Australia vs British and Irish Lions 2nd Test (Melbourne)

[Bullrush]

I think JOC (James O'Connor) did a workmanlike job and he got this job done.
I wouldn't attribute Davies indecision to prior great running by JOC (James O'Connor): i simply cannot recall any - I may be wrong.

Maybe, maybe not. I thought he carried the ball strongly all game - which may not have always been the right option but IMO he carried the ball up well. To be honest, I don't care. My point was that it's just not true to say that O'Conner has an inability to draw and pass when this is what actually set-up up AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)'s try.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Maybe, maybe not. I thought he carried the ball strongly all game - which may not have always been the right option but IMO he carried the ball up well. To be honest, I don't care. My point was that it's just not true to say that O'Conner has an inability to draw and pass when this is what actually set-up up AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)'s try.

Not sure what you're referring to: i never said he did not have that ability.
It was more a pointless technical debate as to whether Davies was at fault or he was bamboozled by brilliance.

 

[Bullrush]

Not sure what you're referring to: i never said he did not have that ability.
It was more a pointless technical debate as to whether Davies was at fault or he was bamboozled by brilliance.

Sorry...I wasn't clear there. No- you didn't say that, someone else did but that's what got me started on this.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Sorry.I wasn't clear there. No- you didn't say that, someone else did but that's what got me started on this.

Anyway i dont think we aussies should be discussing perceived technical shortcomings in front of you Kiwis

 

[Dai bando]

I really hate when people trot out the old "If we were playing the All Blacks.. (insert analogy for embarrassing defeat)" The All Blacks aren't gods. This test series has been played with huge intensity and whilst both teams could have been more clinical (particularly Australia) the idea that the All Blacks would have just walked over these teams is insulting.

Sorry BDA my intent was not to insult.

 

[Tomikin]

Anyone Else feel beale wasn't fit for 80 mins that run back to collect the ball and then the massive (nearly forward) pass to izzy had me thinking he was done.. Stayed on and guttered it out had me thinking they should have subbed him for Mogg.. Im guessing if we had a more experienced back on the bench he would have been off.

 

[Bullrush]

I really hate when people trot out the old "If we were playing the All Blacks.. (insert analogy for embarrassing defeat)" The All Blacks aren't gods. This test series has been played with huge intensity and whilst both teams could have been more clinical (particularly Australia) the idea that the All Blacks would have just walked over these teams is insulting.

There really aren't a lot of games where the ABs absolutely smash someone off the park. In fact, this doesn't happen a lot for any top level Tests.

 

[Slim 293]

Just watching the last couple minutes of the match again, as I couldn't clearly see what was happening in the rucks for those last penalties........

And while it made it a dramatic finish the game shouldn't have come down to that last penalty when Mowen was (rightly) done for not rolling away.........

At the ruck where Gill was penalised for not releasing (which handed the Lions back the ball) Vunipola is lying right on top of him and has made no effort to roll away, right in front of Joubert........

Same infringement.......... different ruling.........

Anyways, I think that's the kind of night he had, and didn't think he did as good of a job as Pollock.........

 

[Dai bando]

Just watching the last couple minutes of the match again, as I couldn't clearly see what was happening in the rucks for those last penalties....

And while it made it a dramatic finish the game shouldn't have come down to that last penalty when Mowen was (rightly) done for not rolling away...

At the ruck where Gill was penalised for not releasing (which handed the Lions back the ball) Vunipola is lying right on top of him and has made no effort to roll away, right in front of Joubert....

Same infringement.... different ruling...

Anyways, I think that's the kind of night he had, and didn't think he did as good of a job as Pollock...

Referees Huh! look at the last lineout where gill is supposed to have stolen the ball

 

[barbarian]

But do you think there are better options than JOC (James O'Connor)?

At present, probably not. Although I see To'omua as our 10 sooner rather than later.

Are you really happy that we are using a Lions series for him to grow into the role?

I'm not happy, but can see the lack of real alternatives. I don't necessarily agree with the decision to have him at 10, but I certainly don't think he is as terrible as many have made out.

Put it this way- I have seen far worse performances in a gold 10 jersey than the one put in last night.
.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Referees Huh! look at the last lineout where gill is supposed to have stolen the ball

What was the problem there?
Leaving his feet? No release?
Playing the ball on the ground?
Looked dodgy to me, I must say.


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[Colin Windon]

Anyone Else feel beale wasn't fit for 80 mins that run back to collect the ball and then the massive (nearly forward) pass to izzy had me thinking he was done.. Stayed on and guttered it out had me thinking they should have subbed him for Mogg.. Im guessing if we had a more experienced back on the bench he would have been off.

I would have to re check but I am sure he took a knock in the previous play which resulted in his laboured run. I would have liked to see Mogg get a cap but I don't think KBs match fitness can be questioned although his late night meal runs are not out of the dieticians text book.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

At present, probably not. Although I see To'omua as our 10 sooner rather than later.



I'm not happy, but can see the lack of real alternatives. I don't necessarily agree with the decision to have him at 10, but I certainly don't think he is as terrible as many have made out.

Put it this way- I have seen far worse performances in a gold 10 jersey than the one put in last night.
.

Do you see To'omua getting a run in TRC?
Can you "blood" him against Argentina or do you just throw him in?
I think he is a long term solution but I am concerned he will become a sacrificial offering based on certain other 10s.


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[Bardon]

Game could have gone either way. Was fitting that Halfpenny missed the kick at the end as Australia definitely didn't deserve a 2-0 scoreline over the 2 tests.

 

[Quick Hands]

I don't get the JOC (James O'Connor) hate. Agreed he's not the world's best 5/8 at the moment, but at the very least he went ok. He played his part in the try, as did AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). Sure he made a couple of errors, but quite a few of the forwards also made soft turnovers.

To say JOC (James O'Connor) can't draw and pass is a bit of a stretch. He's a very talented footballer and is playing to the best of his ability in the position in which the coach has selected him. Incidentally, I thought he was better than Sexton last night. How many times did the Lions backs look like scoring?

 

[cyclopath]

Do you see To'omua getting a run in TRC?
Can you "blood" him against Argentina or do you just throw him in?
I think he is a long term solution but I am concerned he will become a sacrificial offering based on certain other 10s.


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Was having this conversation last night with a fellow pundit in the pub - both of us reckon To'omua is the obvious option, and as long as fit, seems more than capable enough to step up soon. He has all the attributes.

 

[Pusser]

[quote="Slim 293, post: 507141, member:

And while it made it a dramatic finish the game shouldn't have come down to that last penalty when Mowen was (rightly) done for not rolling away...

[/quote]

If it was Mowen who was penalised why was the ref telling Robinson it was him for not releasing the tackled player before attacking the ball.

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[barbarian]

Do you see To'omua getting a run in TRC?
Can you "blood" him against Argentina or do you just throw him in?
I think he is a long term solution but I am concerned he will become a sacrificial offering based on certain other 10s.

I'm honestly not sure. I think the EOYT is a more realistic prospect.

A lot depends on injuries. We have a long, gruelling season ahead, and there will be plenty of casualties. But I agree we shouldn't throw MT to the wolves, but at the same time he has been around long enough that I trust him to rise to the occasion.
.

 

[Slim 293]

Was having this conversation last night with a fellow pundit in the pub - both of us reckon To'omua is the obvious option, and as long as fit, seems more than capable enough to step up soon. He has all the attributes.

Aside from the obvious skills he displays:

- good long and short passing game
- big boot
- strong in contact
- brutal defender

What I like about him is that he's cool as a mother fuckin' cucumber........

And we already have so many x factor players in our backline I think we could benefit from a good, level headed, reliable playmaker who can get us into an attacking position to unleash those players..........

I don't think he's the kind of player to get overwhelmed if he's called up for the RC....... despite being young he has been around for a while...... bizarre to think he was a Wallaby squad member 4 years ago.........

 

[Richo]

There really aren't a lot of games where the ABs absolutely smash someone off the park. In fact, this doesn't happen a lot for any top level Tests.

Yes. What makes the All Blacks so impressive is that they almost always find a way to win, even when they're not smashing the other team off the park.

I thought that was the most impressive thing about Saturday. The Wallabies stuck with the game, fought for opportunities, and gutted out a win. Hugely impressive, even if the execution was lacking--made more impressive, actually, by virtue of that lack.