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If the Lions adopt the same tactics next week - ie, anywhere near the 22, the 10 gets the ball and hoofs it in the air - I really couldn't give a shit if they lose.
dezb, agreed.
Faf had at least two more questionable hits both into ruck both shoulder led. Interesting that early in the Am try deliberations there was an angle that would have really made it doubtful but that wasn't shown again.
Dezb +1
Nah boot it at the water carriers they com on and force a stoppage. It needs to be stopped.
Yeah, you know player safety is paramount - and 2 players going for the high ball, one jumping, the other not jumping, but not seeing the jumping one cos he's trying to judge the high ball and ends up with *surprise!* a player's feet in his hands instead of the ball he's expecting!? And then everyone screams he's dangerous and should get BANNED for the rest of the game?! Well BAN the stupid bloody high ball! Like in the under 13s! Then we might get a decent game of rugby to watch! Stupid, I know. (But true.)
Would love to know what Gregor Townsend is thinking and what if any input he has had into the attacking game plan. Or is it that nothing would work against this Boks defense / pack?
I'd be happy with 12 changes for the next game, at least it would be interesting. I'd keep Furlong, Itoge and Henshaw and even then you could talk me out of Furlong and Henshaw.
Team is out now. 6 changes for the squad.
Williams is a good call at fullback and TJ gets his wish with Russell on the bench over Farrell. Got a few creative players to chase the game if they can keep it close in the first 60. Quite like the centre partnership - will see how it goes.
Not sure Aki offers much, but we'll see. Good to see Adams has got a start at last.
Ali is there to stop de allende but he has suspect tackle technique at times.
I know faf looked like he tweaked a hammie but I can't help but feel that razzle is concerned about him not managing another game without a card. Last two he could have been carded on a few occasions.
I would rather he was playing, that ex saints player Rienach(sp) is frighteningly quick.
Sinckler allegation dismissed.
There's too much messing about from SA now, even if they won next week they've lost my respect for attempting to manipulate their way through to the wins, which to be fair isn't necessary.
Really like reinach and yes he is fast. Hopefully the 9s will have been briefed to pressure to opposition 9/8 too much stepping back to the offside line to fall back into the defensive line.
Was.surprised Hogg got in last game not surprised he's out, Suzz though is pretty solid.
There’s too much messing about from SA now, even if they won next week they’ve lost my respect for attempting to manipulate their way through to the wins, which to be fair isn’t necessary.
I’ve totally gone off the idea of SA joining the 6 Nations.
To be honest I've gone off the lions tour a bit. Should be a glorious spectacle of rugby but it's turned into a win at all costs bore.
There's only one thing worse than a bad loser, a bad winner.
Although I think I may be getting old but when I'm surprised that players aren't warned more about their interactions with the ref. Biggar and Farrell are obvious but the SA winner who scored and la Roux should have had the captain being asked to have a word with them.
Cards for simulation are needed unfortunately. No idea why players at that level do it; it is going to be scrutinised at 6 different angles.
Has anyone been listening to the BBC Rugby Union Weekly Lions Podcasts?
I've found them really interesting
Well I expect this to be pretty brutal with very little finesse.
Hope we do actually get some outside play, I think the Lions should try to move the ball, speed up the game and move the Boks about the park. If lions don't get them tired I can't see a victory
Not the case so far, Lions going nowhere forward with the direct approach.
You get the impression the boks haven't given much thought to playing against Russell.
No. He’s really changed this game. Fingers crossed, and some of the Boks forwards look tired already.
He plays so close to the gain line, still time for him to give an intecept though.
He plays so close to the gain line, still time for him to give an intecept though.
That's why it's such a bad idea to throw away any opportunity he creates.
It's drifting away.........
FFS it's a try just get on with it
I didn't spend £10 to watch an extended meeting
Tense now
Bollocks
Don't forgst to cancel ypur NowTV membership.
Much better game than last week. Gutted to lose that one. What did Nigel Owens say at the end there - he won’t give a penalty unless he’s 100% sure… then he gives a scrum pen… ah well.
I think there needs to be some thinking about the video reffing - it's becoming massively intrusive into the games. It kills any momentum and excitement.
I don't remember it being this bad before.
Totally agree. Especially when the video ref has to have the same thing explained 3 times to him by the ref, which turns out to be the way the ref saw it to start with. And then the video ref says “I agree with the facts”! the Facts are the facts, you idiot!
For that one, I thought Jonker was inferring that he agreed with the facts but not the sanction (penalty only).
Kolbe is amazing, hard as nails and the most elusive runner I’ve seen. Disappointed with the result but at least the game was watchable. Can’t wait to see Boksburg V ABs
I've gone off kolbe. Two possible red cards and play acting the Russell high tackle. Loopy Liam was pretty good. Russell is a class 10 and Price had noticeably quicker decision/pass than Murray.
World rugby need to sort lots of things around medics and water carriers and subs being pitch side. The Japanese WC normalised water on at every pause.
Got to say we had 3 poor matches and by the end I didn't really care.
Long live the Lions! Short of the All Blacks Wales ran the Springboks closest in the World cup and Warren Gatland is one of if not the best coach in world rugby. As a South African my feeling has always been that the Lions are something very special. Not sure people in the UK realize what a big deal this is for South Africa. This Lions team was an absolute belter and every Springbok supporter knew that. The teams were very evenly matched. During a nailbiting game an old man with a cool head who had last played test rugby five years ago clinched the series. Hopefully there will be one or two more Lions test series before a Sevens tournament supplants it.
Sad to say, but this test series was not a good advertisement for the game. Lions in SA is a special tour, but unfortunately the 'need' to win at all costs destroyed it as a spectacle.
Rugby needs to flow, and put bluntly, the big lads need to be kept running around to tire them out and let the gaps appear. If you turn it into American Football then you end up with American Football.
Chuffed for Morne Steyn, though, a true steely eyed quiet man.
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/just-dreadful-lions-tour-consensus-the-rugby-was-dire/
Some good quotes from the pros in there.
I think there needs to be some thinking about the video reffing – it’s becoming massively intrusive into the games. It kills any momentum and excitement.
I agree, its a shame but you cant blame the refs for doing it. They get torn to pieces by the managers, players and press for every decision so they end up having to cover their arses.
Not just rugby either, its creeping in in every sport. I even saw it in Olympic taekwondo!
Overall it wasn't the prettiest rugby but exciting to watch with it being all for play for in the last test.