2017 Lions Tour
Discussion
Not a huge shock that the Lions lost that unlike the two previous tours these domestics sides are all top class.
It was a big improvement over Saturday. Some players form is worrying. Thing with a Lions tour is the limited time to get unfamiliar players to gel is difficult so a simple and effective game plan is a must- I liked the idea today of the club/country combinations which VS Saturday seemed to work. Regardless of the results in the warm up games it's going to put the Lions in good shape come the tests playing against teams who thrive on poor kicking and broken play.
If there was ever a case to take a solid set piece operator at 2 we saw it today....
It was a big improvement over Saturday. Some players form is worrying. Thing with a Lions tour is the limited time to get unfamiliar players to gel is difficult so a simple and effective game plan is a must- I liked the idea today of the club/country combinations which VS Saturday seemed to work. Regardless of the results in the warm up games it's going to put the Lions in good shape come the tests playing against teams who thrive on poor kicking and broken play.
If there was ever a case to take a solid set piece operator at 2 we saw it today....
JiggyJaggy said:
Someone explain why Youngs and Care are not out there? Been travelling so missed the last few weeks of build up, assumed one of them would be in the squad for their Dynamism.
Youngs pulled out because his sister in law (Tom's wife) was diagnised with terminal cancer shortly after the squad was announced. He wanted to stay in England to be with her and his bro. a311 said:
Not a huge shock that the Lions lost that unlike the two previous tours these domestics sides are all top class.
The radio this morning said that the Blues are maybe the weakest provincial side that the Lions will face. The Crusaders (Saturday's game?) have won all of their 14 provincial games. Saturday may not be pretty. ETA: this is on the BBC website, posed by Clive Jones, the Five Live producer at Eden Park: "One of the locals just walked past with a simple message for the Lions. "All the best for the next one," he said. "That's our worst franchise."."
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 7th June 11:03
DocJock said:
Sexton was poor again.
Nowell had the worst game I've seen him play
1/2p good (as expected) Hogg needs a couple of blinders to get ahead of him.
Daly good
Front 5 good
CJS good
CJS good apart from catastrophic high tackle on half time giving away penalty which led to try.Nowell had the worst game I've seen him play
1/2p good (as expected) Hogg needs a couple of blinders to get ahead of him.
Daly good
Front 5 good
CJS good
I thought Webb played well. Agree on front five, Itoje, Lawes and Owens in particular.
Sexton did nothing, dirt track beckons now. Hogg needs a big game now, although I think he offers more than 1/2p in attack. Fazlet looking favourite for the 10 jersey for me now and he can take the kicks if Hogg plays.
Greg66 said:
Youngs pulled out because his sister in law (Tom's wife) was diagnised with terminal cancer shortly after the squad was announced. He wanted to stay in England to be with her and his bro.
Ah yes I remember that now. What about Care? He would have been ideal on this tour. A better showing, but still featuring a bunch of players who won't be in the test 15 on talent.
Sexton kicked aimlessly and frequently, and Webb kicked much too long - meaning that we didn't have enough ball to get the backline moving. Williams fell (idiotically) foul of very strict rules on contact in the air, and Nowell had the most forgettable game of his career.
The tight five were excellent, but didn't dominate the tackle area. Back row was OK, but the balance was all wrong - Hask was all over the shop, Stander barely got moving, and Tips was weak over the ball.
We can do better than that, and have better players/combinations to start. Every game is now a small step up from this (Blue have a good home record in SR), but I'm not devastated at that result.
Sexton kicked aimlessly and frequently, and Webb kicked much too long - meaning that we didn't have enough ball to get the backline moving. Williams fell (idiotically) foul of very strict rules on contact in the air, and Nowell had the most forgettable game of his career.
The tight five were excellent, but didn't dominate the tackle area. Back row was OK, but the balance was all wrong - Hask was all over the shop, Stander barely got moving, and Tips was weak over the ball.
We can do better than that, and have better players/combinations to start. Every game is now a small step up from this (Blue have a good home record in SR), but I'm not devastated at that result.
JiggyJaggy said:
Greg66 said:
Youngs pulled out because his sister in law (Tom's wife) was diagnised with terminal cancer shortly after the squad was announced. He wanted to stay in England to be with her and his bro.
Ah yes I remember that now. What about Care? He would have been ideal on this tour. Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff