South Africa vs British and Irish Lions, Saturday 2pm Johannesburg Match thread

thomond2006

British & Irish Lions (vs South Africa, 3rd Test)

15 Rob Kearney (Leinster / Ireland)
14 Ugo Monye (Harlequins / England)
13 Tommy Bowe (Ospreys / Ireland)
12 Riki Flutey (London Wasps / England)
11 Shane Williams (Ospreys / Wales)
10 Stephen Jones (Scarlets / Wales)
9 Mike Phillips (Ospreys / Wales)

8 Jamie Heaslip (Leinster / Ireland)
7 Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues / Wales)
6 Joe Worsley (London Wasps / England)
5 Paul O’Connell (Munster / Ireland, Captain)
4 Simon Shaw (London Wasps / England)
3 Phil Vickery (London Wasps / England)
2 Matthew Rees (Scarlets / Wales)
1 Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks / England)

Replacements

16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh / Scotland)
17 John Hayes (Munster / Ireland)
18 Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys / Wales)
19 David Wallace (Munster / Ireland)
20 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers / England)
21 Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers / England)
22 James Hook (Ospreys / Wales)

South Africa:

Kirchner (Bulls); Ndungane (Sharks), Fourie (Lions), Olivier (Bulls), Nokwe (Cheetahs); M Steyn (Bulls), Du Preez (Bulls); Mtawarira (Sharks), Ralepelle (Bulls), Smit (Sharks), Muller (Sharks), Matfield (Bulls), Brussow (Cheetahs), Smith (Cheetahs), Kankowski (Sharks).

Replacements: B du Plessis (Sharks), Steenkamp (Bulls), Carstens (Sharks), Sykes (Sharks), Spies (Bulls), R Pienaar (Sharks), F Steyn (Sharks).

MY APPRASIAL OF THE TEST TEAM

BACKS

Back Three
Rob Kearney was the only choice for FB after a stellar peformance last week.
The wingers, well, Monye comes in on the right wing as Bowe is moved to the centre.
Unbelievably, Williams is given another chance ahead of Luke Fitzgerald. That is just mindboggling. It looks like Geech has done a "Sir Clive" and picked on reputation. We now have 2 wingers that cannot finish. What has Fitzgerald done to deserve this?

Centres
I really thought Earls may have got a shot at 13. However, Geech has opted for a positional change and has put Tommy Bowe at 13 instead. Bowe has played OC for the Ospreys this season and done well imo.
I'm disappointed with the selection of Flutey. Through injury and form, he has not produced the goods on this tour. I think his refusal to play in 2005 means Gordon D'Arcy will be a mere spectator.

Half-Backs
No argument here. I thought Jones was fantastic in the 2nd test, landing all his kicks and controlling the game well. After his costly gaffe last week, ROG will never have started a Lions test match. That's a shame.
In the case of the scrum half, well to be honest Mike Phillips is the best of a bad bunch and there was never going to be a change.

FORWARDS

Front Row
Sheridan was the only choice to replace Jenkins so no surprises there. I think he deserves a chance in the test match arena.
Matthew Rees stays, again the best of a poor bunch. How costly was the loss of Flannery/no call up for Best?
Phil Vickery comes in for Adam Jones. I think he will be very motivated after being embarrassed by the "Beast" in Durban.

Second Row
Correct choices here: POC and Simon Shaw.

Back Row
Heaslip was always going to start again ahead of Powell but I've been disappointed by Heaslip's performances so far. It won't get any easier being up against Kankowski.
Williams comes in for Wallace at openside. I think that's tough on Wallace, who has had a decent series so far.
"Tree Cutter" Worsley come in for Croft. I think that's tough on Croft to be honest. I don't think Worsley offers a lot going forward.


Well lads, it's the final chapter of what has been an enthralling spectacle between the cream of the crop of the Home Nations and the World Champions South Africa.

Unlike the disastrous tour to New Zealand in 2005, the test series has been competitive, with the brave Lions just being edged out by the powerful Springboks. Congratulations on winning the test series and hopefully you will carry your form into the Tri-Nations to seal off a perfect season.

I hope any talk of Lions Tours being discontinued has been rubbished now. Both sides of the fence will agree that both tests were closely fought and were thrilling to the end.

While I disagree with many of Ian McGeechan's selections (see above), you have to give the Lions a glimmer of hope. The test series may have ended but for true Lions supporters, this test is as important as the previous two. However, the Springboks have a fantastic record at Ellis Park, where they won the 3rd test back in 1997. This will be a tough ask for the men in red but they are in with a shout, no doubt about it.

On a side note, I pray to God that John Hayes will come on and get a test cap. A true legend of Irish rugby.
I also hope Tommy Bowe shows the world what he is really made up in the test match arena.

IT IS TIME FOR THE LIONS TO RESTORE THEIR PRIDE!


COME ON THE LIONS!!!!!

chupacabra

Oh wow, tomorrow is saturday. Kind of snuck on me there! All the talk during the week of "The Lions series' are over, Oh i probably wont even watch this match etc." was really starting to get on my nerves. And to be honest, even though tomorrow is a dead rubber, im looking forward to a good game of rugby. If Williams can finally unlock some form, and if Jones and Bowe can put Flutey into space, this could be a cracker. Seeing as South africa have the 2 best centers in the country playing and probably the fastest winger in the world. Fingers crossed we can get a win to take the shine off the series for South Africa

Euro_Kraut

My feelings about the game tomorrow - meh.

Can't get excited about this. Hopefully no more injuries.

Aidric

thomond2006 wrote: »

I also hope Tommy Bowe shows the world what he is really made up in the test match arena.

Ehh, he kinda did already in the whole grand slam campaign this year.

bleg

the only way i'll bat an eye lid is if john hayes scores a try.

anonymous_joe

I bet Shane Williams'll go and score a rake of tries.

thomond2006

anonymous_joe wrote: »

I bet Shane Williams'll go home and allow Luke Fitzgerald to play instead since he is more deserving of a test place.

Changed that for ya.

funky penguin

anonymous_joe wrote: »

I bet Shane Williams'll go and score a rake of tries.

Jesus I hope he does!

Can't allow a whitewash, we just can't. This team doesn't deserve it......

Meh, but sport doesn't work like that I suppose.

Lions to win!

anonymous_joe

thomond2006 wrote: »

Changed that for ya.

Heh, if only.

funky penguin wrote: »

Jesus I hope he does!

Can't allow a whitewash, we just can't. This team doesn't deserve it......

Meh, but sport doesn't work like that I suppose.

Lions to win!

Who knows.

uRbaN

chupacabra wrote: »

Oh wow, tomorrow is saturday. Kind of snuck on me there! All the talk during the week of "The Lions series' are over, Oh i probably wont even watch this match etc." was really starting to get on my nerves. And to be honest, even though tomorrow is a dead rubber, im looking forward to a good game of rugby. If Williams can finally unlock some form, and if Jones and Bowe can put Flutey into space, this could be a cracker. Seeing as South africa have the 2 best centers in the country playing and probably the fastest winger in the world. Fingers crossed we can get a win to take the shine off the series for South Africa

Quality post...To be honest I was very under whelmed about this match, but am getting excited now.

For those who insinuate that they wont watch the match; well 4 years is a long wait.

darrenh

is it possible to see the game online anywhere?

Teg Veece

darrenh wrote: »

is it possible to see the game online anywhere?

Someone generally posts a link in the " **Please read**Post Match Streams Here" thread that stickied to the top of this forum.

You might have to wait til a few minutes into the game before one shows up though.

tbaymusicman

bleg wrote: »

the only way i'll bat an eye lid is if john hayes scores a try.

I would of gave all the tea in china to see him start and score:D:D

rubayat

darrenh wrote: »

is it possible to see the game online anywhere?

try justin tv

Amabokke

Even though you feel for the Lions I have to say it looks like a 3-0 whitewash to me. Firstly, because I didn't really want to loose the bet to Thomond? and secondly this backup bok squad looks very dangerous with plenty of experience.

This Lions test series has probably been one of the most toughest games I've ever seen. Boks got lucky in a few situations but I believe this squad is one of the best groups we've ever had.

thomond2006

Amabokke wrote: »

Even though you feel for the Lions I have to say it looks like a 3-0 whitewash to me. Firstly, because I didn't really want to loose the bet to Thomond? and secondly this backup bok squad looks very dangerous with plenty of experience.

Oh Christ, I forget about that bet. **** it anyway!

I can't remember where I posted what the loser must say.

Do you have a link?

Ponster

Teg Veece wrote: »

Someone generally posts a link in the " **Please read**Post Match Streams Here" thread that stickied to the top of this forum.

You might have to wait til a few minutes into the game before one shows up though.

Links up.

anonymous_joe

Amabokke wrote: »

Even though you feel for the Lions I have to say it looks like a 3-0 whitewash to me. Firstly, because I didn't really want to loose the bet to Thomond? and secondly this backup bok squad looks very dangerous with plenty of experience.

This Lions test series has probably been one of the most toughest games I've ever seen. Boks got lucky in a few situations but I believe this squad is one of the best groups we've ever had.

You think the extended squad's the best ever?

Looking at the first team a couple of lads strike me as potentially not Springbok class. The likes of Adi Jacobs even Ruan Pienaar look capable of being awful. Add to that, the backrow's really unbalanced without Brussow which is a massive issue, because I can see Schalk walking back into the team.

stackerman

Let's go boys !
Whats with the booing as The Lions came out and whats with the white armbands on the Boks ?
If it's what I think it is . . . . .fcuking joke :mad:

stackerman

"Justice 4" !!! ??

soundsham

rspect for michael jackson the king:D

Sherifu

COME ON THE LIONS.

stackerman

Boks PR at its worst !

beertons

Come on the Lions

thomond2006

ouch, shaw came in late on SA fullback.

nkay1985

Martin Williams on a flyer at the start.

stackerman

Kearney, you are THE MAN !!

fullstop

What are the Boks like with their armbands :rolleyes:

stackerman

Pop goes the Beast !!!!!

Stealdo

keving wrote: »

"Justice 4" !!! ??

It's for Botha.....his ban was a joke and it's fair enough.

stackerman

S Willams, what a joke this is. 9 out of ten squad starts and then gets on ahead of Fitz, talk about living on reputation. I'd say Luke is fairly Pissed :mad:

beertons

What the hell hapened there

stackerman

Stealdo wrote: »

It's for Botha.....his ban was a joke and it's fair enough.

His ban IS a joke but rugby is supposed to be better than this sort of insolent crap.

Stealdo

keving wrote: »

His ban IS a joke but rugby is supposed to be better than this sort of insolent crap.

Solidarity brother........sure if they want to leave them be.

purcela

Monye hasn't started well, didn't think he deserved a place in today's squad after his performance in the 1st test

soundsham

fantastic by j heaslip

nkay1985

Heaslip you legend!

Sherifu

GET IN! \m/

beertons

Good man Heaslip!

purcela

that was fairly special by stephen jones

stackerman

Well done POC and Heaslip

Stealdo

In fairness to the mgt, the most controversial selections of Vickery, Worsley and Shane Williams have all started really well.

Theus

Great hands from the lions, what was Williams thinking with that kick exactly

stackerman

Flutey you beaut !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stealdo

Theus wrote: »

Great hands from the lions, what was Williams thinking with that kick exactly

Was the right thing to do, not his fault everyone else was lazy

yimrsg

been impressed with them too stealdo, looks promising but can we stop the whitewash?

heaslip is benefiting from worsely's normal 6 play versus croft's eye catching work. pack in on top allowing shane to show off and bowe is looking solid in the centre.

Stealdo

keving wrote: »

Flutey you beaut !!!!!!!!!!!!!

That was an incredible piece of skill, super hands from Williams

beertons

Well done Williams, can't believe I dropped him from my fantasy team before kick off. Bugger.

Sherifu

Loving this!!!

themont85

Unreal flick there from Flutey for Williams try.

At this stage I think the Lions will win , SA aren't offering a lot, there I said it.

stackerman

How did Tommy not collect that
GREAT chip