Third Test: Australia v British and Irish Lions (06/07/13)

[icr9214]

agree there, tommy bowe hasnt done much to earn his spot either. cuthbert and maitland have been better in his position on this tour.
It's sad that gatland has gone for this one dimensional game plan right from the start of this tour, and that he has picked players who fit it, more than picked on form.
A lions tour is about earning your test spot through form on tour, and being the best in your position, and that ethos seems to have wavered a bit sadly.
The tension in the first 2 tests has been huge, but its really sad the quality of rugby that is being played, with both teams seem to be playing not to lose n putting empasis on defence, rather than trying to play attacking rugby with an aim to win. (Genia and Beale have been the exception)
This dull hit-up game plan of gatland's has never worked for wales in trying to beat australia, and not sure it will work against them on saturday, but will see.

Totally agree....In some ways felt sorry for Cuthbert having been dropped after the first test after scoring a fairly decent try and Bowe (as quality as he is) did not deserve to be propelled straight back into the test squad once fit. The only reason he was/is comes down to his defence qualities. Cuthbert can be a little suspect in defence but it just shows the intention is not to go out there and run them all over the park. Again they are going to try and wear them down in the forwards look for territory and kicks!!! If that is the case I cannot see a win on the horizon. I really hope to be proved wrong and just maybe they'll play some actual rugby.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Could someon source these rumours about Tuilagi?

As far as I can tell they're just from twitter and not from anyone in camp/in aus/in the know.

 

[Haysie]

Rumours abounding that Roberts' chin has a larger land ***le than some Caribbean countries, can anyone confirm?

 

[Le_Manu]

On a lighter note

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Should be a great game! Lions by 6

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Confirm.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

That's encouraging I suppose - hopefully its just people trying to open a can of worms around BOD making the bench..

 

[Le_Manu]

That's encouraging I suppose - hopefully its just people trying to open a can of worms around BOD making the bench..

What are the rumours?

Big fan of Manu Samoa Tuilagi. Hope he hasnt gone for a swim in the harbour like he did in Auckland

 

[Prestwick]

Gentlemen, if we are to debate the veracity of the rumours surrounding the size of Robert's chin we need to compare it to David Couthard's chin which is also huge...

...this is the rumour we're talking about, right?

 

[munstermuffin]

To be fair I think these rumours are false to coincidential

 

[TRF_Olyy]

What are the rumours?

Big fan of Manu Samoa Tuilagi. Hope he hasnt gone for a swim in the harbour like he did in Auckland

Some people on twitter are saying he pulled a hamstring in training.

 

[Le_Manu]

Some people on twitter are saying he pulled a hamstring in training.

Ah that would suck if it were true...mind you, they say the hamstring is a Samoans kryptonite!

 

[Prestwick]

It would definitely suck as he's had no test time against Australia this tour. I think the whole tour has been a huge missed opportunity for the guy and now he'll have to wait another four years and gamble that he'll be fit for duty for New Zealand 2017.

 

[Le_Manu]

It would definitely suck as he's had no test time against Australia this tour. I think the whole tour has been a huge missed opportunity for the guy and now he'll have to wait another four years and gamble that he'll be fit for duty for New Zealand 2017.

Totally agree. He will be around a long time (touch wood). He is still young. But would've been nice to see him get test time as Aus midfield is not that strong.

 

[Tony Manx]

God knows how he'd cope in Top 14 rugby where crowd..."interaction" goes beyond a few boos and choice words.

Give a dog a bad name.......apart from old man Harinordiquoy wading in to belt the guy that was beating up his son at Biarritz a couple of seasons ago, (and that was a Bayonne player so it kinda makes it ok!), I cannot recall the last crowd problem or "interaction" in the Top 14 other than "the boos and choice words"!!

 

[Prestwick]

Give a dog a bad name.......apart from old man Harinordiquoy wading in to belt the guy that was beating up his son at Biarritz a couple of seasons ago, (and that was a Bayonne player so it kinda makes it ok!), I cannot recall the last crowd problem or "interaction" in the Top 14 other than "the boos and choice words"!!

Haha, I was thinking more along the lines of the noise being louder, crowds generally being noisy during kicks, whistling, stuff like that more than physical interaction in which case he'd have more to fear from other players/Ronan "ultimate opportunist" O'Gara!

 

[webbyinjapan]

You do know a century is over 100 years and this century started at 2000?
In this century Wales have lost to Samoa, Fiji and Japan something Ireland or England haven't done and that is irrelevant.

Of course That is what THIS century means,,,This current century. Understand?,,,What I am complaining about,,and what pysses me off my friend ,is the wholesale hair-rending and a gnashing of teeth, the bile and vitriol spewed,,,We have had the show ponies playing in the pack for the first two tests,,,And lets be frank. They were gash BoD is one of the greatest footballers to have ever graced a rugby pitch,,,,However, the coach wants something else. The *****, clap(bearing in mind where I live) and utter gibberish that has graced these pages is embarrassing.... And lets be honest, embarrassing to him,,,and a total pain in the arris to anyone who wants this team to put these upstart convicts in their place!! I have no gripes with your views, I just have different views to you on how the game should be played,,,,lets leave it at that.

 

[munstermuffin]

Of course That is what THIS century means,,,This current century. Understand?,,,What I am complaining about,,and what pysses me off my friend ,is the wholesale hair-rending and a gnashing of teeth, the bile and vitriol spewed,,,We have had the show ponies playing in the pack for the first two tests,,,And lets be frank. They were gash BoD is one of the greatest footballers to have ever graced a rugby pitch,,,,However, the coach wants something else. The *****, clap(bearing in mind where I live) and utter gibberish that has graced these pages is embarrassing.... And lets be honest, embarrassing to him,,,and a total pain in the arris to anyone who wants this team to put these upstart convicts in their place!! I have no gripes with your views, I just have different views to you on how the game should be played,,,,lets leave it at that.

Was just been sure because you said Wales were more successful but England have 4 6N ***les with 1 slam and 1 World Cup with 2 final appearances and I think that better than 3 6Nations with 2 slams and in my opinion 2000-2006 was alot tougher than recent times (That includes Mike Ruddocks feat). But again it irrelevant
And it's simply put Gatland has put on a gamble and has his reputation on the line. Regardless of the result this tour has gone down as 1 of the more flat and boring tours no fun. But tomorrow we will find out was there a master stroke or did Lady Luck leave when was needed more than ever?

 

[j'nuh]

Watching the last 6 nations game between Wales and England, Roberts owned Tuilagi. Tuilagi was very one dimensional​

Sorry, the stats don't back you up. Over each of their last 9 games for Wales/England (excluding Tuilagi vs. Fiji), Roberts has made one clean break and beaten 5 defenders whereas Tuilagi has made 8 clean breaks and beaten 19 defenders. Roberts has failed to make 10 meters in a whole match with ball-in-hand on 6/9 occasions, whereas Tuilagi has made at least 20 on 8/9 occasions (regularly making 40+). Tuilagi also has more offloads: 8-2. And it isn't as if it's because Roberts spends all his time passing, Tuilagi made 21 passes to Roberts' 22. They've even got similar tackling stats: 84% for Tuilagi, 85% for Roberts.

Yeah, he struggled in the England-Wales match, but he's shown a lot more than Roberts over the last year imo.​

 

[Peat]

Of course That is what THIS century means,,,This current century. Understand?,,,What I am complaining about,,and what pysses me off my friend ,is the wholesale hair-rending and a gnashing of teeth, the bile and vitriol spewed,,,We have had the show ponies playing in the pack for the first two tests,,,And lets be frank. They were gash BoD is one of the greatest footballers to have ever graced a rugby pitch,,,,However, the coach wants something else. The *****, clap(bearing in mind where I live) and utter gibberish that has graced these pages is embarrassing.... And lets be honest, embarrassing to him,,,and a total pain in the arris to anyone who wants this team to put these upstart convicts in their place!! I have no gripes with your views, I just have different views to you on how the game should be played,,,,lets leave it at that.

There is no way in god's heaven Wales have been a better team than England this centry. None. Zero. Nada. It's a pretty stupid thing to say in that it has zero relevance to this tour what happen 10 or 5 years back, but for its worth, Wales have not hit the same heights as England. England have been the better team this century and the most 'show pony' heavy Lions pack was the one that won their game. Both objective facts.

 

[munstermuffin]

There is no way in god's heaven Wales have been a better team than England this centry. None. Zero. Nada. It's a pretty stupid thing to say in that it has zero relevance to this tour what happen 10 or 5 years back, but for its worth, Wales have not hit the same heights as England. England have been the better team this century and the most 'show pony' heavy Lions pack was the one that won their game. Both objective facts.

Have already showed but agree and would say England were in tougher era as I think France have dropped alot and just standard of NH is desperate since 2006/2007