2nd TEST - AUS vs BRITISH & IRISH LIONS - 29th June - (KO-11:05 GMT)

First topic message reminder :

2nd Test build-up thread
 
Can the Lions finish the job?
Will Aus bounch back (like we know they can)?
Will the Ref know the rules?
 
Aus have called up George Smith, Jesse Mogg and centre Ben Tapuai but still No Cooper?
(talk about shooting yourself in the foot!)
 
15. Halfpenny,
14. Bowe,
13. BOD,
12. Davies,
11.North,
10. Sexton,
9. Youngs;

1. Vunipola
2. Youngs,
3. Jones,
4. AWJ,
5. Parling,
6. Lydiate,
7. Warburton,
8. Heaslip

Replacements:
16 Hibbard, 17 Grant, 18 Cole, 19 Croft, 20 O'Brien, 21 Murray, 22 Farrell, 23 Cuthbert


Australia
15 Kurtley Beale (Melbourne Rebels)
14 Israel Folau (NSW)
13 Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW)
12 Christian Leali'ifano (ACT Brumbies)
11 Joe Tomane (Brumbies)
10 James O'Connor (Melbourne Rebels)
9 Will Genia (Reds)
8 Wycliff Palu (NSW)
7 Michael Hooper (NSW)
6 Ben Mowen (ACT)
5 Kane Douglas (NSW)
4 James Horwill (Reds - Cap)
3 Ben Alexander (ACT)
2 Stephen Moore (ACT)
1 Benn Robinson (NSW)

16 Saia Fainga'a (Reds)
17 James Slipper (Reds)
18 Sekope Kepu (NSW)
19 Rob Simmons (Reds)
20 Liam Gill (Reds)
21 Nick Phipps (Rebels)
22 Rob Horne (NSW)
23 Jesse Mogg (Brumbies)

 
For those wanting to see it again and again and again etc.....http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=GEORGE+NORTHS+LIONS+TRY&view=detail&mid=64E92B2D2B1B4128364264E92B2D2B1B41283642&first=0&FORM=NVPFVR&qpvt=GEORGE+NORTHS+LIONS+TRY

I want tuilagi on the bench but oh well, come on lions!

Key for the Lions in this test is defence, defence, defence. Not the time to take Oz on in the running game. They'll want a fast loose game and will run all day at the Lions. Time for being smart, keep the lid on and strangle the Ozzies. Watching a very good Saders Highlanders match as a warmup... Nonu's jusy been red carded for a Warburton...

Man I am getting excited. I was away last weekend and didn't get to watch the first test until Monday night so this is my first live one of the tour. can't wait for kick off!!!

We need real intensity- The type that england showed v NZ , ireland have done v england or wales did v England..

It doesnt happen often and after a narrow win its probally not the time to have that mad intensity. But I can hope...

I am getting nervous!

2016 Gatland takes over. 2 years prior to lions tour.

t1000advancedprototype wrote:2016 Gatland takes over. 2 years prior to lions tour.

I presume you mean finishes not takes over??

Anyhow..!!!!

That would be perfect for the Lions. Two years research on how to win in NZ. If the win this series I think the lions could win back to back tours.

maestegmafia wrote:I think that when Gatland finishes his WRU contract in 2015 and is then appointed to take the Lions to NZ and wins there, that he would be asked to take the ABs job.

Long way away yet though and can't see any of it effecting Wales..

Well it's hard to see anyone other one than a kiwi coaching the lions these days I know - but a repeat performance by the same kiwi? That would really be another record breaking first for the country!

what a crowd...

GloriousEmpire wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:I think that when Gatland finishes his WRU contract in 2015 and is then appointed to take the Lions to NZ and wins there, that he would be asked to take the ABs job.

Long way away yet though and can't see any of it effecting Wales..

Well it's hard to see anyone other one than a kiwi coaching the lions these days I know - but a repeat performance by the same kiwi? That would really be another record breaking first for the country!

All the best rugby Coaches are New Zealanders. It's a law of averages that they will get the top jobs.

woops...short...seen that before...

Real intensity from the start here. need to convert chances.

Good from Warburton there. Australia are still going to be mindful of infringing despite that kick missing. Amazing atmosphere. Mistakes will be crucial in these opening exchanges.

yes the lions have started best. Strong defence and getting up early.

Has Joubert been influenced this week I wonder? everything going to the Lions so far.

Difference in referee interpretation already. Joubert allowing more competition at ruck time. Australia struggling to protect the ball.

Real intent from the Lions. Have to come away with points here.

Referees look like Kiwi rugby league team. Who could have a bad word against them?  

Dodgey start from the usually classy Davies, no where near the up and under allowing Brake an easy take then a knock on from a decent pass after Ben Youngs pops him through a gap.

Should have been a yc with that rolling maul pulled down 5m out.

Don't let's start with the "oh the referee is against us" again - it's 3-0 in the penalty count.

Trying to make use of Folau...have to say Coopers chip would have been more precise...

Beale miskicked there. Get the ball to Folau in the try zone and that's a try to Folau each time. George North looks powerless to the high ball.

yeah whats wrong with Youngs? put the d&*m ball in.

Ref has been kind to us so far but that rolling maul was heading for the line. Joubert opted for a warning rather than the card there Glorious.

Worrying how easy the Aussies glided between Sexton and Davies off the lineout and then the Wallabies win a penalty at the scrum.

the ref complaints will be along soon...

Wallabies not doing much. Lions fringe defence looks shaky. Australia are just driving off the ruck and not getting smashed back. Lions look shaky in the scrum as well on Vunipola's side. Lions need to get their hands on the ball. They've looked good with the rolling maul but they've looked average when Australia have had continuity. What a difference a goal kicker can make. 3 - 3.

Lions having scrum issues, need to get them sorted.

yeah its messy...everyones nervous. Someone needs to break it open

Taylorman wrote:the ref complaints will be along soon...

They're here already unforunately - aparently Australia should have been yellow carded for something already....whinge whinge whinge. Despite that Joubert is awarding everything at the breakdown to the Lions.

Lions are asleep

No ground then another knock on from Davies. What's happened to him?

Glorious stop wumming.

Beale doing an impersonation of a ballerina there. Maybe he's had a few bevvies. Looks relaxed out there. The Lions on the other hand do not. They seem rattled. Poor mistake from Sexton. Can't afford to give balls to Oz and give them confidence. Need to pressure them. Error rate too high.

Oh Youngs, you idiot. It's OK to test the referee once, but to do the same thing again is just stupid, especially when your loose head is under pressure.

Come on guys - lets not derail the thread.

Beale is such a classy player. I love watching the Aussie backs.

Tommy Bowe was very tentative in that high ball........ I cannae help but think Cuthbert would have been in there 100%

MORNING CAMPERS by the way   

GloriousEmpire wrote:

Taylorman wrote:the ref complaints will be along soon...

They're here already unforunately - aparently Australia should have been yellow carded for something already....whinge whinge whinge. Despite that Joubert is awarding everything at the breakdown to the Lions.

Glorious.... you're a hoot. Them lads are always whingin' even though Joubert is awarding everything at the breakdown to the Lions.................

If Mako keeps getting pinged, then Gatland needs to make the call early.

Can they bring Grant on and then sub him for Mko later in the game?

Even with a few injuries, how with 4 Nations to pick from can the Lions go into a game with a Prop who can't scrum properly?

Get Grant on!!!!

Oh dear....scrum issue...
Come on Mako keep that head up...

Pyleboy65 wrote:Can they bring Grant on and then sub him for Mko later in the game?

If Grant got 'injured'.

What odds would you have got before the series on the Australians using the scrum as a penalty platform?

Why didn't Gatland start Ryan Grant................. everybody and her dog knew that except for stubborn Mr G

Wallabies smell blood and Joubert sees Vunipola as a scrum bunny. Big problem for the Lions. Let's see how they respond.

Lions are asleep

Vunipola has to come off, he's lost it completely.

Poor Vunipola - not a good game from him so far.

Feel for Vunipola. Best player for the Wallabies so far. Young guy wants the earth to swallow him up at the moment.

Well done Adam Jones massive turn into the scrum there

Patience

Good scrum Lions. COME ON!!!!