1ST TEST

[bruce]

So if the "apparently" reports are to be believed it's a pretty uninspiring back row with 2 of the 3 being picked being the worst performing on tour to date. Seems Farrell had a set team in his head from the outset and no matter current form has decided to stick with it. Still will see how it goes.

[Donny osmond]

Feeling a bit meh about the team if that's accurate. Mostly feeling for Morgan who surely has been the stand out 7 on tour so far?

[BaldiePete]

According to the BBC Tuipolotu is at 12 (and Jones at 13). No surprise there with Ringrose injured.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 2m01j45pzo

[jngf]

Distant cousins?

Chap on stage left would make a cracking no.5 - few takers for lifting him though I suspect

[jngf]

According to the BBC Tuipolotu is at 12 (and Jones at 13). No surprise there with Ringrose injured.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 2m01j45pzo

Imo Curry’s been incredibly jammy to get a start at openside if that’s correct - nowhere near the best based on form and it’s not even his best position. Smacks of safety first stodgy selection if accurate

[BaldiePete]

Distant cousins?

Chap on stage left would make a cracking no.5 - few takers for lifting him though I suspect

He’s Tom Stoltman from Invergordon, who has won the world’s strongest man competition three times. He’s 2.03m (6’8”) and 185kg (408lbs or 29 stone 2lb). Scotland’s perennial scrummaging problems solved, assuming he doesn’t actually have to run around the pitch much. Alternatively, play him at centre and give him the ball. He can just lumber up the pitch carrying would be tacklers with him.

[paddy no 11]

According to the BBC Tuipolotu is at 12 (and Jones at 13). No surprise there with Ringrose injured.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 2m01j45pzo

Imo Curry’s been incredibly jammy to get a start at openside if that’s correct - nowhere near the best based on form and it’s not even his best position. Smacks of safety first stodgy selection if accurate

Morgan been mugged off here

[francoisfou]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 2k121mdr9o

Interesting article on the Beeb website regarding the current state of Union in Australia, making comparisons with League and Rules.

World Rugby needs a stronger Aussie team, particularly as the 2027 World Cup will be held there, so I’m hoping that they put up a good show against the Lions, and I wouldn’t be too upset if they won one of the Tests!

[Danno]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 2k121mdr9o

Interesting article on the Beeb website regarding the current state of Union in Australia, making comparisons with League and Rules.

World Rugby needs a stronger Aussie team, particularly as the 2027 World Cup will be held there, so I’m hoping that they put up a good show against the Lions, and I wouldn’t be too upset if they won one of the Tests!

V'landys comes across well

[Danno]

décodeur binaire

That pack is going to get beaten up

[francoisfou]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 2k121mdr9o

Interesting article on the Beeb website regarding the current state of Union in Australia, making comparisons with League and Rules.

World Rugby needs a stronger Aussie team, particularly as the 2027 World Cup will be held there, so I’m hoping that they put up a good show against the Lions, and I wouldn’t be too upset if they won one of the Tests!

V'landys comes across well

Indeed. Your typical arrogant Aussie tosser!

[Puja]

That pack is going to get beaten up

Valetini and Skelton both failed fitness tests. You'd have to say there goes their hopes of a first test win, especially with Lolesio out too.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 2k121mdr9o

Interesting article on the Beeb website regarding the current state of Union in Australia, making comparisons with League and Rules.

World Rugby needs a stronger Aussie team, particularly as the 2027 World Cup will be held there, so I’m hoping that they put up a good show against the Lions, and I wouldn’t be too upset if they won one of the Tests!

V'landys comes across well

I may actually end up cheering for Australia this weekend. Wouldn't want them to win, but I am concerned about them getting an absolute doing in T1 that knocks all the wind out of the series and kills the game in Aus. The best result for the sport would be for the series to be 1-1 after the second test, with both games decided within 7 points but, despite Farrell Snr doing his best to level the playing field, Australia are looking less and less likely to provide good opposition.

Puja

[Big D]

Bierne is lucky to be anywhere near the 23 never mind starting at 6.

[Danno]

That pack is going to get beaten up

Valetini and Skelton both failed fitness tests. You'd have to say there goes their hopes of a first test win, especially with Lolesio out too.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 2k121mdr9o

Interesting article on the Beeb website regarding the current state of Union in Australia, making comparisons with League and Rules.

World Rugby needs a stronger Aussie team, particularly as the 2027 World Cup will be held there, so I’m hoping that they put up a good show against the Lions, and I wouldn’t be too upset if they won one of the Tests!

V'landys comes across well

I may actually end up cheering for Australia this weekend. Wouldn't want them to win, but I am concerned about them getting an absolute doing in T1 that knocks all the wind out of the series and kills the game in Aus. The best result for the sport would be for the series to be 1-1 after the second test, with both games decided within 7 points but, despite Farrell Snr doing his best to level the playing field, Australia are looking less and less likely to provide good opposition.

Puja

I'm with you there. Hopefully a lack of cohesion from all the chopping and changing, plus a couple of players (....Curry) being a bit below par will let Aus make a game of it.

It's not ideal with Valentini, Tupou, Skelton and one of their 8s out. Not many packs can cover those sort of gaps.

[Danno]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 2lj3zngj5o

Lions team to face Australia
Keenan, Freeman, Jones, Tuipulotu, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong. Itoje, McCarthy, Beirne, Curry, Conan.

Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Chessum, Earl, Mitchell, M Smith, Aki

[Danno]

A 5:3 bench what is this 2014?

[Cameo]

Is Tupou out? I thought he was just not picked as he hasn't been good all year.

Valentini and Skelton are big losses. I thought they would bring Tizzano in and target the breakdown.

Main advantage they have is pace out wide. Centres are decent too.

[Mr Mwenda]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 2lj3zngj5o

Lions team to face Australia
Keenan, Freeman, Jones, Tuipulotu, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong. Itoje, McCarthy, Beirne, Curry, Conan.

Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Chessum, Earl, Mitchell, M Smith, Aki

I'm with everyone here that Morgan is hard done by and Beirne is lucky. Very glad the Scots centre partnership gets it's chance.

Are there any surprises in this team? I think I wouldn't have expected Chessum, Earl and MSmith to force their way into the test squad before the tour.

[Danno]

No complaints really. MSmith is perhaps lucky because who else is there, while Chessum and Earl have been playing solidly - good cover for Beirne and Curry who have been uhhh... below their own standards

[UKHamlet]

He's gone for forward size rather than form, which is okay because that's what his usual strategy demands. It'll make an interesting test match, with a nimble Oz trying to give a bludgeoning Lions the runaround. Personally, I would have picked Morgan and Pollock, and anyone but Marcus Smith.

[Tuco Ramirez]

Come on Australia!!!!!

[Big D]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 2lj3zngj5o

Lions team to face Australia
Keenan, Freeman, Jones, Tuipulotu, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong. Itoje, McCarthy, Beirne, Curry, Conan.

Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Chessum, Earl, Mitchell, M Smith, Aki

I'm with everyone here that Morgan is hard done by and Beirne is lucky. Very glad the Scots centre partnership gets it's chance.

Are there any surprises in this team? I think I wouldn't have expected Chessum, Earl and MSmith to force their way into the test squad before the tour.

Mitchell, Smith and Aki on bench are surprises if considering opinions going into the tour. But injuries have forced the hand a little.

For Aki it is more surprising having a pure 12 on the bench.

[Oakboy]

Interestingly, in the “for the love of the game” podcast, Youngs and Cole talk a lot about the decisions being separated from execution - and focusing on the former re: analysis and ratings. Ultimately though, its outcomes that matter - so when it comes to test time we need to be picking player who make the right decisions and execute on them.

And we're back to why coaches love Farrell - he will always make the play that the playbook says - he'll even attempt to if it's beyond his actual capabilities skill-wise.
If the playbook says that in this phase of play, in this quarter of the game, in this position on the pitch, the balkl is kicked high, to land 10m out from the R touchline, 23m out from the tryline; then that's what he'll do - 5 on 2 overlap with half the width of the pitch be damned!
The coaches see him making the decision he was told to; the fans see it being the wrong decision (and poorly executed even then)

This post should be highlighted and copied to all coaches and pundits.

[Oakboy]

Interestingly, in the “for the love of the game” podcast, Youngs and Cole talk a lot about the decisions being separated from execution - and focusing on the former re: analysis and ratings. Ultimately though, its outcomes that matter - so when it comes to test time we need to be picking player who make the right decisions and execute on them.

And we're back to why coaches love Farrell - he will always make the play that the playbook says - he'll even attempt to if it's beyond his actual capabilities skill-wise.
If the playbook says that in this phase of play, in this quarter of the game, in this position on the pitch, the balkl is kicked high, to land 10m out from the R touchline, 23m out from the tryline; then that's what he'll do - 5 on 2 overlap with half the width of the pitch be damned!
The coaches see him making the decision he was told to; the fans see it being the wrong decision (and poorly executed even then)

Which begs the question about the quality of the coaches. When people like Vesty, Blackett et al are letting their charges play heads up, why are international coaches so obsessed with immovable structures (sorry I've gone a smidge Dors there)

Alcohol recommended ahead of anti-depressants.

[Cameo]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 2lj3zngj5o

Lions team to face Australia
Keenan, Freeman, Jones, Tuipulotu, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong. Itoje, McCarthy, Beirne, Curry, Conan.

Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Chessum, Earl, Mitchell, M Smith, Aki

I'm with everyone here that Morgan is hard done by and Beirne is lucky. Very glad the Scots centre partnership gets it's chance.

Are there any surprises in this team? I think I wouldn't have expected Chessum, Earl and MSmith to force their way into the test squad before the tour.

Mitchell, Smith and Aki on bench are surprises if considering opinions going into the tour. But injuries have forced the hand a little.

For Aki it is more surprising having a pure 12 on the bench.

I think injury affected positions aside (which I include 12 in), this is probably the exact team Farrell would have picked pre tour. Makes us all feel like mugs a bit for placing great store on the warmups, but there is some sense to it. It's not like I have really changed my mind on many positions.

For the record:

- I think he has got the backs right (from the squad he had, I'd have had Graham pencilled in from the start).

- I think the pack is right apart from 6 and 7 (with knock on impact on the bench). I like Beirne but he's never been a great 6 at international level and been outplayed by Beirne. I've never been Curry's biggest fan (not that he's ever been bad, just not as good as his reputation), so Morgan was always ahead for me, and the tour has confirmed that.

The caveat in the pack is that without a deep dive it is hard to judge how good each player is at rucking on their own team's ball. Curry may excel at this more than Morgan.