Sunwolves v Lions

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bbarcs" data-cid="561292" data-time="1456549240">Happy for the Sunwolves and all that they're being competitive but the referee needs to be taught about breakdowns. 
No releasing the ball after the tackle has been made then he's blowing them up for not releasing. 
Players sealing off the ball. 
Blowing penalties for half-hearted attempts at the ball but playing on when the ball was properly contested. 
It's a lottery. 
I'm praying for a better year with refereeing cause the last 2 years especially has been a farce.</blockquote>
 
Well, neutral refs would help. I think JP refs are terrible, as a rule.

gt12

Not that he is JP, I just realized

rustycruiser

It's like watching a Super 12 match in the early 2000s. There is a crowd in attendance.

Rancid Schnitzel

That was a great break. 
Who are the comms? 2 guys they found in the stadium?

gt12

Good try there and then a bit of a shame with the quick throw.

gt12

Suddenly, this is turning into a great game to watch.

rustycruiser

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="561303" data-time="1456551765">
<div>
That was a great break. 
Who are the comms? 2 guys they found in the stadium?
</div>
</blockquote>
My comms via ESPN in the US are two Kiwis

Crucial

Ken Laban on my TV. Easy to tell from the overuse of "second man play" and "short blind"

gt12

Pisi being a bit silly here. Not sure deserved yellow, but he deserved it for being a clown

rustycruiser

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="561308" data-time="1456552065">
<div>
Ken Laban on my TV. Easy to tell from the overuse of "second man play" and "short blind"
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</blockquote>
thats who is on mine, couldn't remember his name. Is Kamo the second? Or maybe Willie Lose?
 
Bring back Murray Mexted!

gt12

And that's it. Lions score pretty easily after some weak defense.

bbarcs

Sunwolves are going to win a couple games this season. 
Had me worried for large parts of the game.

gt12

Too easy with the SW wingers having no physical presence. They've been held up and turned over a few times. 
Actually, looks like everything is falling apart - scrum has gone to pieces.

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bbarcs" data-cid="561312" data-time="1456552688">Sunwolves are going to win a couple games this season. 
Had me worried for large parts of the game.</blockquote>
 
My guess is 1 win this season.

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bbarcs" data-cid="561312" data-time="1456552688">
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Sunwolves are going to win a couple games this season. 
Had me worried for large parts of the game.
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</blockquote>
Thought the Lions let them off the hook tbh. Still, good effort from the sunwolves.

gt12

Good effort first up, but plenty to work on for the SWs. Overall, they don't have the class of other teams, so they'll have to win by grit, that means better line speed and better discipline. 
 
In terms of Japan and my experience playing over here, we'd fucking kill Pisi in the 'Hansei-kai' at the end of the game - That sort of shit is just unacceptable anyway, but no way in Japan*, and particularly so when you are trying to build a fanbase here.
 
Good points: I like their halfback, Pisi and the centers were better than I expected - especially Tatekawa who I thought would be a bit light for that position. Be great if they had Sau with him, but oh well. Ono went pretty well, and Horie is playing well at this level now.
 
However, the set piece needs work. From what I saw of the line-out, it was fine - but the scrum is a worry, particularly when the subs come on. Line speed was fucking weak, and tackle efficiency is a problem (and missed tackles). They also need better physicality and body position on attacking ball, they got held up and turned over too easily.
 
Changes: Honestly, they don't have much class that they could use - but they are light out wide, so I'd get the new Mako winger in there.
 
* For those that missed it, he had a go at the ref after being called for being offside at a ruck, which he was. Then got yellowed. I wonder if his attitude affected the decision..

Glath

They were much better than I expected after having only trained together for 3 weeks.

Rancid Schnitzel

That's pretty shocking isn't it? This is a hugely important expansion team, particularly since the RWC will be held in Japan. Yet, they throw the team together 3 weeks before the season kicks off and hire a coach who puts the S in shit. Not exactly the best starting point for success, Kind of reminds me of those crappy expansion teams in the old Super League (Rams and Reds). Hopefully they'll succeed in spite of these handicaps. They certainly showed plenty of heart.
 
I could have been hearing wrong, but it sounded like the crowd were howling like wolves during the game. That was pretty funny.

taniwharugby

KiwiMurph

Mascot's name is Pinging. That is too good.

The Silver Fern

Sunwolves v Lions