The Lions
- Thread starter Rosco
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Very, very disappointed in Vickery. Of all things, I'm starting to think he's a bottler - he also lost form during the World Cup which England won.
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=32866.msg892023#msg892023 date=1245508961]
Very, very disappointed in Vickery. Of all things, I'm starting to think he's a bottler - he also lost form during the World Cup which England won.
[/quote]
Personally I think it's simply that there aren't many really powerful props in the northern hemisphere so Vickery gets away with a technique that isn't particularly good because of brute force. When he came up against someone that could match his power he looked really poor.
Very, very disappointed in Vickery. Of all things, I'm starting to think he's a bottler - he also lost form during the World Cup which England won.
[/quote]
Personally I think it's simply that there aren't many really powerful props in the northern hemisphere so Vickery gets away with a technique that isn't particularly good because of brute force. When he came up against someone that could match his power he looked really poor.
S
Squiggles
Guest
Bollocks.
S
Squiggles
Guest
Great come back.
Ultimately the missed kicks cost us more than anything.
The selection of Jones needs some serious consideration.
Ultimately the missed kicks cost us more than anything.
The selection of Jones needs some serious consideration.
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=32866.msg892024#msg892024 date=1245509065]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=32866.msg892023#msg892023 date=1245508961]
Very, very disappointed in Vickery. Of all things, I'm starting to think he's a bottler - he also lost form during the World Cup which England won.
[/quote]
Personally I think it's simply that there aren't many really powerful props in the northern hemisphere so Vickery gets away with a technique that isn't particularly good because of brute force. When he came up against someone that could match his power he looked really poor.
[/quote]
Good points, but Jones - to my surprise - made such a big difference when he came on. Was it all down to technique?
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=32866.msg892023#msg892023 date=1245508961]
Very, very disappointed in Vickery. Of all things, I'm starting to think he's a bottler - he also lost form during the World Cup which England won.
[/quote]
Personally I think it's simply that there aren't many really powerful props in the northern hemisphere so Vickery gets away with a technique that isn't particularly good because of brute force. When he came up against someone that could match his power he looked really poor.
[/quote]
Good points, but Jones - to my surprise - made such a big difference when he came on. Was it all down to technique?
My team for next week's test would be:
1. Jenkins
2. Rees
3. Jones
4. O'Callaghan
5. O'Connell
6. Croft
7. Wallace
8. Heaslip
9. Phillips
10. O'Gara
11. Fitzgerald
12. Roberts
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. Byrne
16. Mears
17. Sheridan
18. AW Jones
19. Williams
20. Ellis
21. Hook
22. Kearney
It's a bit harsh on AW Jones who did little wrong, but I think there's a better balance to the second row with Donncha in there. Jones' kicking at goal and tactically was poor today so I wouldn't put him at 1o again. Hook is on the bench instead of him because of versatility, better goal kicking and simply being a better option off the bench t change a game. Monye butchered a great chance today which would have won us the game and there's plenty of competition for that spot so it's time to step aside.
1. Jenkins
2. Rees
3. Jones
4. O'Callaghan
5. O'Connell
6. Croft
7. Wallace
8. Heaslip
9. Phillips
10. O'Gara
11. Fitzgerald
12. Roberts
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. Byrne
16. Mears
17. Sheridan
18. AW Jones
19. Williams
20. Ellis
21. Hook
22. Kearney
It's a bit harsh on AW Jones who did little wrong, but I think there's a better balance to the second row with Donncha in there. Jones' kicking at goal and tactically was poor today so I wouldn't put him at 1o again. Hook is on the bench instead of him because of versatility, better goal kicking and simply being a better option off the bench t change a game. Monye butchered a great chance today which would have won us the game and there's plenty of competition for that spot so it's time to step aside.
That was a great game. The Lions, despite looking under the cosh at time, must be gutted about missed chances, kicks and line breaks.
I thought Phillips had a great game, I'd wondered about him but his desire and will was tremendous. The centre partnership was brutal and creative. The captain was great but lucky to get away with his backchat.
That said, the pack was underwhelming, the wings flattered to deceive, the fly half was a non-entity.
What can't the officials be from the same country? Every chat with the video ref was embarrasing.
I thought Phillips had a great game, I'd wondered about him but his desire and will was tremendous. The centre partnership was brutal and creative. The captain was great but lucky to get away with his backchat.
That said, the pack was underwhelming, the wings flattered to deceive, the fly half was a non-entity.
What can't the officials be from the same country? Every chat with the video ref was embarrasing.
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=32866.msg892205#msg892205 date=1245541892]
My team for next week's test would be:
1. Jenkins
2. Rees
3. Jones
4. O'Callaghan
5. O'Connell
6. Croft
7. Wallace
8. Heaslip
9. Phillips
10. O'Gara
11. Fitzgerald
12. Roberts
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. Byrne
16. Mears
17. Sheridan
18. AW Jones
19. Williams
20. Ellis
21. Hook
22. Kearney
It's a bit harsh on AW Jones who did little wrong, but I think there's a better balance to the second row with Donncha in there. Jones' kicking at goal and tactically was poor today so I wouldn't put him at 1o again. Hook is on the bench instead of him because of versatility, better goal kicking and simply being a better option off the bench t change a game. Monye butchered a great chance today which would have won us the game and there's plenty of competition for that spot so it's time to step aside.
[/quote]
AWJ does need replacing, but I'm not convinced O'Callaghan's quite test class and I'd be tempted to put Shaw in there to join battle with their second row, since he's as much of an animal as they are.
No.10 is a real poser. Jones' kicking was indeed off kilter, but he set the backline going nicely at times. Ultimately, though, I'd probably agree with you on putting O'Gara in based on the tour so far.
Agree otherwise.
My team for next week's test would be:
1. Jenkins
2. Rees
3. Jones
4. O'Callaghan
5. O'Connell
6. Croft
7. Wallace
8. Heaslip
9. Phillips
10. O'Gara
11. Fitzgerald
12. Roberts
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. Byrne
16. Mears
17. Sheridan
18. AW Jones
19. Williams
20. Ellis
21. Hook
22. Kearney
It's a bit harsh on AW Jones who did little wrong, but I think there's a better balance to the second row with Donncha in there. Jones' kicking at goal and tactically was poor today so I wouldn't put him at 1o again. Hook is on the bench instead of him because of versatility, better goal kicking and simply being a better option off the bench t change a game. Monye butchered a great chance today which would have won us the game and there's plenty of competition for that spot so it's time to step aside.
[/quote]
AWJ does need replacing, but I'm not convinced O'Callaghan's quite test class and I'd be tempted to put Shaw in there to join battle with their second row, since he's as much of an animal as they are.
No.10 is a real poser. Jones' kicking was indeed off kilter, but he set the backline going nicely at times. Ultimately, though, I'd probably agree with you on putting O'Gara in based on the tour so far.
Agree otherwise.
I don't think O'Gara is any better than Jones, its a weak area full stop.
I've always been amazed Jones is the best Wales have to offer, he isn't that good. Full stop.
I've always been amazed Jones is the best Wales have to offer, he isn't that good. Full stop.
O'Gara's all-round game has stood up better on tour IMO.
Just heard they've called up Tim Payne (Wasps and England) because Sheridan's back isn't 100%. Bad news about Sheridan, and Payne wouldn't have been my choice to replace him (they should have gone for Julian White, who's a vicious b@stard and would have taken the fight well and truly to the opposition). Given that they've already called up Hayes, who'll get torn to pieces by your average S.African scrummager, I'm starting to get nervous now.
Just heard they've called up Tim Payne (Wasps and England) because Sheridan's back isn't 100%. Bad news about Sheridan, and Payne wouldn't have been my choice to replace him (they should have gone for Julian White, who's a vicious b@stard and would have taken the fight well and truly to the opposition). Given that they've already called up Hayes, who'll get torn to pieces by your average S.African scrummager, I'm starting to get nervous now.
Injuries aside, my team would be;
1. Jenkins
2. Rees
3. Jones
4. Shaw
5. O'Connell
6. Croft
7. Wallace
8. Powell
9. Phillips
10. Hook
11. Williams
12. Roberts
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. Kearney
As a wildcard, he's not there but if I could pick a winger from RU to play RL it would be Varndell.
1. Jenkins
2. Rees
3. Jones
4. Shaw
5. O'Connell
6. Croft
7. Wallace
8. Powell
9. Phillips
10. Hook
11. Williams
12. Roberts
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. Kearney
As a wildcard, he's not there but if I could pick a winger from RU to play RL it would be Varndell.
S
Squiggles
Guest
That's fine.
They're sacrificing a bit at the breakdown in order to stop us in the centre. If we get quicker ball, and Phillips doesn't delay it as much this time Burger won't get time to line up Roberts or BOD.
I think this second test is going to particularly juicy. There was a little bad blood in the game last Saturday and it may well carry over into this weeks test.
They're sacrificing a bit at the breakdown in order to stop us in the centre. If we get quicker ball, and Phillips doesn't delay it as much this time Burger won't get time to line up Roberts or BOD.
I think this second test is going to particularly juicy. There was a little bad blood in the game last Saturday and it may well carry over into this weeks test.
Half time of the game against the Emerging Boks.
The Lions look pretty comfortable even though the score is 10-3. The weather isn't making it easy to play any rugby so it's a tight niggly game.
Not many performances of note thus far , the Test contenders have been good without excelling. None of them have really done anything yet to nail down a starting place.
Worst player on the Lions is again that useless twat Powell. Twice he gets in the way of his backs in order to catch high balls, he dropped both. Later he missed a tackle on his opposite number in our 22 and got lucky that O'Gara and Worsley bailed him him out. But worst of all from a scrum on the 15 metre line managed to pick and go and get put into touch, that's just fucking idiotic. And then less than two minutes later he gets possession in the 22 and gives away a penalty for not releasing the ball. Stupidest rugby player ever.
The Lions look pretty comfortable even though the score is 10-3. The weather isn't making it easy to play any rugby so it's a tight niggly game.
Not many performances of note thus far , the Test contenders have been good without excelling. None of them have really done anything yet to nail down a starting place.
Worst player on the Lions is again that useless twat Powell. Twice he gets in the way of his backs in order to catch high balls, he dropped both. Later he missed a tackle on his opposite number in our 22 and got lucky that O'Gara and Worsley bailed him him out. But worst of all from a scrum on the 15 metre line managed to pick and go and get put into touch, that's just fucking idiotic. And then less than two minutes later he gets possession in the 22 and gives away a penalty for not releasing the ball. Stupidest rugby player ever.
Team for the 2nd Test;
Kearney
Bowe
BOD
Roberts
Fitzgerald
S.Jones
Phillips
Jenkins
Rees
A.Jones
O'Connell (c)
Shaw
Croft
Heaslip
Wallace
Bit surprised that Byrne's been dropped, and perhaps that Jones has been retained at 10, but no major eye-openers there.
Kearney
Bowe
BOD
Roberts
Fitzgerald
S.Jones
Phillips
Jenkins
Rees
A.Jones
O'Connell (c)
Shaw
Croft
Heaslip
Wallace
Bit surprised that Byrne's been dropped, and perhaps that Jones has been retained at 10, but no major eye-openers there.
Ah, right. There were brave noises from the Lions camp earlier about him being fit in time. I guess he hasn't made it after all then.
Does anybody think that Springbok complacency played a part in the first game or are they hoping that the Lions fightback was a genuine forward step?
The former personally.
Does anyboy think that the Lions changes make any difference or that the Boks are too strong and would never be as complacent second time around anyway?
The latter personally.
The former personally.
Does anyboy think that the Lions changes make any difference or that the Boks are too strong and would never be as complacent second time around anyway?
The latter personally.
Can't give a simple answer to either question. Springbok complacency undoubtedly played a part in the first game, but even so the Lions comeback was a fine effort which really worried them and must have given the Lions themselves some hope for the rest of the series. I'm quite sure the Boks won't be as complacent again, but I think the changes - particularly the inclusion of Shaw in the second row - are the right ones. It's up to the Lions to make them count now, but I think they can. The Boks will be favourites, but I'd have a sneaky punt on our boys pulling off a result and setting the series up for a grand finale.
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