British and Irish Lions 2017

[bendeus]

MOM: Itoje

Standout performances: Vunipola, Furlong, Warburton, Faletau, SOB and Jon Davies

Mentioned in dispatches: Murray, Watson, Sexton, AWJ

Subpar: Liam, Daly (pen aside), George

Pants: Farrell (place kicks aside)

Player of the series: Jon Davies for me. Really hasn't put a foot wrong in attack or defence and played a role in most of the great attacking moves of the series

 

[bendeus]

and just think about the incoming reaction from the NZ fans and press!

The sound of shrill bleating can be heard from this hemisphere

 

[bendeus]

Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) on Twitter

 

[1927]

Utter madness

would be fun tho, didn't want the tour to end!

 

[bendeus]

would be fun tho, didn't want the tour to end!

It wouldn't have been fun when we fucked up the lineout / knocked on / crossed or whatever other creative way we would have found to cough up possession.

 

[felixthecat]

I take back everything I said about Jonathan Davies before the tour. He has been superb throughout

 

[bendeus]

I take back everything I said about Jonathan Davies before the tour. He has been superb throughout

Hit a rich vein of form at exactly the right time. He was pulling up trees for the Scarlets in their run in to the Pro12 championship and has continued that into the series. I didn't even have him touring after the 6N, tbh, but he has utterly justified Gatland's selection of him over Joseph.

 

[gawkrodger]

yeh, have to say Davies has been excellent

 

[gawkrodger]

and Itoje clear MOTM as already stated

 

[Grandma Death]

I feel deflated but not as much as the all blacks will feel deflated. I fucking hate Steve Hansen so knowing I'm not gonna see his smug face with a win means a lot to me. I thought the Lions didn't really turn up til second half. Scrummaging last quarter was superb. Jonathan Davis was fucking immense. Just immense. Itoje played really well too and that daly boot was something else. One thing is certain. The northern hemisphere are much closer to the SH than ever before. The impenetrable all blacks have suffered two defeats at the hands of the NH now. I feel largely positive about our rugby but e still need to up our game. Combine skills with power play. Too much physicality in the way we play our rugby. We need to fine tune our skills. Great tour. My only concern is now the wru will extend gatlands contract for 30 years.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

 

[gawkrodger]

oh, and LOL @ Gatland in the press conference

 

[1927]

My only concern is now the wru will extend gatlands contract for 30 years.

With a built in clause to allow him to coach 2021 tour!

 

[stavros]

That was a great game, although I think the second test just edged it. Itoje and Davies stood out for the Lions, and Daly, Faletau and Lawes looked very good too.

 

[starfish]

The entire pack deserve plaudits but yes, Itoje has stood out. Farrell has been diabolical.

Can he pass below head height. Hospital passes all day.

 

[starfish]

If the ABs could have kept a hold on the ball theyd have been out of sight by halftime. We had nothing going forward. Puts angry Jock hat on. I think Tommy Seymour could have done a far better job than either Watson or Daly.

 

[1927]

Part of me thought the draw was a bit contrived as a result of the changed decision , albeit I was happy to take it and thought it was the right decision. However, having seen the game again, I agree with Gats. It should have been a pen to Lions! We were robbed i tell ya!

 

[1927]

oh, and LOL @ Gatland in the press conference

Fair dos! Lol

 

[bendeus]

Foxy confirmed as player of the series. Great accolade and the third Welshman in a row to win it after Roberts and Halfpenny.

Also interesting rumours swirling that they might have an unofficial series decider by picking an identical XXIII for the Baa Baas when the ABs tour the UK in the autumn. That would be fun.

 

[flypanam]

So Kieran read was three meters ahead of the ball when Barrett's restart caused that incident.

 

[1927]

So Kieran read was three meters ahead of the ball when Barrett's restart caused that incident.

To be fair only 3m offside is pretty good for an AB!

 

[bendeus]

So Kieran read was three meters ahead of the ball when Barrett's restart caused that incident.

He also wasn't playing for the ball when he made contact with Liam; he was playing the man. On reflection there were two penalties that could have been awarded against black before the non-penalty against red.

 

[gawkrodger]

Just a quick thing - really enjoyed these lads podcasts/youtube vids over the duration of the tour - hope the quality continues

 

[Smangus]

great series in the end , loads of drama , on reflection probably the right result a draw. Both teams could have won it but for missing their chances. Feeling at a loose end now , roll on the Autumn series of tests!

 

[stavros]

Feeling at a loose end now , roll on the Autumn series of tests!

The domestic season starts first, in England at least. 1 September in fact, and there's a double-header at Twickenham not long after. Quins and Sarries are definitely involved, although I forget the other two teams.

 

[gawkrodger]

Lions tour: Opinion - Let the media put their hands up as one - we failed you NZ

 

[Teaboy]

Lions tour: Opinion - Let the media put their hands up as one - we failed you NZ

Its certainly true that there is clearly a total lack of respect from the SH but certainly NZ in particular. You do kind of get it with NZ but where from where I'm standing the SH aura looks totally shattered. The Saffa's are as bad as they've been since readmission and the aussies are very beatable as we've all seen.

Yes the kiwi's are still ahead of everyone but I don't think its head and shoulders anymore. Instead of whinging about NH referees and Itoje spending two entire games offside (a brilliant and hilarious tactic by Gatland btw) NZ should be looking over their shoulders nervously. That and finding a decent goal kicker.

 

[sleaterkinney]

He also wasn't playing for the ball when he made contact with Liam; he was playing the man. On reflection there were two penalties that could have been awarded against black before the non-penalty against red.

99 times out of 100 nz would have got a penalty for that.

 

[bendeus]

99 times out of 100 nz would have got a penalty for that.

Yup. And 99 times out of 100 Sonny Wulliam Wulliams wouldn't have got a red. That's 99 years out of 100, btw.

 

[bendeus]

Its certainly true that there is clearly a total lack of respect from the SH but certainly NZ in particular. You do kind of get it with NZ but where from where I'm standing the SH aura looks totally shattered. The Saffa's are as bad as they've been since readmission and the aussies are very beatable as we've all seen.

Yes the kiwi's are still ahead of everyone but I don't think its head and shoulders anymore. Instead of whinging about NH referees and Itoje spending two entire games offside (a brilliant and hilarious tactic by Gatland btw) NZ should be looking over their shoulders nervously. That and finding a decent goal kicker.

Haven't needed a decent goal kicker up to now given their penchant for winning by more than. 2 tries regardless of the opposition. But yeah, may need to consider it in the future.

 

[bendeus]

Lions tour: Opinion - Let the media put their hands up as one - we failed you NZ

Megnuficunt article, bro..