Warm Up Match 3: Crusaders v British & Irish Lions (Christchurch)

[Big_Grumper]

I'm happy with that. It was a much-needed and much-improved performance. The forwards were strong and stable. The backs were solid in defence but unspectacular. We'll need to take our chances against the ABs in the tests though.

 

[Big_Grumper]

I'm happy with that. It was a much-needed and much-improved performance. The forwards were strong and stable. The backs were solid in defence but unspectacular. We'll need to take our chances against the ABs in the tests though.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Well done Lions, some pride salvaged tonite I imagine.


Ultimately the Lions dominated the Saders in nearly every aspect of this game, and while thats partly the result of a better game plan and better execution, the fact is the Saders were truly awful tonite. Some Lions fans will say thats because its as good as the Lions let them play, common sense from a neutral tells me it was more than that. I suspect that tonitie will be the highlight of the Lions tour.

Don't know how you can say that. By the booing from the crowd it was pretty clear they aren't used to the sort of linespeed the lions brought to the game, and that's absolutely key to why they couldn't play. They were literally strangled and starved.

Nothing in attack is harsh - lacking the basic skill to put that last pass together and get under the posts, absolutely; but they were very close to several really well worked tries.

 

[Truth]

Can I just say that McKenzie losing out to Sopoaga, J.Barrett AND Dagg is a disgrace.

The All Blacks selectors should be ashamed of themselves, the first time in a long time.

The All Black selectors pick arguably the best team in the world.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I can''t agree with the commentators waxing lyrical about how the Lions are "back on track". They aren't....their backline is still clueless and their scrum got a scrummaging lesson from the Crusaders. If we had a half decent referee who didn't wait until the 77th minute before he rewarded a clearly dominant scrum, then the result might have been considerably different.

IMO, nothing much has changed. If they think they can beat the All Blacks with this sort of game plan, accumulating points three at at time, they are in for a rude shock on June 24.

So going from losing to the worst NZ franchise to beating the best isn't getting back on track?

I'm no Lions fan (totally been turned off supporting NZ though) but it's obvious to anyone that short of the last pass that the creativity in the backs was on a different level to the first two tests and the backrow were totally dominant, the template to win a test is there and the players are rapidly improving.

 

[Penne Rara]

Refereeing was interesting. As a frenchman I do know how boring matches can become but they (NH referees) definitely put a lot more emphasis on set pieces being done correctly and this changes a lot of things for NZ teams. This isn't ideal for those who enjoy a freeflowing game like me, but this match had a very exciting outcome and I suppose Hansen must be thinking hard to negate the Lions' slow grinding style

 

[Ground We Won]

Refereeing was interesting. As a frenchman I do know how boring matches can become but they (NH referees) definitely put a lot more emphasis on set pieces being done correctly and this changes a lot of things for NZ teams. This isn't ideal for those who enjoy a freeflowing game like me, but this match had a very exciting outcome and I suppose Hansen must be thinking hard to negate the Lions' slow grinding style

Kinda a reason why I think not selecting Fekitoa was a mistake. His thrives in those tight games.

 

[GoTheNaki]

Can I just say that McKenzie losing out to Sopoaga, J.Barrett AND Dagg is a disgrace.

The All Blacks selectors should be ashamed of themselves, the first time in a long time.

Hansen loves him some Dagg, always has.

Sopoaga passed one of the biggest tests in beating SA at Ellis Park.

Andddd.......... Jordie... Is..... Taller. Lol.

 

[Bluemoon]

Just a little hat tip to Andy Farrell as well for that one in defence. He'll want that intensity of defence come test time.

 

[dullonien]

George - test 2
Kruis - test 5
POM - test 6
SOB - test 7
Faletau - test 8
Murray - test 9
Sexton - test 10
Farrell - test 12

Handy game for Gats that!

Can't completely agree with that.

- George had a solid game, but Owens was also good vs Blues. It's those 2 in the test team though, not fussed which way round they are.
- Thought Kruis and AWJ were about equal tonight, both put in massive shifts and outplayed their opposition. Lawes was also excellent vs Blues.
- POM. Agree here, thought he was great and balances the backrow nicely with Faletau at 8.
- SOB. Had a good game I agree, as did Tips vs Blues. Warbs has some work, and it aint looking good with him picking up another injury.
- Faletau. nailed on starter, even if he wasn't at his very best tonight. His main rival Stander is falling just a little short atm.
- Murray. Easily the best display from a 9 this tour. His kicking is top notch, and that'll be important vs NZ. Still annoying that he completely butchered 2 attacking opportunities.
- Sexton. A step in the right direction, but I'm still very worried with the 3 stinkers he had in a row previously (inc. Pro12 SF).
- Farrell. Nailed on to start somewhere imo. A few poor decisions tonight, which leads me to think he'd be better playing 12 with a hopefully on-form Sexton pulling the strings at 10.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Time for some match highlights:

Win one scrum? You kidding me the refs been blind the entire first 20 minutes. The Saders are all over them.

Big beginning statement of intent from Skyline here, seemingly the first time that the ref authority has been directly called into question.

I think its you that has no idea

Oh but here comes a Valley out of nowhere, delivering a huge blow to Skyline's credibility.

Idiot

Another big hit, wasn't sure how Skyline was gonna come back from that one.

What a joke this reff is in the scrums.

Oh but bthere he is! He's back up! Will the endless bludgeoning on the ref ever end?!

You still won't be able to scrum come test time either.

Valley with a quick jab at NZ's weak spot, the set piece.

Find comfort wherever you can cause your team is rubbish.

And the hits just keep on coming, Valley taking a clear lead here, Skyline has no counter to this, it's undeniable, his team is rubbish.

You are talking ********

One last blow from Valley and it is game over, I'm not sure what that word uncensored would've been but it was f***ing fatal.

Good game from the LIONS gives their supporters sum hope.....

Ever gracious in defeat Skyline delivers one back handed compliment, but in defiance continues to refuse to use the correct spelling of words, his trademark move.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Refereeing was interesting. As a frenchman I do know how boring matches can become but they (NH referees) definitely put a lot more emphasis on set pieces being done correctly and this changes a lot of things for NZ teams. This isn't ideal for those who enjoy a freeflowing game like me, but this match had a very exciting outcome and I suppose Hansen must be thinking hard to negate the Lions' slow grinding style

Theres something unique about French referees though; they love the scrum and the offside line, and couldn't give a **** about the breakdown. They'll just tell you to 'get your hands off' if you think you've managed to pilfer it.

 

[Truth]

I'm happy with that. It was a much-needed and much-improved performance. The forwards were strong and stable. The backs were solid in defence but unspectacular. We'll need to take our chances against the ABs in the tests though.

Crusaders are the best in Super so far, but they made unusual mistakes due to the occasion and the pressure of the Lions. The Crusaders I think tried their best.

The Lions are slowly gelling which is something to consider when judging their first two games. Playing in New Zealand is also a real factor.

 

[GoTheNaki]

When this Lions repper says it's a 15 man game. Lol.

 

[Reiser99]

Can't completely agree with that.

- George had a solid game, but Owens was also good vs Blues. It's those 2 in the test team though, not fussed which way round they are.
- Thought Kruis and AWJ were about equal tonight, both put in massive shifts and outplayed their opposition. Lawes was also excellent vs Blues.
- POM. Agree here, thought he was great and balances the backrow nicely with Faletau at 8.
- SOB. Had a good game I agree, as did Tips vs Blues. Warbs has some work, and it aint looking good with him picking up another injury.
- Faletau. nailed on starter, even if he wasn't at his very best tonight. His main rival Stander is falling just a little short atm.
- Murray. Easily the best display from a 9 this tour. His kicking is top notch, and that'll be important vs NZ. Still annoying that he completely butchered 2 attacking opportunities.
- Sexton. A step in the right direction, but I'm still very worried with the 3 stinkers he had in a row previously (inc. Pro12 SF).
- Farrell. Nailed on to start somewhere imo. A few poor decisions tonight, which leads me to think he'd be better playing 12 with a hopefully on-form Sexton pulling the strings at 10.

Don't agree with number 2. Kruis was far better than AWJ. AWJ played better than his last game, but barely made any impact at all. Only Henderson is below him at the moment.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Not a single word of credit for Gatland in this thread that I can recall. Clearly he is a solid man manager and motivator, even if I think his selection policy and tactics are questionable.

 

[Maverick1987]

Time for some match highlights:


Big beginning statement of intent from Skyline here, seemingly the first time that the ref authority has been directly called into question.

Oh but here comes a Valley out of nowhere, delivering a huge blow to Skyline's credibility.

Another big hit, wasn't sure how Skyline was gonna come back from that one.

Oh but bthere he is! He's back up! Will the endless bludgeoning on the ref ever end?!

Valley with a quick jab at NZ's weak spot, the set piece.

And the hits just keep on coming, Valley taking a clear lead here, Skyline has no counter to this, it's undeniable, his team is rubbish.

One last blow from Valley and it is game over, I'm not sure what that word uncensored would've been but it was f***ing fatal.

Ever gracious in defeat Skyline delivers one back handed compliment, but in defiance continues to refuse to use the correct spelling of words, his trademark move.

This one won't be far away when comment of the season comes around .....

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

I can''t agree with the commentators waxing lyrical about how the Lions are "back on track". They aren't....their backline is still clueless and their scrum got a scrummaging lesson from the Crusaders. If we had a half decent referee who didn't wait until the 77th minute before he rewarded a clearly dominant scrum, then the result might have been considerably different.

IMO, nothing much has changed. If they think they can beat the All Blacks with this sort of game plan, accumulating points three at at time, they are in for a rude shock on June 24.

This just comes across as completely salty. If you can't see how strangling the life out of a pack full of all-blacks and preventing some talented backs from having any time on the ball is good practise for the test, you're blind. As regards the backline, we all know the basic skill-set of the lions players is way below that of the new zealanders and no-one should pretend otherwise, but just because the lions butchered a few opportunities with poor final passes doesn't make the backline hopeless. If you can't see the dramatic improvement so far, again, you're blind.

I also have to ask Smartcooky, why is it that you only ever manage to use your supposedly unrivalled and impartial knowledge of the rules of the game in service of teams you support?

 

[Skylinerd1]

Can I just say that McKenzie losing out to Sopoaga, J.Barrett AND Dagg is a disgrace.

The All Blacks selectors should be ashamed of themselves, the first time in a long time.

We cant have a bloody manlet trying to defuse bombs all over the show.

 

[dullonien]

Don't agree with number 2. Kruis was far better than AWJ. AWJ played better than his last game, but barely made any impact at all. Only Henderson is below him at the moment.

Thought AWJ was very good, is that just my bias showing through? Thought he dominated most of the collisions he was involved in, came very close to getting over the line late-on. He showed up well in the lineouts, taking some clean ball.

It's difficult to criticize any of the pack after such a dominant display up front.