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

[valley commando]

I'm more of a "tranny" man myself. I reckon that makes me younger than the wireless brigade!

What......, you wear womens clothes, you should be watching soccer, thats a girls game

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

There's far more to being a fullback than kicking goals.

This is VC remember, as far as Wales are concerned the grand total responsibilities of a FB are catch and kick, nothing else. I mean hell, Wales obviously have the best FB, back row, centres, half backs and forwards in the world. Maybe a space on the wing for Watson among the all dominating Welsh side. Oh and apparently some Welsh 10 is so good he will deffo be a Lion and makes Barrett look like a child.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

.

 

[Penne Rara]

Utterly dominant performance against a mistake-ridden Maori side that seemed devoid of ideas. . They committed far too many unforced errors which served to compound the problems caused by the errors that came from pressure by the Lions.

After leading 29-10 at the 54 minute mark, with over 72% possession and 75% territory, a totally dominant scrum and massive 14-4 penalty count in their favour, the Lions should really have put the Maoris away, Broken tackles 21-8, missed tackles 16-6, Rucks and Mauls 122-53. yet all they could manage was a single penalty goal in the last 25 minutes of the game. They should have won by a lot more than they did.

No doubt they will be happy with the win, but if Gatland is not concerned about their inability to finish off a team that played so poorly, then he should be. All that possession, territory and dominance, yet they were only able to score two tries, one of those was a penalty try. The All Blacks will not miss all those tackles and make all those errors (forced or unforced) next weekend.

One a side note, there were several players in the Maori side who appear to have played their way out of an All Blacks jersey. This match was a sharp reality check for those calling for the selection of Damien McKenzie. He is nowhere near ready for the big time!!!

Agreed with the most part of your comment. This match is hugely underwhelming, I'm kinda happy I didn't get to watch it in its entirety (but I went to the mass, so it was nearly as boring anyway).

I think Dmac can still prove himself, but not at 10. He is a natural fullback, should remain in that position and I've always thought so. Coaches need to let him run the ball from deep behind... playing as a five eighth restrains his options big time.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Agreed with the most part of your comment. This match is hugely underwhelming, I'm kinda happy I didn't get to watch it in its entirety (but I went to the mass, so it was nearly as boring anyway).

I think Dmac can still prove himself, but not at 10. He is a natural fullback, should remain in that position and I've always thought so. Coaches need to let him run the ball from deep behind... playing as a five eighth restrains his options big time.

Should have had a mass like this:

 

[ncurd]

Ok, seeing as Valley goes around disliking any post that doesn't praise every Welsh player as a God, would anyone mind if I just go through disliking all of his posts?

This is in reference to him disliking my comment saying about Halfpenny that there's more to being a fullback than goal kicking. Not quite sure how disliking that is justified.

I'm trying to make a point when VC dislikes a post to liking it.

Seriously I think all but 2 of my negatives rating are from him.

Problem with this kind of rating system I'm down voting him almost semi-religiously ATM

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I'm trying to make a point when VC dislikes a post to liking it.

Seriously I think all but 2 of my negatives rating are from him.

Problem with this kind of rating system I'm down voting him almost semi-religiously ATM

I think I'll be joining you on that crusade. Being able to blindly dislike any point you disagree with is ruining the forum, it's meaning that you get punished for having a different opinion to someone else. For the most part I enjoy the like/dislike system, it's just the people like VC that come along and abuse it that ruin it for everyone. 3 of my 4 dislikes are all just VC when I've said something against the Welsh.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

I think I'll be joining you on that crusade. Being able to blindly dislike any point you disagree with is ruining the forum, it's meaning that you get punished for having a different opinion to someone else. For the most part I enjoy the like/dislike system, it's just the people like VC that come along and abuse it that ruin it for everyone. 3 of my 4 dislikes are all just VC when I've said something against the Welsh.

The "like" system is under review. In the meantime nobody will think ill of anyone having a sliver of red on their bar I'm sure.

 

[ncurd]

The "like" system is under review. In the meantime nobody will think ill of anyone having a sliver of red on their bar I'm sure.

I genuinely don't care about even having a slightly larger negative thing. I do dislike it when the reason your getting it is largely from a user everyone else considers a joke.

 

[TommiG88]

I'm trying to make a point when VC dislikes a post to liking it.

Seriously I think all but 2 of my negatives rating are from him.

Problem with this kind of rating system I'm down voting him almost semi-religiously ATM

I haven't seen VC post...

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I haven't seen VC post...

He's like a Welsh John Cena.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

I haven't seen VC post...

He operates in the shadows

The "like" system is under review. In the meantime nobody will think ill of anyone having a sliver of red on their bar I'm sure.

Is it? I don't think they have any alternative to it

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Love your dislikes, love your h8rs.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Love your dislikes, love your h8rs.

Spreading the love.

 

[MarkyH]

All the Welsh lads played excellently! SOB was rubbish, Itoje was rubbish and Watson was just terrible. Not sure on Sexton either. Think if Warbs, AWJ and Williams came it we would've won by 40+ Anyone who doesn't agree should 'Shut up'

In all seriousness I'm more than happy with the pack, great balance, combos that know each other well and real class. Warbs on the bench for now. Real strength in depth too as I'd love to find a place for CJ and Tips. Itoje and Kruis were fantastic today, and Faletau oozes class. I'd be happy with McGrath starting and having Mako as impact, same at hooker with Owens or George. POM and SOB great all over the park.

In the backs our limited game plan won't suit North or Watson but they both chased the high ball well, and if they do ever get the ball and chances to go for the line I'm sure they are the quality we need to finish them off. Thought Sexton today was fantastic, proper would class FH. Farrell on the bench for now, but at least we know we've got two quality options at 10. Murray not as good as last week but still quality.

Centres are still a tiny problem. Te'o ran some great lines but won't pass, altthough if someone just ran with him it it would end in scores.. For now he deserves the 12 shirt. JD played ok too, again made good line breaks and his kicks in behind were decent but passing wasn't happening again, and got bumped once in the 2nd half. Its too tight to call, I don't mind JD if we had a more creative 12 but two carriers who can't/don't pass isn't ideal. I'd like to see either Henshaw - JD combo or Te'o JJ combo. To be fair to JD he does give us front foot ball, and if our tactics are limited then JD and Te'o is the way to go.

Halfpenny fine. Lacks in flair but is solid asf! Great kicker. Would rather have a more dynamic attacker there but that just isn't going to happen

 

[valley commando]

I'm more of a "tranny" man myself. I reckon that makes me younger than the wireless brigade!

What......, you wear womens clothes, you should be watching soccer, thats a girls game

This is VC remember, as far as Wales are concerned the grand total responsibilities of a FB are catch and kick, nothing else. I mean hell, Wales obviously have the best FB, back row, centres, half backs and forwards in the world. Maybe a space on the wing for Watson among the all dominating Welsh side. Oh and apparently some Welsh 10 is so good he will deffo be a Lion and makes Barrett look like a child.

Idiot

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Spreading the love.

I'd return the favour but I made an oath to myself never to use that button! I'll report you if you try hard enough though!

 

[MarkyH]

What......, you wear womens clothes, you should be watching soccer, thats a girls game

Idiot

How old are you VC? You're fun to read but I can see how you rub people up the wrong way. When JD botched a pass right at the start, and commented in here you instantly told them to 'Shut Up' It makes me laugh as its how my 8 year old talks when he doesn't get his own way.

Keep it up tho

 

[Jockstap]

Amazing how much better the Kiwi coverage of the game is compared to the tripe offered up by skyuk this morning.

 

[valley commando]

I think I'll be joining you on that crusade. Being able to blindly dislike any point you disagree with is ruining the forum, it's meaning that you get punished for having a different opinion to someone else. For the most part I enjoy the like/dislike system, it's just the people like VC that come along and abuse it that ruin it for everyone. 3 of my 4 dislikes are all just VC when I've said something against the Welsh.

Now your acting like a spoilt 4 year old, who gives a f**** if others like or dislike what you say, its subjective. These forums are about opinions why would you be so sensitive when someone dislikes your comments.

I genuinely don't care about even having a slightly larger negative thing. I do dislike it when the reason your getting it is largely from a user everyone else considers a joke.

You poor sensitive thing