• Help Support The Rugby Forum :

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

It says something along the lines of "ok you were right" form BOD and Gats "tolda it would work"
 
A lot of people have got a lot of things to take back.

In Warren we trust.
 
Well done B&I Lions and their fans. They won and deservedly so - been a very long time between drinks as they say.
 
What a great game of rugby, big game from corbs he showed what was missing last week. In fact everybody stood up !!!

Great to see all the keyboard coaches admitting they were wrong.:buddies:
 
j'nuh - I can see what you mean, I hope the media dont spin too much, as this should never be seen as a 'Welsh' victory - this is a LIONS victory and that's that. That's what got me riled up, I can understand criticising selections, but kicking off to that extent and saying you're not supporting the team just because there's too many players from one country is just ridiculous.
And anyway, Corbs SOB and Parling were huge today, outstanding, hard working game from all three - I especially thought Lydiate and SOB linked well at the breakdown. Sexton was magnificent as always and Bowe had a very good afternoon too, and was instrumental in a couple of the tries. Murray was a big improvement on Phillips (who was disappointing) and and Youngs was excellent off the bench for that last 30 mins.
 
TRF_Cymro said:
A lot of people have got a lot of things to take back.

In Warren we trust.
Click to expand...
As I said Lions did well and changes paid off but still doesn't change my views of Gatland, his reasons for changes and manner in which he treated BOD and way he told him minutes before telling press he dropped. His style doesn't suit everyone but I will say fair play and good to get the series he did make 2 key changes in Youngs and especially Murray which impacted game massively so he got tactics perfect and again I say fair play to him and congratulations
 
Last edited:
munstermuffin said:
manner in which he treated BOD and way he told him minutes before telling press he dropped.
Click to expand...

I think Gatland treated BOD fairly. Whether or not you think BOD should have been playing is irrelevant to how Gatland treated his omission. BOD was notified by Gatland prior to the press announcement (doesn't really matter how long before tbh), which is perfectly fair, and more than most of the other players will have received. BOD is a professional player, these sort of things come with the territory.
 
dullonien said:
I think Gatland treated BOD fairly. Whether or not you think BOD should have been playing is irrelevant to how Gatland treated his omission. BOD was notified by Gatland prior to the press announcement (doesn't really matter how long before tbh), which is perfectly fair, and more than most of the other players will have received. BOD is a professional player, these sort of things come with the territory.
Click to expand...
As I said I just think the man deserved more and accept some see it different and that it comes with territory but just my opinion
 
dullonien said:
With so many Welsh players involved in this tour, any other Welsh fan think that this could be a turning point in terms of Wales v SH sides? This will surely give them the confidence to go out there and turn 'em over. For once, maybe the Lions tour will be of benefit to Welsh rugby!
Click to expand...

An interesting point. I think this tour has highlighted that there are some key positions arguably holding Wales back. They need more depth at 9 besides Philips - someone to quicken things up when Philips is being overly pedestrian. They need a better COMBINATION than Davies and Roberts in the midfield - I don't think this partnership can carry them the distance. It was one of the few areas where the lions weren't a class above today, and it was arguably only when the game really broke up that we were able to take advantage in that area, with Roberts walking in for his try. And more consistent linout throwing.

Most importantly Wales need a better 10 imo than Biggar currently is. I think the skills of the southern hemipshere 'ball-playing' 10's is an important part of what has for so long set them up as a class above - and in that sense, Sexton is the exception that proves the rule in terms of the northern hemipshere.

Out of interest, who would be considered Wales' best prospect at 10? Steffan Jones looks exciting?
 
HenryChinaski said:
An interesting point. I think this tour has highlighted that there are some key positions arguably holding Wales back. They need more depth at 9 besides Philips - someone to quicken things up when Philips is being overly pedestrian. They need a better COMBINATION than Davies and Roberts in the midfield - I don't think this partnership can carry them the distance. It was one of the few areas where the lions weren't a class above today, and it was arguably only when the game really broke up that we were able to take advantage in that area, with Roberts walking in for his try. And more consistent linout throwing.

Most importantly Wales need a better 10 imo than Biggar currently is. I think the skills of the southern hemipshere 'ball-playing' 10's is an important part of what has for so long set them up as a class above - and in that sense, Sexton is the exception that proves the rule in terms of the northern hemipshere.

Out of interest, who would be considered Wales' best prospect at 10? Steffan Jones looks exciting?
Click to expand...
If only Wales had a world-class ball-playing 10...
Ummmm, prospects - a lot was made of Matthew Morgan a couple of seasons ago but he will always be too slight to impose himself and doesn't have the game management down at all... yet.
Sam Davies I guess would be the big prospect, what with being IRB Young Player of the Year and all - but again is slight and question marks over defence, etc. These are things for a 20-year-old that can be ironed out and improved upon. I guess he is the best option coming through, but then he is more in the Biggar mould than that other guy who used to go a bit for the Ospreys and can actually play rugby... his name escapes me.
 
HenryChinaski said:
An interesting point. I think this tour has highlighted that there are some key positions arguably holding Wales back. They need more depth at 9 besides Philips - someone to quicken things up when Philips is being overly pedestrian. They need a better COMBINATION than Davies and Roberts in the midfield - I don't think this partnership can carry them the distance. It was one of the few areas where the lions weren't a class above today, and it was arguably only when the game really broke up that we were able to take advantage in that area, with Roberts walking in for his try. And more consistent linout throwing.

Most importantly Wales need a better 10 imo than Biggar currently is. I think the skills of the southern hemipshere 'ball-playing' 10's is an important part of what has for so long set them up as a class above - and in that sense, Sexton is the exception that proves the rule in terms of the northern hemipshere.

Out of interest, who would be considered Wales' best prospect at 10? Steffan Jones looks exciting?
Click to expand...

The point about 9 is spot on imo. We've had a few prospects that haven't developed as hoped, namely Lloyd Williams and Tavis Knoyle. I'm going to put my money on Rhodri Williams, very exciting player, but Aled Davies and Tom Habberfield are also exciting prospects. Hopefully one of them, along with Lloyd, Tavis and even Webb (if he stopped being a complete f*ckwit), will really push on because I feel Phillips is holding back this Welsh team to some extent.

In the midfield, I agree. They are developing as a partnership, but I'd like someone with a little more creativity. Beck is that player imo, bring him in at 12 and let Davies and Roberts to battle it out at 13. I'm also very excited about Cory Allen, but we'll have to see how he goes at regional level first.

As for 10, I think Biggar is a fine player, and can add the controlling influence required at test level. Sexton didn't do anything this Lions tour that Biggar isn't capable of doing (not to say Sexton doesn't have more in his locker in terms of attacking threat). Patchell is the player that I see developing into the role of an attacking 10. Sam Davies is an almost carbon copy of Biggar tbh. Matthew Morgan, what I'd give to see him develop and fulfil his huge potential, but in his case I really do think size is too big a hurdle. I'm beginning to think he and the O's should consider switching him to the wing, where his size isn't as exposed, in the same way Shane switched from 9 to the wing, especially now Sam Davies is hot on his heels.

Hook......... I honestly don't know. He appears to be completely out of the picture. He's not been great in his international cameo's over the past couple of years either.
 
Last edited:
re: Wales' weaknesses, I think depth is a pretty big problem in some areas. A second string England wouldn't have lost to Japan. But I think Wales need some more development in second string props, a lock to back up Evans/AWJ, more depth in the half-backs and they need Dirksen to qualify asap or for Eli Wales to make some movements into the squad. (Or others.)

munstermuffin said:
As I said I just think the man deserved more and accept some see it different and that it comes with territory but just my opinion
Click to expand...
Do you think a guy as humble as BO'D wanted special treatment? His reputation is in part based on how much of a class act the guy is. I know he won't have been happy to have been dropped, but I don't think it's in his nature to want a song and dance about him in reaction. In fact, I bet anything that he's embarrassed by the events of the last week.
 
TRF_Olyy said:
...ay?

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm still trying to work that out too.
To j'nuh above - how many times?! It wasn't even a second string. A 2nds would have included Lee Byrne, James Hook, Ryan Jones, Lloyd Williams, Scott Williams, etc...
It was a development tour that took players I had never heard of and admitted struggled to make the step up to the physical demands of international rugby.
 
dullonien said:
I think he was commenting on the fact that Northampton have signed Corbs and North for next season, two standout players of the test series.
Click to expand...
Ah of course. I'm still so delirious that when I read 'Mallinder' I processed 'Lancaster'... Wharraknob!
 

Similar threads

samhall
2013 British and Irish Lions
96 97 98
Replies
2K
Views
143K
munstermuffin
M
W
Tickets to the Springboks and the British and Irish Lions game
Replies
0
Views
1K
wayn
W
M
Catt in line to play against British and Irish Lions
Replies
2
Views
1K
dundeesmiffy
D
M
3rd TEST: South Africa v Lions
12 13 14
Replies
271
Views
25K
alexrugby
A
W
2nd Test: South Africa v Lions
22 23 24
Replies
465
Views
34K
Prestwick
P

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Latest posts

Top