1ST TEST

[Banquo]

I watched the first 60-70 mostly on fast forward, and was only caught up with about 15ish minutes to play.

That looked like a match that was won in the opening 20 minutes, and confirmed by half time. Thereafter... whilst the Aussies improved their play, and clung on to the ball for longer, there also seemed less intensity from the Lions - not sure if that was a matter of complacency, or protecting of bodies, knowing they're already knackered (travel and mid-week games), and have 2 more tests to go.
But a win, playing badly, that could have ended up being a route with a little more vim and vigour is... kinda what I was expecting if I'm honest.

I think they went flat out for 50 mins and a mix of tiredness, post adrenaline rush, complacency and poor replacement efforts then happened. They actually played pretty well in the first 40, though finishing was mega sloppy as was the backfield; two tries clearly butchered and repelled from the red zone a fair few times.

Aussies will be improve next weekend, so if the tactic is to go full on to win the game in the first half, we will probably need a bigger lead. That means we need a more clinical approach than that we witnessed.

Aye, three clear ones bombed and some near misses

[Numbers]

Curry was the clear motm.

Assume this is a pisstake. Thought I'd watch the game after seeing the jizzfest and headlines like Immense Curry with World Class Performance, and apart from a big hit early on and his try, the only other highlight was a tackle in the air. Otherwise fairly meh which seems to be backed up by his stats.

Exactly, and playing a guy who's clearly injured/unfit is a major risk, especially when we know the guy replacing him is pants. Morgan should be there for 80 minutes

Yeah, I can't think of a single International team that replaces their 7 during the match (maybe England do this as often I can't discern who their 7 is as it changes with the wind direction)

[Stom]

Assume this is a pisstake. Thought I'd watch the game after seeing the jizzfest and headlines like Immense Curry with World Class Performance, and apart from a big hit early on and his try, the only other highlight was a tackle in the air. Otherwise fairly meh which seems to be backed up by his stats.

Exactly, and playing a guy who's clearly injured/unfit is a major risk, especially when we know the guy replacing him is pants. Morgan should be there for 80 minutes

Yeah, I can't think of a single International team that replaces their 7 during the match (maybe England do this as often I can't discern who their 7 is as it changes with the wind direction)

France for one.

[Mikey Brown]

Exactly, and playing a guy who's clearly injured/unfit is a major risk, especially when we know the guy replacing him is pants. Morgan should be there for 80 minutes

Yeah, I can't think of a single International team that replaces their 7 during the match (maybe England do this as often I can't discern who their 7 is as it changes with the wind direction)

France for one.

Depends if you consider Cros to be their openside I guess.

[jngf]

Yeah, I can't think of a single International team that replaces their 7 during the match (maybe England do this as often I can't discern who their 7 is as it changes with the wind direction)

France for one.

Depends if you consider Cros to be their openside I guess.

Cros plays close to the ball ( bit like Betsen ) used to but in the left right system if other flanker e.g. Ollivon tending to play in wider channels.

[jngf]

Still think Farrell lacks ball carriers in pack and with Valentini and Skelton back in the frame for next test and injury doubts for McCarthy I’m questioning what Lions have to combat this threat?

This brings me onto Conan - to me he looks more like a work rate blindside than a power no.8

[jngf]

Still think Farrell lacks ball carriers in pack and with Valentini and Skelton back in the frame for next test and injury doubts for McCarthy I’m questioning what Lions have to combat this threat?

This brings me onto Conan - to me he looks more like a work rate blindside than a power no.8 ( and felt exactly the same in previous Lions series without any evidence to the contrary )

[Mikey Brown]

He’s not a flash 8, but he’s an 8. Some might query your use of the word evidence there - I guess it’s all a bit subjective.

I think he’s only recently played much of blindside at all due to Doris demanding the shirt.

[francoisfou]

France for one.

Depends if you consider Cros to be their openside I guess.

Cros plays close to the ball ( bit like Betsen ) used to but in the left right system if other flanker e.g. Ollivon tending to play in wider channels.

François Cros wore 6, iirc, in the last 6N with Paul Boudehent 7, playing left and right, both rather physical flankers with neither being an English style open-side.
Charles Ollivon will probably be fit for selection come the 2025 AIs and with Antony Jelonch competing for a back row place too, Galthié will be spoilt for choice.

[jngf]

He’s not a flash 8, but he’s an 8. Some might query your use of the word evidence there - I guess it’s all a bit subjective.

I think he’s only recently played much of blindside at all due to Doris demanding the shirt.

For me, and I don’t mean this in a partisan way, it’s Tom Willis or possibly CCS who are demanding that no.8 shirt and would have far more of an impact than Conan ( and quite possibly a fit Doris).

[Numbers]

He’s not a flash 8, but he’s an 8. Some might query your use of the word evidence there - I guess it’s all a bit subjective.

I think he’s only recently played much of blindside at all due to Doris demanding the shirt.

For me, and I don’t mean this in a partisan way, it’s Tom Willis or possibly CCS who are demanding that no.8 shirt and would have far more of an impact than Conan ( and quite possibly a fit Doris).

I'm very surprised CCS didn't get selected, he's a beast and Willis couldn't really have done much more to put his hand up, the latter maybe suffering from Toulouse's success and therefore availability issues, it's not so much an issue with an outside back like Kinghorn I would say.

[Banquo]

He’s not a flash 8, but he’s an 8. Some might query your use of the word evidence there - I guess it’s all a bit subjective.

I think he’s only recently played much of blindside at all due to Doris demanding the shirt.

For me, and I don’t mean this in a partisan way, it’s Tom Willis or possibly CCS who are demanding that no.8 shirt and would have far more of an impact than Conan ( and quite possibly a fit Doris).

I'm very surprised CCS didn't get selected, he's a beast and Willis couldn't really have done much more to put his hand up, the latter maybe suffering from Toulouse's success and therefore availability issues, it's not so much an issue with an outside back like Kinghorn I would say.

wrong willis, hes talking about Tom