****ing hell, was in a 10 hour jet lag coma and missed the whole thing. From what I have read the Lions sneaked past a 14 man All Blacks with a questionable penalty and near suicidal discipline. But a wholly unexpected win! And an historic one at that! Gatland is clearly a genius, at the cutting edge of modern rugby tactics and team selection. Anyone who doubts that (e.g. me and several other noted rugby sages on here) should eat their own trousers by way of apology.
I had to go out and have now watched the game back from just after half-time, when I had to leave it. The Lions' discipline was dreadful and gave so many penalties away. The ABs were incredible after going down to 14 men, whilst The Lions seemed to freeze after being given that advantage. I wouldn't say the Lions "sneaked" the win and probably just about deserved it, after having looked the better side when it was 15 v 15. The Lions played some great rugby in the final 15 minutes to come back from 18 -9 down. Farrell held his nerve well and played better than I thought he would as a centre. Sexton finally started to look like the World class player he has been and improved greatly as the game wore on. However, this was all with a man advantage except when Vinipola decided to be a twat and got sin-binned. It wasn't a questionable penalty. The player was tackled in the air, all be it by accident, but a penalty nonetheless. The referee was very picky, but did well imo and was very brave to (correctly) send off an All Black. Vinipolar and Win Jones shouldn't play next week and the Lions simply MUST stop giving away so many penalties. Playing Farrell and Sexton together, with Williams at Full Back did give the Lions creativity, so credit to Gatland for that.
I was working this morning so had to catch bits of the game on Talksport, with barely one minute to go I was sent down a job at Terminal 3 and as I went into the tunnel approaching the sound went, so I missed that last stand to hang on to the win. Great result, a win is a win no matter how fortunate but I fear this will be the equivalent of poking a Grizzly Bear with a sharp stick and retribution may well be swift and brutal next Saturday...
Yes. The last time the All Blacks failed to score a try and lost at home was v S Africa in July 1998. This was their first home defeat for 8 years after a stretch of 48 tests.
Good summary, and in my earlier post, I wasn't second guessing the ref on that final, vital Lions penalty. But such is the change of rules on tackling in the air, or perhaps referees determine to enforce it for safety reasons, it can make it difficult for a defending player committed to a tackle against a player that is running forward and whose feet are barely leaving the ground. Still, those are the rules and the misjudgement by Faumuina was great timing for the Lions.
Another cracking test match and hopefully justifies keeping the Lions format going (to the players, public and rugby lovers anyway). Watched the match in a Brighton pub with about 40 lions shirts (including my son), great atmosphere, lots of cheering, the staff aren't used to that much excitement. Gutsy call by the ref on SBW, even though the TMO tried to talk him out of it. Happiest man on the pitch at that point was Farrell. Had SBW stayed on, I'm not sure he'd have had as good a game otherwise. He'd already missed a couple of tackles. Itoje started nervously but grew into the game; he and AWJ looked a good pairing particularly at lineout and maul. Itoje was imperious at the lineouts in the second half. He must start next week, maybe with Laws. Vunipola was a liability at scrum and loose play; I think he got a wrong call on one penalty, but not the others. 10 penalties in scoring positions against 14 was ridiculous. He can't start next week. The back 3 did their job again and looked the part, always dangerous. Nailed on to start next week. The back row looked more balanced and aggressive and were on top even before they took off Kaino Discipline will be key next week, they had the ABs rattled last night, you rarely see an AB grizzling to the ref but there were a few out there. 2 well executed tries to none is a fair defensive effort; the conditions suited the Lions more I felt; even the ABs took on the kicking ploy. Looking forward to next week and hoping for a shock. LIONS LIONS Then it's back to the football - URssss
Lions format never in doubt Ian Too much money to be made I think the ref was getting close to yellow carding itoje The sea of red was great too see Lions Lions
There was talk about it becoming less relevant in 2005 when sir Clive tried to change things and got belted over there. A solid performance in SA and then a win in Aus gave it some momentum. Had it been a clean sweep of embarrassing defeats on this tour, the clubs who don't want their players involved would be pushing for it to be scrapped. The sea of red is special. I remember seeing it in Brisbane in 2001, it shocked the Aussies so much, they handed out thousands of gold scarves and caps at the following tests.
MelIAN, I was on both the 2001 and 2005 tours. After Brisbane the Oz press were asking questions how we got so many tickets? In Melbourne they would not give any Lions supporters trying to get the free hats etc. And in the 3rd test in Sydney they put about 150 actors/actresses behind one of the post to put off the Lions for conversions and pens. As for NZ 2005 'What a total *uck up'.
I spent so much on that Melbourne test. Should have won it apart from a Jonny W f$ck up... anyway, I didn't go the the Clive Woodward tour - happy about that. He nearly destroyed the Lions concept. Has anyone told the kiwis how much cash the lions bring to the country. I'm expecting the ABs to win on Saturday but hoping the lions sneak it and create history. It is one of the best tours in professional sport.
