British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa 2021
- Thread starter Elpenor
- Start date
bendeus
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Feels to me like Bokke lack of match fitness told. Second test will be interesting and not sure they'll be so generous in the final 40
AverageJoe
...
That's why the Lions weren't kicking into touch in the first half, but instead hoofing it down the field for the Boks to retrieve. A deliberate ploy to put more steps in the players legs.
Then hit them in the last 25 mins.
Absorbing if not classic game yesterday. I was strangely, really confident at HT. Thought if the Lions could stay within single digit points going into the last 20/25 they’d have a chance.
Start of the second half signalled a sea change. Bokke looked tired and began to give away pen after pen. Once the Lions were in front they could only lose to themselves - and nearly did this on several occasions.
From my limited knowledge : Itoje was impressive, esp at the breakdown; Henshaw really came into his own 2nd half. Furlong caused huge problems for SA’s scrum (Vunipola doing similar when he came on). The best 2nd half performance though was Lawes - he was everywhere, most tackles, lots of carries and metres made; also shored up a creaking line out.
well done boys. Will be a different South Africa next week though and rope a dope won’t work again..
Start of the second half signalled a sea change. Bokke looked tired and began to give away pen after pen. Once the Lions were in front they could only lose to themselves - and nearly did this on several occasions.
From my limited knowledge : Itoje was impressive, esp at the breakdown; Henshaw really came into his own 2nd half. Furlong caused huge problems for SA’s scrum (Vunipola doing similar when he came on). The best 2nd half performance though was Lawes - he was everywhere, most tackles, lots of carries and metres made; also shored up a creaking line out.
well done boys. Will be a different South Africa next week though and rope a dope won’t work again..
Elpenor
Dancing as fast as I can
The first half was a bit like the first half of the World Cup final. The second half reminded me of a classic Gatland era Welsh game management performance to close out the game.
Cowan Dickie’s lineout was a bit wobbly. Curry was a 6/10 performance when he’s usually an 8. Daly offered no penetration.
I thought Price was good especially with kicking but while we got quick ball we didn’t get a chance to unleash the outside backs.
Next week there will need to be changes in tactics. Maybe personnel if Biggar has failed his HIA.
Cowan Dickie’s lineout was a bit wobbly. Curry was a 6/10 performance when he’s usually an 8. Daly offered no penetration.
I thought Price was good especially with kicking but while we got quick ball we didn’t get a chance to unleash the outside backs.
Next week there will need to be changes in tactics. Maybe personnel if Biggar has failed his HIA.
fucthest8
Cool people die horrible, preventable deaths.
I kind of feel like Curry is a bit of a liability against the Bokke, based on this and the 'A' game. It's like he's still pissed off about the WC final and loses the plot a bit.
I thought Price was excellent (E2A I see bendeus disagrees), Itoje and Lawes too. I feel like AWJ is the only man on the planet who can properly front up to Etzebeth and did so effectively on a number of occasions. Daly was better in defence than attack but even then not good enough.
Basically, parts were alright. Next one will be way harder.
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fucthest8
Cool people die horrible, preventable deaths.
A bit.
Apparently Justin.tv doesn't exist anymore.
I started off with a very dodgy stream with SA commentary, buffering all over the place. I gave up and found an almost perfect Sky feed.
I'm glad Cerberus also mentioned Henshaw, as I thought he was good too.
Given what the ref asked I'm surprised the SA try got ruled out, as le Roux looked at most level with the kicker's foot.
1927
Funnier than he thinks he is.
I think try decision was correct, but wouldn’t have argued if Watson had seen red.
fucthest8
Cool people die horrible, preventable deaths.
I watched it on YouTube this morning with SA commentators and that made it all the more sweet as they desperately tried to put a positive spin on the second half, especially the last two minutes, talking about "Lions defensive desperation" as the Bokke were pushed back and back and then Itoje turned it over
I'm still not convinced on the try, see Stavros' comment above, onfiled was a try, seemed stunningly marginal to disallow it
However, yeah, should have said "at minimum" on Watson's card, but you're right, probable red
bendeus
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Don't really see the point in Watson as a bench replacement - either start him (don't!) or drop him off the bench for Faletau.
Our outside backs were the weakest link, IMO, and this is the area that needs to be addressed most urgently. We were poor in defence (though SA offered little in attack, thus letting us off the hook) and lacked creativity or width in attack.
Think Daly has to be dropped from the XXIII entirely. If so, Aki and Henshaw need to start as, while unspectacular, the former at least joins a settled midfield combo.
Hogg goes for Liam, who is much more solid under high ball and a better defensive option.
Adams for Van der McMerwe, sorry. His contribution mainly consisted of being large and running at the kick receiver, which to me ain't enough.
Wyn Jones (if fit) for Sutherland (who really struggled) is the other obvious one.
So basically, replace all the Jocks/project Jocks with Welshmen. I'm not biased
E2A - wondering if, given LCD's wobbles, Owens, who was excellent when he came on, might start. Not necessarily suggesting this would be the right call but can see Gatland considering it.
Our outside backs were the weakest link, IMO, and this is the area that needs to be addressed most urgently. We were poor in defence (though SA offered little in attack, thus letting us off the hook) and lacked creativity or width in attack.
Think Daly has to be dropped from the XXIII entirely. If so, Aki and Henshaw need to start as, while unspectacular, the former at least joins a settled midfield combo.
Hogg goes for Liam, who is much more solid under high ball and a better defensive option.
Adams for Van der McMerwe, sorry. His contribution mainly consisted of being large and running at the kick receiver, which to me ain't enough.
Wyn Jones (if fit) for Sutherland (who really struggled) is the other obvious one.
So basically, replace all the Jocks/project Jocks with Welshmen. I'm not biased
E2A - wondering if, given LCD's wobbles, Owens, who was excellent when he came on, might start. Not necessarily suggesting this would be the right call but can see Gatland considering it.
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bendeus
Bellend Tagline Generator
In fairness, my comments were based on the first half, when the pack was being beaten and Price seemed off the pace. I only watched the highlights of the second half but he looked a lot sharper.
E2A - agree about Curry. He was a bit of a liability in the first 40. Still the best option to start, though.
Lawes and Itoje were superb. AWJ was, well, AWJ.
bendeus
Bellend Tagline Generator
Was just reading the '17 thread and came across this gem...
Oh, how the worm has turned
fucthest8
Cool people die horrible, preventable deaths.
I was hoping for the above at least
Not this
Given that the saffas were one dodgy reffing decision from winning last week, I confidently predict they'll take this one, lack of match fitness or no.
bendeus
Bellend Tagline Generator
IKR? I remember the 2009 tour. The one where Schalk Burger's wandering finger was blatantly in an eye socket. "At least yellow", quoth the craven tmo. A yellow he got from the craven ref. I then watched the entire first XV, including a number of Wales players who would take 6 months to recover, get fucking taken out. Fuck him and the fucking horse he rode in on
Smangus
comatose at a desk
Yeah, I remember that tour, Bismarck deserved a right kicking too.
