Australia vs British and Irish Lions - 1st Test (Brisbane)

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Not sure what your angle is with this statement, but I don't remember seeing an advertising campaign for the Scotland test last year, or any of the Wales tests, or even the Rugby Championship or the Bledisloe. I also don't remember 20-30 thousand supporters coming to Australia to support the opposition either.

It's pretty special mate.

Not to me it isn't. It's just another series of test matches we want to win. If we were to beat the Lions 3-0 and lose every other test this year, would you consider that to be success?

 

[flat_eric]

We need Barnes to come through with the goal kicking. Because that is most likely what will separate the two teams in the first test. We'll most likely need his territorial kicking from the back as well.

Impressed with the selection of Lelo at 12. Let's hope it pays off.

 

[Pete King]

Hoping that Lilo and barnes pop up at first receiver off 2nd/3rd phase as I see this as being the best chance to throw the ball wide to Folau, Ioane and later Beale in space. Unfortunately I predict that JOC (James O'Connor) will either Run himself or Kick.

Brumbies returned kick with a kick and can see barnes doing the same as much as Id love to see the Wallabies keep ball in hand in a tah reds style.

 

[Pete King]

We need Barnes to come through with the goal kicking. Because that is most likely what will separate the two teams in the first test. We'll most likely need his territorial kicking from the back as well.

Impressed with the selection of Lelo at 12. Let's hope it pays off.

Is JOC (James O'Connor) not the preferred kicking option for goal?

 

[flat_eric]

Is JOC (James O'Connor) not the preferred kicking option for goal?

I would have thought Barnes' goal kicking was a major factor in his selection. He's more consistent then JOC (James O'Connor).

 

[Brumbieman]

We need Barnes to come through with the goal kicking. Because that is most likely what will separate the two teams in the first test. We'll most likely need his territorial kicking from the back as well.

Impressed with the selection of Lelo at 12. Let's hope it pays off.

This is precisely what terrifies me about this game.


Barring Beiber at 10 (whic doesn't bother me even that much with Lilo at 12), the only player/position that scares me is Barnes


Call me negative, but the only thing I envisage him doing is kicking good counter-attacking ball away, and straight to the Lions back three.


I've very little faith in him to NOT kick, even if he was 10m from the tryline and unmarked. If he's been told that there is an SAS sniper in the rooftops waiting to knock him off as soon as he kicks away a good opportunity, i'd be happy.

 

[Pete King]

I would have thought Barnes' goal kicking was a major factor in his selection. He's more consistent then JOC (James O'Connor).

also endured a few injuries recently whilst kicking.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I think we might be a bit harsh on Berrick here. His previous form at fullback has been pretty good. He will kick the ball, yes, but I don't think he'll kick the air out of it with two absolute jets either side of him.

 

[Pete King]

This is precisely what terrifies me about this game.


Barring Beiber at 10 (whic doesn't bother me even that much with Lilo at 12), the only player/position that scares me is Barnes


Call me negative, but the only thing I envisage him doing is kicking good counter-attacking ball away, and straight to the Lions back three.


I've very little faith in him to NOT kick, even if he was 10m from the tryline and unmarked. If he's been told that there is an SAS sniper in the rooftops waiting to knock him off as soon as he kicks away a good opportunity, i'd be happy.

couldnt agree more. Unfortunately mogg kicking alot will have justified Robbies game plan and instuction for barnes to kick

 

[gel]

It isn't just the act of kicking it though. It is the placement (and even the timing) of the kicks. Mogg and co at the Brumbies have been kicking well away from the receivers all year making an attacking return quite difficult.

BB's kicking last year was a bit iffy and haphazard.

 

[JSRF10]

If the Wallabies are going to kick, they have to make sure they find touch. Aerial ping pong will only result in the Lions winning territory. Finding touch will also put Youngs' throw under pressure, lets remember he is only getting picked because he isn't the worst of 3 ropey throwers.If they pressure Youngs' successfully Gatland ball can fall apart quite easily, just look at Wales in November they weren't getting over the gainline off the set piece and looked clueless at times. Although I'd caveat this with Sexton being a far better general than flakey Priestland.

If, and it probably is a big if, the Wallabies kick well in open play they'll have a big advantage in this game providing they can secure their own ball at lineout and scrum time. The game I think will come down to the battle at the breakdown, the Wobs look stronger there especially given the likely inclusion of Croft.

 

[Scott Allen]

James O'Connor and Christian Lealiifano together is effectively two rookies starting together in the most important test for the Wallabies for years.

It's a gamble - I would have preferred Barnes in place of one of them for his experience alongside.

Here's what I think JOC (James O'Connor) will need to focus on - http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/james-oconnor-is-wallaby-flyhalf/

 

[fatprop]

This is precisely what terrifies me about this game.


Barring Beiber at 10 (whic doesn't bother me even that much with Lilo at 12), the only player/position that scares me is Barnes


Call me negative, but the only thing I envisage him doing is kicking good counter-attacking ball away, and straight to the Lions back three.


I've very little faith in him to NOT kick, even if he was 10m from the tryline and unmarked. If he's been told that there is an SAS sniper in the rooftops waiting to knock him off as soon as he kicks away a good opportunity, i'd be happy.

Barnes will be told to kick, and kick, and kick, they won't be playing in their own half

I also expect to see his kick pass wide to Folau or Iaone to be used as well

 

[ACT Crusader]

Not to me it isn't. It's just another series of test matches we want to win. If we were to beat the Lions 3-0 and lose every other test this year, would you consider that to be success?

I would like to think that a Lions series is still pretty special for the rugby following community and the players. I know when I've never been so nervous as an AB fan at half time of the 3rd test of the 93 Lions series and then the ABs put on one of the best defensive efforts I've ever seen.

ABs win series 2-1 and there's jubilation in NZ.

In 2005 after a convincing series win, when the ABs lost straight after the series to the Boks in the Republic, I don't think it in anyway diminished the series win. Henry admitted that he probably didn't deal with the players the way he should've ie getting them back focused and ready after such a high. I guess that sort of showed the difference in mindset of coming off what Henry and the team was a massive series.

IMO the occasion's are very different.

 

[Zander]

I would have thought Barnes' goal kicking was a major factor in his selection. He's more consistent then JOC (James O'Connor).

Yes that's why he's in the team. Everyone seems to gloss over that, let's be realistic here, goal kicking is going to win the series.

 

[ACT Crusader]

Barnes will be told to kick, and kick, and kick, they won't be playing in their own half

I also expect to see his kick pass wide to Folau or Iaone to be used as well

Agree. If he's in his 22 he will (and should) kick. If Digby and Izzy retreat back and Barnes catches between the 10m and halfway, I think he will swing it wide and let his team mates at it.

 

[fatprop]

Agree. If he's in his 22 he will (and should) kick. If Digby and Izzy retreat back and Barnes catches between the 10m and halfway, I think he will swing it wide and let his team mates at it.

Yep, there is no way we will want to be stuck in our own half with Halfpenny out there

 

[Scotty]

Yeah, apart from Gill and Beale the rest of the bench aren't game changers, the are replacements who will fill a role.

Whereas the Lions will throw on game changers, that last 20 to 30 minutes is going to be interesting

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

Need a mix though don't you. Beale and Gill have enough ability to change the course of a game. Turnovers and slick running can hurt the lions.

Slipper also provides a lot of energy at the breakdown and pick and drive and he will have an impact.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Lions team:

15. Halfpenny
14. North
13. O'Driscoll
12. J Davies
11. Cuthbert
10. Sexton
9. Phillips
8. Heaslip
7. Warburton
6. Croft
5. O'Connell
4. A W Jones
3. Jones
2. T Youngs
1. Corbisiero

16. Hibbard
17. Vunipola
18. Cole
19. Parling
20. Lydiate
21. B Youngs
22. Farrell
23. Maitland

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Pretty much as expected, that Lions team. They'll be formidable.