Gatland has taken a lot of flack for his seemingly pro Welsh stance when it came to his selections for the Lions tour. Every day I have read criticisms, predominantly from the English, about his Welsh bias. His decision to make an Irishman captain for the first Test was a stroke of genius. He gave the finger to all his detractor's. Way to go Warren.
Happy to see Liam Williams get the start. He's the most exciting back on tour and I'm chuffed to bits he's starting at full back. Daly is an interesting choice, lightening fast but I don't think he's anywhere near as solid as Guscott thinks he is. I reckon his opposite number will be licking his lips but, if he gets a yard of space he's gone. So disappointed that Sean 'I dropped it again' O'Brien is starts. He's third out of three as far as I'm concerned. He gets bigged up so much by pundits for doing no more than his basic job. In international terms, imo, at breakdown he's stiff and slow, in defense he OK tackling lumps but relies on his bulk so over commits to the tackle, missing nimble backs who regularly beat him and beat him badly. Worst of all, he can't carry the ball to his potential. In possession he is careless and all too often drops a pass or loses the ball in contact. One of the most frustrating players I've seen. Who wants to bet he plays a blinder on Saturday. Maybe the most over rated player of them all is Farrell the attack killer. He does two things with the ball, he'll either kick it away or he'll shovel it on. He'll accurately kick one in three and his passing is not sharp or incisive, he's just too just obvious. Has any one ever seen him ever attack a gap or try to beat the line in front of him? In defense he's suspect and will either miss his man or take his head off with a sneaky butt. If he tries that on Saturday he'll be off with a concussion. Imo he's third in the list as Bigger is more reliable and he's simply not in the same league as Sexton, who has to be gutted. All in all pretty happy with the rest but I think O'Brien and Farrell weaken our chances.
Halfpenny is a big mistake in dropping him......He is the best long range kicker under pressure we got.......just my opinion...
Pretty grim weather in Auckland this morning and forecasts has it to continue through the weekend so conditions will be wet and windy for the Test tomorrow. There's definitely been a shift in the locals' mindset in the past week regarding the game, not so long ago they were saying the Lions were going home with just the one win, now I can sense there is a bit of fear creeping in!
"just my opinion". Stopped dealing in facts then, Dai ? I agree re Halfpenny, one of Gorseinon's finest. Many people think he is too short, lacks stature, but I disagree, he's immense.
Decent win for a young Welsh team against (all of) Samoa. Better teams have lost to only the West of Samoa.....
Very trying conditions, plus a very strong Samoa, made for an uncomfortable game. I remember that comment, "It's lucky we didn't play all of Samoa". Welsh humour in adversity. You can't beat it. Reminds me of a story Wynford Vaughan Thomas related many years ago. He was commentating on Llanelli v Barbarians at Stradey Park. One of the BaaBaas took a liking to hammering one of The Scarlets' wingers,who was only a young lad. He kept knocking the wing into touch. A Scarlet supporter sitting just to the side of Thomas was apoplectic with rage, and deep into the second half had seen enough of the injustice, and leaping to his feet, fists waving, he shouted, "You dirty bloody buggar, go back to Barbaria".
Lots of vomiting and sickness at half time by all accounts due to a bug the squad picked up so doubly good result in extremely trying conditions.
Chippy kiwis are getting twitchy by all accounts. Our own grey haired 60+yo tour manager was verbally abused, pushed and punched last nite while out for a meal with his wife in Auckland. Kiwis are starting to show their true colours and it ain't All Black.
Come on then guys lets have your predictions for tomorrow. I am going for NZ 30 Lions 22 Sorry for being a pessimist.
I used to get excited about the Haka but I've seen it so often now its become another meaningless delay of kick off just like when teams have to line up and shake the hand of some politician or dignitary who's passed down the line before the national anthems. Might start respecting it again if NZ come clean and acknowledge the Nationality of the players that have brought much of the strength, power and the flair attributed to the All Black throughout the years by re-branding themselves as New Zealand and SOUTH SEA ISLANDS because that's what the All Blacks have ALWAYS been, just as we've always been the British and IRISH Lions.
What a try by the lions, I am still not convinced by Farrell under pressure, both in play and especially his kicking. But everyone loves him he is the new Johnnie ****ing Wilkinson.
