Lions v Barbarians (Official Match Thread)

[mrzimmerman]

First topic message reminder :

The team has been named. What do you think? Predictions for the match?

British & Irish Lions:
S Hogg (Scotland); A Cuthbert (Wales), J Davies (Wales), J Roberts (Wales), S Maitland (Scotland); O Farrell (England), M Phillips (Wales); M Vunipola (England), R Hibbard (Wales), A Jones (Wales), R Gray (Scotland), P O’Connell (Ireland, capt), D Lydiate (Wales), J Tipuric (Wales), T Faletau (Wales).

Replacements: T Youngs (England), C Healy (Ireland), M Stevens (England), A W Jones (Wales), J Heaslip (Ireland), C Murray (Ireland), J Sexton (Ireland), G North (Wales).


Barbarians:
15 Jared Payne, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Casey Laulala, 11 Taku Ngwenya, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Sergio Parisse,
7 Sam Jones, 6 Samu Manoa, 5 Dean Mumm, 4 Marco Wentzel, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Paul James.

Replacements: 16 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Jim Hamilton, 19 Imanol Harinordoquy, 20 Andrea Lo Cicero, 21 Kahn Fotuali'i, 22 James Hook, 23 Mike Tindall.

[Sgt_Pooly]

Come on Blue, Murray's pass has been a marked improvement on what Phillips has been doing all game

[Cari]

Cuthbert over for his second! Notice how he was careful not to land on the ball this time Bluesman...

He did go down on it!!!

But it was tucked under his right arm more, and he landed leaning on his side a bit rather than flat on it.

[Sgt_Pooly]

Compare distributions of Murray and Sexton to Phillips and Farrell. No comparison. Less said about Sextons kicking the better. At least Cuthbert didn't wind himself on the ball that time.

Totally agree

[George Carlin]

Would love to know the possession stats. Don't think that the Babas have put 3 straight phases together.

[thebluesmancometh]

Compare distributions of Murray and Sexton to Phillips and Farrell. No comparison. Less said about Sextons kicking the better. At least Cuthbert didn't wind himself on the ball that time.

Totally agree

You too are hilarious!!

Look at who Murray is passing to, a middleman between he and the 10 cutting down the space, then Sexton is coming far closer!

Similarly Kahn isn't hitting his 10, he's moving the ball in hand to pass to less distance!!

Read the game boys, put your bias on the backburner for a minute!

[Cari]

Lions going for the corner...can they make the half century?

[Cari]

Lydiate scores!!!

[t1000advancedprototype]

Wales + POC destroying babaas.

[Sgt_Pooly]

What bias??

Farrell is English and he can't pass for toffee, Murray is Irish!

Massive improvement at halfback Blue, I'm surprised you don't agree actually.

[cakeordeath]

I didn't think that was grounded

[thebluesmancometh]

Lydiate scores!!!

Are you watching 2 minutes ahead of Sky sports?

Oh just realised I rewound my sky +

[Cari]

Pleased for Lydiate...he needed that.

54-8 at 76:00

[Cari]

Lydiate scores!!!

Are you watching 2 minutes ahead of Sky sports?

Oh just realised I rewound my sky +

To be honest, I would've missed it had it not been for the commentary...he just sneaked it over.

[Feckless Rogue]

Lydiate is on the field?

Such a limited player. I'll despair if Gatland selects him.

[thebluesmancometh]

What bias??

Farrell is English and he can't pass for toffee, Murray is Irish!

Massive improvement at halfback Blue, I'm surprised you don't agree actually.

Oh I do agree, but it is 2 fresh halfbacks who are known to each other and int team mates, plus the Lions have countered the issue of distribution by bringing forward into the 10 harbour, and reducing the distance, watch how close Sextons come!

Phillips and Faz dist were poor, but I won't read too much into it because they don't know each other and both encountered an unknown quantity, whereas the pair who have come on are known and have seen an hour of the difficulties.

[Cari]

Not surprisingly Mike Phillips is MOTM

[Sgt_Pooly]

Mike Phillips motm.......

We'll leave it that we agree Phillps and Farrell distributed poorly lol

[Cari]

Alywynjo over for the last try!!

[t1000advancedprototype]

Wales and friends start their tour with a bang.

[BamBam]

Wales and friends start their tour with a bang.

Don't be a w****r

[Hood83]

[quote="t1000advancedprototype"]Wales + POC destroying babaas.[/quote

You don't really get the Lions concept do you?

[Cari]

59 - 8 at FT. Well done Lions. Start as you mean to go on!

[Feckless Rogue]

Sexton missing kicks

[cakeordeath]

Can someone remind me what Stevens offers?

[Pal Joey]

Great commitment an cohesion from the Lions under difficult conditions.
The BaaBaas hardly had any ball and looked disorganised throughout.

59-8 FT.

[Cari]

[quote="Hood83"]

Wales + POC destroying babaas.[/quote

You don't really get the Lions concept do you?

Neither does the Sky commentator "A really good day for Wales..."

[Breadvan]

Alywynjo over for the last try!!

Stop that nickname now!

[thebluesmancometh]

Can someone remind me what Stevens offers?

[Pal Joey]

Sexton missing kicks

Don't worry mate. It's the humidity. Legs turn to jelly very quickly (awful feeling) and the air is heavier.

He'll be fine in Oz.

[thebluesmancometh]

Sexton missing kicks

Don't worry mate. It's the humidity. Legs turn to jelly very quickly (awful feeling) and the air is heavier.

He'll be fine in Oz.

He was on for 20 mins!!!

[George Carlin]

Good performance in what were clearly difficult conditions.

If we can put 30 on the Western Force, then that will mean much more than putting 60 on this Barbarians team.

Edit: is Greenwood standing on a stepladder or is he really as big as O'Connell?

[Hood83]

Thought POC and Tipuric were a far better shout for MOM, even Phillips said his skills were poor! Give him his dues, that was a classy interview. Gone up in my estimations massively. And two good tries so good job. A positive start.

[Sgt_Pooly]

Can someone remind me what Stevens offers?

He sorts out the "entertainment"

[thebluesmancometh]

Fair play to Phillips, what an interview!!!

Far better performances than mine

I wasn't being big headed Rocks is my teammate

POC is a legend

etc...

[Duty281]

Very professional display that from the Lions in intense heat and humidity. Bigger tests to come, but that was a good as start as could be hoped for. Roll on the Western Force on Wednesday!

[Feckless Rogue]

Sexton showed he was far superior to Farrell in open play. Got the backs moving really well. Has to start at 10.

So if his kicking goes badly it might actually cost Hogg his spot to Halfpenny.

[Gibson]

That's that to88er Barnes, Cari. A lot of the Welsh players will be replaced by English and Irish ones come the Tests. For sure. The squad for this game was all about the readiness of players involved in the Amlin, PRO12 and Jeff Finals.

This is the Lions. Not any one of the 4 countries.

Good workout in those conditions. Baa Baas were woeful opposition though.

[George Carlin]

Don't worry Sergio.

You're still married to Miss France.

[thebluesmancometh]

That's that to88er Barnes, Cari. A lot of the Welsh players will be replaced by English and Irish ones come the Tests. For sure. The squad for this game was all about the readiness of players involved in the Amlin, PRO12 and Jeff Finals.

This is the Lions. Not any one of the 4 countries.

Good workout in those conditions. Baa Baas were woeful opposition though.

I thought they were good actually, really battled but were just totally dominated at the set peice and breakdwon by a team who will look to do that to Aus too!!!

[Hood83]

Fair play to Phillips, what an interview!!!

Far better performances than mine

I wasn't being big headed Rocks is my teammate

POC is a legend

etc...

100% agreed. Think he had a very middling game but an excellent interview. Seemed a top bloke and very humble, exactly what you want in a Lion.

[Pal Joey]

Sexton missing kicks

Don't worry mate. It's the humidity. Legs turn to jelly very quickly (awful feeling) and the air is heavier.

He'll be fine in Oz.

He was on for 20 mins!!!

Blues, it doesn't take long. Look at those drop kickers in the 7s. It took them about 20 years to adjust!
I suppose you have to experience Asia to know what I'm talking about. It's an awful heavy feeling you get... not just tired but 'less value' for shots if you don't nail the sweet spot. The humidity also plays tricks with the trajectories. Trust me.

[t1000advancedprototype]

[quote="Cari"]

Wales + POC destroying babaas.[/quote

You don't really get the Lions concept do you?

Neither does the Sky commentator "A really good day for Wales..."

Maybe I fully embrace the lions with more passion than you could imagine? Maybe what I said was a joke?

Who knows.

Stuart Barnes also said Phillips plays for Biarritz lol.

[maestegmafia]

Gotta give credit to Faz, since the 20th minute mark he has settled and is looking pretty good, stopped kicking ball away.

But then there has been no pressure on him at all since 20!!!

Several pointless up and understand

I am still unimpressed he's a liability.

[Hood83]

Sexton showed he was far superior to Farrell in open play. Got the backs moving really well. Has to start at 10.

So if his kicking goes badly it might actually cost Hogg his spot to Halfpenny.

I'd agree. I think Halfpenny may have got the nod anyway as a bit more of a known presence for Gatland. He can't counter like Hogg but he's very dependable. That should leave Sexton at 10, which I think would be the right choice.

[thebluesmancometh]

Sexton missing kicks

Don't worry mate. It's the humidity. Legs turn to jelly very quickly (awful feeling) and the air is heavier.

He'll be fine in Oz.

He was on for 20 mins!!!

Blues, it doesn't take long. Look at those drop kickers in the 7s. It took them about 20 years to adjust!
I suppose you have to experience Asia to know what I'm talking about. It's an awful heavy feeling you get... not just tired but 'less value' for shots if you don't nail the sweet spot. The humidity also plays tricks with the trajectories. Trust me.

I know exactly what you mean, but Farells goal kicking was generally good, Sexton missed 3 of 4 from a similar spot in 20 minutes! Sextons kicking is generally good but not 1/2p class and as above I think thats going to cost Hogg in the long run.

[Breadvan]

What did Phillips say in his interview? Just the gist please....

[Hood83]

[quote="t1000advancedprototype"]

Wales + POC destroying babaas.[/quote

You don't really get the Lions concept do you?

Neither does the Sky commentator "A really good day for Wales..."

Maybe I fully embrace the lions with more passion than you could imagine? Maybe what I said was a joke?

Who knows.

Stuart Barnes also said Phillips plays for Biarritz lol.

If you were kidding fair enough. I just think this is a really good chance for the four countries to stop the tribal bickering and embrace something a bit more special.

[thebluesmancometh]

Gotta give credit to Faz, since the 20th minute mark he has settled and is looking pretty good, stopped kicking ball away.

But then there has been no pressure on him at all since 20!!!

Several pointless up and understand

I am still unimpressed he's a liability.

I agree mate, the question mark still remains, and I don't want him near the test side right now. His temperament, and reactions under pressure remained dodgy, for 20 minutes he had a bit of pressure and nearly blew his lid, he had an armchair ride from then on.

But his distribution was difficult, Phillips passing was poor and conditions were ropy, so I won't slate the kid for that. His goal kicking was good though.

[king_carlos]

A mixed performance but got the result so can't complain too much. Looking at the forwards.

I thought Mako started off a bit nervously but grew into the game and really offered himself to carry which was great to see.

Hibbard seemed to struggle at the line-out (who wouldn't with the ball that wet though) and I'd like to see him look to carry round the fringes more but showed a good work rate throughout.

It's quite hard to tell these days whether a player is getting the upperhand at scrum time or the ref has just decided he is but either way Adam Jones won us plenty of penalties and offered a platform to build from. Exactly what you want from Bomb but he was fairly anonymous in the loose I felt.

POC, Gray and AWJ I thought played very well offering a big work rate and physicality. Great to see that from the second rows!

Lydiate, whilst I'm a big fan of his, was a bit anonymous IMO. It wasn't a game for him really as the Barbarians lack of ball meant there was little chance for him to impose himself defensively. He seemed to deal with conditions well which at least shows he should be fully fit.

Tipuric really grew into the game and was excellent in the tight I thought, but I would love to see him getting the ball in the outside channels a bit more to show his pace.

Faletau started nervously I felt but like Mako grew into the game and really showed his strength and physicality.

[thebluesmancometh]

What did Phillips say in his interview? Just the gist please....

Fair play to Phillips, what an interview!!!

Far better performances than mine

I wasn't being big headed Rocks is my teammate

POC is a legend

etc...

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