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

[InsaneAsylum]

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

well we have a new coach, Darren Lehman, former test player and a bit of a hard nut so hopefully he's kicking the Aussie cricket teams ass right now!

 

[smartcooky]

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).

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.

Sorry guys, I might be a kiwi but I disagree with you, and must give Halfpenny credit where its due. He's isn't just a good positional player, he's an excellent one, and goal-kicker or not, he thoroughly merits his selection at fullback for both Wales and the Lions.

George North's try was directly down to Halfpenny's brilliance.

IMO, he would drop comfortably into the run-on side for any Super Rugby team.

 

[lynam1104]

I'd take Halfpenny over Dagg (right now0 the lions have a competent goal kickers without him in Sexton and Farrell but Halfpenny missed 4 kicks(?) all tour but I think in that last test he proved his ability to attack and his defense has never been in question.

 

[Big Ewis]

yup....it is most definitely, without a doubt, THE year for Halfpenny.

 

[William18]

Leigh Halfpenny has to be IRB Player of the Year. If he isn't then one player is going to have to some kind of incredible Rugby Championship.

 

[William18]

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

Out of interest though, which of those 3 attributes do you think Dagg lacks? Dagg is not a particularly good hoal kicker (although he can kick them). However, goal kicking is not a core competency of a fullback. Dagg's kicking in general play is excellent and I don't see anything wrong with his tackling or attack.

Right now, Halfpenny is better but Dagg is all you could ask for in a fullback when he is at his best.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

Leigh Halfpenny has to be IRB Player of the Year. If he isn't then one player is going to have to some kind of incredible Rugby Championship.

I'm sure mccaw will somehow find a way to win it again.... Even if he isn't playing.

 

[The5thOfficial]

<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm; }</style> [FONT=Helvetica, sans-serif]After following this thread for the week or so leading up to the match, I got up yesterday morning just about ready, willing and able to slit my wrists. I had succumbed to the detractors. The Lions couldn't possibly win this match - how could the selection be so wrong - how could there be so many Welsh players in the squad. And last but not least there was Warren Gatland all the ***** under the sun. Yep, most of the detractors were English (up until the exclusion of BOD that is). I wonder would those detractors have been so, had the balance favoured the English. Nope course not. But more telling actually was the fact that in the main the Welsh guys here didn't take the bait. We never do, we're used to it. We prefer to let the rugby do the talking when we get the opportunity. And we definitely prefer to enter into the spirit of the Lions concept.[/FONT]


[FONT=Helvetica, sans-serif]Anyway, I got up yesterday morning - got everything ready, razor blades and vodka (to thin the blood and make it vacate the body more readily) black coffee and toast (after all, it was an 11am kick off in the UK). And, lo and behold this match went nothing, absolutely NOTHING like most of the technical geeks and so called experts here were convinced, and had more or less convinced me it would go. Actually, the level of 'wrongness' couldn't have been more so. Warren Gatland is one man and you lot are many! I would use quotes here to underline the point but there were so many that could be filed under 'idiotic', 'stupid' and 'moronic', oh and 'abusive' that it would render the exercise pointless. I exclude truly knowledgeable and constructive critique in any of these categories of course - all the others, you know who you are [/FONT]


[FONT=Helvetica, sans-serif]I've been watching rugby for more than 35 years. I'm not a technical expert and therefore don't try to be. I just tend to bask in the occasion and the thrill. And let's be fair the best fly-half in the world could stub his toe, slip on a blade of grass or trip up a tuft of turf and end up out of the game at any time during the 80 minutes. Incidentally, if you haven't already, do read this mornings Sunday Times write up on the game yesterday and this tour in its entirety - best and most UNBIASED coverage I have seen to date. Do google unbiased if you're not familiar with it guys [/FONT]


[FONT=Helvetica, sans-serif]On BODs exclusion from the side and at the same time not taking anything away from his legendary and iconic status within the game - in the week leading up to selection of the team for the final test, and when his inclusion and captaincy were all but signed and sealed, Brian was pretty vocal in the media, on tactics, attitude, mindset etc and I thought 'unusual'. I did think at the time that it wasn't going to have a good ending for the great man himself and that proved to be the case. I would imagine some pretty red faces still burning this morning all over the place. Sky TV pundits and coverage. Printed media coverage - oh yes, and here [/FONT]


[FONT=Helvetica, sans-serif]On the treatment in general of Warren Gatland - shame on all of you. A thoroughly decent guy pretty much bullied and abused and yet, throughout retaining his dignity. I would imagine again some pretty red faces all round. Mr Gatland did himself and the Lions proud and it is he who may allow himself the last wry smile.[/FONT]


[FONT=Helvetica, sans-serif]On the balance of Welsh players in the squad - erm, uhm..... Three 6 nations championship wins since 2008 which includes 2 grand slams. Just a reminder to the detractors, of England's 'Grand Slam' visit to Cardiff just a few months ago when England were blown away by a squad nurtured and taught by Warren Gatland (even though he was away at the time on Lions duty so, applause then for Rob Howley, one of his right hand men). The balance in favour of Wales players was a foregone conclusion - at least in my albeit simple mind. The game yesterday and more important the RESULT more than vindicates the team selection.[/FONT]


[FONT=Helvetica, sans-serif]I have to say the karma induced by this thread in the main wouldn't encourage new followers - quite the opposite in fact. Lighten up guys, chill out. Autumn series to go and then 6 nations all over again.[/FONT]

 

[Big Ewis]

oh well, wait up there....still a luuuuh-ong way to go fellas. We're barely half way there for 2013. Still lots of time for some of the SH guys to shine in their TRC, and then the Autumn tests.
HP needs to keep the bulls-eye display the whole year, and show he can defend with regularity. Assume FB responsibilities, and show some of that rare attacking instinct too.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Sorry guys, I might be a kiwi but I disagree with you, and must give Halfpenny credit where its due. He's isn't just a good positional player, he's an excellent one, and goal-kicker or not, he thoroughly merits his selection at fullback for both Wales and the Lions.

George North's try was directly down to Halfpenny's brilliance.

IMO, he would drop comfortably into the run-on side for any Super Rugby team.

he would start for the Hurricanes and the chiefs. That's it.

 

[cambo7]

haha i hear ireland have asked willie john out of retirement because ha cant be dropped.hey lets pick bod incase he pouts..pathetic childish end to a distinguised carreer.

 

[cambo7]

hahahaha sea of red baby...and the flow of gold **** leaving the stadium... smashed!!!!!

 

[munstermuffin]

haha i hear ireland have asked willie john out of retirement because ha cant be dropped.hey lets pick bod incase he pouts..pathetic childish end to a distinguised carreer.

The Childish Troll has arrived.
Welcome and nobody said BOD was undroppable but such an obvious troll ain't worth debate

 

[Peat]

Still haven't seen the full match - so I'll just settle for saying very happy, and the ending which I did catch was very good.

 

[cambo7]

4 nations togethet

:lol:

The Childish Troll has arrived.
Welcome and nobody said BOD was undroppable but such an obvious troll ain't worth debate

:lol: WJM comments were embarrising...the tour is in question??? what! u tell that to the thousands who saved supported and traveled...this is a proffesional era..mr Mcbride but out...the decision was made and the rite one.l. irish ignorance...hope ur proud irishman supporting mr wood and mr mcbride...

 

[Groundhog]

:lol:

:lol: WJM comments were embarrising...the tour is in question??? what! u tell that to the thousands who saved supported and traveled...this is a proffesional era..mr Mcbride but out...the decision was made and the rite one.l. irish ignorance...hope ur proud irishman supporting mr wood and mr mcbride...

I would point out that you have the spelling skills of a 8 year old with stumps for hands, but it's too easy. How do you know it was the right decision? Yes, we won, but that doesn't mean O'Driscoll didn't deserve his place. Too bad you weren't here before the game to spout your ignorant views, no, you just show up after the match like the groupie you are to point fun at a Lions legend, who I still maintain deserved to start this game. The team played their hearts out yesterday, and I'm hugely proud of them, the Irish, The English and The Scot (singular), but the fact that their were very few Irish players on show was dissapointing, and if you genuinely have no sympathy for a guy who partially prolonged his career to go out with a bang, and to play a part in winning a Lions serie, and was playing his heart out to do so, you can get ****ed.

 

[cambo7]

I would point out that you have the spelling skills of a 8 year old with stumps for hands, but it's too easy. How do you know it was the right decision? Yes, we won, but that doesn't mean O'Driscoll didn't deserve his place. Too bad you weren't here before the game to spout your ignorant views, no, you just show up after the match like the groupie you are to point fun at a Lions legend, who I still maintain deserved to start this game. The team played their hearts out yesterday, and I'm hugely proud of them, the Irish, The English and The Scot (singular), but the fact that their were very few Irish players on show was dissapointing, and if you genuinely have no sympathy for a guy who partially prolonged his career to go out with a bang, and to play a part in winning a Lions serie, and was playing his heart out to do so, you can get ****ed.

I have never once said BoD should have been dropped! the decission was made and instead of all the negative comments, it should have been positive. totaly agree absolute legend of the game, Bod make a huge impact on the tour and nobody will forget that. You say i'm jumping on the band wagon... I can only imagine the flack Gats would have had and JD if we had lost.. ruined carrers.. JD comments after the game "I felt public enemy number 1" what a feeling to go into the biggest game of his life... BoD has gone out with a bang and series winner... he played his part with 40 others...this is a team effort and its not all about sentimental values and opinions....p.s nob head yes got chunky fingers got them blown off in Iraq..fo **** u too

 

[dullonien]

Regarding Halfpenny, he's certainly up there with Dagg as the best fullback in the world. He's not the finished article though, he's still learning the attacking role of a fullback. He's a very good open field runner, but I want to see him hitting some more purposeful angles from deep in attack, really hit the line at pace. He can do it, and has done it on occasion, but not often enough for my liking, basically, add Byrne's running lines and he really is the complete player.

I'd like to see him back himself more often on the counter as well. He plays very safe in that regard, not taking risks, putting up the high ball more often that not. This could be a tactic by Gatland though, so difficult to judge him too harshly there.

Does anyone remember him having a poor game for Wales? From the minute he stepped onto the pitch and slotted a penalty within the first few minutes of his first cap, he's been the level of consistency.

 

[munstermuffin]

:lol:

:lol: WJM comments were embarrising...the tour is in question??? what! u tell that to the thousands who saved supported and traveled...this is a proffesional era..mr Mcbride but out...the decision was made and the rite one.l. irish ignorance...hope ur proud irishman supporting mr wood and mr mcbride...

Just to say I hope you learn better spellings when you start back at school.
But the tour will always be in question in pro era as IRB schedule is packed.
And as I've said not everyone agreed with something's be it Gatlands attitude, selection or whatever else and just because Lions won that doesn't automatically make everyone change mind. I admit Lions were brilliant yesterday and Gatland deserves credit but I like Lions for combos you don't see too often and fact some players got picked on fact he had knowledge of combination from been Welsh boss and not form annoyed me. If that was case why not just play Wales vs Aus and I don't mean that in sarcastic way

 

[lynam1104]

I'd like to see him back himself more often on the counter as well. He plays very safe in that regard, not taking risks, putting up the high ball more often that not. This could be a tactic by Gatland though, so difficult to judge him too harshly there.

I think this may be partly down to his personalty from the interveiws I've seen from him he just seems really humble and modest so rather then try and be the star and run it back hes goes for the option that is less flashy. but thats all pointless factless fairly unfounded speculation.