The Rugby Thread

[Red_Polo]

If Hogg missed the catch that Williams did at the end, he'd have been absolutely slaughtered, and I've not heard it mentioned.

Overall though Williams played well, was easily the best source of attack. Also very good from Jonathon Davies.

I've just complimented two Welsh players, so I'd better stop.

Agreed about Williams. The All Blacks are so brutal at punishing mistakes unfortunately.

Not sure Hogg would've been slaughtered, as I'm sure his overall performance would have been excellent. Back three did surprisingly well in his absence and with so little playing time together.

All Blacks are just shaking the rust off. So where now?

[Buzzo]

The AB's pack is so mobile. The only real area that the Lions had some dominance was the Lineout.

The Lions actually played well in phases, but still came out second best.

Difficult to know where they turn now. I suspect the Lions can get better... but.... so can the AB's.

[Buzzo]

Agreed about Williams. The All Blacks are so brutal at punishing mistakes unfortunately.

Not sure Hogg would've been slaughtered, as I'm sure his overall performance would have been excellent. Back three did surprisingly well in his absence and with so little playing time together.

All Blacks are just shaking the rust off. So where now?

Just needed to get a mention of a Scot in there somehow it's moot now, but Hoggs Defence (which is actually sound) was being massively talked down pre tour.

The ABs actually played quite a lot of crash ball with the Lions throwing it about a lot which was a surprise. Taking one of the Lions perceived strengths and throwing it back at them. The ABs dominated the breakdown, superior offloads and linebreaks and ultimately that is where the game is won. They are lightening quick in decision making and leave defences little time to regroup.

Whitewash on the cards.

[Cormack74]

I only dipped in and out as I knew I'd get pissed off watching start to finish but someone made the point that the AB's had 3 clear opportunities and scored from them all and we had 4 and scored from one. The AB's are strong in lots of areas but it's the finishing where it's most telling.

[Cormack74]

Come on lads, another game tomorrow. Let's get excited.

[Buzzo]

I hope Finn Russell gets some time.

[bacon]

I went to the 1st test - top top quality match to watch with both teams going flat out. Gotta hand it to the All Blacks they were brilliant. We had our chances ... but fluffed them, we made mistakes - the All Blacks didn't.

Someone mentioned our lineouts which were really impressive apart from the one we had in their 22 that we lost - that was right in front of me. Grrrr

Also we did way too many box kicks ... typical Welsh tactics. Need to mix it up more to beat these champions.

Hope we beat the Hurricanes today ..

[Buzzo]

Good game this.

17 - 26 Lions lead. Trys from Seymour and North.

Russell got 5 mins when Biggar went off with a HIA

[Buzzo]

Another try for Tommy Seymour.

He's the leading tour try scorer.

17 - 31

[Buzzo]

Gatland bizarrely refusing to use the bench has left the forwards looking knackered.

31 - 31 with 10 to go and the Lions down to 14.

[Irishnev]

Gatland bizarrely refusing to use the bench has left the forwards looking knackered.

31 - 31 with 10 to go and the Lions down to 14.

Brilliant game but Gatland has had a shocker here, why bring these guys if you're not going to play them. The Lions were out on their feet at the end and he never changed it. I really think he has devalued the jersey by bringing these guys so late in the game and then he makes pricks of them by not even giving them a run out.

The Hurricanes were excellent but some good performances by the Lions - Tipuric, Henderson and JJ were very good.

[Buzzo]

Brilliant game but Gatland has had a shocker here, why bring these guys if you're not going to play them. The Lions were out on their feet at the end and he never changed it. I really think he has devalued the jersey by bringing these guys so late in the game and then he makes pricks of them by not even giving them a run out.

The Hurricanes were excellent but some good performances by the Lions - Tipuric, Henderson and JJ were very good.

He seemed really hesitant in interview on the subject at the end. Saying they were brought over as cover?

When did you ever see a front row play a full 80 in such an intense match. I don't think Gatland knows his strongest 15, and suspect that ultimately the defeats may come down in a large part to him as a coach.

Some blistering performances from the Lions, all over the pitch. They deserved the win.

For the test I think Gatland has questions at scrum half and 10 with neither Murray or Farrell having great games last week, he needs both of them to play well if the Lions are to have any chance at all.

[Irishnev]

He seemed really hesitant in interview on the subject at the end. Saying they were brought over as cover?

When did you ever see a front row play a full 80 in such an intense match. I don't think Gatland knows his strongest 15, and suspect that ultimately the defeats may come down in a large part to him as a coach.

Some blistering performances from the Lions, all over the pitch. They deserved the win.

For the test I think Gatland has questions at scrum half and 10 with neither Murray or Farrell having great games last week, he needs both of them to play well if the Lions are to have any chance at all.

I agree he doesn't know his best side and he brings unnecessary edge to things I.e. he is a prickly ****er.

I thought Murray played v well last week and got some rough treatment. He needs to decide on the type of game he wants to play and pick a 10 to suit it - Farrell worries me as the main goal kicker - you can't afford to miss any kick vs this lot.

[Buzzo]

I agree he doesn't know his best side and he brings unnecessary edge to things I.e. he is a prickly ****er.

I thought Murray played v well last week and got some rough treatment. He needs to decide on the type of game he wants to play and pick a 10 to suit it - Farrell worries me as the main goal kicker - you can't afford to miss any kick vs this lot.

Murray did ok, and who know was maybe instructed to play conservatively with Webb being given a license to make breaks when he came on given the game was gone.

Farrell is obviously a great player, but he hasn't really delivered on the tour so far. He has missed lots of pretty straight forward kicks this tour. It would be a brave man to bench him... but on current form... does he make the starting team?

[Irishnev]

Murray did ok, and who know was maybe instructed to play conservatively with Webb being given a license to make breaks when he came on given the game was gone.

Farrell is obviously a great player, but he hasn't really delivered on the tour so far. He has missed lots of pretty straight forward kicks this tour. It would be a brave man to bench him... but on current form... does he make the starting team?

I am always going to be Murray biased and he plays the Gatland game v well as it is similar to the Ireland game. He has a break in him also so maybe it was instruction. Webb did bring pace into it at the end but Murray is a far better player for me.

I think he'll go with Farrell again and maybe Teo'o might be sacrificed - who knows what Warren will do.