Warm Up Match 5: Maori All Blacks v British & Irish Lions (Rotorua)

[Reiser99]

Forwards look set, question over if they can get the backs to function and score tries.

 

[galumay]

Much better from the Lions, played the MAB's out of the game. Won the game all across the park, dominated possesion and territory and just gave the MAB's nothing to work with.

I still think they are a mile off being good enough to win against the AB's, and it was not particularly entertaining rugby - but that wont worry the Lions fans. At least it will give those fans that have travelled halfway across the planet to watch their team some hope and something to celebrate over a pint tonight!

In fairness to the MAB's they didnt get much prep, missing key potential players from the AB's and the weather didnt suit their more up tempo, heads up rugby - but none of that explains the scale of the domination, that was certainly due to a more accurate and efficient game from the Lions.

 

[ncurd]

As crap as our backs play was that's a decent scoreline considering everyone said we were in for a battering

Yup it's a monster starting pack full of quality. It's only our centers and fullback I genuinely worry about.

 

[GoTheNaki]

Wellllll...... NZ media gonna be making excuses all week.. But that was clinical. And the way teams can shutdown the Hurricanes and Barrett at Super Rugby... Id be very worried.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Part of me actually doesn't mind if the AB's put 50 on us, so we can see some tries and don't have to watch this utter dross

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Well certainly wasn't pretty, but pretty much suffocated the NZ Maori. Back play was poor though. Just seem clueless. Whether that's coaching (looking at Howley and Farrell) and lack or skills (Te'o and Davies are there for their size and defence) or combo of both - Lions don't look like scoring tries, other than through the forwards.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Players whose stock has risen:

Teo
Davies
(Not convinced that as a pair they have the right balance in attack, but individually both good and Warrenball being what it is they'll start I reckon)
Itoje
Furlong but he's nailed on already
POM

Stock has fallen:

Rob Howley
Rob Howley
Murray but he's nailed on already
Laidlaw and Biggar
Rob Howley

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

As crap as our backs play was that's a decent scoreline considering everyone said we were in for a battering

But I just don't understand how they can't see that when we come to the tests we might wish we'd managed to prep our back play a bit more. It's hopelessly shortsighted to think that this match will have any relevance to how we can win against the all-blacks.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I'd want Farrell at 12 and a replacement for North, don't think they have a prayer though.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I love Maro
He should just be the official spokesman

 

[nik]

The MABs are played dumb rugby. I found the selections are bit odd. DMac was a flop at 10. However he has hardly played that position in super rugby with any great success. Lowe at FB was not good enough and another strange selection. However the backline is all a moot point. MAB got mauled up front. Hardly got any decent ball. Forced into too many mistakes and too unforced errors as well.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Well certainly wasn't pretty, but pretty much suffocated the NZ Maori. Back play was poor though. Just seem clueless. Whether that's coaching (looking at Howley and Farrell) and lack or skills (Te'o and Davies are there for their size and defence) or combo of both - Lions don't look like scoring tries, other than through the forwards.

Farrell's only defence thoguh isn't he? Defence was good.

Unless you think he's overstepping his bounds like he did with Lancaster's England, which is far from inconceivable

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Players whose stock has risen:

Teo
Davies
(Not convinced that as a pair they have the right balance in attack, but individually both good and Warrenball being what it is they'll start I reckon)
Itoje
Furlong but he's nailed on already
POM

Stock has fallen:

Rob Howley
Rob Howley
Murray but he's nailed on already
Laidlaw and Biggar
Rob Howley

You missed the part where Warburton managed to leave the pitch uninjured - which probably puts him ahead of O'Brien unfortunately

 

[Bluemoon]

I don't think it was genius, but the Lions played to their strengths today and it more than shut down a very creative team. They also played the conditions well. The pack is near ready. Thought Owens and George both really nailed the shirt down.

Are we holding back some backs moves to try and surprise the ABs. That might be the Lions coaching plan, but it's risky.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

I only really watched the Maori for the first time in November and they looked pretty lightweight up front. No idea if team selection is similar here, but if so the Lions will be able to trudge to a low scoring but comfortable victory!

Reasonable selection from Gatland given Farrell's injury, I'd only oppose Halfpenny over Liam Williams at fullback. Teo and Watson did enough to earn consideration for Test starts in my opinion, partly in the absence of anyone else sticking their hands up.

Maori 12 - 20 Lions

Broadly happy with my prediction. Maori are somehow weaker than all the Super Rugby sides and were a mess today. I learnt zero about the Lions backs in this match and they learnt zero about how to play with each other.

If Gatland thinks he is scoring more than 15 points in any test with this approach he is delusional.

 

[Every Time Ref]

You missed the part where Warburton managed to leave the pitch uninjured - which probably puts him ahead of O'Brien unfortunately

Yeah true, Warbs will definitely play unfortunately. Even if Warbs was on top form, I think POM-Warbs-Faletau lacks a bit of balance anyway. If I had to crowbar Warbs into that back row I'd probably drop POM personally

 

[ncurd]

Teo

My issue with Te'o and i think.it showed this match is he's excellent at tired defences which is why he's a bench player for me and not a starter. Whereas if you have to play one of them (Davies/Te'o) Davies actually does stuff from the off.

I still think we have looked best in attack last week and would prefer Farrell at 12 but accept JJ and Henshaw haven't really put their hand up.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

I don't think it was genius, but the Lions played to their strengths today and it more than shut down a very creative team. They also played the conditions well. The pack is near ready. Thought Owens and George both really nailed the shirt down.

Are we holding back some backs moves to try and surprise the ABs. That might be the Lions coaching plan, but it's risky.

We can but hope. Otherwise, our plan is basically to have Te'o walk the ball up right into contact almost as if he's trying to form a maul.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Are we holding back some backs moves to try and surprise the ABs. That might be the Lions coaching plan, but it's risky.

Ah, the Joe Schmidt tactic. Keep it all in reserve for the world cup.

 

[mosfeldt]

Yeah it's weird that was our most convincing win yet I am still very not convinced. Kicking for posts and living off 2 scrappy tries ain't gonna cut it against the ABs.

If the ABs had that amount of territory and possession there would've been a cricket score. Now I know the Lions are not the ABs but c'mon... Anyway not to be a negative nancy. Our defense is ferocious and most of the lads are playing very well. I can't wait to see Farrell again, and it's really exciting having an in-form Sexton and Farrell as our 2 10's (can't see Gats going for 10-12, too risky). I am definitely excited for the Tests but if our attack continues to be this blunt it will be a definitive 3-0.

Also is it just me or has North been anonymous?