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

Jesus wept that was awful. Frankly the series deserves a decider after that game. Now we expect changes from both sides as both sides were poor.

Man of the match is obvious. LLF. Unlike the spelling of his name.

Halfpenny is useless. Drop him immediately     

Hard cheese.  Aussies deserved it. The series really should be over today if the Aussies had a kicker last week.

flyhalffactory wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:That's Davies fault. Another mistake. It's a simple 3 on 3 BOD vs JOC and Davies hesitates, when JOC passes it means Davies is in no position to make what should be a routine tackle. Put Farrell at 12!

Cant believe this Davies has played well (not great) and yet you have only looked for the negatives in his game................ attempting to promote Manu are we?

I think Davies has had a great tour - but I'd be looking at bringing Roberts/Manu in definitely for the last test

Lot of excitement at the end...but if you can't score tries, you can't complain.
Good result for us neutrals. Oz lucky like the Lions last week, but at least they made their own luck.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Far too negative from the lions. At least Aus trued to play rugby. Gatland will never learn.

Unfortunately, this is very true. However, with the players selected for the tour, it was obvious this was how he intended to beat the Australians.

Roberts, Manu hell even Farrell. The guy has been classy all tour until today where he's had an absolute shocker. He's the Mike Phillips of the second test. Multiple handling errors, too flat with the ball carrier in attack, he's struggled on the drift and completely fudged it on the try. He should have been subbed well before that point though.

valtrepkos wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:That's Davies fault. Another mistake. It's a simple 3 on 3 BOD vs JOC and Davies hesitates, when JOC passes it means Davies is in no position to make what should be a routine tackle. Put Farrell at 12!

Cant believe this Davies has played well (not great) and yet you have only looked for the negatives in his game................ attempting to promote Manu are we?

I think Davies has had a great tour - but I'd be looking at bringing Roberts/Manu in definitely for the last test

Why would you want to bring in the most uncreative centre partnership possible? Clearly this cynical game play is not working.

We deserved the loss if our game plan was to kick..

But then even with our physicality we were inconsistant. How can a team mash the opposition scrum 5 times yet totlaly mess them up in other pressure situations..

There is no real leader on that pitch.

I think Bod should have been the leader or not been picked tbh.. The team is just a mess without this clear lead.

Gutted

Warburton going off was key, the Lions were unable to win a turnover in the buildup to the Aus try

Few changes needed for next week, but I though 6 and 7 were phenominal today, Warburton will be gutted

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

valtrepkos wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:That's Davies fault. Another mistake. It's a simple 3 on 3 BOD vs JOC and Davies hesitates, when JOC passes it means Davies is in no position to make what should be a routine tackle. Put Farrell at 12!

Cant believe this Davies has played well (not great) and yet you have only looked for the negatives in his game................ attempting to promote Manu are we?

I think Davies has had a great tour - but I'd be looking at bringing Roberts/Manu in definitely for the last test

Why would you want to bring in the most uncreative centre partnership possible?  Clearly this cynical game play is not working.

Sorry I just meant one either manu or roberts

I don't really think Davies had a great gam today, but not sure the try was his fault in truth.  Seemed like the weight of numbers, pace of the Aussie passing and lines of running.

We badly, badly missed Paul O'Connell.

A tense game, but not a good one. Terrible handling from both sides, the Lions backline looked unimaginative and blunt, the Aussies were impatient and overcomplicating things.

The most worrying aspect in all of this was we didnt once look like scoring a try.. That is not rugby..

mystiroakey wrote:What is it with these close games with oz v wales/lions..

Its becoming abit surreal tbh

The common element being a Mr Gatland

mystiroakey wrote:We deserved the loss if our game plan was to kick..

But then even with our physicality we were inconsistant. How can a team mash the opposition scrum 5 times yet totlaly mess them up in other pressure situations..

There is no real leader on that pitch.

I think Bod should have been the leader or not been picked tbh.. The team is just a mess without this clear lead.

Says you ...but you would huh.

Both teams defended well, but there was only team with spark in attack today and it certainly wasn't the Lions. Things seemed to go south for the Lions in attack from the moment they went 3-0 up. The breakdown was pretty inept after Warburton hobbled off.

Well done Australia, have a   Linebreaker and any other Australians on here.

Plenty to do for the Lions before next Saturday.

Warburton was very good. Got through a lot of work, a lot of turnovers and a very high tackle count. Lydiate didn't play well after Warburton left the field though, missed 2 tackles in those last few phases.

O'Brien made more metres in his short cameo than any of the starting back row, and made the same amount of tackles as Heaslip. I hope Gatland takes notice, because we lacked any real attacking threat.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Jesus wept that was awful. Frankly the series deserves a decider after that game. Now we expect changes from both sides as both sides were poor.

Man of the match is obvious. LLF. Unlike the spelling of his name.

After that it could well be two zip if LLF hadnt gone off. He was the difference tonight for the W's.

Oz deserved it as they took their chances and got one.

Kia...can't say the W's are looking great for the RC...and man is Deans lucky...!

1. Corbs
2. Youngs
3. Jones
4. AWJ
5. Parling/Evans/Gray?
6. Lydiate
7. Warburton (Tipuric)
8. Faletau
9. Phillips
10. Sexton
11. North
12. Roberts
13. JD2
14. Bowe
15. Halfpenny

16. Hibbard
17. Grant
18. Cole
19. Evans/Gray/Parling
20. Tipuric (SOB)
21. Youngs
22. Farrell
23. Cuthbert

Taylorman wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Jesus wept that was awful. Frankly the series deserves a decider after that game. Now we expect changes from both sides as both sides were poor.

Man of the match is obvious. LLF. Unlike the spelling of his name.

After that it could well be two zip if LLF hadnt gone off. He was the difference tonight for the W's.

Oz deserved it as they took their chances and got one.

Kia...can't say the W's are looking great for the RC...and man is Deans lucky...!

Hahahaha how the SH glue together ...numptNZess

Criminal lineout. Imbeciles.

That was like a virgin with his first sexual experience. Obviously psyched and geed up for the challenge but oh so messy. Handling errors, spills in the tackle and at the end of it, you wished for so much more.

SOB has to come in next week for some go forward ball. Its so depressing watching this lions team.

No ambition with ball in hand whatsoever.

rainbow-warrior wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Jesus wept that was awful. Frankly the series deserves a decider after that game. Now we expect changes from both sides as both sides were poor.

Man of the match is obvious. LLF. Unlike the spelling of his name.

After that it could well be two zip if LLF hadnt gone off. He was the difference tonight for the W's.

Oz deserved it as they took their chances and got one.

Kia...can't say the W's are looking great for the RC...and man is Deans lucky...!

Hahahaha how the SH glue together ...numptNZess

Rainbow - go away and stop being annoying.  

The Lions showed in that last passage of play that if they try they can play rugby and make yards so if they stop kicking everything they can win the next game.However I don't expect them to change tactics at this stage so it'll be another tight one.

Have to say this reminds me of watching Ireland play,talented players not being allowed play to their best by a restrictive gameplan.

Australia deserved to win as they played all the Rugby.Zero creativity from the Lions.We were well beaten at second row.Poor at half back.Bowe and North just chasing after kicks is a waste of their talents.
Let us hope that Doc is fit for next week.
Murray must start at 9.
Going to be very tense next week.Cannot wait.

Bod poor (though defence was strong again), Davies worse, back three dying to play rugby but reduced to chasing kicks. Warburton was a revelation in the second half after a poor first half. Sexton - poor lad, he is just relieved of kidney-ball from ireland and now has to play it for gatland. AWJ, Lydiate and Tom Youngs were the pick of the pack. But Gatland, Aus score tries, its always been the case and it will be the case next week. How do we score trys? Youngs only average, Murray surprised me with how good he was.

Gatland played a negative containing game............. tactically restrained the centres, brought in players for containment (Bowe, Lydiate) instead of enterprise (Cuthbert, Croft). Poor decision

Gatland you stubborn man didn't even bring Grant on when clearly that would have solved the scrum and hence as a result the losing of so much initial territory. Poor decision

The Aussie try should never come, one poor tackle and one miss-tackle from Croft led to the build-up. He had no choice however when Warbs went off, and our nightmare scenario became a reality Heaslip already off and a flanker injured. Again a crazy bench selection

Three tactically poor decisions

One man missing from the Lions tour as far as I can work out now.  

Shaun Edwards.  Rage against the machine. How can you hope to win a tight game defending for most of it?  Yeah, it sometimes works, but against Australia for most of the 80?  Suicide gameplan.

You have to be aggressively offensive.  Even in their end there was little menace in that Lions performance.

rainbow-warrior wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Jesus wept that was awful. Frankly the series deserves a decider after that game. Now we expect changes from both sides as both sides were poor.

Man of the match is obvious. LLF. Unlike the spelling of his name.

After that it could well be two zip if LLF hadnt gone off. He was the difference tonight for the W's.

Oz deserved it as they took their chances and got one.

Kia...can't say the W's are looking great for the RC...and man is Deans lucky...!

Hahahaha how the SH glue together ...numptNZess

Living there must be rubbing off on you rainbow as you're the biggest numpty of us all.  

For all the chat about Warburton (changed my mind, he a good game. Not great, just good), and Lydiate (tackled but nothing else), look at Vunipola's stats for tackles and turnovers. Then lets all sit down and chat as men do.

Grant should ask for his plane ticket home. He is clearly not in contention.

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:For all the chat about Warburton (changed my mind, he a good game.  Not great, just good), and Lydiate (tackled but nothing else), look at Vunipola's stats for tackles and turnovers.  Then lets all sit down and chat as men do.  

Can you throw me your stats source, cheers!

If POC and Corbs had been fit, I think we would have won this game :/

wolfball wrote:

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:For all the chat about Warburton (changed my mind, he a good game.  Not great, just good), and Lydiate (tackled but nothing else), look at Vunipola's stats for tackles and turnovers.  Then lets all sit down and chat as men do.  

Can you throw me your stats source, cheers!

This doesn't show the turnover stats (only turnovers conceded) but here:

http://www.espn.co.uk/lions-tour-2013/rugby/match/155514.html

wolfball wrote:

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:For all the chat about Warburton (changed my mind, he a good game.  Not great, just good), and Lydiate (tackled but nothing else), look at Vunipola's stats for tackles and turnovers.  Then lets all sit down and chat as men do.  

Can you throw me your stats source, cheers!

http://www.lionsrugby.com/2013tour/match_centre_2013.php?section=playstatsaway&fixid=169136

Have a look. It tells you how many turnovers players affected as well. In attack look at the metres carried by the forwards. Tells a tale, and not a pretty one.

Vunipola had an impact , he did good things and bad things.

Overall an ok performance.

North made play of the series..

Auz were creative and deserved the win..

I actually though sexton made some good yards but the game plan of him and T youngs kicking 90% of the time was ridiculas(blame Gats for that).

This game has wound me up no end.......

I hope we can play with some styl.e next week. Or the whole thing has just been a platform for gats to play stubborn rugby against a team he can only beat 1 in 9 with this shocking old school NH style rugby...

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:For all the chat about Warburton (changed my mind, he a good game. Not great, just good), and Lydiate (tackled but nothing else), look at Vunipola's stats for tackles and turnovers. Then lets all sit down and chat as men do.

Lydiate also secured the breakdown - and he made some crucial tackles, particularly against Folau a couple of times, his diving chopes saves the Lions a good few times

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:

rainbow-warrior wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Jesus wept that was awful. Frankly the series deserves a decider after that game. Now we expect changes from both sides as both sides were poor.

Man of the match is obvious. LLF. Unlike the spelling of his name.

After that it could well be two zip if LLF hadnt gone off. He was the difference tonight for the W's.

Oz deserved it as they took their chances and got one.

Kia...can't say the W's are looking great for the RC...and man is Deans lucky...!

Hahahaha how the SH glue together ...numptNZess

Living there must be rubbing off on you rainbow as you're the biggest numpty of us all.  

Perhaps... but your little tale of virginity certainly proves why the NZ male sperm count is the lowest in the world...still not to worry that why Welshmen were invented and Kiwi females love us:whistle: 

flyhalffactory wrote:Gatland played a negative containing game............. tactically restrained the centres, brought in players for containment (Bowe, Lydiate) instead of enterprise (Cuthbert, Croft). Poor decision

Gatland you stubborn man didn't even bring Grant on when clearly that would have solved the scrum and hence as a result the losing of so much initial territory. Poor decision

The Aussie try should never come, one poor tackle and one miss-tackle from Croft led to the build-up. He had no choice however when Warbs went off, and our nightmare scenario became a reality Heaslip already off and a flanker injured. Again a crazy bench selection

Three tactically poor decisions

I disagree. The Lions defence was superb and this was the type of game that the Lions were more likely to win. Only thing they did wrong was to not last the 80 on D with the one soft try. Wave after wave was repelled and that must have been Gats gameplan the way the Lions were ganging up on the Oz backs- they did a superb shutout. If they had gone for attack they would have played into the Ozzie hands and would not have had the defence focus required to keep Ozzie out.

Next week he needs to do the same. the Lions wont beat the Ozzies in the loose after two tests, They did last week, but that was due to massive injuries and missed kicks. If he opens them up...they'll get done.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Roberts, Manu hell even Farrell. The guy has been classy all tour until today where he's had an absolute shocker. He's the Mike Phillips of the second test. Multiple handling errors, too flat with the ball carrier in attack, he's struggled on the drift and completely fudged it on the try. He should have been subbed well before that point though.

What utter tripe

Re: the Aussie try.................. look who made a poor tackle about 60 seconds before, when Oz easily redistributed and then 30 seconds later made a complete hash of another tackle to led the momentum and then the try. Clue to you "it wasn't Davies"

He was the better of the two centres today, without a doubt.

Re: his positional play, there is no doubt he played under Gats instructions, a restraining, constraining role

Reckon Oz may have turned a corner as they played without fear and were more focused in the last quarter. They'll feed off that confidence for next week. Fairly horrible game to watch but it was quite compelling in the end. Well done Oz, played with some guts there.

mystiroakey wrote:Vunipola had an impact , he did good things and bad things.

Overall an ok performance.

North made play of the series..

Auz were creative and deserved the win..

I actually though sexton made some good yards but the game plan of him and T youngs kicking 90% of the time was ridiculas(blame Gats for that).

This game has wound me up no end.......

I hope we can play with some styl.e next week. Or the whole thing has just been a platform for gats to play stubborn rugby against a team he can only beat 1 in 9 with this shocking old school NH style rugby...

Gatland = Kiwi. YOU = Englishman. However you see it Gatlandn beats you hands down.

Did the lions have a midfield today? I didn't see it. Certainly wasn't there when Australia scored the only try of the game

England crushed NZ last game. Remember that Mr RW!

Your only as good as your last game..

wales606 wrote:

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:For all the chat about Warburton (changed my mind, he a good game.  Not great, just good), and Lydiate (tackled but nothing else), look at Vunipola's stats for tackles and turnovers.  Then lets all sit down and chat as men do.  

Lydiate also secured the breakdown - and he made some crucial tackles, particularly against Folau a couple of times, his diving chopes saves the Lions a good few times

We all know Lydiate is a fantastic tackler. One of the best I've seen anyway.

But we need to start playing with some ambition. Stop this defensive game. Bring in SOB to get some go forward ball. Also Its not like he can't tackle.

Vunipola top tackler with 15/2 according to the espn stats

Just relieved...

Commiserations Lions fans... the atmosphere your fans created was unreal.

The Wallabies didn't play as well as last week; the Lions valiant in defence. Overall a very scrappy game from both sides.

Still, a win's a win. We'll take it.

Warburton was quality today, can't see how anyone can criticise him!

The midfield didn't create much of an offensive impact, but were solid in defence. I really want to see Manu given a shot with BOD next week, that partnership could really trouble the Aussies

flyhalffactory wrote:

Re: the Aussie try.................. look who made a poor tackle about 60 seconds before, when Oz easily redistributed and then 30 seconds later made a complete hash of another tackle to led the momentum and then the try. Clue to you "it wasn't Davies"

He was the better of the two centres today, without a doubt.

Re: his positional play, there is no doubt he played under Gats instructions, a restraining, constraining role

1. No he wasn't

2. I'd say Gatland was instructing both centres about gameplan roles.