Warm Up Match 4: Highlanders v British & Irish Lions (Dunedin)

[Papsmear]

Some massively questionable calls by the ref towards the end.


Highlanders played very well though and where deserved winners.

Also clear NZ fans don't know anything about the scrum laws.

Clear the Lions have a rubbish scrum.

 

[MarkyH]

Spoken like a real loser.

Sarcasm really not your strong point is it? You think for ONE SECOND I wouldn't take a victory over tries scored. Calm down dear!

 

[Penne Rara]

I don't like to be the one who makes early calls, but surely Mckenzie deserves to take the vacant seat Sopoaga just selflessly left?

 

[curtbob7]

Agree but on the latter, it has to remain an absolute side-note. When the result doesn't go your way I think you have to look at the opportunities your team had to rectify it, and the lions made more mistakes in decision making and execution than the referee did. The Highlanders played with amazing all-black like resilience when the game seemed to be going away from them, and unlike the lions, managed to keep up their intensity for the full 80.

I agree. I think the scrum will be a hot topic though. There's some serious boring-in occurring.

Lions do lack a creative spark though, id call up George Ford if the Sexton-Farrell project is to continue.

 

[McTallshort]

How did the ref get on?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

A ford or Russell would of been good for the obvious midweek squad IMO.

 

[GoTheNaki]

Commentators here talking about the refs and finding the consistancy. Talked how its a 23 man game. How their bench players come on and did naff all, or hindered their team, compared them to the impacts that an Ardie Savea, or potentially SBW can have off the bench. Talked about micro-skills, and lack of them.

 

[Papsmear]

I'd be really worried if I was Gatland; the number of players who are showing they just can't be counted on in pressure situations or players who just haven't turned up to this tour is really disappointing.!

What did u expect? Everyone knows the home unions players are generally one dimensional and lacking in skills.

 

[ncurd]

A ford or Russell would of been good for the obvious midweek squad IMO.

I do remember saying something along those lines as did a lot of other non-Welshman.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Maybe because we see so much of Krutoje Gatland feels he doesn't need to use it and can test other combos. If Itoje has a good game Saturday I would want Krutoje to be involved in the first test.

Fair point
Lawes concussion (presumably) has left us a bit short, though.
As mentioned above Gatland probably only meant to give AWJ a cameo off the bench today, but was forced into giving him 50.
I reckon it'll be Krutoje with Henderson on the bench, just to try and keep everyone fit

 

[Skylinerd1]

I don't like to be the one who makes early calls, but surely Mckenzie deserves to take the vacant seat Sopoaga just selflessly left?

Why? He's hardly played 10 all year?
Mkenzie will be found out at test level he another Fekitoa = Greedy fecker. He'll turn the ball over in a key moment in a test match gauranteed.

 

[Papsmear]

T

How did the ref get on?

Top game.

 

[Penne Rara]

Commentators here talking about the refs and finding the consistancy. Talked how its a 23 man game. How their bench players come on and did naff all, or hindered their team, compared them to the impacts that an Ardie Savea, or potentially SBW can have off the bench. Talked about micro-skills, and lack of them.

In my opinion, if you want to win a game by a good margin, and not just by two or three points, you need to look at macro-skills. Sure, micro-skills make a difference, but I don't want a nail biter when it comes to a real test between the ABs and the Lions. Let the tries flow

 

[Skylinerd1]

How did the ref get on?

Way better than pepe the frog in the last match.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

How did the ref get on?

Well the kiwis all love him, so...

 

[Penne Rara]

Why? He's hardly played 10 all year?
Mkenzie will be found out at test level he another Fekitoa = Greedy fecker. He'll turn the ball over in a key moment in a test match gauranteed.

You're right, he needs to play a bit more with kicks to be the complete package. But he's not far from reaching his full potential and I believe he can cope a bit more under pressure.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

What did u expect? Everyone knows the home unions players are generally one dimensional and lacking in skills.

[MEDIA]

 

[GoTheNaki]

You're right, he needs to play a bit more with kicks to be the complete package. But he's not far from reaching his full potential and I believe he can cope a bit more under pressure.

Next season, keys to franchise. Then we'll see. Potentially Naholo and Seta to meet up at the Chiefs (rumours), but they played 30mins down the road from me, together...so.. Wouldnt be surprised. They use to live together, well... I thought they did. They were always at the same house for parties lol.

 

[Penne Rara]

Next season, keys to franchise. Then we'll see. Potentially Naholo and Seta to meet up at the Chiefs (rumours), but the played 30mins down the road from me, together...so.. Wouldnt be surprised. They use to live together, well... I thought they did. They were always at the same house for parties lol.

I don't get it. What's up with Seta switching from Chiefs to Saders and back to Chiefs? What's the logic behind it?

 

[galumay]

Entertaining game, could have gone either way, Highlanders were better than i expected with the missing players, but I thought the Lions really played well give the team they picked too. Another tight finish and I dont think the Lions would be too disappointed that one got away from them, on the other hand you could see how much it meant for the Landers, they were ecstatic after the finish.