The Rugby Thread

[Buzzo]

No surprises apparent so far in the Final.

[Buzzo]

That’s the game.

Leinster are untouchable.

[Irishnev]

That’s the game.

Leinster are untouchable.

I didn’t watch it - will watch the highlights at some point today. They are a winning machine and still more to come back to the squad + Furlong, Leavy, Ryan’s first game in ages.....

They’ll be hard to stop this season again

[Irishnev]

His vision is incredible. But he is so calm in execution.

Be great to see him 10 for the Lions but Gatland will stay conservative with Farrell

[Cormack74]

'Pragmatic' is the word you're after Nev

The Boks have got some handy backs these days but the team is still the biggest and most physical in international rugby and they're going to smash up the oppo before they set abut playing the pretty stuff.

And that's going to mean sending the big boys down the '10' channel if Finn happens to be standing there. I noticed in the last 6N's he played in, he was sometimes hidden out wide when Scotland defended set pieces especially v England where there was obviously a concern that Tuilagi would run over him.

So whilst there is absolutely no doubt he is a brilliant game changing player it would be very brave to start him.

But hopefully he'll be on the bench and will come on when the Boks get tired, defences start to slow and there is all kinds of space for him to play in. And if Hogg is on with him then even better.

Incidentally I'm no particular fan of Farrell, but he's not exactly a poor player and certainly a better goal kicker then Finn, which might prove crucial in what I suspect will be tight games.

[Buzzo]

Finn was incredible in the second half of the last 6Ns he played against England. Scored one try and was instrumental in about 4 others.

It would be amazing to see him starting for the Lions, particularly with the players he could have around him. The protection he could be given and the quick ball the likes of Connor Murray would give him. He gets none of that with Scotland.

But not likely with Gatland as you’ve both said.

[Cormack74]

Finn was incredible in the second half of the last 6Ns he played against England. Scored one try and was instrumental in about 4 others.

It would be amazing to see him starting for the Lions, particularly with the players he could have around him. The protection he could be given and the quick ball the likes of Connor Murray would give him. He gets none of that with Scotland.

But not likely with Gatland as you’ve both said.

It might have been the one before . . . one year seems pretty much like any other to me apart from this year

Anyhow I'm absolutely not doubting his attacking brilliance just opining that Gat will be aware of the fact that the Boks would look to examine his defensive capabilities.

But late in games on the high veldt he might be absolutely sensational.

[Irishnev]

Finn was incredible in the second half of the last 6Ns he played against England. Scored one try and was instrumental in about 4 others.

It would be amazing to see him starting for the Lions, particularly with the players he could have around him. The protection he could be given and the quick ball the likes of Connor Murray would give him. He gets none of that with Scotland.

But not likely with Gatland as you’ve both said.

Murray hasn’t passed the ball since the last Lions tour.....both Munster and Ireland having him kick the leather off the ball

Jokes aside I’d be surprised if he starts as Lions scrum half

[Buzzo]

Dupe

[Buzzo]

It might have been the one before . . . one year seems pretty much like any other to me apart from this year

Anyhow I'm absolutely not doubting his attacking brilliance just opining that Gat will be aware of the fact that the Boks would look to examine his defensive capabilities.

But late in games on the high veldt he might be absolutely sensational.

The one before was when he played the wonder pass and we beat you at Murrayfield

Overall I am agreeing with you though. He’s box office Farrell is obviously very good. But boring. But as you say the combination of the 2 could be immense.

[Buzzo]

Murray hasn’t passed the ball since the last Lions tour.....both Munster and Ireland having him kick the leather off the ball

Jokes aside I’d be surprised if he starts as Lions scrum half

Munster do box kick far too much.

The 5 phases to the channel to then wait ten mins for the Scrum Half to box kick with 3 forwards worth of leg room is easily my biggest pet peeve in Rugby.

“Use it”.

“Use it”.

They should start giving pens the scrum half protection on box kicks is ridiculous.

[Buzzo]

Leinster v Saracens looks a decent match up next weekend. Saracens have managed to rest their entire team and Leinster had the pro 14 final.

[Zapater]

'Pragmatic' is the word you're after Nev

The Boks have got some handy backs these days but the team is still the biggest and most physical in international rugby and they're going to smash up the oppo before they set abut playing the pretty stuff.

And that's going to mean sending the big boys down the '10' channel if Finn happens to be standing there. I noticed in the last 6N's he played in, he was sometimes hidden out wide when Scotland defended set pieces especially v England where there was obviously a concern that Tuilagi would run over him.

So whilst there is absolutely no doubt he is a brilliant game changing player it would be very brave to start him.

But hopefully he'll be on the bench and will come on when the Boks get tired, defences start to slow and there is all kinds of space for him to play in. And if Hogg is on with him then even better.

Incidentally I'm no particular fan of Farrell, but he's not exactly a poor player and certainly a better goal kicker then Finn, which might prove crucial in what I suspect will be tight games.

I think England have had a heavier pack in recent years haha, but yes, your assessment is completely correct. It's a bit like Australia's Foley, who is a fine player but it seemed the AB and Boks have identified him as someone they can line up and target physically at times. Think Russell would probably get worse treatment. Although sometimes the gamble is worth it when you have a player like that.

I'd also pick Farrell though, purely because he can do anything he wants without consequence. If Bakkies Botha or Butch James did half of what they does, they'd receive life bans! Not his fault with his league roots I guess.

[Buzzo]

I think England have had a heavier pack in recent years haha, but yes, your assessment is completely correct. It's a bit like Australia's Foley, who is a fine player but it seemed the AB and Boks have identified him as someone they can line up and target physically at times. Think Russell would probably get worse treatment. Although sometimes the gamble is worth it when you have a player like that.

I'd also pick Farrell though, purely because he can do anything he wants without consequence. If Bakkies Botha or Butch James did half of what they does, they'd receive life bans! Not his fault with his league roots I guess.

There is definitely a separate rule book for Owen. Im intrigued to see what his ban is for that tackle as it was a shocker.

Surely they need to get it sorted with a huge game for Saracens this weekend?

[Zapater]

The last Lions tour in SA was brilliant, I really wanted to goto some games this time - I was unfortunately in Australia the last time. There's a ballot system for 'fairness sake', so nothing was guaranteed but it seems likely that I'm going to spend next year abroad which really pisses me off. Don't think you can beat an Ellis Park test and I'm not sure if I'll ever get the chance to see an SA - Lions game, especially when there is talk about scrapping the tours. I'd have even have gone to Loftus or Cape Town to see it. It's a shame Newlands Rugby Park is done because the vibe and atmosphere in CT is fantastic and that was a setting to match.