All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2
-
@Tim said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
Mark Reason may be the worst rugby writer of this century:
Gatland listened to the people. He listened to the Oxfordshire Two and all the other rugby fans from around the world. Healey said that Gatland "needed the courage to see his initial decision through." Stuart Barnes called the retraction "a sign of serious weakness."
Not a bit of it. Gatland's decision was a sign of enormous strength. If only the World War I generals had had the courage to change their mind and not send their men over the top to certain slaughter. But sometimes backing down is the hardest thing of all. Sorry, I got that wrong.
Gareth Davies is hardly a wet behind the ears Tommy going over the top. He scored the try to beat England in the WC, and toured & played against NZ with Wales last Summer.
Thomas Fancis toured & played against NZ with Wales last Summer.
Reason is a dickhead.
-
@MiketheSnow said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
Reason is a dickhead.
You'll find no argument on here about that.
-
@jegga said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
@Margin_Walker said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
Nah, not really. Aware Faletau's not in this shot, but there was very little contact with him and Kaino is never going to reach the ball. No big deal, but it's on Kaino for me. Each to their own though.
That video is absolutely hilarious. Instead of tweeting a gif of the footage, he's filmed his Laptop with his phone, upright, to cut out half the screen and avoid showing Faletau putting a block on Kaino. Superb stuff.
Look at his twitter feed, he's been called on the cropping but doubles down on his bullshit . Apparently he's some sort of journo in Ireland .
Only just caught up with this. Quite funny and the other bloke (Alex Shaw) supporting him is a twat as well. I happened on a comment by him during the U21s and commented back among a bit of a twitter 'debate'. He then told everyone they were ignorant about rugby and should stop.
I asked him what his credentials are to make that call and he said 'it's my profession'.
So now if you write a blog and get the odd article published on a slow news day you can lord your opinion over everyone else.
Writing absolute bullshit about rugby is a profession for Jones/ Reason/ Ratpoo and many others that actually get regular space, now two-bit bloggers want to claim the high ground as well? -
ABs staying at the intercontinental in Wgtn near my work and saw a few of them about. Nice to see most of the tight 5 head off to Fritz's Weiners for some food! Saw Crotty as well, didn't seem to be limping about so maybe hammy not as bad as thought!
-
@Rugger-Quizzes surprise inclusion for Saturday then
-
@Rugger-Quizzes said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
ABs staying at the intercontinental in Wgtn near my work and saw a few of them about. Nice to see most of the tight 5 head off to Fritz's Weiners for some food! Saw Crotty as well, didn't seem to be limping about so maybe hammy not as bad as thought!
Odd, I haven't received my breakfast invite yet.
-
@Rugger-Quizzes said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
ABs staying at the intercontinental in Wgtn near my work and saw a few of them about. Nice to see most of the tight 5 head off to Fritz's Weiners for some food! Saw Crotty as well, didn't seem to be limping about so maybe hammy not as bad as thought!
For all the talk of 'rugby is our religion' and 'these guys are superstars in NZ', I don't think there are many places/national sports where the likes of SBW can wander unhassled from his hotel in his togs through the commuters going to work for a dip in the harbour.
Trying to have a quiet breakfast is a different matter though.
-
Some good analysis from Eddie O'Sullivan:
The Rugby Show: Eddie O'Sullivan looks ahead to the Lions' second test against the All Blacks
Eddie O’Sullivan was one of the coaches the last time the Lions toured New Zealand, in 2005.
-
@jegga Reason snr was a actually a pretty good rugby columnist many years back but slowly, over a few years he seemed to write more and more embittered stuff that evolved into complete bollocks by the end. I was at a sportsman lunch with the main speaker being Gordon Brown and was lucky enough to sit next to him. We chatted about how Reason snr had seemingly lost the plot and GB hinted at some occurrence that had soured rugby for Reason. He would not say anything more but had an amused smile the whole time.
-
@Tim said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
Some good analysis from Eddie O'Sullivan:
The Rugby Show: Eddie O'Sullivan looks ahead to the Lions' second test against the All Blacks
Eddie O’Sullivan was one of the coaches the last time the Lions toured New Zealand, in 2005.
More holes than a string vest
'Conor Murray is the best 9 in the world' - Eddie O'Behave
-
In the last few minutes All Blacks facebook page posted a 1 min clip/interview of Waisake Naholo training this week now it has immediately been taken down. It looked exactly the type of video that they release when they announce the team and focus on new starters.
So i'd say Naholo is starting right wing.
-
-
-
@gt12 said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
They should get Cory Jane in there training the bomb squad.
If Naholo stays safe under the high ball AND doesn't take someone out in the air, I won't throw something through my tv screen.
I would be very surprised if CJ isn't hanging around offering advice without even being asked
-
@Bovidae said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
Which would mean Barrett stays at 10 and Dagg moves to 15.
And Cruden and who else on the bench ?
-
@kiwiinmelb Laumape for midfield cover.
-
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
In the last few minutes All Blacks facebook page posted a 1 min clip/interview of Waisake Naholo training this week now it has immediately been taken down. It looked exactly the type of video that they release when they announce the team and focus on new starters.
So i'd say Naholo is starting right wing.
They did that type of video last week for Reiko .
-
@gt12 said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
They should get Cory Jane in there training the bomb squad.
If Naholo stays safe under the high ball AND doesn't take someone out in the air, I won't throw something through my tv screen.
I think the bomb squad is fine. The guy that was dropping ball last week isn't playing this weekend....
-
After reading and hearing a lot of the post test and post midweek game media in the UK a couple of things puzzle me.
First is the adamant suggestion that Itoje will bring more grunt and steel to the Lions pack. The guy is a ruck leaner with an eye for an opportunity. It's like the Tuqiri syndrome all over again. Remember when everytime he got the ball the comms would cream themselves as he beat tackle after tackle while crabbing across the field being very ineffective? Itoje is like that. Has a couple of big noticable moments but is otherwise a passenger.
The other thing is Liam Williams. Yes, he started off a very good try that derserved a bit of hyperbole, but his net effect on the scoreboard was -2 wasn't it? I can't see the ABs giving him the same opportunity again but I can see him giving them one like he did with Rieko's try. I'm guessing his net contribution will be at least -7 this time around.
