South Africa v British & Irish Lions, 31 July

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SOUTH AFRICA v BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
Saturday 31 July
KO: 18:00 SAST / 17:00 UK / 20:00 Dubai  
Cape Town Stadium (Newlands), Cape Town
Sky Sports Main Event

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Mathieu Raynal (France)
TMO: Marius Jonker ( )

TEAMS:

SOUTH AFRICA:
15 – Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz) – 63 caps, 60 pts (12t)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Toulouse) – 15 caps, 40 pts (8t)
13 – Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks) – 16 caps, 15 pts (3t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Munster) – 48 caps, 30 pts (6t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 15 caps, 70 pts (14t)
10 – Handré Pollard (vice-captain, Montpellier) – 50 caps, 477pts (6t, 78c, 93p, 4d)
09 – Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks) – 31 caps, 25 pts (5t)

08 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 1 cap, 0 pts
07 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (DHL Stormers) – 57 caps, 25 pts (5t)
06 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 52 caps, 30 pts (6t)
05 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 41 caps, 5pts (1t)
04 – Eben Etzebeth (Toulon) – 87 caps, 15 pts (3t)
03 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 40 caps, 5pts (1t)
02 – Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers) – 38 caps, 40 pts (8t)
01 – Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers) – 49 caps, 5pts (1t)

16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 35 caps, 30 pts (6t)
17 – Trevor Nyakane (Vodacom Bulls) – 44 caps, 5 pts (1t)
18 – Vincent Koch (Saracens) – 21 caps, 0 pts
19 – Lood de Jager (Sale Sharks) – 46 caps, 25 pts (5t)
20 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 3 caps, 0 pts
21 – Kwagga Smith (Yamaha Júbilo) – 8 caps, 5 pts (1t)
22 – Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers) – 12 caps, 25 pts (5t)
23 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 8 caps, 5pts (1t)

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS:
15. Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs, Scotland) #783
14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England) #816
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland) #844
12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #824
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #841
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) #821
09. Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #790

01. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England) #787
02. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England) #851
03. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #818
04. Maro Itoje (Saracens, England) #825
05. Alun Wyn Jones – captain (Ospreys, Wales) #761
06. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) #826
07. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England) #853
08. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #839

16. Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) #829
17. Rory Sutherland (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #840
18. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, England) #814
19. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #838
20. Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, Wales) #779
21. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) #843
22. Owen Farrell (Saracens, England) #780
23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) #822

PREVIEW:

king_carlos wrote:

Heaf wrote:

king_carlos wrote:

Heaf wrote:

king_carlos wrote:

Heaf wrote:Downward pressure if the ball is on the ground - if off the ground need to have control ..

Pretty sure not. The ball can touch down using downward pressure from the hand, arm, or any part of the front of a players body from waist to neck.

I've not reffed for 3 years so may have missed a law change but to my knowledge control has never been in the laws. "It's simply been repeated over and over again by incompetent commentators until it's become part of rugby lore rather than rugby law", a favourite quote from a former international ref I first heard during a reffing course I did back in the day.

If there's been a change to the laws and I'm wrong then I'd be genuinely interested in being pointed to it as the laws are all available online.

The ball needs to be on the ground for downward pressure.  If you take it in the air you have to be 'in possession' before you ground it.  Knocking it forwards then pushing down on it with your arm is a knock on as you've knocked it forwards and failed to bring in under control again before it hit the ground.  I wouldn't call Nigel Owens an incompetent commentator as he said essentially the same thing - even said not in control - may not be the actual words used in the laws but it's essentially what they mean.

https://www.laws.worldrugby.org/?law=21&language=EN

Nothing there that's changed from when I reffed week in, week out. Also nothing to suggest control when the ball's in the air.

If the ball had left contact with his hand or arm, hit the ground then got downward pressure it would be a knock on. It doesn't leave contact with him and touch the ground though.

There are two ways a player can ground the ball:

(a) Player touches the ground with the ball. A player grounds the ball by holding the ball and touching the ground with it, in in-goal. ‘Holding’ means holding in the hand or hands, or in the arm or arms. No downward pressure is required.

(b) Player presses down on the ball. A player grounds the ball when it is on the ground in the in-goal and the player presses down on it with a hand or hands, arm or arms, or the front of the player’s body from waist to neck inclusive.

No way was he holding the ball ...

From the laws I sent there (which is the worldrugby.org website) you've added "when it is on the ground" to part b though!

worldrugby.org wrote:
1. The ball can be grounded in in-goal:

a. By holding it and touching the ground with it; or
b. By pressing down on it with a hand or hands, arm or arms, or the front of the player’s body from waist to neck.

If there's another rule not listed there, or an amended rule not listed there I'd be really interested to get a link to it?

I'm not trying to be confrontational with that request either. I am genuinely interested as a former ref who has drifted out of the game. As from the rules when I officiated and those rules I've linked there it seems a clear try.

What I quoted came from a direct lift of the laws a couple of years ago but it seems maybe they've 'simplified' the definitions in the latest version? Maybe they think the extra text is redundant as to press down on the ball it has to be on the ground anyway? The only way the ball got to the ground on this occasion was from it being knocked forwards - the fact his arm was in contact is irrelevant as to avoid it being a knock on after he initially knocked it forwards he would have had to catch it before it hit the ground (imagine the same scenario in open play and you can see that would have been a knock on). Nigel Owens went through this very point again in the post-match analysis - he was being diplomatic in my view when he said it was a tight call although he would have given a knock on and SA were lucky. He also would have given red to Kolbe.

BigGee wrote:Whatever the implications of the ref calls, that is not why we lost the game.

Good teams take refs call out of the equation, we simply not do that!

Whilst this is true to a degree, it's very unlikely South Africa would have triumphed with only 14 on the field. Unfortunately the referee didn't do his job correctly. It was a similar story in the second Lions test v New Zealand when Vunipola somehow escaped a red for a UFC move.

AWJ should withdraw from the series stating that the TMO was mean and disrespectful towards him and the Lions.

The rather depressing view of the studio pundits, ROG in particular was that we need to do the same game plan but executed better!

That does not inspire me with confidence.

Smith would unlock that defense in a heartbeat.

If fit Liam Williams starts over Hogg for me Josh Adams for VDM.

OK, lets get the red cards out of the way, because I have just about had enough of it.

Just listened to Keith Wood and Brian O’Driscoll.

According to Keith Wood in the Premiership if a player is played in the air and has to use his arms to prevent him from falling on his head then Kolbe should have been redcarded, the same then applies to the guy (think it was Watson) who tackled Willie le Roux in the first test.

Then (I missed it) but DVDM commited a high tackle in the first 10-15 minutes of this test according to Keith Wood and should have been yellow carded for that, plus his trip which was yellow carded would mean he should have been red carded as well.

So can we now stop these bloody complaints about cards, we aren’t playing Solitaire, Gin rummy, Poker, it is rugby.

TightHEAD wrote:Smith would unlock that defense in a heartbeat.

If fit Liam Williams starts over Hogg for me Josh Adams  for VDM.

No disrespect to Smith but Russell is surely the first port of call for that? If I had to guess at the halfbacks they’d call up for the final test I would expect Russell to start with one of Biggar or Farrell benching.

Adams probably deserves to start the final test in place of DVDM or Watson, but Hogg I would keep at fullback. Williams probably should have been benching in place of Daly.

Was Biggar injured?

He came off for no obvious tactical reason as Farrell just came on and did exactly the same as him, but probably worse!

Russell seemed to be taking a full part in the pre game warm up from what I could see. Surely he has got to be a part of the revamped team for the third test?

Just a frustrating bad game of rugby. Let's just ignore the awful officiating but we've for the second game looked abysmal in attack. Very similar game to last week but nothing was solved by Gatland. Lots of questions next week now.

bsando wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Smith would unlock that defense in a heartbeat.

If fit Liam Williams starts over Hogg for me Josh Adams  for VDM.

No disrespect to Smith but Russell is surely the first port of call for that? If I had to guess at the halfbacks they’d call up for the final test I would expect Russell to start with one of Biggar or Farrell benching.

Adams probably deserves to start the final test in place of DVDM or Watson, but Hogg I would keep at fullback. Williams probably should have been benching in place of Daly.

Depends on the form and fitness in the first instance. Given the tactics is kick it anyway its a bit harsh on the fly half's anyway that they're getting a kicking for Gatlands tactics.

Old Man wrote:OK, lets get the red cards out of the way, because I have just about had enough of it.

Just listened to Keith Wood and Brian O’Driscoll.

According to Keith Wood in the Premiership if a player is played in the air and has to use his arms to prevent him from falling on his head then Kolbe should have been redcarded, the same then applies to the guy (think it was Watson) who tackled Willie le Roux in the first test.

Then (I missed it) but DVDM commited a high tackle in the first 10-15 minutes of this test according to Keith Wood and should have been yellow carded for that, plus his trip which was yellow carded would mean he should have been red carded as well.

So can we now stop these bloody complaints about cards, we aren’t playing Solitaire, Gin rummy, Poker, it is rugby.

I agree Duhan could have got a red card but SA probably could have had several. Surely you can admit that it was quite a one sided refereeing performance. I dont really mind that much though I have to say, having a third test decider is appealing.

Well done SA. Came back after a poor first test very strongly. Much has been made of the aerial battle but the match was won by the bokke forward power and pressure that led to lots of penalty concessions. The pack were bullied from the start, no-one of the 6 lions in the front row played well. Itoje was decent, AWJ anonymous and if Gatland is serious about winning the last test may consider putting more ballast in the second row. Back row were outclassed all game, after immense game last week Lawes was invisible. Murray was too slow with delivery to Biggar which left him trapped in traffic at times which killed possession. A good argument to change whole back 3 but I think Gatland will put Williams in for Watson and Adams for VDM. No chance the Bokke run out of steam next week, but a game plan would be good! Big week ahead.

BigGee wrote:The rather depressing view of the studio pundits, ROG in particular was that we need to do the same game plan but executed better!

That does not inspire me with confidence.

He is right, they have shown very little ability to unlock SAs defense over the three games to date. The kick chase is the only thing that has actually worked at times.

takethelongroad wrote:Well done SA. Came back after a poor first test very strongly. Much has been made of the aerial battle but the match was won by the bokke forward power and pressure that led to lots of penalty concessions. The pack were bullied from the start, no-one of the 6 lions in the front row played well. Itoje was decent, AWJ anonymous and if Gatland is serious about winning the last test may consider putting more ballast in the second row. Back row were outclassed all game, after immense game last week Lawes was invisible. Murray was too slow with delivery to Biggar which left him trapped in traffic at times which killed possession. A good argument to change whole back 3 but I think Gatland will put Williams in for Watson and Adams for VDM. No chance the Bokke run out of steam next week, but a game plan would be good! Big week ahead.

AWJ anonymous is not right, he made some good calls as captain, remained a calm presence, was excellent in defense, high tackle rate. Overall good game, room to improve. Itoje was decent too but it was not his best game. He made no turnovers, conceded one and the lineout was a bit hot and cold. Room to improve all round really.

He was good last week, made some good interventions and the pack had ascendency. Today the pack were poor in maul, ruck, line out and scrum. Defence was not excellent in any capacity, captaincy had no positive influence this game - anonymous is good as the rest were visible in error or being second best.

Collapse2005 wrote:

Old Man wrote:OK, lets get the red cards out of the way, because I have just about had enough of it.

Just listened to Keith Wood and Brian O’Driscoll.

According to Keith Wood in the Premiership if a player is played in the air and has to use his arms to prevent him from falling on his head then Kolbe should have been redcarded, the same then applies to the guy (think it was Watson) who tackled Willie le Roux in the first test.

Then (I missed it) but DVDM commited a high tackle in the first 10-15 minutes of this test according to Keith Wood and should have been yellow carded for that, plus his trip which was yellow carded would mean he should have been red carded as well.

So can we now stop these bloody complaints about cards, we aren’t playing Solitaire, Gin rummy, Poker, it is rugby.

I agree Duhan could have got a red card but SA probably could have had several. Surely you can admit that it was quite a one sided refereeing performance. I dont really mind that much though I have to say, having a third test decider is appealing.

Like I have said before, I don’t look at cards, and I don’t want to see cards. The problem at the moment is that the desperation of fans looking for every tackle or contact to be carded is starting to rub off on the players, a number of times during this series players from both sides throw themselves on the ground like stricken and wounded soldiers on the battlefield in order to gain a one man advantage.

I hate that. I know I played rugby in another era, but it is getting a bit ridiculous, hell a bloody nose or black eye used to be a right of passage to manhood. Now it is a reason for flopping down and begging for a card.

I am starting to lose my passion for rugby.

Drop AWJ for Hendo?

No disrespect to the great man but I think we need him outside the TMOs office.

takethelongroad wrote:Well done SA. Came back after a poor first test very strongly. Much has been made of the aerial battle but the match was won by the bokke forward power and pressure that led to lots of penalty concessions. The pack were bullied from the start, no-one of the 6 lions in the front row played well. Itoje was decent, AWJ anonymous and if Gatland is serious about winning the last test may consider putting more ballast in the second row. Back row were outclassed all game, after immense game last week Lawes was invisible. Murray was too slow with delivery to Biggar which left him trapped in traffic at times which killed possession. A good argument to change whole back 3 but I think Gatland will put Williams in for Watson and Adams for VDM. No chance the Bokke run out of steam next week, but a game plan would be good! Big week ahead.

It looks like the Boks are starting to hit their stride. Bomb squad onight was a lot more effective than last week, they exploited the space behind which they never did last week, the contestable kicks were more accurate, their aerial skills came through, winning the contestable kicks 22-10.

Should have been down to 13

TightHEAD wrote:Should have been down to 13

The Lions? Yeah agree. One for DVDM and the other in retrospect for Watson for last week.

TightHEAD wrote:Drop AWJ for Hendo?

No disrespect to the great man but I think we need him outside the TMOs office.

That's the obvious change. Or one of them.

Was once a regular, but it's many years since I visited this forum with any regularity. Funny to see some of the same people about, and some still banging on about poor officials

There were a few interesting calls today, but there always is. The outcome was not affected and SA very worthy winners. They just did their thing, nothing clever and did it well. Their bench was well used and impactful. Very disappointing for the Lions.

Lions second half were clueless. Poor set piece, poor decisions, poor kicking and awful in the air. These were areas of strength last week. I think the momentum shift in Q3 was so significant the Lions panicked and the replacements were thrown on more in hope than with any tactical nouse.

We have scored one try in two tests (short-range maul) and the backs have shown nothing going forward. I doubt we will win next week trying to execute plan A better (if we have a plan A?). We got not change from the early arial bombardment and put nothing through the 3/4s. I think it was almost half time before Watson got a pass.

IMO we need a must faster paced game, retain much more ball in hand and play wider. We obviously have to hold our own in the breakdown and improve the set piece too. I would look to Williams, Adams, Beirne, Price and perhaps Beard to play a part. There might even be a role for Smith too. Either way, some interesting selections to come. If Gatland goes with much the same team in the hope they will redeem themselves, I think we have no chance. The Bokke will just press replay.

Old Man wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

Old Man wrote:OK, lets get the red cards out of the way, because I have just about had enough of it.

Just listened to Keith Wood and Brian O’Driscoll.

According to Keith Wood in the Premiership if a player is played in the air and has to use his arms to prevent him from falling on his head then Kolbe should have been redcarded, the same then applies to the guy (think it was Watson) who tackled Willie le Roux in the first test.

Then (I missed it) but DVDM commited a high tackle in the first 10-15 minutes of this test according to Keith Wood and should have been yellow carded for that, plus his trip which was yellow carded would mean he should have been red carded as well.

So can we now stop these bloody complaints about cards, we aren’t playing Solitaire, Gin rummy, Poker, it is rugby.

I agree Duhan could have got a red card but SA probably could have had several. Surely you can admit that it was quite a one sided refereeing performance. I dont really mind that much though I have to say, having a third test decider is appealing.

Like I have said before, I don’t look at cards, and I don’t want to see cards. The problem at the moment is that the desperation of fans looking for every tackle or contact to be carded is starting to rub off on the players, a number of times during this series players from both sides throw themselves on the ground like stricken and wounded soldiers on the battlefield in order to gain a one man advantage.

I hate that. I know I played rugby in another era, but it is getting a bit ridiculous, hell a bloody nose or black eye used to be a right of passage to manhood. Now it is a reason for flopping down and begging for a card.

I am starting to lose my passion for rugby.

Not a massive fan of cards either but while I do feel the Lions got the rub of the green with the refs last week I also feel SA benefited from some sympathetic refereeing this week. They also took their chances well.

The good news is we have a French ref next week.

Old Man wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Should have been down to 13

The Lions? Yeah agree. One for DVDM and the other in retrospect for Watson for last week.

Er no. Sa were very lucky with the penalties etc.

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Old Man wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Should have been down to 13

The Lions? Yeah agree. One for DVDM and the other in retrospect for Watson for last week.

Er no. Sa were very lucky with the penalties etc.

Like Itoje with his knee on De Allende’s throat?

That was dirty alright

Old Man wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Old Man wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Should have been down to 13

The Lions? Yeah agree. One for DVDM and the other in retrospect for Watson for last week.

Er no. Sa were very lucky with the penalties etc.

Like Itoje with his knee on De Allende’s throat?

Rugby incident.

Old Man wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Old Man wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Should have been down to 13

The Lions? Yeah agree. One for DVDM and the other in retrospect for Watson for last week.

Er no. Sa were very lucky with the penalties etc.

Like Itoje with his knee on De Allende’s throat?

Lol. You talking about the 3 punches to Itoje?

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Old Man wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Old Man wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Should have been down to 13

The Lions? Yeah agree. One for DVDM and the other in retrospect for Watson for last week.

Er no. Sa were very lucky with the penalties etc.

Like Itoje with his knee on De Allende’s throat?

Lol. You talking about the 3 punches to Itoje?

Shadow boxing

Collapse2005 wrote: The good news is we have a French ref next week.

How is that good news…

Lads you have to admit that Itoje kneeling on DeAllende's neck was dirty play, its pretty obvious.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote: The good news is we have a French ref next week.

How is that good news…

They are good referees and we dont need to worry about SH interpretations.

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Old Man wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Should have been down to 13

The Lions? Yeah agree. One for DVDM and the other in retrospect for Watson for last week.

Er no. Sa were very lucky with the penalties etc.

The second half was a tactical masterclass. I don't think it's fair or correct to try and blame the officials for the incompetence of the Lions coaching team. They sent out a team with no plan B to try and beat the Boks at their own game. Really poor.

For next week the Lions are going to have to look at replacing both wingers as they were both found desperately wanting in the air. Liam Williams and Adams to come onto the wings. Russell at 10 is a must. We are too predictable. Murray can still operate the kicking game from 9 but we'd then have another option to keep the Boks honest. If Wyn Jones is fit then it's bye bye Sutherland as well.

Old Man wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Old Man wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Old Man wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Should have been down to 13

The Lions? Yeah agree. One for DVDM and the other in retrospect for Watson for last week.

Er no. Sa were very lucky with the penalties etc.

Like Itoje with his knee on De Allende’s throat?

Lol. You talking about the 3 punches to Itoje?

Shadow boxing

Ha. Yeah.

Old Man wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Old Man wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Should have been down to 13

The Lions? Yeah agree. One for DVDM and the other in retrospect for Watson for last week.

Er no. Sa were very lucky with the penalties etc.

Like Itoje with his knee on De Allende’s throat?

Itoje was second best all game, Estebeth was all over him like a rash, his pathetic clapping then complaining when one of the SA gave him a slap. Before that he tried the Alpha male on Estebeth only to be rag-dolled from pillar to post.

The knee on De Allende's throat was not just a red but a serious ban, poor performance in what has been a dire 2021

Some dire performances today, no doubt Gats won't drop them however
I'd bring in
Sanjay
LRZ
Dancer on bench to cover 10/12
Price
Navidi
Hamish
Beard
Henderson on bench to cover Beard
Owens to start, George on bench

Why Biggar went off I don't know but Faz was dire

Farrell and Smith shouldnt be on the tour. Theyre not up to it. The series would be already won if Sexton was selected. Big mistake by Gatland.

Collapse2005 wrote:Farrell and Smith shouldnt be on the tour. Theyre not up to it. The series would be already won if Sexton was selected. Big mistake by Gatland.

I agree on Faz but Smith was excellent

Smith has hardly had an opportunity to prove himself. You want to surprise the Boks, put an unknown quantity in there.

Besides, it is likely that PSDT is injured so won’t play next weekend, so he cannot do a George Ford (ala RWC final) on Smith.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Old Man wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Should have been down to 13

The Lions? Yeah agree. One for DVDM and the other in retrospect for Watson for last week.

Er no. Sa were very lucky with the penalties etc.

The second half was a tactical masterclass. I don't think it's fair or correct to try and blame the officials for the incompetence of the Lions coaching team. They sent out a team with no plan B to try and beat the Boks at their own game. Really poor.

For next week the Lions are going to have to look at replacing both wingers as they were both found desperately wanting in the air. Liam Williams and Adams to come onto the wings. Russell at 10 is a must. We are too predictable. Murray can still operate the kicking game from 9 but we'd then have another option to keep the Boks honest. If Wyn Jones is fit then it's bye bye Sutherland as well.

Agree there Sam. Watson struggled for the 1st time on tour.....he made the attempts but tended to knock on too much. DVDM was just dreadful in defence.....yet again. The bomb which he missed and it bounced out for a Lions throw was typical....he struggles to even get in the right position to even contest! I honestly don't know how he's lasted this long tbh.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Old Man wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Should have been down to 13

The Lions? Yeah agree. One for DVDM and the other in retrospect for Watson for last week.

Er no. Sa were very lucky with the penalties etc.

The second half was a tactical masterclass. I don't think it's fair or correct to try and blame the officials for the incompetence of the Lions coaching team. They sent out a team with no plan B to try and beat the Boks at their own game. Really poor.

For next week the Lions are going to have to look at replacing both wingers as they were both found desperately wanting in the air. Liam Williams and Adams to come onto the wings. Russell at 10 is a must. We are too predictable. Murray can still operate the kicking game from 9 but we'd then have another option to keep the Boks honest. If Wyn Jones is fit then it's bye bye Sutherland as well.

Agree there Sam. Watson struggled for the 1st time on tour.....he made the attempts but tended to knock on too much. DVDM was just dreadful in defence.....yet again. The bomb which he missed and it bounced out for a Lions throw was typical....he struggles to even get in the right position to even contest! I honestly don't know how he's lasted this long tbh.

I think Gatland bargained on the fact that he would get opportunities to run over Kolbe, and sadly that hasn’t come to fruition once.

Great news

Faf and Kolbe cited.

Old Man wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Old Man wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Should have been down to 13

The Lions? Yeah agree. One for DVDM and the other in retrospect for Watson for last week.

Er no. Sa were very lucky with the penalties etc.

The second half was a tactical masterclass. I don't think it's fair or correct to try and blame the officials for the incompetence of the Lions coaching team. They sent out a team with no plan B to try and beat the Boks at their own game. Really poor.

For next week the Lions are going to have to look at replacing both wingers as they were both found desperately wanting in the air. Liam Williams and Adams to come onto the wings. Russell at 10 is a must. We are too predictable. Murray can still operate the kicking game from 9 but we'd then have another option to keep the Boks honest. If Wyn Jones is fit then it's bye bye Sutherland as well.

Agree there Sam. Watson struggled for the 1st time on tour.....he made the attempts but tended to knock on too much. DVDM was just dreadful in defence.....yet again. The bomb which he missed and it bounced out for a Lions throw was typical....he struggles to even get in the right position to even contest! I honestly don't know how he's lasted this long tbh.

I think Gatland bargained on the fact that he would get opportunities to run over Kolbe, and sadly that hasn’t come to fruition once.

Well there should have been a gap there permanently today as well.

TightHEAD wrote:Great news

Faf and Kolbe cited.

I hope you’re serious for once.

mikey_dragon wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Great news

Faf and Kolbe cited.

I hope you’re serious for once.

Do not hold breath.

I admit I didn’t see the Itoje knee to neck, maybe I’ll rewatch the game. If true then it’s not good, but somehow people will still find a way to blame it on AWJ so what’s the point?

No 7&1/2 wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Great news

Faf and Kolbe cited.

I hope you’re serious for once.

Do not hold breath.

Yeah too early for that, silly me.

Sgt Pooly wrote:Watson struggled for the 1st time on tour

.
So what do you call last test (when he had the worst defensive stats of the whole Lions 23 i.e. 50% missed tackles, no more metres than DvdM, less carries, got turned over where DvdM made 2 TOs and conceded none, and finally totally out of position for the SA try)....a top performance

flyhalffactory wrote:

Sgt Pooly wrote:Watson struggled for the 1st time on tour

.
So what do you call last test (when he had the worst defensive stats of the whole Lions 23 i.e. 50% missed tackles, no more metres than DvdM, less carries, got turned over where DvdM made 2 TOs and conceded none, and finally totally out of position for the SA try)....a top performance

VDM missed 50% too (2/4). Had the same metres as Watson really, but if Watson had less carries, then he wins that stat. Watson also beat more defenders.

mikey_dragon wrote:I admit I didn’t see the Itoje knee to neck, maybe I’ll rewatch the game. If true then it’s not good, but somehow people will still find a way to blame it on AWJ so what’s the point?

Please stop the awj victim card on unrelated topics