Australia vs British and Irish Lions - 22nd June : TEST 1 BUILDUP

First topic message reminder :

So, it's only a week to go before the first Lions test for 4 years.

Gatland has a host of injuries and a game against the Brumbies to manoeuvre while deciding the 23 players who will take to the pitch next Saturday.

Christian Wade and Brad Barritt have both been called up to cover for injury concerns over Jamie Roberts, Manu Tuilagi, Tommy Bowe and George North


My team for Saturday

1. Maku Vunipola
2. Tom Youngs
3. Adam Jones
4. Alun Wyn Jones
5. Paul O'Connell
6. Tom Croft
7. Sam Warburton
8. Toby Faletau
9. Mike Phillips
10. Jonathan Sexton
11. George North (Simon Zebo)
12. Jonathan Davies
13. Brian O'Driscoll
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Leigh Halfpenny

16. Richard Hibbard
17. Alex Corbisiero
18. Dan Cole
19. Richie Gray
20. Justin Tipuric
21. Ben Youngs
22. Owen Farrell
23. Manu Tuilagi/Stuart Hogg


Thoughts?

The ref is killing this, how none of those aussies were off their feet compared to O'Driscoll I don't know! And I don't think the lions were the only ones at fault in that turnover penalty either...

aus 7- lions 0

Excellent from Aussie, sheer pace.

Just brilliant by Aus.

What was Phillips doing? Strolling after Genia.

I was worried about Pollock when he reffed England a few weeks ago and unfortunately my worries were not unfounded. He is pants.

Lessons haven't been learnt.

Gatland FFS.

Great try btw

Who left that oily rag on the field?

Debatable whether Youngs could have done a better job, but he does have more pace. Youngs was my pick to start at 9.

How long does North have to be on the ball? This ref doenst want the Lions in this so far.

Brainless play in the Aussie 22 there was nothing. Aimless and flat. Phillips was slow and offered nothing to tie in the Aussie defence. His lazy jog back as Genia broke was embarrassing. The sooner he leaves the field the better we'll be.

Genia sublime play.

Genia made an absolute mockery of Phillips there. He is having an absolute shocker so far. The back three defence was dreadful for that try.
BOD is a on mean show for the Lions. Croft and Warburton anonymous. Need to up their game. Deans is giving a tactical master class so far.

This is worrying.

Phillips needs to pull his finger out

Phillips being targeted big style. Aussies know he's a danger alright...

Lions confidence seems shaken by that try. Seemed slow and predictable running off the rucks there. They need to settle down and get that roll on in the forwards again.

Gena and Ioane have been doing that for the Reds all year. You could hear the shout to Folau - they were looking for the tap and break. North and Philips didn't know what to do.

That's woken the game up.

One man not on mean. Apple spellchecking Nazis

Whys Warbs waving his arms at the ref when he should be in there.

Some of these guys look like they hae gold jersey fever again!

Well done Johnny

Why is phillips so slow at the rucks? He diesnt seem fit

Early headline predictions for tomorrow: What a load of Pollocks. 

My God Phillips is slow to the ball!

Every single fear before the match about Gatland, his selection and tactics is coming true at the moment.

"I have a bad feeling about this"- Han Solo

Composure....

Aus going early at every scrum

Can someone send me a link? MIne aren't working!

Lions don't look good at all. Most of the kicks downfield have been pretty aimless as well.

Huge respect for the way the Aussies play the game, it's so wily. They know their strengths and weaknesses and those of the opposition so well. I honestly think if they were un-coached they'd still have enough intelligence to work teams out themselves.

Nice little pick and go by Phillips but followed up by a woeful kick. How was he selected?

Tom Youngs taking abuse from the infidel Barnes then rams it down his throat with a perfect throw to the tail.

NORTH!

Arghhhhh, GET IN!!!!!

THE POWER OF NORTH!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORTH.

Yes Lions! Great run from North!

Very nice step for a big man right there.

Surprise is how Oz continue to stay with the AB's and the Boks. If any team will catch you napping, its Oz. Folau's try wont be the last in this series.
Good try to North. We have a match alright.

Gorgeous strikes again! Superb...

Yes North!!!!

You have mail RDW. Berrick Barnes gets punished for a poor kick. Great from North!

North is on fire!

Here's an interesting fact- Kanye West named his son after George North.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:You have mail RDW. Berrick Barnes gets punished for a poor kick. Great from North!

Fancy sending me some mail as well!

Good stuff.
I think the Lions should maul it up, over and over, sucking in the defense.  Then create gaps and the wings should have plenty of space.  Methinks.

Now we're talking!

What a try that was

Halfpenny is kicking like a dream

Deffo a try hehe.

GREAT TRY

So Unlucky!!