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

[valley commando]

Massively disagree. All 3 English locks are a class above him. There's a few more British locks id have there ahead of him.

You have to remember he has been injured and will improve game to game, he will be back to peak fitness and performance within the next 10 to 14 days, I'm pretty sure. I'm not getting into a *** for tat, my Dads bigger than yours argument. re 2nd rows

 

[Every Time Ref]

He deffo tried to milk the pen. Ended up looking a howler of a pass. Web is clearly not as good as Peranara or is it Smith (both?) at it. Some scrum halves literally throw balls at retreating players, or exaggerate the difficulty in retrieving a ball when a tackler is stuck on the wrong side. When it happens, I think 9s should be carded for unsportsmanlike conduct.

On the retreating player, the NZ lad was clearly offside. He was not interfering (probably). Just as offside as AWJ was in the previous game which had some NZ supporters baying for yellow cards. Occurred to me that the NZ player had sidestepped into AWJ at the time, so clearly no intent by him.

We could go on forever.

I'm not denying he tried to milk the pen -doesn't mean he shouldn't have got it. I don't feel any sympathy for players that are offside / lying the wrong side and give away a penalty, regardless of whether the scrumhalf milks it. Tough ****, you shouldn't have been there in the first place.

We could indeed go on forever ...

 

[curtbob7]

You have to remember he has been injured and will improve game to game, he will be back to peak fitness and performance within the next 10 to 14 days, I'm pretty sure. I'm not getting into a *** for tat, my Dads bigger than yours argument. re 2nd rows

Hopefully he proves me wrong!

 

[Nubiwan]

Shame isn't it. The same will happen regarding Warbs

You could put your next mortgage payment on Warburton's inclusion on the bench, at the very least, for the first test. How could Gatland not select him? Would require a pretty amazing set of gonads, if he did.

 

[Nubiwan]

In the Crusaders game he put a few critics to bed, he played well.

Indeed he did, but his impact in Dunedin was meh. Too much to ask of him in too short a time. Very odd choice in hindsight. Surely, Itoje was a better option to cover flank or lock. Perhaps he wanted some leadership from the bench. Very odd choice - certainly given the amount of time he ended up having to play within 72 hours. You cannot account for injury I suppose.

 

[Nubiwan]

As for this ongoing Farrell in a NZ Super Rugby side... discussion.... Really? I watch Super Rugby more than any other rugby event, from round 1 through the finals. I love it apart from the ludicrous blow out games. The NZ derbies clearly offering the best engagements, as well as the equalisation whihc occurs when the NZ provinces face a trip to OZ or SA. Its riveting and awesome rugby. On what I have seen, Farrell would fit into any NZ provincial side, and do a more than adequate job. Solid tackler. Higher percentage goal kicker than most NZ 10's and good distributor. Whether he is better than all your 10's is not my point. He would not be out of place in any of your provincial sides is all I am saying.

 

[valley commando]

Massively disagree. All 3 English locks are a class above him. There's a few more British locks id have there ahead of him.

You have to remember he has been injured and will improve game to game, he will be back to peak fitness and performance within the next 10 to 14 days, I'm pretty sure. I'm not getting into a *** for tat, my Dads bigger than yours argument. re 2nd rows

Indeed he did, but his impact in Dunedin was meh. Too much to ask of him in too short a time. Very odd choice in hindsight. Surely, Itoje was a better option to cover flank or lock. Perhaps he wanted some leadership from the bench. Very odd choice - certainly given the amount of time he ended up having to play within 72 hours. You cannot account for injury I suppose.

No the better option would be Johnny Fox's brother, James Cubby Davies, not far short of Warbs and Tips at their best (ask Wayne Pivac) but not deemed good enough for the Wales squads current tour choosing instead to pick the likes of nowhere near nor will they ever be international class, Ellis Jenkins and Josh Navidi. The fact that Ellis and Navidi are Cardiff players is the only reason they got picked that I can think of.

 

[Maverick1987]

Only just rewatched the game and have to say I thought the referee was awful ...... this video is a fair reflection on how I feel about him ....

https://www.rugbypass.com/article/video-refereeing-decisions-gift-highlanders-victory-lions

 

[Nubiwan]

Only just rewatched the game and have to say I thought the referee was awful ...... this video is a fair reflection on how I feel about him ....

https://www.rugbypass.com/article/video-refereeing-decisions-gift-highlanders-victory-lions

Forgot about the obstruction for the try. That was pretty iffy. Pretty big f3ckin iffy. Recall listening to the ref and TMO who gave it a cursory, "yeah we looked at it and we're happy". Total bullshit ignorant "you're not worthy to ask me" reffing. It was deffo obstruction and the player did all he could to get in the way of the defender. Not even a sniff of a proper review. Ludicrous.

The dropped scrum was a plain laugh. Heard enough Kiwis going on about that French laugh of a ref last week. This fellas was bo77ocks an' all. I think the two games this NZ ref have done have both been cr@p in all honesty. Is he the only ref in NZ that wants these matches? Does he do ALL your games? Must get tired out there. Come on NZ - giz a better whistle man

Still, that's the way it goes. You make the most of your chances and reffing decisions, and be sure to play yourself beyond any difference the ref might make. Two teams were still evenly balanced, and Lions lost. They made enough school boy mistakes of their own in the last quarter to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

 

[Nubiwan]

You have to remember he has been injured and will improve game to game, he will be back to peak fitness and performance within the next 10 to 14 days, I'm pretty sure. I'm not getting into a *** for tat, my Dads bigger than yours argument. re 2nd rows

No the better option would be Johnny Fox's brother, James Cubby Davies, not far short of Warbs and Tips at their best (ask Wayne Pivac) but not deemed good enough for the Wales squads current tour choosing instead to pick the likes of nowhere near nor will they ever be international class, Ellis Jenkins and Josh Navidi. The fact that Ellis and Navidi are Cardiff players is the only reason they got picked that I can think of.

Well, was referring to those actually available on the Lions squad, and present in NZ, me ole mucker. Not your best mate from the 2nd XV in Caerphilly (sp?).

 

[Immenso]

Gardner is an Australian ref.

Agree about the obstruction on the try. Dumb thing to do (usually) in the TMO age. But Lions try to Warburton was similar woth AWJ pulling defender into the ruck, so that rugby pass video is bias waaaaaaah nonsense if it totally omits any analysis of that.

Apparently the penalty v Cole was a call by the French touchie, not by Gardiner. Pulling his opposite in and down. I wouldn't have called in my non-prop amateur opinion, but not fussed myself, personally think modern scrum laws and officiating are nonsense anyway , spin the wheel & accept the out of proportion punishment to offence. Only way to stay sane.

 

[smartcooky]

Only just rewatched the game and have to say I thought the referee was awful ...... this video is a fair reflection on how I feel about him ....

https://www.rugbypass.com/article/video-refereeing-decisions-gift-highlanders-victory-lions

Oh, this is just priceless.... just looking at this photo....

tells me all I need to know about this guy.... he's utterly clueless

He's claiming that all the Lions players are onside because they are behind what he calls the Lions offside line. This plonker needs to go do an ELRA course so that he can at least learn some of the fundamentals of the Laws of the Game. The offside line at a ruck doesn't run through the middle of the ruck as he has indicated, it runs through the hindmost foot of the Lions hindmost player at the time the ruck was formed. It does NOT come forward just because that Lions ruck participant is no longer on his feet!!!

The offside line is in fact where I have marked it in this photo...

...and every single Lions player in that back line is offside

 

[GoTheNaki]

News just announced on radio in NZ.

Malakai Fekitoa looking for options abroad at the end of season.

 

[Immenso]

Oh, this is just priceless.... just looking at this photo....

tells me all I need to know about this guy.... he's utterly clueless

He's claiming that all the Lions players are onside because they are behind what he calls the Lions offside line. This plonker needs to go do an ELRA course so that he can at least learn some of the fundamentals of the Laws of the Game. The offside line at a ruck doesn't run through the middle of the ruck as he has indicated, it runs through the hindmost foot of the Lions hindmost player at the time the ruck was formed. It does NOT come forward just because that Lions ruck participant is no longer on his feet!!!

The offside line is in fact where I have marked it in this photo...

...and every single Lions player in that back line is offside

His line conveniently put every Lion onside.

Anyway, who quibbles with on offside call. What a baby. He's former Iran coach though, quite a resume.

 

[Nubiwan]

Oh, this is just priceless.... just looking at this photo....

tells me all I need to know about this guy.... he's utterly clueless

He's claiming that all the Lions players are onside because they are behind what he calls the Lions offside line. This plonker needs to go do an ELRA course so that he can at least learn some of the fundamentals of the Laws of the Game. The offside line at a ruck doesn't run through the middle of the ruck as he has indicated, it runs through the hindmost foot of the Lions hindmost player at the time the ruck was formed. It does NOT come forward just because that Lions ruck participant is no longer on his feet!!!

The offside line is in fact where I have marked it in this photo...

...and every single Lions player in that back line is offside

Last foot you say! If they started calling offside as the last foot in a ruck, then they'd basically be penalizing players till the cows come home. If you are going to call offside at the ruck, like that one above, then do it for both sides please. Refs almost certainly do not use the back foot of the ruck as a guide, that is clear. Those Lions in the picture look as onside as any Highlanders defensive line did on the night. Perhaps Gardner read all the recent NZ press and sort to even things out a bit. Thought Garner was cr@p in fairness, but don't blame the Lions defeat on his performance. Lions did all they needed to themselves to to lose. Ref was still pants. My apologies for confusing him for a New Zealander, all the same Where is Craig Joubert?

 

[Nubiwan]

Gardner is an Australian ref.

Agree about the obstruction on the try. Dumb thing to do (usually) in the TMO age. But Lions try to Warburton was similar woth AWJ pulling defender into the ruck, so that rugby pass video is bias waaaaaaah nonsense if it totally omits any analysis of that.

Apparently the penalty v Cole was a call by the French touchie, not by Gardiner. Pulling his opposite in and down. I wouldn't have called in my non-prop amateur opinion, but not fussed myself, personally think modern scrum laws and officiating are nonsense anyway , spin the wheel & accept the out of proportion punishment to offence. Only way to stay sane.

Just watched the Warbly try again, and I reckon AWJ is simply pulling a NZ player through a ruck before he could lay all over the ball Not even comparable with the blatant obstruction. Clearly the French officials no dick all about scrum collapsing.

 

[GoTheNaki]

Just watched the Warbly try again, and I reckon AWJ is simply pulling a NZ player through a ruck before he could lay all over the ball Not even comparable with the blatant obstruction. Clearly the French officials no dick all about scrum collapsing.

I swear i saw one of the team's halfbacks completely cleared out... You cant play the half-back right....? He hadnt even picked the ball up.

 

[Ground We Won]

Just watched the Warbly try again, and I reckon AWJ is simply pulling a NZ player through a ruck before he could lay all over the ball Not even comparable with the blatant obstruction. Clearly the French officials no dick all about scrum collapsing.

Well when you complain about it in the news be consistent about it too!!

 

[smartcooky]

Last foot you say! If they started calling offside as the last foot in a ruck, then they'd basically be penalizing players till the cows come home. If you are going to call offside at the ruck, like that one above, then do it for both sides please. Refs almost certainly do not use the back foot of the ruck as a guide, that is clear.

Complete and utter crap. You have absolutely no clue at all about the Laws of the Game, do you?

LAW 16.5 OFFSIDE AT THE RUCK
(a) The offside line. There are two offside lines parallel to the goal lines, one for each team.
Each offside line runs through the hindmost foot of the hindmost player in the ruck. If the
hindmost foot of the hindmost player is on or behind the goal line, the offside line for the
defending team is the goal line.

You just go out to your local club rugby ground and you ask ANY referee where the ruck offside line is.

Those Lions in the picture look as onside as any Highlanders defensive line did on the night.

You do undertstand that the players in the ruck are not offside, they are part of the ruck?

I have added the Highlanders offside line (blue) to this. Perhaps you can point out the Highlanders players who are offside....

 

[The Jones Boy]

The offside line at a ruck doesn't run through the middle of the ruck as he has indicated, it runs through the hindmost foot of the Lions hindmost player at the time the ruck was formed. It does NOT come forward just because that Lions ruck participant is no longer on his feet!!!

Applying your careful consideration it occurs to me from the evidence of your photo...


The Lions look clearly onside.
The player closest to the Lions in that ruck is clearly a Highlanders player who is on his feet. He is well ahead of the the nearest red shirt we can see in that ruck.

The hindmost Lions player appears to be in the middle of the ruck.
Ergo according to what you have written and I have quoted ... Those Lions are all on side.

Good call by the ref.
You wanna get your eyes checked Cooky.
Only one of them appears to be working ;-)

Look at the photo, the ref is looking at the halfback. The ball is close to coming out and being distributed to the Highlanders backline, the ref has his arm out. He looks like he has called the Lions line to stay onside and he was happy with where they were at the time he called it, in the split second after that some of the Lions players have anticipated the ball coming out and there has been a tad of 'creeping' from the defending team.
Every team does that, including our beloved All Blacks and as long as it's not blatant, like where a player bolts out of the line way ahead of his team mates, no unbiased referee will ever ping a team for that.

The Highlanders are well behind the offside line, Why? ... because they are attacking and they are expecting the ball. They are a top side, they know what they are doing.
That is standard practice for any good team.
Creating depth so they can run on to the ball at pace.
You need to learn a bit more about how the game is played and focus less on the pedantic approach toward the technical laws son.

Application.
Thats the key.
Now stop whining and make better use of your time. ;-)