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

[dullonien]

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.

Not sure you can real much from his off the field demeanour into how he plays on the field, other than the fact that he's probably a quiet bloke on the field as well.

I think it's just down to the fact that he's only been playing at fullback for 2 years, he's still learning the trade to some degree.

 

[lynam1104]

Not sure you can real much from his off the field demeanour into how he plays on the field, other than the fact that he's probably a quiet bloke on the field as well.

I think it's just down to the fact that he's only been playing at fullback for 2 years, he's still learning the trade to some degree.

Yea thats why i included that bit at the end saying what i just said was not really that big of a deal

 

[j'nuh]

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.

tbf, there's a pretty slim reward for the risk you take when running it back. It's very rarely the right option to run it back, especially from the 22. If the kick comes short so that you can run onto it with pace and reach some team mates, or you have some players around you to support your run, then it's usually fine. But you have to be very wary of turn overs when running it back.

 

[Groundhog]

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

Yous just said that the decision was the right one, and then called McBride and Woods, ignorant for expressing the same feelings I and then you expressed. I have always had a lot of time for John Davies, what I had a problem with was Roberts walking into the side, and I felt that up until his try, he had a very quiet game. And yes you are jumping on the bandwagon, as your first post on the forum was taking the ****.
On Halfpenny, he doesn't really impress himself on games like Dagg, but he's a hugely balanced and fairly flawless player in attack defense and goal kicking.

 

[Peat]

tbf, there's a pretty slim reward for the risk you take when running it back. It's very rarely the right option to run it back, especially from the 22. If the kick comes short so that you can run onto it with pace and reach some team mates, or you have some players around you to support your run, then it's usually fine. But you have to be very wary of turn overs when running it back.

True, but with even minimal support, if you have the strength to get the ball back and keep it up until guys get there, running it back from anywhere around your own 10 metre can be a worthwhile gig, as you'll keep the ball and be able to launch an attack. I suspect Gatland generally only likes to play inside the opposition 10 metre or so.

edit: Just like to add that, in general, I quite like being on a forum where you can express your own opinions rather than merely expressing party propaganda, and find it somewhat odd that there appear to be so many who think it a bad thing.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

That was impressive to be fair, the backrow was class and SOB and Faletau were the difference from last week, the backline was still **** off the base of the ruck and the Aussies choked. They won the series as expected, no big deal move on. It's hard to feel anything for a team that only plays every four years though, I enjoyed Leinster's amlin and pro 12 wins far more.

 

[Aristodemus]

Everyone should be happy the Lions won the series. That is the important thing, but I still feel it didn't go smoothly and we can learn from it. Personally I still think the selection for the third test was very controversial and in future we should not select current national coaches.

To me the game was won or perhaps set on its way by the scrum. Corbs and Jones were great and won a penalty at most scrums in the first half but I don't think Hibbard was influencing this too much and the three guys on the bench kept it going when they came on after an hour although the Aussie scrum seemed broken at that point. AWJ and Parling were also great in the lineout and the back row worked very well. The pack as a whole did a great job and I think Gatland did the right thing bringing in Faletau. It seemed a pretty even contest though first half and without the scrum dominance I feel we would have gone in at half time behind, Horwill declined quite a few kicks at goal too.
As for the backs, I think selection was rightly criticised myself. Phillips was poor for the hour he played and it wasn't until Murray came on that the backs even became a threat, bringing him back was a mistake. As for the centre pair I really wanted to see Manu and BOD play and although Davies put in a few decent kicks on the whole they were both quiet. I appreciate that Phillips' service to the backs hindered the creativity. The star of the backs at the end though was Halfpenny and nobody was being critical of his selection.

I'm delighted we won but I don't believe that because we won meant it was the best available Lions team.

 

[mstar]

I agree happy Lions won!

But anyone know (sorry if someone posted on here earlier) but what did AWJ mean when he said in post match interview "we was a bit worried as we had the worse training sessions on weds and thurs of the tour"??

What happened???

 

[lynam1104]

I agree happy Lions won!

But anyone know (sorry if someone posted on here earlier) but what did AWJ mean when he said in post match interview "we was a bit worried as we had the worse training sessions on weds and thurs of the tour"??

What happened???

I think due to all the media attention and presure they were stressed out and trying to force things more then usual dosen't surprise me tbh with a test series on the line coupled with bad press they would have had their physch knocked.

 

[Prestwick]

One of the talking points before the game was James O'Connor. Apart from one moment of magic after almost 180 awkward minutes in the third test he really looked uncomfortable at ten and in my view his roles were more or less taken over by Beale, Genia and Leali'ifano. Does beg the question just what was he doing there in the first place?

And now the Rebels have dropped him completely according to the Guardian. Who will pick him up? Perhaps he'll find himself in the Top 14 sooner than I imagined!!!

 

[SelimNiai]

One of the talking points before the game was James O'Connor. Apart from one moment of magic after almost 180 awkward minutes in the third test he really looked uncomfortable at ten and in my view his roles were more or less taken over by Beale, Genia and Leali'ifano. Does beg the question just what was he doing there in the first place?

And now the Rebels have dropped him completely according to the Guardian. Who will pick him up? Perhaps he'll find himself in the Top 14 sooner than I imagined!!!

I may have stated in one of the pre tour podcasts that JOC would be Australia's greatest threat.

Proved very wrong.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

I may have stated in one of the pre tour podcasts that JOC would be Australia's greatest threat.

Proved very wrong.

Can't say I blame you really mate - and in a way nor do I blame JOC - he's a bloody good 12; if Barnes could have stayed fit and played there, or Cooper had been there, maybe O Connor could have played at 12. Deans has shoe-horned him into the fly-half spot and its not right. I think by the time the Ozzies hit the home nations in november, the new aussie coach will have recognised that JOC is not a natural 10, and the Wallabies will be much the better for it.

On that note I've just noticed that England won't be playing South Africa come the autumn internationals, which I'm quite gutted about - they're definitely our bogey team

 

[Peat]

I may have stated in one of the pre tour podcasts that JOC would be Australia's greatest threat.

Proved very wrong.

Were you expecting to be playing 10 though? I wasn't. Arguably the call that lost Deans the series.

 

[SelimNiai]

Without looking back to listen I think I say he'd play 10. If I recall that was when Cooper and Beale were in the doghouse.

 

[Gavin]

The reason why O'Connor was shoe-horned into 10 is because Deans didn't want to select Cooper.

 

[Rhondda Rudie]

Thought Halfpenny might be in with a shout for BBC Sports Personality until Murray won today.

 

[admartian]

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

Attacking wise: I'd give this to Dagg in an instant. Though Halfpenny made good breaks, and is deservedly the man of the series, at their best - Dagg takes this.
Positionally, both are very rarely caught of position, and both have great scrambling defence. So this one is either or.

Tactical kicking, both are equal in that they can both get their teams out of trouble very well should their 10s not be in the frame. I say Dagg is a better first receiver though, but that probably falls into the criteria above.

Goal kicking, clearly Halfpenny. Basically, it's pretty even right now.

But in saying all that, Ben Smith is better than both at the moment.

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

Go England!

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

Yep - might get an Ashes man of the series too.

 

[munstermuffin]

Attacking wise: I'd give this to Dagg in an instant. Though Halfpenny made good breaks, and is deservedly the man of the series, at their best - Dagg takes this.
Positionally, both are very rarely caught of position, and both have great scrambling defence. So this one is either or.

Tactical kicking, both are equal in that they can both get their teams out of trouble very well should their 10s not be in the frame. I say Dagg is a better first receiver though, but that probably falls into the criteria above.

Goal kicking, clearly Halfpenny. Basically, it's pretty even right now.

But in saying all that, Ben Smith is better than both at the moment.

Go England!

Yep - might get an Ashes man of the series too.

Don't think it comparable and we should just appreciate 2 great players. I do admit I admire Dagg more due to his past and well how he overcame problems but on field they are 2 great talents

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Thought Halfpenny might be in with a shout for BBC Sports Personality until Murray won today.

To win sports personality I think you first need a personality... Either way Halfpenny would never win it. There simply isn't enough coverage of rugby or a large enough fanbase for anyone to care what he did in comparison to other sports. I'm not even sure he would win in Wales.

 

[Jockstap]

Had to share this, possibly one of my favourite photos ever. To be a fly on the wall of this conversation