It looks like they're trying their hardest to keep this tour on and arrange a game for Saturday. As for yesterday, another decent performance by the Lions and the Sharks stepped it up second half, at least.
There was some decent offloading and handling by the Lions. Adams looks like he’s nailed down one of the wing berths
Confirmed - Lions to play Sharks on Saturday Right then. We have a confirmed Plan B for Saturday, with the Lions now set to once again take on the Cell C Sharks, who will step up to the replace the Covid-hit Vodacom Bulls. The game will be at Loftus Versfield with a 5pm BST kick-off. The Lions, of course, beat the Cell C Sharks 54-7 at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Wednesday night. Confirming the news, Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby said: “The choice of the Cell C Sharks was dictated by the fact that they have been in a bubble, have returned negative tests throughout and were prepared to take on the fixture,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby. “No other team in the country could meet those conditions right now – without going into a five-day lockdown. It is not an ideal situation, but COVID-19 has made sure that we do not live in an ideal world.” The Cell C Sharks’ match against the Sigma Lions in the Carling Currie Cup on Saturday has subsequently been cancelled with a decision on the points allocation
British and Irish Lions team to play the Sharks: L Williams, A Watson, Daly, Harris, Van der Merwe; Biggar, Davies; Sutherland, George (capt), Furlong, Itoje, Hill, Beirne, H Watson, Conan. Replacements: Owens, Jones, Sinckler, Lawes, Simmonds, Curry, Murray, Russell.
What an abysmal error strewn performance from Wales. Argentina will be considering themselves unlucky not to win. C'mon the Lions!
What a bizarre scoreline! At least it was a better performance by the Sharks this time. Really stupid elbow, idiot. Biggar must be nailed on for a test start, along with Hamish Watson. I wouldn't have Farrel in the starting line up, I'd have Aki at 12 but haven't made my mind up about 13. Looking good.
Great article. This really is groundbreaking. The worry was that rugby might get dumbed down as regards the contact aspect but this is showing that a lot of that is avoidable and as a result, sidestepping needless physicality could actually speed up the game and improve technique.
I agree re Farrel, I dont think he will make the starting XV there are far better centres ahead of him. I don't think Hamish Watson will start as I think Garland will go for more height at the back of the lineout. I wouldn't be surprised if Lawes gets the nod as one of the flankers with Faletau at 8 and Curry as the other flanker. I think the Welsh players in contention to start the test team are Liam Williams, Josh Adams, Dan Biggar and possibly Wyn Jones. Ken the Sheriff possibly losing out to Jamie George.
British & Irish Lions to play South Africa A: Watson; Rees-Zammit, Harris, Aki, Adams; Biggar, Murray (capt); Jones, Owens, Sinckler, Itoje, Henderson, Navidi, Curry, Faletau. Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Vunipola, ***erson, Beard, Beirne, Simmonds, Davies, Daly.
It's hard to call, especially with possibly more injuries and knocks. Normally I would say Gatland is quite predictable but I think Townsend is having an influence. Saying that, Gats has the final call and has always stuck to his guns (e.g. O'Driscoll). I'll be disappointed if he goes completely bish-bash-bosh (safety first) though, as the Lions have shown a lot of attacking ambition so far.
SA are using this fixture as a warm up! Can't blame them though. This is the first real test (pardon the pun) for the Lions so far. Gats putting out a team with a nod to the first test? What happened to Hogg?
I think Gats has a plan / theory as to how to beat the Boks in the Test Series: so far, from what I’ve seen, it’s a more attacking/fast approach rather than ‘up the jumper’/contact rugby. That said, if Plan A doesn’t work, it will be back to Warrenball
Hogg will start on Saturday against the Stormers, I’d guess as will Farrell, Price, George and Watson.
I’ve been reading that AWJ is having a fitness slyest tomorrow, to see if he can go back on the tour. Interesting if he does go out there, would he make test team after missing game time.
