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

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

You put my boy ***i Lamositele in there or I slap yo mouth boy

Lamositele will sign for Munster IMO.

 

[Nubiwan]

The ABs were put under pressure...funny old thing pressure.

Indeed. Those Canes backs were not playing New South Wales today, although some of the handling errors were just poor. Unfortunately scrappy game, by both sides, kind of left the tour sputtering at the end. Need a 4th test

 

[The Jones Boy]

A most enjoyable series, the Lions stock has risen, they were worth the ticket price.

Some great young talent on show for NZ but this team needs a couple of years together (at least in the backs) to build understanding and I remain unconvinced that Laumape is big enough for this level. He reminds me of Sam Tuitupo.

 

[Groundhog]

Lamositele will sign for Munster IMO.

That would be a dream come true. I would be straight out the door to have his name printed on my jersey

 

[Nubiwan]

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.

Wow! That's a nice looking line up. Nice to see that side tour and play some Super Rugby sides. Unfortunately, in this day and age, Rugby tours at the highest club level don't exist. Recall playing provincial rugby always meant matches against some of the best Welsh, Irish, English and Scottish sides were I played. Used to be 10-15 touring sides a year minimum. Got to play against some of the best. Even at club level at times. None of these sides tours any more. Some don't even exist, or have been amalgamated into Pro 12, Magners, prem' etc., elite sides now too. It is why the Lions tour is sooooo special for rugby. Very unique in pro sport. Great tradition.

 

[Nubiwan]

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

Well, I picked on Davies for the first try who, to me at least, pinched unnecessarily to double tackle Laumape, and left his own man, who took the offload, and open space behind. Watson then pinched in turn, and was rather isolated by the mistake by Davies. Easy untouched debut try for Barrett. Sloppy first phase defending was rancid. Not sure what Williams was doing.

Cue the Valley Dislike to add to my collection of 20 plus form the same poster

 

[Nubiwan]

Couple of things from the highlights here:

Opening passage- Pass by Farrell was just not on. Should have kept ball in hand. Typical of the Lions trying too hard to rush things in the red zone. Having seen his pace many times before this, I thought Barrrett would have gone 90 and scored. Well done Williams to track him down - just. Davies did fantastic to track down Laumape. Watson clearly had the pace over Savea to get back in support (was it Savea?)

First try - you just knew the kick was on. Great play by both Barretts. Laumape read the chance and bust a gut to get there, and Davies just never reacted the same.

2nd Try - fancied the Lions over committed inside (Davies) and left ABS 13 free to run through and give Barrett an easy debut try. The Dagg run held Farrell, and Davies simply pinched when he never had to. Watson was then lost too. Williams also committed inside when the cover was maybe there. Poor defence it has to be said all around, but a set play from the Abs, not unlike SBW offload to West earlier in the tour..

Knock On at the end - Looking at the last knock on again, the more I see it, the more I want it to have gone backwards from the knock down. If it was forward, then I am afraid that has been called as a pen anywhere else. Indeed, the ref called a peb straight away, and was correct.

This 5 minutes shows the differences in the two sides IMHO. Lions are good enough to compete in a grind, but the ABs still have the better basic skills and belief that they are better.

 

[The Jones Boy]

Knock On at the end - Looking at the last knock on again, the more I see it, the more I want it to have gone backwards from the knock down. If it was forward, then I am afraid that has been called as a pen anywhere else. Indeed, the ref called a peb straight away, and was correct.

Arrrgghhh !!!
Now you're rubbing it in.

 

[ncurd]

Arrrgghhh !!!
Now you're rubbing it in.

As someone else noted Barrett would of likely missed anyway so I wouldn't get too worked up about it

 

[Nubiwan]

Arrrgghhh !!!
Now you're rubbing it in.

I am happy we are all unsatisfied with the result

 

[Every Time Ref]

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.....

I disagree entirely, I rewatched that play after the match to see how we got exposed and for me it's all Farrell. Farrell is turned in almost from the moment Barrett has the ball in his hands for some reason, so the space is outside him. He does well to get back and just about drag Laumape down anyway, but Davies has already turned in to cover for his error - and it's the right decision IMO.

I'd post screenshots if I didn't have better things to do, but watch the video again keeping your eyes on Farrell and hopefully you'll see what I mean

 

[Nubiwan]

I disagree entirely, I rewatched that play after the match to see how we got exposed and for me it's all Farrell. Farrell is turned in almost from the moment Barrett has the ball in his hands for some reason, so the space is outside him. He does well to get back and just about drag Laumape down anyway, but Davies has already turned in to cover for his error - and it's the right decision IMO.

I'd post screenshots if I didn't have better things to do, but watch the video again keeping your eyes on Farrell and hopefully you'll see what I mean

Well, after watching it several times again, I edited a subsequent post to say that Farrell was occupied by Daggs run. Farrell had tackled his man, whether it was clean or not, Laumape was going down, Davies' man ran on through untouched. Perhaps I was harsh on Davies, but the passage simply indicates how much better the Abs are in the offload, across their team.

I m still right to question Davies commitment for the 1st try. Just watch himself and Laumape's reaction after the kick. Another untouched try.

I still thought Davies had a great game ad series. You can nitpick bits of everyones game.

 

[bushytop]

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.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion and Wales-bashing does seem particularly popular around here but while Scotland in fairness beat us convincingly during this 6N... u may be 'conveniently' forgetting the Wales performances against England and Ireland during the same tournament.

 

[ncurd]

Everyone is entitled to an opinion and Wales-bashing does seem particularly popular around here but while Scotland in fairness beat us convincingly during this 6N... u may be 'conveniently' forgetting the Wales performances against England and Ireland during the same tournament.

I seam to remember winning....

 

[bushytop]

Me too, England really put it together in the last 5 minutes and they took the plaudits but it was a great test match with both teams pushed to their limits. We did actually manage to put Ireland away a few weeks later though with a great all around showing.

All I'm trying to say is that Wales take a lot of heat around here, some deserved and some not. They performed well in the two games against what are considered the number 2 & 3 in the world (rightly so too), so while there is clearly things to moan about Wales (it has been a hobby of mine since 1989), they aren't quite the turgid mess that some seem to peddle.

 

[Nubiwan]

Everyone is entitled to an opinion and Wales-bashing does seem particularly popular around here but while Scotland in fairness beat us convincingly during this 6N... u may be 'conveniently' forgetting the Wales performances against England and Ireland during the same tournament.

I'll submit to being one of the worst offenders on here for some (Welsh player) selection bashing, but would congratulate all the Lions Players today, and in the test series. Having said that, I did state earlier that I had no issue with Felatau, Davies and Willams test selections.

Hardly a banner advertisement for the game today, but a 100% effort by those that got on the park. Intriguing match, with a good anxiety level. Something of an anticlimax with a draw still.

 

[ncurd]

Me too, England really put it together in the last 5 minutes and they took the plaudits but it was a great test match with both teams pushed to their limits. We did actually manage to put Ireland away a few weeks later though with a great all around showing.

All I'm trying to say is that Wales take a lot of heat around here, some deserved and some not. They performed well in the two games against what are considered the number 2 & 3 in the world (rightly so too), so while there is clearly things to moan about Wales (it has been a hobby of mine since 1989), they aren't quite the turgid mess that some seem to peddle.

I think by and large to me Wales are a team being held back their management I think the potential to be better and more consistent (especially against SH sides) is there. I just don't think Gats or Howley are the men to take them any further than they are now or have been for a few years. Part of the reason why I'm still frustrated with the Lions was their appointments even more so today as I think first test aside we could ranked up two extremely historic wins and NZ were there for the taking. But I looks at how we played and some of the calls made over the series and don't think they had the right level of foresight. I don't think it was the multitude of errors we saw from Lanscaster at the 2015 RWC as that would be unfair but I don't think they put us in the best possible position to win the series (SBW & Barrett did that). I honestly think we were potential better than our performances were and most of that was down to selection and gameplan.

 

[bushytop]

I honestly think we were potential better than our performances were and most of that was down to selection and gameplan.

There is always going to be these kind of statements after a tour that has not resulted in a win... ultimately coaches and players (and even fans a few years later) stand by the results. Everyone who mattered (sorry to those who don't ) thought this would go down 3 zip (me too, not that it matters ) and they emerged 1 all. Regardless of what 'might have been' with Schmidt or Jones (or Townsend) at the helm it also 'might have been' worse.

 

[bushytop]

I'll submit to being one of the worst offenders on here for some (Welsh player) selection bashing, but would congratulate all the Lions Players today, and in the test series. Having said that, I did state earlier that I had no issue with Felatau, Davies and Willams test selections.

Hardly a banner advertisement for the game today, but a 100% effort by those that got on the park. Intriguing match, with a good anxiety level. Something of an anticlimax with a draw still.

No worries, I wasn't calling anyone (in particular) out... anyway for what it's worth I have enjoyed this Lions series more than any other... a competitive match is better than free flowing if the free flowing flows in one direction.

 

[munstermuffin]

Ha ha - Rob Henderson was doing a talk there at some rugby club doo in UK and was asked about result.

"Its like having your todger pulled for 3 weeks by a model and then just as there is a big climax she leaves and you are left dissatisified and unsure where to go or what to do"