Match thread

[thebluesmancometh]

First topic message reminder :

No offerings from Force yet, good defencive speed, and working hard though...

[bsando]

Wow! Sky sports just said that Healy has been accused by Sheehan for biting him.

[thebluesmancometh]

Ankle being held on way off, I really hope I'm wrong!!

[fa0019]

come on chaps.... keep the news up... can't leave us less fortunate only able to watch the game via your news reel with questions.

[RubyGuby]

Is Healey Ok ??? He's one of our key forwards

[Guest]

Awful news for Healy. Have to assume a broken leg, given that he and the quack are holding the shin. Hope he gets fit soon, even if his tour is over.

[thebluesmancometh]

Is Healey Ok ??? He's one of our key forwards

Carried off, looks like his ankle, and bad bad twist, I think it's broken.

[bsando]

come on chaps.... keep the news up... can't leave us less fortunate only able to watch the game via your news reel with questions.

Sorry mate. Let the rolling commentary begin...

Play resumes! some pick and drives from the Lions deep in their own half, boot it down the middle deep, force kick it, 1/2p catches, he kicks it, Back to force.. Force have possesion near middle of pitch.

[Guest]

I'd say broken tib or fib rather than ankle. Awful blow

[bsando]

Cross field kick, Force lineout just before the 22

[bsando]

Force make a mess of it, knock on. Lions scrum

[bsando]

Vunipola breaks through, Lions looking for a try.

[bsando]

Ball goes wide, BOD nearly in.. Heaslip comes close.. ball goes left, through the hands, Croft scores!

[RubyGuby]

So sad about Healey - Let's wait and see -

[thebluesmancometh]

Lions forwards just breaking tackles for fun now, Vunipola, Heaslip, SOB and Croft just making the Force tired bodies look daft.

Very impressed with Tuilagi so far, he has carried very well but has shown some unbeleivably soft hands, made long passes, reverse pops and come in at scrum half!!

[t1000advancedprototype]

Halfpenny best goal kicker in the world.

Watching him stand next to jinks is legend overload.

[doctor_grey]

Rather pedestrian first half, don't you think? Considering opposition, I would have wanted to see a bit more clinical play.

[fa0019]

I hope its not as bad as it sounds.... we need his physicality, his ruck work is second to none.

[thebluesmancometh]

Halfpenny best goal kicker in the world.

Watching him stand next to jinks is legend overload.

Shame his defence, passing and carrying has been pathetic this half then...

[Biltong]

Halfpenny best goal kicker in the world.

Watching him stand next to jinks is legend overload.

Morne Steyn will have something to say about that.

[madmaccas]

With Healy injured and being accused of biting, the tour doesn't look good for him. Hope it's not as bad as it looks and he's ok.

Not sure who Rowntree would call up, there aren't many English props left to call on! Andy Sheridan? Jeff Probyn? Kevin Yates?

[thebluesmancometh]

Rather pedestrian first half, don't you think? Considering opposition, I would have wanted to see a bit more clinical play.

I think thats more through us wanting to work our phases more than not being clinical. I expect the lions to go hell for leather after the 60th, then we will see how clinical they can be!

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

The whole back line has been very good so far, though Murray's choices sometimes about taking the ball into contact need improving. Backrow and Healy aside the pack have been underwhelming. Best has been better around the park than the other hookers but the lineout has been equally as hit and miss. It's easy to blame a hooker when lineouts are lost but the timing and calling have been poor too. I've been very disappointed with the second rows, Evans in particular who I really rate.

[fa0019]

Halfpenny best goal kicker in the world.

Watching him stand next to jinks is legend overload.

Morne Steyn will have something to say about that.

He'll say... hang on a minute... no one is better than my bru Peter Grant.

[Guest]

Halfpenny best goal kicker in the world.

Watching him stand next to jinks is legend overload.

Shame his defence, passing and carrying has been pathetic this half then...

Bit of an over reaction. Pathetic?

[thebluesmancometh]

With Healy injured and being accused of biting, the tour doesn't look good for him. Hope it's not as bad as it looks and he's ok.

Not sure who Rowntree would call up, there aren't many English props left to call on! Andy Sheridan? Jeff Probyn? Kevin Yates?

James or Grant would be next in line I think

[madmaccas]

Halfpenny best goal kicker in the world.

Watching him stand next to jinks is legend overload.

Actually I think that's a very good comparison, they really similar as players.

[bsando]

So far I think the Force have been pretty good in attack and at the breakdown. But their set piece has been atrocious and the lack of experience in the backs has been a real issue when defending. Need to cut out the errors and prevent Lions from getting too much ball.

[t1000advancedprototype]

Paul James call up?

What a s****y attitude, Healy barely hits the ground and your calling for welshmen, get lost you lowlife!!!

What? insult removedbehave T1000

[Biltong]

Halfpenny best goal kicker in the world.

Watching him stand next to jinks is legend overload.

Morne Steyn will have something to say about that.

He'll say... hang on a minute... no one is better than my bru Peter Grant.

Grant can't kick further than 40 meters.

[thebluesmancometh]

Gotta comment on Sexton, I know he's getting a bit of an armchair but tackled under his own posts, and has distributed as well as I have seen on the test stage.

He is going to be key, and expect a cheap shot or two somewhere between now and test 1. Worried he has to be involved in every game too

[bsando]

The whole back line has been very good so far, though Murray's choices sometimes about taking the ball into contact need improving. Backrow and Healy aside the pack have been underwhelming. Best has been better around the park than the other hookers but the lineout has been equally as hit and miss. It's easy to blame a hooker when lineouts are lost but the timing and calling have been poor too. I've been very disappointed with the second rows, Evans in particular who I really rate.

I agree. POC and Gray looked the business vs Ba ba's

[Biltong]

With Healy injured and being accused of biting, the tour doesn't look good for him.

Well they say the proof is in the pudding....err the eating.....err the biting.

[thebluesmancometh]

The whole back line has been very good so far, though Murray's choices sometimes about taking the ball into contact need improving. Backrow and Healy aside the pack have been underwhelming. Best has been better around the park than the other hookers but the lineout has been equally as hit and miss. It's easy to blame a hooker when lineouts are lost but the timing and calling have been poor too. I've been very disappointed with the second rows, Evans in particular who I really rate.

I agree. POC and Gray looked the business vs Ba ba's

I don't want to sound too bad, but Ive seen enough of Murray to think he's not going to challenge Philips for a test spot, I want to see Youngs as much as I can now!

[SecretFly]

It's rusty looking overall...but 27 points after the first half with plenty of rust showing is ok against the opposition. More space should be available in the second half with tired bodies.

[LondonTiger]

Murray looks like a poor man's Phillips. Similar style but not as good running or passing the ball.

[Bathman_in_London]

Not a bad first half for the Lions, a bit sloppy at times though.

I want to see North a bit more coming off his wing and popping up in the centres, he has been a bit quiet for me. Would like to see the backrow carrying more too, Croft and O'Brien should be a real attacking combo.

[fa0019]

Murray was never in ahead of Care in reality in near everybody else's mind... it was probably the most surprising of choices... him, Hartley, Stevens and Lydiate (for different reasons).

[chargedowntotheface]

Connor Murray looking better in the final 15 of the half. He was trying way too hard to be Phillips in the early stages (definitely not a good thing, i like my 9's to be able to pass!)

Tuilagi doing ok, though again, i think he's trying too hard to be a passing 12 (which he's making a reasonable attempt at), hopefully he'll relax and play his natural game in the second 40. His passing game has really come on in the last 6 months, especially when playing with wingers he trusts to catch the ball! (ie not David Strettle....)

[rainbow-warrior]

Brett Sheehan on Aus TV re Healy 'bite'. "I don't know if it was an accident or on purpose but we move on. Unfortunately he's injured now"

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

Murrays passing is better than Phillips but pretty much inferior in very other element of his game. We really need to get a good look at Youngs as an alternative.

[thebluesmancometh]

Murray looks like a poor man's Phillips. Similar style but not as good running or passing the ball.

I think he's been taken as insurance, if Phillips gets hurt Murray has similar attributes. He hasn't impressed me though, even last week he came on late against tired legs he was ok at best.

Youngs is Phillips main comp I feel.

Plus Best has been poor, in both the lineout,m scrum and around the park,he's looked a little off the pace.

[t1000advancedprototype]

Bluesman,

It seems to me that you're deliberately harsh on Welsh players so you can make people on these boards think "oh he's a really good guy because he's so neutral all the time".

Unlike you I don't pretend to be "mr diplomatic" to try and impress fellow posters and tell them what they wanna hear etc..

If Cian Healey goes home then Paul James is a justified replacement and I'm entitled to my opinion. Calling me a lowlife because I suggested Paul James (Welsh or not) shows just how pathetic you are. Insults on an internet forum are truly sad.

[LondonTiger]

Lions forwards just breaking tackles for fun now, Vunipola, Heaslip, SOB and Croft just making the Force tired bodies look daft.

Very impressed with Tuilagi so far, he has carried very well but has shown some unbeleivably soft hands, made long passes, reverse pops and come in at scrum half!!

and arguably showed Murray how to pass from a ruck?

[sirBiggles]

Halfpenny best goal kicker in the world.

Watching him stand next to jinks is legend overload.

Shame his defence, passing and carrying has been pathetic this half then...

What game are you watching...

He saved a def Force try when Best overthrew the lineout and the Force ran 70 M down field. He's been involved in the line attacking...

Halfpenny wasnt Player of the 6 Nations for nothing, and I wont be surprised if he ends up as player of this series.

[bsando]

Heaslip has looked very good for Lions. I'd say he's in front position for no.8 spot so far

[rodders]

Howdy folks. Mixed bag so far from the Lions.

Very impressed with Heaslip and O'Brien and when you look at Tipuric's performance against the Baa-baas Warburton is going to have to come up with something special when he plays. Croft has looked good too.

Sexton having a great game.

Lineout needs to improve in the second half and Murray needs to speed up his service.

Sounds like Healy might just have a sprain.

[rodders]

Heaslip is on fire just now. He's in his best form in years.

[nathan]

We're starting to look a lot better now.

[thebluesmancometh]

Halfpenny best goal kicker in the world.

Watching him stand next to jinks is legend overload.

Shame his defence, passing and carrying has been pathetic this half then...

What game are you watching...

He saved a def Force try when Best overthrew the lineout and the Force ran 70 M down field. He's been involved in the line attacking...

Halfpenny wasnt Player of the 6 Nations for nothing, and I wont be surprised if he ends up as player of this series.

He made s imple tackle from behind because he was outpaced to the ball even though he had a big headstart!!!

He's carried like a forward, passes poorly and only made 1 or 2 tackles, he has offered little so far, and looks off the pace

[bsando]

Yeah good work at the breakdown by Force!

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