Wallabies v Lions Game 2 MCG 26 July

[noscrumnolife]

Lynagh is a good player with the skills to be a top 10. However, like every young half who isn't Dan Carter, his success at Test level will be dependent on a combination of selection consistency, environment, cohesion and frankly a bit of luck. The wallabies have been unable to provide that in a long time.

Fin Smith is a great example IMO. He has looked the bees knees at Northampton, where he is the main man in a great team and has been his whole life. Similarly has been bought in gradually to a more experienced consistent england environment with experience at the junior age group level.

However, he has looked well off the pace for the Lions I think, because that level of consistency and comfort isn't there.

The ability to succeed out the gate at the highest level without much preparation and a lack of comfort as a 10 only comes with talent and experience - think Russell, George Ford who can go in and out of England and his level never drops.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Are you suggesting that… we… are… Red?

Well the alternative was betting on black, which doesn't work either

 

[Tomthumb]

Lynagh is a good player with the skills to be a top 10. However, like every young half who isn't Dan Carter, his success at Test level will be dependent on a combination of selection consistency, environment, cohesion and frankly a bit of luck. The wallabies have been unable to provide that in a long time.

Fin Smith is a great example IMO. He has looked the bees knees at Northampton, where he is the main man in a great team and has been his whole life. Similarly has been bought in gradually to a more experienced consistent england environment with experience at the junior age group level.

However, he has looked well off the pace for the Lions I think, because that level of consistency and comfort isn't there.

The ability to succeed out the gate at the highest level without much preparation and a lack of comfort as a 10 only comes with talent and experience - think Russell, George Ford who can go in and out of England and his level never drops.

I agree, that’s the point. I’m not saying Lynagh won’t be really good one day, but expecting him to be ready to beat the Lions at this stage is unrealistic and why I’ve had such a bee in my Bonnet about it

 

[Tomthumb]

Well the alternative was betting on black, which doesn't work either

I think we are betting on double zeros at this stage

 

[Italophile]

Lynagh is a good player with the skills to be a top 10. However, like every young half who isn't Dan Carter, his success at Test level will be dependent on a combination of selection consistency, environment, cohesion and frankly a bit of luck. The wallabies have been unable to provide that in a long time.

Fin Smith is a great example IMO. He has looked the bees knees at Northampton, where he is the main man in a great team and has been his whole life. Similarly has been bought in gradually to a more experienced consistent england environment with experience at the junior age group level.

However, he has looked well off the pace for the Lions I think, because that level of consistency and comfort isn't there.

The ability to succeed out the gate at the highest level without much preparation and a lack of comfort as a 10 only comes with talent and experience - think Russell, George Ford who can go in and out of England and his level never drops.

I think that's right. Excellent for Saints, comfortable with established and talented backs around him. Looked good for England when Borthwick basically surrounded him with his Saints' mates. Now out of his comfort zone and it shows. Understandable, he's young and still pretty inexperienced. But talented.

 

[Wilson]

Then surely you start with Skelton and let him rip for 30-40 minutes

Maybe if the lions were a strong mauling team or we were sacrificing the territorial game we played that meant they never even got the chance. But without needing that particular point of difference from Skelton, I'd much rather have him come on early in the second where he can really change the game and bring his size to bear.

 

[Tomikin]

I stopped on page 5, but I think our best bet this week is getting Bobby V fit.. and let him go to work.. He did it against the Reds this year and a few others... We were losing the gamish.. or the ball carry.. and Bobby just said fuck this shit Im going up the guts.. and we can put that on them.. First Nations showed that.. Skelton and maybe LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) can help.. but really we need a dude who no one in the world can handle easy.. that's Just Bobby V.. I wish we could recruit Ardie, too.. but they are game changes.. and if Bobby V fires, we win...

 

[dru]

Maybe if the lions were a strong mauling team or we were sacrificing the territorial game we played that meant they never even got the chance. But without needing that particular point of difference from Skelton, I'd much rather have him come on early in the second where he can really change the game and bring his size to bear.

I don't follow this. Surely to toughen the ruck in drive through the middle and in D can only help the WB prospects where we were out-muscled. I'd be starting Big Skel and Valetini if fit. Then repeat the game plan but hopefully from a better platform.

 

[Tomikin]

I don't follow this. Surely to toughen the ruck in drive through the middle and in D can only help the WB prospects where we were out-muscled. I'd be starting Big Skel and Valetini if fit. Then repeat the game plan but hopefully from a better platform.

Yeah we arent out skilling them, but we have some boys who can probably out muscle them.. Skelton and Bobby V back... lets fucking ping the fluffybunnys lol

 

[emuarse]

If you really believe in your heart of hearts that he was treated the same as any other 17 year old and was brought across purely based on his absolute superior talent and athleticism I stand corrected. Please accept my sincere apology.
Maybe we scout the UK for more 17 year old exceptional talent that might be floating around.

I remember seeing him play in his first games for the Reds & I immediately thought to myself that this bloke is a natural flyhalf, even if the games were just trials.
And at his first start in a test, it had to be all up hill against a combined international forward pack that towelled our forward pack when he was on.
In the circumstances, he could have done far worse.