Lions Vs Brumbies

[Mr Mwenda]

Aussie commentators stunned it wasn't given.

[Banquo]

listening on radio. only heard Curry name when he got subbed off. How did he go?

Didn't pass his audition, rackon.

One mistake for every good thing.

[Banquo]

Aki has been effective,

He has?

Yes, got us over the gainline several times, attracted defenders. Agree some iffy hands but not alone. Centres have been ok generally
As before, wing defence seem poor comms tbh, tho step in there, yes.

[Mikey Brown]

What a kick.

[Galfon]

Why kick away when pen. due ?
points lost there.!
17 - 29, 62 mins

[Banquo]

Why kick away when pen. due ?
points lost there.!
17 - 29, 62 mins

That’s Marcus !!

[Galfon]

Another crooked throw, Brums..

[Banquo]

Pollock….always does summat

[Galfon]

Bench telling now..
JvdF, Pollock bringing zip.
Try vdF from drive.
17 - 36, 68 mins.

[Mikey Brown]

Why kick away when pen. due ?
points lost there.!
17 - 29, 62 mins

That’s Marcus !!

It’s every team with an advantage isn’t it?

[Donny osmond]

Conan has made most metres for Lions so far this game. At least as of a few minutes ago, probs played his way into the test side?

Gutted for Kinghorn, heres a thought experiment: if MS isn't doing enough to be test fullback, and the Irish centres are the preferred 12-13 combo, and Faz Jnr simply has to be on the bench, is it out of line to suggest Huw Jones gets a run at full back?

[Banquo]

Why kick away when pen. due ?
points lost there.!
17 - 29, 62 mins

That’s Marcus !!

It’s every team with an advantage isn’t it?

Shouldn’t be and that was really early in the play. It was a very Marcus thing imo

[Banquo]

Conan has made most metres for Lions so far this game. At least as of a few minutes ago, probs played his way into the test side?

Gutted for Kinghorn, heres a thought experiment: if MS isn't doing enough to be test fullback, and the Irish centres are the preferred 12-13 combo, and Faz Jnr simply has to be on the bench, is it out of line to suggest Huw Jones gets a run at full back?

Yes.

Has he played there much, in seriousness

[Banquo]

Very patchy and unfocused from Lions today. I know it’s a load of new combos but…..

[Galfon]

Straightforward again for Brum.
24 - 36, 75 mins.

[Donny osmond]

Conan has made most metres for Lions so far this game. At least as of a few minutes ago, probs played his way into the test side?

Gutted for Kinghorn, heres a thought experiment: if MS isn't doing enough to be test fullback, and the Irish centres are the preferred 12-13 combo, and Faz Jnr simply has to be on the bench, is it out of line to suggest Huw Jones gets a run at full back?

Yes.

Has he played there much, in seriousness

Not a huge amount but when he had a mid career wobble and lost his form at 13, it was playing some very very good rugby, albeit at club level (at Harlequins) at 15 that got him back in the saddle.

[Banquo]

Front five and Chessum and Conan and half backs nailed imo. Rest still in the air…Freeman did a lot of good stuff but looked adrift in defence sometimes

[Mr Mwenda]

Front five and Chessum and Conan and half backs nailed imo. Rest still in the air…Freeman did a lot of good stuff but looked adrift in defence sometimes

Fair.

How many bloody held ups though? Come on lads!

[Galfon]

Icing on cake, another for Ches. , fast hands from Mitchell..
but held up.
FT 24 - 36
Workman-like, & not much scintle but this opposition stuck at it well and were organised.

[Cameo]

I think the Lions are a good side with three main flaws:

- weirdly prone to dropping the ball
- iffy support of ball carriers
- seemingly quite average wing options (defensively and finishing wise)

Looking forward, really hope Kinghorn gets fit soon.

I'd much rather Tuipolutu at 12. Just better hands and more variety to his game. Also adds pace. I would also prefer Jones at 13, but him and Ringrose are both v good options.

Front 5 is pretty set. Only real questions are maybe bench hooker and tighthead.

Backrow, I think Chessum is in. I suspect Conan is too. At 7, I would go Morgan but I just don't know what Farrell is planning.

I think most of the team is set but there is scope for a few to play themselves in on Saturday.

[Banquo]

I think the Lions are a good side with three main flaws:

- weirdly prone to dropping the ball
- iffy support of ball carriers
- seemingly quite average wing options (defensively and finishing wise)

Looking forward, really hope Kinghorn gets fit soon.

I'd much rather Tuipolutu at 12. Just better hands and more variety to his game. Also adds pace. I would also prefer Jones at 13, but him and Ringrose are both v good options.

Front 5 is pretty set. Only real questions are maybe bench hooker and tighthead.

Backrow, I think Chessum is in. I suspect Conan is too. At 7, I would go Morgan but I just don't know what Farrell is planning.

I think most of the team is set but there is scope for a few to play themselves in on Saturday.

Pretty much. Pace is my concern in the backline,and 15/15 cover.

[Galfon]

Apart from the steady and dominant front row who were switched after 50 - 60 mins,
Faz gave Itoje, Chessum, Conan, Russell, Aki, Ringrose and Freeman full game-time, so would expect those 10 to be inked in now.
McCarthy brings much needed bulk, conversely Lowe & Currry look over-bulked to me if the game is moved around quickly.
Back-row, and back 3 selections could go a numbrr of ways.
Mitchell, Porter & Pollock look good so far for reps. spots.

[Spiffy]

The Lions are not far from being a good team if they can brush up on a few basics (handling, support lines, communication.)
Chessum had a good outing at 6 (abrasion, mobility) and is a likely test starter. Did well after moving to lock too.
Sheehan is in a class of his own.
Conan again showed his engine and carried well.
Ringrose produced a couple of bursts of acceleration that I did not realize he had, has a good all-round game with some vision, and will battle Jones for the 13 shirt.
Furlong getting match-hardened and showed up well.
Very tough on Kinghorn, and on Marcus Smith, who is probably not going to get a run at 10 now that Faz is in camp.

[Mikey Brown]

Sounds like Kinghorn is okay and it was mostly concern about damaging the same injured knee. 10 days should be plenty of recovery time, but that’s not many minutes at 1( before the tests. Let’s hope Keenan is a bit more himself on Saturday.

Really feel for Marcus Smith. The good stuff he does seems to get taken for granted, and the constant switching between 10/15 isn’t doing much for his chances in either position it seems. Still, wouldn’t be shocked to see him on the bench for the first test.

[Which Tyler]

Love this sort of interview with 3 who know their trade very very well