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

[TRF_Olyy]

What was up with the Lions' defense today? The people I was with were screaming blue murder at Watson for getting too narrow, but I didn't think it was his fault, he was getting pulled in because the midfield were getting turned in

Faz Sr. loves the blitz defence a lot, I think it was a coaching thing. Not seen Watson so consistently out of position (wrt his opposite man) so much before so he must have been told to defend much narrower

 

[Nubiwan]

I thought Williams was pretty poor today.

Correct, but he was still, the right choice before the game. That was my point. Terrible all round game by both sides, in fairness. Tells us very little. Therefor a bit of a let down.

 

[munstermuffin]

Vunipola
George
Koch
Kruis
Itoje
Rhodes
Burger
Vunipola
Wigglesworth
Farrell
Maitland
Barritt
Taylor
Earle
Williams

Tolofua
Barrington
Figallo
Skeleton
Fraser
Spencer
Lowoski
Goode

Not to bad.

That's impressive. And I know they get slated at times for splashing the cash but their academy is impressive too. A good set up. Themselves, The Tigers and Sale were usually the hot beds for academies

 

[Nubiwan]

Yep Davies was awesome. A lot of English posters on here doubted him and preferred their own Joseph who was pretty quiet. I haven't seen these guys so Joseph probably is the man but yeah Davies was the best Lion for me. The winger with the small dreads went really well as well. Itoje was slightly overrated, he made no breaks, no big hits, he was just a ball winner, boring. Sinkler another solid player. SOB was good too. I could go on but those were my pick from the bunch.

To be honest, I thought Davies at fault for the barrett try. Found himself watching the ball and expecting farrell to miss his tackle, and left his man open to take the offload pass from lamaupe (sorry sp?). Similarly, Watson had pinched in for god knows what reason, and both him and Davies were exposed wide, as barrett basically walked in. It was our worst defending on the day. In fact, in review, he was a bit lazy on the laumape try as well, if i am being honest, as the latter read the situation and put his head down to get there, while Davies rather cantered.

And for the customeary dislike from the the valley boy, here is the highlight reel to show Davies good and bad sides today.

Otherwise thought him awesome.....

 

[valley commando]

How can you receive a ban and still be posting?

The ban was for 24 hours pre that post, I understand why I was banned previously but there was no good reason this time and the mods don't have the decency to tell me.
The only reason I can think of is that they are Mods and I used to be a Rocker. But seriously mods it would be nice to be told why and which post got me a 24 hour ban.

 

[ncurd]

The only reason I can think of is that they are Mods and I used to be a Rocker.

+1

 

[valley commando]

To be honest, I thought Davies at fault for the barrett try. Found himself watching the ball and expecting farrell to miss his tackle, and left his man open to take the offload pass from lamaupe (sorry sp?). Similarly, Watson had pinched in for god knows what reason, and both him and Davies were exposed wide, as barrett basically walked in. It was our worst defending on the day.

Any opportunity to slag off a Welsh player and you jump on it, get over yourself chap.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

That's impressive. And I know they get slated at times for splashing the cash but their academy is impressive too. A good set up. Themselves, The Tigers and Sale were usually the hot beds for academies

They splashed a huge amount of money on the academy TBF.
Sale is still pretty good.
Tigers has suffered a bit due to having to re-direct more funds to the senior squad. (On top of having to splash cash on a new hybrid pitch and money into the new hotel and Multi-storey car park which TBF both should give us a very healthy income source).

 

[valley commando]

Scotland are better than Wales currently, Ireland and England I think the difference is home advantage between the two sides but overall England are better who have been far more consistent in racking up wins with one loss since the RWC match against Australia.

No Scotland are not better than Wales at the moment, they beat us in the 6N, first time in ages and it will be a long time before they do again, like others on here you take any opportunity to have a pop at Wales. Wales who provided the best lions coach and captain since Carwyn James and John Dawes.

 

[Nubiwan]

Looking at the last "knock on" anyone agree that it perhaps went backwards?

 

[valley commando]

Yep Davies was awesome. A lot of English posters on here doubted him and preferred their own Joseph who was pretty quiet. I haven't seen these guys so Joseph probably is the man but yeah Davies was the best Lion for me. The winger with the small dreads went really well as well. Itoje was slightly overrated, he made no breaks, no big hits, he was just a ball winner, boring. Sinkler another solid player. SOB was good too. I could go on but those were my pick from the bunch.

Fox was man of the match for me and overall the best Lions back this tour.

 

[ncurd]

Wales who provided the best lions coach and captain since Carwyn James and John Dawes.

Martin Johnson and Ian McGeechan might have something to say about that...

Anyway I'm going agree to disagree, I'm not going to take a bunch of dislikes trying to explain to you how poor we've been.

 

[valley commando]

England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland have improved since the last RWC. For years its been the SH that were the top 3 in rugby. Now that the Lions countries are good, I knew this Lions team would be the hardest, probably the best ever assembled. I thought the Lions would win this series, I never posted it or even said it but I knew it would be tough for the All Blacks. We did well to prevent a loss from the finest of the in form nations.

My top 5 best teams in the world right now.

1. All Blacks - Lions
2. Ireland
3. England
4. Wales
5. Scotland

France above Scotland

 

[TRF_Olyy]

They splashed a huge amount of money on the academy TBF.

Right way to do it, tbf. They bought some success with all the Saffas, then invested that into the academy.
Much better than the French model of buying success then using that cash to buy more OAPs from the SH on inflated wages

 

[vegoon]

No, I want fire insulated hotels.

Is that a reference to the Grenfell Tower?

Because if so it's not very funny and I'm surprised no one else has called you out on it

 

[mosfeldt]

One thing I learned from this tour is that Jonathan Davies is f***ing excellent. Not looking forward to him tearing us a new one again.

SOB and Davies Lions players of the series IMO. Also Sexton > Farrell (in terms of fly halves)

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Right way to do it, tbf. They bought some success with all the Saffas, then invested that into the academy.
Much better than the French model of buying success then using that cash to buy more OAPs from the SH on inflated wages

Yep
Brought a winning culture then invested heavily in the academy to soak up that winning culture and gradually replace the old guard.

 

[munstermuffin]

Right way to do it, tbf. They bought some success with all the Saffas, then invested that into the academy.
Much better than the French model of buying success then using that cash to buy more OAPs from the SH on inflated wages

All English teams have smarter models than French Olyy.
Like your own club breeds them out but seem to struggle to get them to stay and be passionate about club. Like the heads get turned easy to move.
On Sarries they seem to have bought guys who are passing on knowledge smartly too

 

[The5thOfficial]

Well! This thread descended into the usual. I think you hard core forum guys forget to actually 'enjoy' a match tbh. Funny old thing drawing a series. But I got wrist-slittingly sick of hearing in the week build up that the ABs were hurting and they would make the Lions pay dearly for the loss last week. Its about 5 hrs after the match finished and I'm still waiting for the pay back. For what its worth I understand the AB fans here ill tempered crass comments in places because you don't lose that often. You might need to get used to it judging by today performance, and last weeks

 

[Groundhog]

Vunipola
George
Koch
Kruis
Itoje
Rhodes
Burger
Vunipola
Wigglesworth
Farrell
Maitland
Barritt
Taylor
Earle
Williams

Tolofua
Barrington
Figallo
Skeleton
Fraser
Spencer
Lowoski
Goode

Not to bad.

You put my boy ***i Lamositele in there or I slap yo mouth boy.
Have to agree with others though Saracens used their money very intelligently. Won't be a flash in the pan like French successes have been. Still have no time for them as an organisation but great team