v AB'S - First Test

[Banquo]

oops...sanjay....

fooked. And actually mullered tbh- better lineout, but that's it. Lose momentum and you are fooked.

[cashead]

We burgled that try. Not much more Watson could've done there.

[Galfon]

Ioane looks nippy..
30-8.

[Banquo]

We burgled that try. Not much more Watson could've done there.

he gassed Daly, so is uber quick

[Donny osmond]

Due to not having had sky for the last 12 years I had forgotten just how up himself Barnes is as a commentator. Apparently the big "secret" of AB rugby is how good their basic skills are.

Give me fwckin strength

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[WaspInWales]

Such a well oiled machine. They hunt in packs to win the breakdown, they're there in force to support team mates either for an offload or hitting rucks. They all know what to do and when to do it.

Fair play, they're just a very, very good team, full of very, very good players.

[cashead]

Feels like 2005 again

Nah, this lot are better than that fucking dumpster fire of a team.

[zer0]

he gassed Daly, so is uber quick

The Bus has been upgraded to a Ferrari.

[Banquo]

eergh. nice hands to nowhere

[Banquo]

he gassed Daly, so is uber quick

The Bus has been upgraded to a Ferrari.

Ioane? is he the Bus? Daly is a quick lad.

[Mr Mwenda]

Sexton's loop arounds are rather hand in mouth today...

[WaspInWales]

Take the points!

[old-n-slo-2nd-row]

What game is Stuart Barnes watching?

[WaspInWales]

Deserved the second try.

[zer0]

Ioane? is he the Bus? Daly is a quick lad.

Nah. J.Savea is nicknamed the Bus. He's been dropped for just about the only guy in NZ rugby who is faster than B.Barrett.

[Galfon]

consolation Webb..
30-15.
outplayed mostly.

[Banquo]

Ioane? is he the Bus? Daly is a quick lad.

Nah. J.Savea is nicknamed the Bus. He's been dropped for just about the only guy in NZ rugby who is faster than B.Barrett.

ah I see, was being dim!

[Banquo]

well played AB's, overcame lineout issues, and drubbed us.

[Donny osmond]

Need to sort out the forwards as a unit for next week. I wasnt too impressed with Teo, good player but didnt really add anything particularly to the lions attack, need more creativity. Back 3 showed they can exploit space... if we dont use it due to overly conservative selection/game plan (too many kicks from Murray eg) then we arent giving ourselves a chance.

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[zer0]

ah I see, was being dim!

TBF "traded in for a Ferrari" would've been clearer, I think.

[I R Geech]

NZ far more organised and with better skills. However, it's still doable;
We stood off to much in defence rather than pressuring in the way that has been successful and let them play too much.
The lack of attacking threat at 10, 12, 13 meant we were always going to struggle and rely on penalties which we didn't get.
Peyper gave us very little - didn't change the outcome but a different ref would help.
We need more pace, it's in the squad but wasn't picked.
Just lost shape, need to steady the heads.
Forwards not nasty or streetsmart enough.

We won't beat NZ by being conventional as we won't be organised and fluid enough, so just need to pressure them and not let them play. Pace and chaos is what's needed, and a more solid scrum.

[WaspInWales]

Not a dreadful performance by the Lions, ABs were just much better.

Thought Foxy had a good game. Daly, Sanjay and Watson all good in the backs. Farrell was a mixed bag as always. Seemed to start off well enough but a few missed tackles and that l-r pass was a shocker. Murray was mostly good.

[Mr Mwenda]

Thought all the starters had decent enough games - although a few key errors as noted from a couple. The collapse seemed to come when the subs arrived. Not sure if this was them failing to shore up an increasingly creaking side or whether some weren't ready for the pace/intensity.

I think I''d give Sexton a start next week. He might have a better chance of unleashing the back three. I think I'd tinker with the bench a bit.

Was Jones worth his start at lock? I didn't notice him much and Itoje seemed to do well but the Lions had somewhat disintegrated by that stage and I don't doubt Jones may have been one reason it was holding together earlier. Kruis also seemed to have a mixed day, mind.

[Sandydragon]

All blacks far more clinical. They controlled the game for key stretches and took away areas of Lions perceived strength, i.e. the scrum and driving line out.

That said, we conjured up some good attacking opportunities, but only turned one in to a try. We butchered another 3 or so decent opportunities which if the tables had been turned probably would have been scored.

Too many errors, too many penalties and some great individual skills by key AB players at key times.

Sky commentators want more dynamism from the Lions pack, which probably is a dig at starting Itoje. Im not convinced that would have made any difference. I would look at the back row, we need to be more effective at slowing down AB ball and if we can't get the platform to launch SOB at their defence then perhaps start with Warburton and have SOB in reserve, or even Tipuric (depending on POM's injury)

[Mush]

Lions ball retention let them down. The first 10 minutes they run through good phases and mixed up the distribution. After that they looked panicky with the little amount of ball they had. A bit of composure would have made s ignificant difference, i feel.