Lions Tour 2013

[Scoey]

..... to call 1/2p a robotic kicking machine is ludicrous......

I wish you could call one of our blokes a robotic kicking machine! ;-) Hopefully Lilo will keep smashing goals for us!

 

[Craig Riddington]

This will be game on from the moment Horwill tosses the coin and Alun Wyn Jones calls "heads".

 

[Braveheart81]

This will be game on from the moment Horwill tosses the coin and Alun Wyn Jones calls "heads".

James Horwill will be happy to take feet. He's been successful with that twice now.

 

[Craig Riddington]

I think a lot of people in Ireland would have been delighted if Kidney had got the Lions job. But that would simply have been to get him away from the Ireland team he was holding back 1 year earlier.

Don't believe the Lions would have been better under any of the Lions nations coaches that were available. My personal gripe is with how narrow the field for Lions coach is. I'd much prefer to see an outside team of coaches brought in. I've no interest in seeing the Irish coach, coach the Lions.

On a personal note I don't like Gatland. But that won't stop me hoping that he becomes a Lions legend on Saturday. Not happy about BOD being dropped. Think a few Welsh players are lucky to be starting. But Gatland has faith in them and hopefully they'll repay that faith with top performances. Either way I'll be shouting my head off for the Lions on Saturday as I've done for every game so far.

I think you make a really good point Bardon. When you look back at what a hash Woodward made of his stint as coach and Henry admits that it became a complete cock-up in 2001. I don't mind Gatland particularly and you can always see the logic to his selections, if not agree with them. But you can also see the struggle he is having finding the right tactics, combinations, form players etc. It's not really surprising to see him go back to what he knows and that will always bring in the question of bias. Whatever the outcome on Saturday, I think there is a need to have a review of how the coach is appointed and also, when.

I don't agree that BOD should have been dropped at all, but I still think, such is the class of the man, that he will have a profound impact on the Lions as they take the field.

Win it for BOD!

 

[Dai bando]

I actually said Halfpenny was shackled by the tactics, if he was allowed to counter attack he'd be a damn good 15
Then why not say so
but he just kicks the ball away. If kicking goals makes you the player of the series then you have some low expectations of our players. FWIW AWJ is probably my MOTS for the Lions right now.

If you thought Warburton was a good selection until the 2nd test you missed all of this season where his performances (England aside) verged from pathetic to disinterested. He was given far too much leeway to make the test squad because of his previous relationship with Gatland.
Perhaps then its just as well you don't pick the sides as he came good when it mattered

Plus it looked like POC and BOD did most of the talking to the playing group and referee so we didn't get to see his famed ref whispering in action

There are plently of Welsh players worth their place on the team (6 by my count),
Then who would be the 4 you would drop, Davies obviously for your beloved BOD, then I would say 50/50

I just don't think selecting two similar players both out of form is the way to go. Lets face it there have been Welsh players given a chance to get their form whilst others haven't been given a fair crack.

Perhaps you've forgotten that every squad member was given a game before the first test

 

[the plastic paddy]

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rug...1453007?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Great to see an article like this in the Irish Times, well done Gatland.

 

[Braveheart81]

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rug...1453007?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Great to see an article like this in the Irish Times, well done Gatland.

Really??? That article was a load of tripe that went for three pages.

My summary:

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

 

[JSRF10]

Dai, I'd have Hibbard, Jones, AWJ, Faletau, North, Halfpenny and Tipuric in my test team.

Warburton did have a good second test but an awful lot of game time was invested in him, for example if Tipuric had been afforded the same opportunity how do we know he wouldn't have produced two test winning performances given IMO he is a better openside than Warburton? For me its about risk/reward and Gatland took a massive risk placing all his eggs in the Warburton basket, it took to the second test for it to come off, and as soon as it did he got injured.

Every squad member was given a game yes but there were some who got a lot more leeway than others in terms of their performances. Lydiate and Warburton were probably the worst 2 back rows in the warm ups but have 4 test starts and a subs appearance between them. Roberts has been the worst of the 4 centres on tour but as soon as he is fit he is straight into the test team. Would you not agree that given the evidence Gatland, Howley, Rowntree and Farrell had their test team picked a long time ago and form on tour hasn't been recognized? I will caveat that by saying Heaslip was one of Warrens chosen 15

 

[JSRF10]

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rug...1453007?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Great to see an article like this in the Irish Times, well done Gatland.

Its all gone a bit Henry handball in 09 for me now

 

[p.Tah]

Driving home today wondering how the test match will pan out and then on the side of the road I saw........ A dead wallaby. Den den derrrrn. Bad omen?

 

[Braveheart81]

Driving home today wondering how the test match will pan out and then on the side of the road I saw.... A dead wallaby. Den den derrrrn. Bad omen?

I'd have been much more worried if you saw a dead lion on the side of the road.

 

[JSRF10]

Driving home today wondering how the test match will pan out and then on the side of the road I saw.... A dead wallaby. Den den derrrrn. Bad omen?

Maybe you should go to Taronga Zoo and even up the score?

 

[p.Tah]

I'd have been much more worried if you saw a dead lion on the side of the road.

I tried but those bloody Brits are quicker than you think

 

[the plastic paddy]

Really??? That article was a load of tripe that went for three pages.

My summary:

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

As it happens, I agree that there is no point buying into the franchise and then chucking the toys when the franchise does something of which you disapprove. The pleasing thing for me, who doesn't support the Lions and hasn't since my epiphany on the 17th september 2011, is that more Irish rugby fans are starting to see the Lions for what it is and don't like it. When you have ploughed a lonely furrow it is very pleasing to have someone as ignorant as Gatland come along and squirt such high powered effluent into the seed bed!!!

 

[Cardiffblue]

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rug...1453007?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Great to see an article like this in the Irish Times, well done Gatland.

Sorry but three pages of drivel from the Irish times doesn't add up to three quarters of all rugby supporters are behind the wallabies. Glad to see the Irish times is as out of touch with reality as ever.

BTW I thought you promised to stop posting anymore crap about this tour that I and everyone out here is enjoying until after it was over, or was I dreaming?

I hope all of the non-welsh in the 23 play out of their skins tomorrow. I've really enjoyed the opportunity to take off the nationalist blinkers that I occasoinally wear and appreciate the play of the likes of Murray, Sexton, Bowe SoB, PoC Heaslip and indeed BoD. I've been impressed with Gray. think he is a future star and hope he gets a run. Hell I've even enjoyed watching orcs like both youngs Corbs and Parling and I am dying to tuilagi given a chance to run at the Australian midfield. I'm quite happy to think that these players can come together occasionally as a squad and play reall competitive rugby rather than the mickey mouse BaaBaas stuff. The friendships they make here go way beyond the petty snipes of the Irish uber alles cheer squad.

The lions is the only opportunity I have to SUPPORT players from outside of wales and to enjoy the best of what rugby tours are about. It is a great shame that you cannot appreciate these games for what they are: a great spectacle played in the best spirit of fiercely competitive rugby by players at the top of their game. If Ireland is really as insular and xenophobic as your comments and the press suggest, then I am sorry it is the poorer for it!

 

[the plastic paddy]

Best spirit Cardiffblue? Have you not heard all the BS that has been going on about Horwill? Enjoy the last Lions test in Australia.

 

[the plastic paddy]

Sorry but three pages of drivel from the Irish times doesn't add up to three quarters of all rugby supporters are behind the wallabies. Glad to see the Irish times is as out of touch with reality as ever.

BTW I thought you promised to stop posting anymore crap about this tour that I and everyone out here is enjoying until after it was over, or was I dreaming?

I hope all of the non-welsh in the 23 play out of their skins tomorrow. I've really enjoyed the opportunity to take off the nationalist blinkers that I occasoinally wear and appreciate the play of the likes of Murray, Sexton, Bowe SoB, PoC Heaslip and indeed BoD. I've been impressed with Gray. think he is a future star and hope he gets a run. Hell I've even enjoyed watching orcs like both youngs Corbs and Parling and I am dying to tuilagi given a chance to run at the Australian midfield. I'm quite happy to think that these players can come together occasionally as a squad and play reall competitive rugby rather than the mickey mouse BaaBaas stuff. The friendships they make here go way beyond the petty snipes of the Irish uber alles cheer squad.

The lions is the only opportunity I have to SUPPORT players from outside of wales and to enjoy the best of what rugby tours are about. It is a great shame that you cannot appreciate these games for what they are: a great spectacle played in the best spirit of fiercely competitive rugby by players at the top of their game. If Ireland is really as insular and xenophobic as your comments and the press suggest, then I am sorry it is the poorer for it!

If by some miracle your Lions win tomorrow I will be looking forward to all the modesty and self effacement evident in this post that will be emanating from the principality. Fortunately a Welsh victory is probably as likely as on the last seven occasions you have played Australia. Gatland has been a truly great Lions coach, any chance he can do the next tour to New Zealand?

 

[the plastic paddy]

Oh yes and if you want to get going on xenophobic and insular lets start talking about the Welsh reaction to St Sam's correct dismissal in the World Cup. Haven't noticed any death threats against Gatland yet Cardiffblue.

 

[Badger]

Rebel Sport are getting in early and have started to discount the Lions jersey and reduced them to $99. When you purchase a jersey, you can also get the cap and/or scarf for an additional $5 each. Alternatively, scarves and caps are $10-$15 each depending on which Rebel store you go to.

Good deal for Lions fans for the decider.

 

[Wales Fan]

The line out is about so , so much more than the hooker hitting his man. The timing of some of the lifting has been fecking terrible and some of the lifting, looking at you unfit Adam Jones, has been pitiful. Everyone is quick enough to blame the hooker and Best has a serious case of the yips but, is it possible to get a line out up to scratch in the time the Lions have? I really do not believe it is and with players getting bigger the challenge becomes ever greater. Is it possible for a team to compete with a line out that is being constantly challenged as the Lions have been? NO. The line out is the only means of getting the forwards out of the way because the scrum is essentially a lottery; if you have to throw to 2 or shorten the LO you lose that advantage. The Gatland PR machine has done a good job of dropping BOD and thereby deflecting attention from the absence of a LO option in the back row.

Totally agree, but there have been a few occasions when the lifters and jumper are at full stretch and the ball is still thrown a good foot over the jumpers hands - that's a shit throw.
Don't you think the need for a lineout option at the tail has been negated slightly by the poor throwing form of all three hookers.
There's always more to these things, but overthrown or crooked throws are generally (not always) a hookers mistake. Same as a poor pass or crooked feed by a scrum half.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2