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

[donmcdazzle]

Debatable. Especially the Boks. But you make a fair point otherwise. Is Deans' side the worst Aus side in pro era?

Who else from that series would make a starting 15 though? AAC maybe? Nobody else would get a look in.

Well Deans has somehow become the longest serving Aus coach (which must be horrifying for Aus fans) so he has had a lot of teams. This one is certainly one of the worst two of his era.

 

[shtove]

And this picture sorta sums up my feelings

[video]http://www.sportsfile.com/winshare/w540/Library/SF119/767731.jpg[/video]

Hehe! I think that's an "agree to disagree" moment.

I wonder - did BOD have alot of influence on the mid-week games, but was frozen out on the tests? Will be interesting to see what he does in the future.

Anybody get the 15 man lineout joke at the end of the game?

I remember watching Aus v Connacht at the Sportsground in Galway in the late '90s (Campese was playing, FFS) when the home team hit the visitors with a successful 15 man maul from a lineout on the 22. Can't remember if they scored, and I think Gatland was the Connacht coach at the time (could be wrong) - but it was definitely known as a Gatland tactic. Connacht lost but gave Aus a fright.

So the Lions were having a laugh. Would have been the funniest end ever to an international - except Aus saw what was happening and took the catcher's legs before he hit the ground. Might have been suggested by the Irish guys in the Lions squad.

 

[dullonien]

Anybody get the 15 man lineout joke at the end of the game?

I remember watching Aus v Connacht at the Sportsground in Galway in the late '90s (Campese was playing, FFS) when the home team hit the visitors with a successful 15 man maul from a lineout on the 22. Can't remember if they scored, and I think Gatland was the Connacht coach at the time (could be wrong) - but it was definitely known as a Gatland tactic. Connacht lost but gave Aus a fright.

So the Lions were having a laugh. Would have been the funniest end ever to an international - except Aus saw what was happening and took the catcher's legs before he hit the ground. Might have been suggested by the Irish guys in the Lions squad.

Certainly a Gatland tactic.

 

[Rich Taff]

Certainly a Gatland tactic.

Jiffy - "I would imagine this is a catch and drive" :lol:

If that had happened earlier in the game(or it was close), I imagine the Australian guy would have received a yellow.

 

[shtove]

Certainly a Gatland tactic.

LOL! I remember seeing that but my memory was clouded by Irish bias!

If the Lions had done it as well as Wales it would rank as the funniest try ever. But they didn't, therefore this was not a Wales team. Everyone's happy.

 

[Ospreylian]

Obviously take this with a very large pinch of salt, as the source for this is the Daily Mail (lol). But in this article (written, but I think ghost-written tbh, after the game today by Mike Phillips) there is some speculation from Phillips that he is considering hanging up his international boots. Here's a quote:

"I'm going to take a few weeks off now and have a long think about everything. People have asked me about winning the next World Cup with Wales but to be honest my main focus is just to get through the next couple of days.
I don't know how much more my mind and body can take of this intensity. I'm relieved that we won, but also relieved that it's over, if I'm totally honest. "


"My contract is up at Bayonne at the end of this season and certain clubs aren't going to want to sign me if I'm an international player. I need to have a think about things.

It may well be that if I want to play on at club level I'll have to call time on my international career at some time in the not too distant future.
It's something I'm going to think long and hard about and I've got some decisions to make in the next year.

If it is to be the last game of international rugby that I play, then what a way to bow out. "

He also talks about how he had a fairly average tour, which I can applaud him for:

"I just wish I could have contributed a bit more to the boys' success.

Four years ago in South Africa we lost the series but I played much better, so deep down I am a bit disappointed with my contribution this time around."

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[j'nuh]

^ Damn.

I mean, Ospreylian can testify to how much flak I give Phillips. But he is certainly a big part of Wales, and the alternative options aren't quite inspiring. And kudos for his modesty.

Why not come back to Wales, Mike? Help out to reverse the player drain and continue to play for country!

 

[dullonien]

Interesting.

 

[KAPman]

delighted that ive been proved wrong! FANTASTIC WIN!!!

 

[Le_Manu]

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!

Maybe this time they can beat Samoa

 

[Draggs]

I've criticised Warren in the past for Welsh player management and staff selections, bur I was immensely pleased with his selection.
He was asked to pick a team to win the Lions, and he did. For once the team looked like one that he had fully selected. The knives were brought out, sharpened, and polished but away they go. AWJ is becoming the player we always wanted, and Toby excellent, never a panic.

For Australia, Deans should have his tickets to NZ soon. If they want to take something from this series, it is Lealiifano and Folau look dangerous, very good players. Folau must be allowed to develop at fullback. O'Connor must move outside, he could make a decent second five, but I still would put him on the wing. Mogg is another fighting for inclusion, I don't want him wasted on the wing, but that back three could do some serious damage.

 

[munstermuffin]

@Duck I accept your view of Priestland so as I admit you'd probably take note of him more than I do as a Welshman and know more on his form. But my point originally is and this is fact. Wales are doing well now but the physical toll of French league I think will catch up on all Welsh guys over and add in likes of key guys like Adam Jones who are on the wrong side of 30 and the national team may take a hit. Wales I think need to adopt an IRFU style of taking control of regions and getting 1/2 as strong to compete in HEC. Then develop positions like 10 in these regions where a learning 10 has strong team and it'll help Welsh team but if regions continue to decline it will catch up. Also are WRU stuck for cash like I know France offers alot more money but majority of Irish lads don't even entertain idea of France if a fair offer from IRFU so I sure WRU can offer their lads similar deals yea

 

[Draggs]

Richard Hibbard, how long will he play if he keeps throwing himself around like this?
Just when Ken Owens started to take over, here comes Dicky Hibbs, blond locks flowing in the wind. Best hooker in the northern hemisphere, I think so.

My biggest disappointment is that Evans didn't get a cap. Would have had him on the bench over Gray, based on midweek performances.

 

[j'nuh]

Best hooker in the northern hemisphere, I think so.

True, but I'm expecting the front row landscape to change next year with the new scrum laws. Will be interesting to see who rises up to the top. Will be a test of which hookers can... hook. Will we see the rise of the smaller/athletic hooker again?

 

[KAPman]

halfpenny proved to me that he hasthe complete package as a full back. Did have question marks over his ability to join the attack line and run at the opposition on the counter attack, but he's answered those questions in the 3rd test. 2nd best full back in the world behind Israel Dagg i think. He very rarely puts a foot wrong throughout any match he plays

 

[mochyn]

halfpenny proved to me that he hasthe complete package as a full back. Did have question marks over his ability to join the attack line and run at the opposition on the counter attack, but he's answered those questions in the 3rd test. 2nd best full back in the world behind Israel Dagg i think. He very rarely puts a foot wrong throughout any match he plays

Leigh is hampered by the playing style of Gats, he is better than Daggs, he has a more complete game, running, tackling, kicking.
Daggs only has 2 of those attributes

 

[donmcdazzle]

Leigh is hampered by the playing style of Gats, he is better than Daggs, he has a more complete game, running, tackling, kicking.
Daggs only has 2 of those attributes

lets just settle down a little bit shall we. Halfpenny is a great goal kicker and a good positional fullback, that is about it. He is average at best on attack. If you had a 10 who was a reliable goal kicker he wouldn't be picked. He wouldn't make the ABs bench.

 

[austingtir]

Leigh is hampered by the playing style of Gats, he is better than Daggs, he has a more complete game, running, tackling, kicking.
Daggs only has 2 of those attributes

You've got to be kidding me!!
Dagg even playing like he has this year (rubbish) is still twice the player of Leigh and dont get me started on Ben Smith (we have the best current fullback in the world playing on the frikin wing).

 

[InsaneAsylum]

Totally gutted. Well done lions, better team. Last night made me embarrassed to be an Aussie, we just got smashed all over the park.

 

[Le_Manu]

The bad news for Australia is that the Ashes series kick off this week...Prolong the pain!