The Rugby Thread

[Sconniee2]

Vermilion - thanks for posting the ad - it's brilliant.

Something unique about the Lions - and when its in NZ its a perfect excuse to start drinking at 8am before work starts.

Concerned we don't have many game changers in the squad as I am not sure bashing the Aussies into oblivion will work - but it will be fun watching them try.

Roll on 12.30om tomorrow..

[Vermilion]

First points in Oz go to Lee Halfpenny penalty versus Western Force.

[Vermilion]

oops, looks like one of the Lions has gone and bit someone.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22784626

Good job he's injured anyway.

[RichC]

Healy is a liability, he shouldn't have gone in the first place IMO.

[Liverpel]

oops, looks like one of the Lions has gone and bit someone.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22784626

Good job he's injured anyway.

Match citing officer, South African Freek Burger , asked Sheehan to provide him with a statement after he made a biting allegation to referee Glen Jackson during the game.

[Vermilion]

Match citing officer, South African Freek Burger , asked Sheehan to provide him with a statement after he made a biting allegation to referee Glen Jackson during the game.

Great name.

Should be a tougher game this.

[Vermilion]

Lions win 12-22.

Great game tbf, the Reds played attacking running rugby, but the machine that is the British and Irish Lions rolls on.

But without Tommy Bowe, injury!

Hope you've all enjoyed my match commentary.

[Neil Young]

I can honestly say it's better than being there.

[Chazza]

Billy Twelvetrees called up as cover.

[Cormack74]

These tours are so attritional I reckon that by the end even my middle child may have been called up. (He's handy for an under 11 I should add).

[RichC]

Zebo over the try line in 47 seconds of his debut but he just got put into touch.

Good player, must have been close to have been picked for initial tour party

[RichC]

Sexton over the line, cracking start so far from the Lions

[Rigadon]

Really enjoyed the Waratahs game. High intensity from the Lions, good atmosphere at the ground.

**** game last night. **** performance, **** atmosphere. It was also ****ing freezing in Canberra.

Onwards up the East Coast to Brisbane.

[Chazza]

First test lineups announced, bit surprised Corbisiero is starting ahead of Vunipola but Gatland reckons Corbisiero is superior in the scrum.

British & Irish Lions starting XV: Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Alex Cuthbert (Wales), Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland), Jonathan Davies (Wales), George North (Wales), Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), Mike Phillips (Wales); Alex Corbisiero (England), Tom Youngs (England), Adam Jones (Wales), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), Paul O'Connell (Ireland), Tom Croft (England), Sam Warburton (Wales, capt), Jamie Heaslip (Ireland).

Replacements: Richard Hibbard (Wales), Mako Vunipola (England), Dan Cole (England), Geoff Parling (England), Dan Lydiate (Wales), Ben Youngs (England), Owen Farrell (England), Sean Maitland (Scotland).

Australia starting XV: Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs); Israel Folau (NSW), Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW), Christian Leali'ifano (ACT Brumbies), Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds); James O'Connor (Melbourne Rebels), Will Genia (Reds); Benn Robinson (NSW), Stephen Moore (ACT), Ben Alexander (ACT), James Horwill (Reds - capt), Kane Douglas (NSW), Ben Mowen (ACT), Michael Hooper (NSW), Wycliff Palu (NSW).

Replacements: Saia Fainga'a (Reds), James Slipper (Reds), S Kepu (NSW), Rob Simmons (Reds), Liam Gill (Reds) Nick Phipps (Rebels), Pat McCabe (ACT), Kurtley Beale (Rebels).

[RichC]

I see the Scots are well represented