Brumbies vs Lions, Match Thread

trouttrout

Lions to win by 15ish I reckon

Hippo

I think the Lions could lose here. Makey-uppey backline, and it's not that weak a Brumbies team.

Kiwi_knock

Lions by 10 to 15 points, will be close for a long while but the strength of the bench will help us win.

.ak

Backline is all over the place, but the pack is test standard.

trouttrout

Greenwood is so full of crap, his logic for starting Toby F: "He's class, never drops a restart and he knows Phillips inside out"

Teferi

Enjoyed the little interview with Shane Williams at the start there, always seemed like a sound lad.

.ak

Greenwood basically describing Heaslip's skills when describing Faletau, restarts, hands, work rate with the 9, link man...

NU8

The Lions backrow will surely dominate. Wade and Williams are both able to finish if nothing else. Think the Lions will win but it will be close.

Kiwi_knock

If you only want to play players who are familiar with each other, why do a Lions tour at all.

trouttrout

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

If you only want to play players who are familiar with each other, why do a Lions tour at all.

He's completely overstating how important a nines relationship with an 8 is anyway. Plus Heaslip and Phillips are well acquainted in that regard anyway

Tox56

trouttrout wrote: »

Greenwood is so full of crap, his logic for starting Toby F: "He's class, never drops a restart and he knows Phillips inside out"

They've pidgeonholed Heaslip as this guy who runs out wide and isn't the man for the tight stuff.. when that's pretty much all he's been doing for Leinster over the last 2 years, and been doing pretty well.

Really lame generalisations, Faletau plays tight - Heaslip plays wide, Croft plays wide - put Faletau in = balance. The best thing about Heaslip is that he is so versatile, he'll play how you need him to play depending on the make-up of the backrow

bilston

trouttrout wrote: »

Greenwood is so full of crap, his logic for starting Toby F: "He's class, never drops a restart and he knows Phillips inside out"

While I don't think he would be right starting Felatau I also don't think he is full of crap. I know it's a risky business to be advocating the selection of an Englishman, Welshman or Scotsman on here but other opinions are available.

Anyway it could be a tight one this. This is the first time I've actually thought that there is a chance the Lions might lose, I think we'll do it but possibly by less than 10.

irishbucsfan

Heaslip's completion rate at the breakdown is 4-5% higher than Faletau. Having Warburton might excuse Faletau's dodgy breakdown technique but I honestly have no idea why you'd pick Faletau. He's been outplayed in every area by Heaslip and there is no tactical argument for his inclusion.

I really think it'll be Heaslip. I don't know how people can say he has a higher work rate than Heaslip with a straight face. Especially people who can see the stats.

Kiwi_knock

Well they were also saying how good Lydiate has been, for someone that has played the most minutes of the backrow he has been pretty anonymous.

Tox56

Interesting to see SOB doing all the chat in the dressing room, didn't see him as much of a talker

trouttrout

SOB speaking in the dressing room, never would have him down as the type!

Kiwi_knock

Scott Sio is a good player, does some rampaging runs.

sydthebeat

trouttrout wrote: »

SOB speaking in the dressing room, never would have him down as the type!

Noticed that myself, he seems very pumped up for this

garv123

Zebo to come on for half an hour and fcuk sh1t up is my prediction

Swan Curry

Quite the ronnie on Colby Fainga'a.

Grimebox

Can't help but let out a laugh at seeing Williams at 14 there

stackerman

youngs pushing for test position ??

Phillips has it Nailed

shuffol

Tox56 wrote: »

They've pidgeonholed Heaslip as this guy who runs out wide and isn't the man for the tight stuff.. when that's pretty much all he's been doing for Leinster over the last 2 years, and been doing pretty well.

Really lame generalisations, Faletau plays tight - Heaslip plays wide, Croft plays wide - put Faletau in = balance. The best thing about Heaslip is that he is so versatile, he'll play how you need him to play depending on the make-up of the backrow

Funnily enough it was the same 4 years ago, Barnes didnt have Heaslip in his touring squad as he felt he was just a poor mans Parisse, opted for Nick Easter instead.

Buer

trouttrout wrote: »

SOB speaking in the dressing room, never would have him down as the type!

I know why he'd give that impression but he's quite vocal. He was captaining Leinster at 23 and was always well able to speak up for himself in the huddles.

Tox56

bilston wrote: »

While I don't think he would be right starting Felatau I also don't think he is full of crap. I know it's a risky business to be advocating the selection of an Englishman, Welshman or Scotsman on here but other opinions are available.

Address the actual points rather than the old "green tinted glasses" routine. Greenwood promotes Faletau and then goes on to list some of Heaslip's best qualities to support his case, and includes his relationship with Phillips as if it will be relevant even though Heaslip
started all 3 tests with him in 2009 and started beside him just last week

bilston

shuffol wrote: »

Funnily enough it was the same 4 years ago, Barnes didnt have Heaslip in his touring squad as he felt he was just a poor mans Parisse, opted for Nick Easter instead.

A poor mans Parisse would still be quite some player!

Leslie91

C'mon Seanie!!, put it up to Gatland the blinker F.

.ak

I don't know if the other lads can understand him tho.

.ak

Is their hooker so good they named him twice?

bilston

Tox56 wrote: »

Address the actual points rather than the old "green tinted glasses" routine. Greenwood promotes Faletau and then goes on to list some of Heaslip's best qualities to support his case, and includes his relationship with Phillips as if it will be relevant even though Heaslip
started all 3 tests with him in 2009 and started beside him just last week

Thanks for your advice on how to post. I'll bear it in mind in future.

As for what Greenwood was saying I have no idea, I'm not watching it. I was actually saying that TT was wrong to say Greenwood is full crap because I think he is a good analyst. If you also read my post I also say that Heaslip should be starting.

irishbucsfan

Good man Wade!

stackerman

Grimebox wrote: »

Can't help but let out a laugh at seeing Williams at 14 there

I wouldnt think the likes of Trimble are laughing :mad:

.ak

Nice work from Wade. Hope he gets to stretch his legs....

fitz

Tox56 wrote: »

Interesting to see SOB doing all the chat in the dressing room, didn't see him as much of a talker

Was really impressed with his comments the other day about those not selected as Test starters needing to keep the standards up...
It's funny how a given tour can be the making of a player, taking them on another step...a bit like Donncha Ryan at RWC2011. He came back from that with a fire in the belly and really kicked on.

Maybe this Lions tour has brought the talker out of SOB.
I expect a massive game from him today.
He'll be looking to make a very big point.

.ak

Williams looking electric there.

Tox56

sydthebeat wrote: »

Noticed that myself, he seems very pumped up for this

Last time he played he was almost too up for it initially, he went ploughing into people at full speed and forgetting about technique, which is often less effective. Hopefully he keeps a cool head today and doesn't try too hard

Buer

Was that Tipuric that turned that over? Watching a poor feed but I genuinely thought that was Wade!

stackerman

Come on Best, get these lineouts right, give yourself a fighting chance

Nice start

Lelantos

stackerman wrote: »

I wouldnt think the likes of Trimble are laughing :mad:

Nothing to do with Trimble, can't make a full strength Irish team, not within an ass' roar of lions material

trouttrout

Kearney was lucky there

.ak

Tipuric is so good at reading the game.

.ak

Buer wrote: »

Was that Tipuric that turned that over? Watching a poor feed but I genuinely thought that was Wade!

The first turn over? It was Wade.

stackerman

Rob very lucky not to turnover that one

.ak

Poor from Hogg and Kearney.

irishbucsfan

Oh dear

Kiwi_knock

Bit of a mess in defence there

garv123

ah crap

KERSPLAT!

Christ

trouttrout

Awful defense from Wade, probably the reason he wasn't on the tour in the first place

Tox56

Kearney blowing his chance early on

stackerman

Rob . . .!