Lions Tour Thread

[Biffo]

English, The Welsh, Irish and Token Scots...E-TWITS!!

They have a bona fide Australian and a bona fide New Zealander. Any others in their foreign legion?

 

[Lee Grant]

Lions 26 Cheetahs 24

The Lions were a bit lucky to get away with that one. If the home side had a better goal kicker they would have won. On the other hand I thought Wayne Barnes was too kind to them in the scrums and on other occasions around the ruck.

Sheridan was pretty dominant on his side of the scrum but the man of the match was the Cheetahs assistant coach on the sidelines though he could have got a yellow card for over acting.

The Lions were up 20-0 at one stage and looked like the Lions when they were here 8 years ago but they faltered badly.

Brussouw was terrific for the Cheetahs and as the Lions didn't have specialist fetcher he had a field day.

Shane Williams, the IRB player of the year in 2008, is struggling a bit, as he has for a lot of 2009 and will be lucky to get into the test team on form.

 

[Hugonaut]

Problem is Ferris did very little else at the breakdown or ruck. He swooped on the ball and ran away for a try - he could be accused of being a seagull. He made one other good run but I'd like to see him contesting the ball a bit more. He gave away a few penalties after his sin binning. Good athlete but needs to up his workrate.
[/quote]

With respect, Spook, that's quite harsh and not all that accurate.

Along with DOC, Ferris was the most effective Lion at the breakdown in terms of clearing rucks. Admittedly no big achievement given the company, but Barnes was letting Brussouw away with blue murder [fair enough, you play the ref], and having no proper openside on the pitch meant that it wasn’t an even playing field.

Don't understand how you can level an accusation at somebody for scoring an opportunist's try – it would have been easier [and worse] if he'd gone and had a little rest, hid in the ruck that was already lost. Instead he kept out of it, saw the ball pop loose, picked it up at pace off the floor and hared in.

He was primarily used as a runner when the Lions had the ball, and made yards every time, taking two people to bring him down without exception. Hard to contest the ball when you're used as a runner that often, but when he was in support, the ball generally came back sharpish.

Didn't miss any tackles and made a couple of thumpers, as well as contributing very well to the defensive lineout – which functioned well – as a one-man lifter.

Himself and O'Callaghan were bizarrely penalised at 58:15 when absolutely legitimately coming through a ruck in the middle of the pitch following a huge offensive Worsley tackle: they came through the gate and were on their feet. That was the only other penalty he gave away in the game and it was one of a number of frankly wrong decisions from Barnes between 50 and 60 minutes, who seemed determined to prove he didn’t have a Lions bias.

Listen, it wasn’t a perfect performance by any means [getting binned and the team conceding 14 points in your absence will take a bit of lustre off your shine]; however, he got no help from his f*cking useless No8 and had to cover half the openside duties that Joe Worsley, despite his best efforts, couldn’t fufill. You can’t play a backrow on your own.

He was the best Lion on the park by a distance, comfortably outplayed his opposite man and, second to Brussouw, the best player on the pitch. Implying that he’s lazy or doesn’t like working hard at the coalface is way off the mark.

 

[Spook]

Don't understand how you can level an accusation at somebody for scoring an opportunist's try – it would have been easier [and worse] if he'd gone and had a little rest, hid in the ruck that was already lost. Instead he kept out of it, saw the ball pop loose, picked it up at pace off the floor and hared in.

Ahh Sorry mate, was jesting on the try. Forwards get accused of being seagulls on this board when they run with the ball in space. ;D

He was primarily used as a runner when the Lions had the ball, and made yards every time, taking two people to bring him down without exception. Hard to contest the ball when you're used as a runner that often, but when he was in support, the ball generally came back sharpish.

Yeah but he didn't appear to make enough runs.

Didn't miss any tackles and made a couple of thumpers, as well as contributing very well to the defensive lineout – which functioned well – as a one-man lifter.

Yeah but he didn't appear to make enough tackles.

Do we have stats on this? Perhaps I am being unfair on his work rate.

I'd like to see Ferris contest the ball more often. Get his hands on the ball at the breakdown and slow it down.

 

[PaarlBok]

Lions 26 Cheetahs 24

The Lions were a bit lucky to get away with that one. If the home side had a better goal kicker they would have won. On the other hand I thought Wayne Barnes was too kind to them in the scrums and on other occasions around the ruck.

Sheridan was pretty dominant on his side of the scrum but the man of the match was the Cheetahs assistant coach on the sidelines though he could have got a yellow card for over acting.

The Lions were up 20-0 at one stage and looked like the Lions when they were here 8 years ago but they faltered badly.

Brussouw was terrific for the Cheetahs and as the Lions didn't have specialist fetcher he had a field day.

Shane Williams, the IRB player of the year in 2008, is struggling a bit, as he has for a lot of 2009 and will be lucky to get into the test team on form.

Lee the Cheetah ass coach on the sideline was Hakkel Helgardt Muller, played 1 or 2 tests for the Springbokke and the brother of the more known Springbok tough midfielder Pieter Muller.

After watching the highlights again I did saw it but wasnt sure about the last incident in the match when the Cheetahs hoist a high one and knocked on by the Lions 15 and played from a off side position by one of the other Lion players. Wasnt sure if that rule still stand and is a bit confused what rules is in play now. Thought that one could have sealed it for the Cheetahs.

Its all done now but really I think our Lions were really bad on wednesday. The Sharks game look like they may release some Bok players to get a bit of match practise like Pienaar & F Steyn. It will be a big test for the Sharks without their Bokke but they have debt and maybe a guy like Jannie Doep will try and stake a claim.

WP will be up for their match on saturday and I'll take my kid to this one. Only happen once in 12 years and sure one he'll treasure for the rest of his life.

 

[PaarlBok]

We have a big series on our TV about the Lions of the past day and Boy do this bring back some sweet memories just to watch some of those tests and hear the late Gerhard Viviers or what we call Spiekeries commentating them.

Awesome to hear to stories told by Willie John McBride. Telling the story of Mof Myburgh when the wanted to enter Loftus. He qoute him as this big tough Boer fatty and want to say something to him before running on the field. "Look like only a few patches of grass" Mof look even tougher replying " I am not here to grace Boet"

Also interesting were when the first Lion tour was here. The Springbokke and Lions were playing tests against each other the one week, then they had to make war against each other the next week and a Boer general had to ask for a stop in war "Skiet stilstand" so they can finish the series.

 

[PaarlBok]

Interesting pick for the Southern Kings outing against the Lions coached by Alan Solomons
Southern Kings: 15 Tiger Mangweni, 14 Wylie Human, 13 Frikkie Welsh, 12 De Wet Barry, 11 Rayno Benjamin, 10 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Darron Nel 7 Solly Tyibilika, 6 Mpo Mbiyoso, 5 Ross Skeate, 4 Marco Wentzel, 3 Ruan Vermeulen, 2 Derrick Küun, 1 Jaco Engels.
Replacements - from: Simon Westraadt, Kevin Buys, Lungelo Payi, Heinrich Stride, Josh Fowles, Mzandile Stick, Elger Watts, Bevin Fortuin, Henry Grimes, Michael Coetzee.

 

[PaarlBok]

We have a big series on our TV about the Lions of the past day and Boy do this bring back some sweet memories just to watch some of those tests and hear the late Gerhard Viviers or what we call Spiekeries commentating them.

Saw Paul Dobson featuring in this.

Here is his interesting views in all matters around rugby and sure worth a while to look at his views

http://www.rugby365.com/opinion/oracle/

 

[Pfitzy]

Just watching the Lions v Lions game now with the Pommy commentary attached. Could the Sky Sports Team collectively get any further up BOD's arse? Aren't they afraid they'll block the sunshine coming the other way? :

Jeez they're carrying on like these blokes have already won the series...

[edit] Of course, the main thing the Boks have to worry about is mental fragility...

 

[PaarlBok]

Ag well, my son in Wimbledon tell me he get cornered all over the place , people (they snif a Boer out there quite easily) telling him they beat the Cheetahs. pretty difficult for them to understand the wooden spoonist of the S14 run them close and without two of their best players. They dont even know what the S14 is and if he explain to them and he told them Holland beat them in cricket their excuse is that KP did not play. Then he told them he is a Saffer afterall, so he is enjoying it. :

 

[Biffo]

Ag well, my son in Wimbledon tell me he get cornered all over the place , people (they snif a Boer out there quite easily) telling him they beat the Cheetahs. pretty difficult for them to understand the wooden spoonist of the S14 run them close and without two of their best players. They dont even know what the S14 is and if he explain to them and he told them Holland beat them in cricket their excuse is that KP did not play. Then he told them he is a Saffer afterall, so he is enjoying it. :

I like the boy. When is he migrating to Australia?

 

[Pfitzy]

As soon as he proves his front-row credentials and Aussie grandmother

BTW have to say I like the cut of Todd Clever's jib - he's a real old school, tear-into-the-bastards kind of flanker and he let a few Lions players know it. What an experience he must be having.

 

[Pfitzy]

Oh, and is anyone else listening to the Pommy commentary on this Lions tour sick to death of them wanking on about the maul being "back"? What a load of tripe. The Lions aren't even any fucking GOOD at it.

 

[PaarlBok]

Ag well, my son in Wimbledon tell me he get cornered all over the place , people (they snif a Boer out there quite easily) telling him they beat the Cheetahs. pretty difficult for them to understand the wooden spoonist of the S14 run them close and without two of their best players. They dont even know what the S14 is and if he explain to them and he told them Holland beat them in cricket their excuse is that KP did not play. Then he told them he is a Saffer afterall, so he is enjoying it. :

I like the boy. When is he migrating to Australia?

His best mates is Aussies at the moment, working with him. Hopefull they'll teach him to speak proper english. He is a provincial U18 hockey player and Aus a very good option for him. You lot are kings in that sport.

 

[PaarlBok]

The Lions team against the Sharks
British & Irish Lions – 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Shane Williams, 13 Brian O’Driscoll, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Ronan O’Gara, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 David Wallace, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Paul O’Connell (c), 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Lee Mears, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Subs: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Phil Vickery, 18 Simon Shaw, 19 Joe Worsley, 20 Mike Blair, 21 Riki Flutey, 22 Leigh Halfpenny.

 

[Pfitzy]

Looks like they crossed a few names off the list after the Cheetahs game eh Oom?

Watching it now and Broussow is the master of the breakdown.

 

[Pfitzy]

After watching the highlights again I did saw it but wasnt sure about the last incident in the match when the Cheetahs hoist a high one and knocked on by the Lions 15 and played from a off side position by one of the other Lion players. Wasnt sure if that rule still stand and is a bit confused what rules is in play now. Thought that one could have sealed it for the Cheetahs.

Ja Oom - ref missed that one and Vrystaat could have done it... I'm sure from 40 metres out and in front someone could have kicked it.

 

[PaarlBok]

Potgieter sure is one hellofa kicker and he missed three I think and then the X Lion Louis Strydom missed that sitter of a droppie. Sure he could sealed it. Yep that BoD/Roberts midfield will need to be defended by the Tjarks, but they can do it. The Deysel/Daniels/Botes losies we know can be prove a handfull on their day. Thats where the Tin Ears with Brussouw kept them busy. Wonder how long it will take before the Jones fatty will cut his wild bush hair in Biltongland?

 

[PaarlBok]

15. Stefan Terblanche
14. Chris Jordaan
13. Andries Strauss
12. Riaan Swanepoel
11. Luzuko Vulindlu
10. Monty Dumond
9. Rory Kockott
8. Keegan Daniel
7. Jean Deysel
6. Jacques Botes
5. Johann Muller (captain)
4. Steven Sykes
3. Jannie du Plessis
2. Skipper Badenhorst
1. Deon Carstens
Replacements:
16. Craig Burden
17. Patric Cilliers
18. Albert van den Berg
19. Michael Rhodes
20. Charl McLeod
21. Guy Cronje
22. Lwazi Mvovo

Great pack of forwards but that backline look thin.

 

[PaarlBok]

Two Paarliete, Jordaan (Paarl Gim) and Carstens (Landbou). Those of you not know with the youngsters the one Cronje twin will jol for the SA U20 scrummy and the other one playing here from the bench. They look identical and the same kind of talent we have in the Ebersohn twins.