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

[Leonormous Boozer]

So far everyone on this tour has been a loser! NZ are a lot worse than last year.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

Odd, i thought it was along the lines of (very) bad defense as opposed to good offense. Nothing special about it, lions just look lost. Score is very flattering for them.

 

[TommiG88]

NZ should be further ahead. The Lions have been predominately crap apart from a handful of players.

 

[87Dreamer]

I thought you weren't allowed to jump across the lineout?

How can they jump across when Itoje stands offside every lineout

 

[Reiser99]

Itoje looks closer to the middle in the line out because his arms are so long. Could just reach across, give the opponent a quick slap on the head.

 

[Truth]

NZ should be further ahead. The Lions have been predominately crap apart from a handful of players.

I don't think so. The Lions IMO are the 2nd best side in the world. This is the best of the best.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Lucky to only be down by 6 tbh,
ABs will be looking to catch the ball occasionally in the 2nd half, we'll be looking to remember how to play rugby.

I don't think so. The Lions IMO are the 2nd best side in the world. This is the best of the best.

You're the only one who thinks that, though.
Are the Barbarians the 2nd best side when they get together? This is a scratch side with a scratch coaching staff who have had a few weeks together ever. That they win anything is remarkable tbh. That's part of the charm, though - chuck a load of enemies together and see what they can cobble together against the best sides in the world.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

Odd, i thought it was more along the lines of (very) bad defense as opposed to good offense. Nothing special about it, lions just looked lost. Score is very flattering for them.

 

[munstermuffin]

1st half summary is New Zealand have left 15 points or so out there and are on cruise control. I admit Warburton doing well but as a unit backrow has been poor. Faletau and AWJ haven't been seen. Was last week a fluke against 14 men with no backrow? It's looking that way. How can everyone except Gatland see scrum issues?

 

[KeyboardWorrier]

Lions have been utterly annihilated so far.

 

[Maverick1987]

How many times on this tour have we been offside at the line out?

478 ...... haha

 

[ncurd]

I don't think so. The Lions IMO are the 2nd best side in the world. This is the best of the best.

Nope I think a full strength Ireland or England side are better than this. The Lions have been rubbish in comparison.

 

[TommiG88]

I don't think so. The Lions IMO are the 2nd best side in the world. This is the best of the best.

I haven't seen Farrell play this badly for a number of years. Williams looking dodgy at full back, he's struggling to do the bread and butter for his position. The up and unders for NZ aren't being contested like they are in NH and he's dropping most of them.

 

[Bluemoon]

Expected the massive increase in the intsenity from
NZ and I'd say that the Lions have just about used their defence well enough to hold them about, apart from that last try.

I like that the backs are being a little more direct in attack, the problem is that the lions are playing, or from the right areas.

Liam Williams is looking nervy, and Faz had a poor start but has settled in to the game.

Lions need the next score, that's for sure.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Lions have been utterly annihilated so far.

Maybe, but it's not reflected on the scoreboard and that is what matters. Only 6 points in front.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Great kick from sexton, pressure and territory. The. We give a soft penalty away. Can't win like that that, especially against the abs

This absolutely. Lovely kick into corner but no competition on the lineout and then silly penalty. Those moments cost you and aren't acceptable.

 

[TommiG88]

478 ...... haha

It must have occurred in at least 5 games.

 

[ncurd]

1st half summary is New Zealand have left 15 points or so out there and are on cruise control. I admit Warburton doing well but as a unit backrow has been poor. Faletau and AWJ haven't been seen. Was last week a fluke against 14 men with no backrow? It's looking that way. How can everyone except Gatland see scrum issues?

I forgot AWJ was playing! Good thing Itoje can play the role of two players!

 

[Reiser99]

I think Alpha is still upset about Sexton.

AB's playing some nice rugby, but making a lot of handling errors that is keeping the Lions in this.
Itoje having a great game, Mako doing well, Warburton has been far better, but still needs to get involved more. I'd get Lawes on soon, possibly Stander too as I don't thnk Faletau has done too much. Faz having a shocker, I'd have Te'o on instead. Overall so sloppy penalties and mistakes costing the Lions.

 

[Bluemoon]

Nope I think a full strength Ireland or England side are better than this. The Lions have been rubbish in comparison.

I think all four of the nations would be more coherent than this attack. England are absolutely better. Ireland, on their day, also better.