Australia v British & Irish Lions, 3rd Test (Sydney)

[barbarian]

5. Lions would more likely be shitting their pants about Kimlin coming on. Ben McC doesn't put fear into anyone.

Think that's pushing it.

Don't think they would be 'shitting their pants' about a guy who has played only 2 tests a few years ago and has a propensity for throwing wild passes.

He's a good player and in good form, but jeez he isn't the messiah.

He's better than McCalman, but not by a huge amount.
.

 

[Lindommer]

Kimlin? There are known knowns. These are things that we know. There are known unknowns.

I fail to see how Donald Rumsfeld's ramblings have any relevance to Saturday's rugby test. Other than indiscriminately bombing London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin.



Sorry, Belfast, you missed out. Being bombed by Septics, that is.

 

[Pfitzy]

2. I would contend that Kimlin's superiority in the line out probably contributed to Best's poor performance throwing in. In any case, he won quite a bit of ball on the Lions' throw, more so than the throw was penalised iirc. And he retained supremacy after Best was replaced by Hibbard.

5. Lions would more likely be shitting their pants about Kimlin coming on. Ben McC doesn't put fear into anyone.

While I don't necessarily see the point in having McCalman, can you please pass the crack pipe? I knew they had some good shit circulating in Canberra, but you are clearly getting the best of it.

Lions shitting themselves over a ginger ninja? They play alongside them every fucking week!

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I hate autocorrect ...

 

[Zander]

Romain Poite surely got Smith over the line. George has experience under him in the Top 14 and George knows how French referees operate at the breakdown.

 

[Nathan's]

The Lions will try and dominate the Wallabies with power. Their final test selections show this.

- Corbisiero will bolster the scrum and apply more pressure, something which was missed in the early stages of the second test.
- Phillips for Youngs is an interesting decision (obviously looking for power), after Phillips was kept quiet and destroyed by Mowen. Murray should been selected as the run-on 9.
- O'Brien had to come in. In my opinion, the best flanker that the Lions had in their squad, should have at least been on the bench in the first two tests. Solid ball-carrier and menace at the breakdown.
- Faletau adds more power to the back row.
- Roberts for BOD. This just proves that the Lions are going for power. Will be interesting to see how Roberts plays, after not playing for a few weeks. The 110kg centre will be looking to run all day at Leali'ifano and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). The Lions will know AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)'s got some shoulder niggle, and may even target him. With the like of three powerful centres running at the Wallabies, Davies, Roberts and Tuilagi, it could really go pear-shaped for the Wallabies if injuries arise. With no centre replacement and some serious shuffling to do if it is the case, it could turn into a real disaster.
- My biggest concern for the Lions however is there lack of experience. The Wallabies have been bolstered, the Lions depleted.

On a side note, 10 of the 15 starting players are from Wales. Wales have not won a game in Australia since 1969 and have not beaten us since 2008. It will be an interesting game and certainly one to remember.

 

[Dai bando]

How good has Ben Mowen been?
Hope HQ realise they should have picked him last year.
Monumental season and series.

yep every ones talking about him over here, will do a number on Roberts, stop Roberts you stop the Lions attack, Leave your 7 to contest the tackle area and put Mowen on Roberts,

 

[the plastic paddy]

yep every ones talking about him over here, will do a number on Roberts, stop Roberts you stop the Lions attack, Leave your 7 to contest the tackle area and put Mowen on Roberts,

Going on Roberts form before he got injured, no need to worry too much because he will just drop the ball!?!?

 

[Dai bando]

Going on Roberts form before he got injured, no need to worry too much because he will just drop the ball!?!?

don't underestimate Roberts will run at a brick wall, his handling is good too,

 

[Brumby Runner]

I think the concern is that Hooper will already be on the field before they know whether Smith can last 80 minutes.

Why? Because Palu comes off? Or Mowen comes off? In either case, I reiterate Kimlin would be a better replacement than Ben McCalman imo. If Hooper comes on early, I can only see it being to replace George if he runs out of puff. Otherwise they might both be on the field together late in the game.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Think that's pushing it.

Don't think they would be 'shitting their pants' about a guy who has played only 2 tests a few years ago and has a propensity for throwing wild passes.

He's a good player and in good form, but jeez he isn't the messiah.

He's better than McCalman, but not by a huge amount.
.

Not the messiah, I agree. And nor have I ever claimed such a high office for him. Just that he is clearly better than McCalman. And did you notice his passing in the Brumbies/Lions game? Spot on (I'd say almost immaculate but then you'd have a reason to claim I see him as the messiah) and led directly to two tries as I recall.

 

[Brumby Runner]

While I dying necessarily see the point in having McCalman, can you please pass the crack pipe? I knew they had some good shit circulating in Canberra, but you are clearly getting the best of it.

Lions shitting themselves over a ginger ninja? They play alongside them every fucking week!

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I hate autocorrect .

Great post. Mind if I ignore it?

 

[Braveheart81]

Why? Because Palu comes off? Or Mowen comes off? In either case, I reiterate Kimlin would be a better replacement than Ben McCalman imo. If Hooper comes on early, I can only see it being to replace George if he runs out of puff. Otherwise they might both be on the field together late in the game.

Because Palu comes off.

Assuming the plan is the same as the 2nd test (where injuries didn't force substitutions), Hooper will come on for Palu with about 20 minutes to go.

McCalman is on the bench for the period after that in case Smith runs out of steam.

I'm not a big fan of McCalman so I'm not going to argue between him and Kimlin (I wouldn't have picked McCalman either) but I think this is a safety first reserve option knowing that if all goes to plan he won't be needed and if he is, it will likely to be for a short time late in the game where what you're looking for out of him is error free football.

 

[fatprop]

Not the messiah, I agree. And nor have I ever claimed such a high office for him. Just that he is clearly better than McCalman. And did you notice his passing in the Brumbies/Lions game? Spot on (I'd say almost immaculate but then you'd have a reason to claim I see him as the messiah) and led directly to two tries as I recall.

"Clearly better?" doesn't that depend how Deans wants to play the game, and what he wants McCalman to contribute to the team?

Neither are crap, but they do play quite differently, and isn't backrow mix important?

 

[vismyr]

The Lions will try and dominate the Wallabies with power. Their final test selections show this.

- Corbisiero will bolster the scrum and apply more pressure, something which was missed in the early stages of the second test.
- Phillips for Youngs is an interesting decision (obviously looking for power), after Phillips was kept quiet and destroyed by Mowen. Murray should been selected as the run-on 9.
- O'Brien had to come in. In my opinion, the best flanker that the Lions had in their squad, should have at least been on the bench in the first two tests. Solid ball-carrier and menace at the breakdown.
- Faletau adds more power to the back row.
- Roberts for BOD. This just proves that the Lions are going for power. Will be interesting to see how Roberts plays, after not playing for a few weeks. The 110kg centre will be looking to run all day at Leali'ifano and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). The Lions will know AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)'s got some shoulder niggle, and may even target him. With the like of three powerful centres running at the Wallabies, Davies, Roberts and Tuilagi, it could really go pear-shaped for the Wallabies if injuries arise. With no centre replacement and some serious shuffling to do if it is the case, it could turn into a real disaster.
- My biggest concern for the Lions however is there lack of experience. The Wallabies have been bolstered, the Lions depleted.

On a side note, 10 of the 15 starting players are from Wales. Wales have not won a game in Australia since 1969 and have not beaten us since 2008. It will be an interesting game and certainly one to remember.

In my humble estimation, this is closer to the test team that Gaitland would have picked, barring no injuries (except for Warburton and O'Connell) in the first place. This team has the potential to really get over the gain line, which will put the Wallabies on the back foot. O'Brien isn't just a hard ball runner and tough at the break down, he's also a ball player, which is something that the Lions clearly needed. Especially in the first 20 minutes of the second test when they had all the possesion, but couldn't make the break. Roberts hard running and O'Brien offload will make the difference in the decider. Sure Roberts hasn't played for three weeks, but as Sir Henry pointed out last night on Rugby HQ, Smith is more of a risk because he hasn't played for six weeks.

The first test was a very good game, and high drama (and as always, an amazing atmosphere at the best rugby stadium in the world). The second test quality dropped, with out much rugby being played. My prediction is the changes to this Lions squad with give them the go-forward they need to get over the Wallabies and win by 10. Should be a great game -- can't wait. Just need to decide if it'll be the Red or Blue Chimay that is the beverage of choice.

 

[KevinO]

Rumour: Manu Tuilagi may be out.

Some one in Sydney got any info. Would mean BOD gets moved to the bench .

 

[JSRF10]

Rumour: Manu Tuilagi may be out.

Some one in Sydney got any info. Would mean BOD gets moved to the bench .

I think given the likely gameplan it would be Cuthbert, but it would be nice to see BOD come off the bench and win the game

 

[fatprop]

Romain Poite surely got Smith over the line. George has experience under him in the Top 14 and George knows how French referees operate at the breakdown.

The breakdown will be a shit fight, if we can get some resemblance of a cleanout Smith will have a field day.

If we don't lift our efforts to support ball carriers, clean out and get the ball away from the contact area quickly, the Lions will have a field day. It will come down to effort and getting up and being accurate.

 

[JSRF10]

Sure Roberts hasn't played for three weeks, but as Sir Henry pointed out last night on Rugby HQ, Smith is more of a risk because he hasn't played for six weeks

A difference is that Smith had form before his injury whilst Roberts has none to speak of

 

[Braveheart81]

The breakdown will be a shit fight, if we can get some resemblance of a cleanout Smith will have a field day.

If we don't lift our efforts to support ball carriers, clean out and get the ball away from the contact area quickly, the Lions will have a field day. It will come down to effort and getting up and being accurate.

Yeah, this was definitely the problem in game 2. Too often our first and second arriving players hit the defender but failed to clean him out away from the ball or knock him off his feet.

 

[vismyr]

A difference is that Smith had form before his injury whilst Roberts has none to speak of

Roberts is a big game match player, and will step up. I suspect Smith will have less of an impact. But we'll know for sure on Saturday night.