.