B&I Lions v Wallabies, Match Thread, Sat June 22, 1105am

Swiwi.

Time to kick-off



B&I LIONS V QANTAS WALLABIES

Date:Saturday June 22
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 8.05pm AEST (11.05am UKST, 10.05 GMT)
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Romain Poite (France)

British & Irish Lions: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 George North, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sam Warburton (c), 6 Tom Croft, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Alun Wyn Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Tom Youngs, 1 Alex Corbisiero.

Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Makovina Vunipola, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Geoff Parling, 20 Dan Lydiate, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Sean Maitland.

Australia: 15 Berrick Barnes, 14 Israel Folau, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Christian Leali'ifano, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 James O'Connor, 9 Will Genia, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Ben Mowen, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.

Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 James Slipper, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Liam Gill, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Pat McCabe, 23 Kurtley Beale.

After much ado about not nothing, the real Lions series finally begins. So much figurative paper has been used discussing the multitude of combinations, tactics and selections, and finally we are there! And after 80 minutes or so (with 20 minutes for scrum collapses etc) at Suncorp, we will know whether Gats is onto a winner or not.

For the Lions the selection is fairly predictable, with most debate centering around the bench. The merits or lack thereof of Lydiate & Maitland and the omission of Sean O’Brien have caused the most angst on this forum.

For the Wallabies, the main issue is at 10, where JOC is essentially untested at the highest level, and his performance, along with that of the Wallaby tight 5, may well determine his team’s chances.

The Wallabies will have pored over the Lions’ displays to date, and expect them to play a more expansive game than they have done in the last season or 2. Israel Folau with ball in hand can be a thing of beauty.

The Lions will clearly favour their setpiece, particularly at lineout time, and any kickable penalty is likely to be punished by the Leigh-meister, who has been impeccable to date on this tour.

The bench will be important, where the Lions have Vunipola and Parling in particular, while the Wallabies have Gill and Beale.

Look for this to be a closely fought game with a single figure victory to either side.

May the best team win, and may we be insatiated at the end of the game, craving more action in the subsequent weeks to come!

Grimebox

Feck sake, I'm not getting any work done today...

trouttrout

I think the Aussies are going to win the test and the series. Just think Gatlands game plan is far too predictable and the likes of Cuthbert/Davies/Phillips are just too error prone to not cough up scores to what is an intimidating Aussie backline, for the first time in years boasting a midfield to match it's back three

JOC's performance at 10 will be crucial

.ak

Wallabies by more than 7

I think Maitland is the right call for the bench. Lydiate and Youngs is incorrect imo.

totallegend

Wallabies by more than 7

.ak wrote: »

I think Maitland is the right call for the bench. Lydiate and Youngs is incorrect imo.

Can I respectfully request that we park the "OMG what is Lydiate doing there" discussion on this thread and just focus on the actual game?

Make yourself useful, .ak, and add a poll!

The Lions are three-point favourites (10/11) with Paddy Power, or 8/13 for the outright win.

trouttrout

totallegend wrote: »

Can I respectfully request that we park the "OMG what is Lydiate doing there" discussion on this thread and just focus on the actual game?

Make yourself useful, .ak, and add a poll!

The Lions are three-point favourites (10/11) with Paddy Power, or 8/13 for the outright win.

Agreed, much and all as I disagree with the selection it could ruin the thread

toomevara

Wallabies by more than 7

Guys, I know I'm revealing my leftie, sandal wearing, be-bearded side while also revealing myself to be an utter pedant (yes, as you might imagine, the ladies can't keep away) but the 'Quantas' wallabies? Really? And there was me thinking they represented the nation of Australia as opposed to a bleedin airline...please, please, please remove it from the thread title, if only to make an old, pedantic, commie a tad less miserable....no pasaran..ahem...

.ak

Wallabies by more than 7

toomevara wrote: »

Guys, I know I'm revealing my leftie, sandal wearing, be-bearded side while also revealing myself to be an utter pedant (yes, as you might imagine, the ladies can't keep away) but the 'Quantas' wallabies? Really? And there was me thinking they represented the nation of Australia as opposed to a bleedin airline...please, please, please remove it from the thread title, if only to make an old, pedantic, commie a tad less miserable....no pasaran..ahem...

I'm sorry, but boards.ie sponsorship rules mean we must keep it in the title... :pac:

Grimebox

What does 8/13 outright win mean? I'm not a betting man

If they played 21 matches, the lions would win 13 of them?

Gambas

Lions by less than 7

So its a ferry company versus an airline? Airline wins.

durkadurka

Can we not call them Australia?

totallegend

Wallabies by more than 7

Grimebox wrote: »

What does 8/13 outright win mean? I'm not a betting man

If they played 21 matches, the lions would win 13 of them?

Sorry no, it means Paddy Power will pay out 8/13 on a Lions win of any margin, i.e. a €10 stake would win you (€10 x 8/13) = €6.10 profit plus your initial stake of €10 would be returned.

The handicap bet gives you better odds but if the Lions were to win by 1, 2 or 3 points, you would not collect anything. If the Lions win by four or more, a €10 stake would win you (€10 x 10/11) = €9.09 profit plus your initial stake returned.

So if you think the Lions will romp it, go for the handicap bet, if you think it will be very tight, go for the outright win option.

irishbucsfan

Gambas wrote: »

So its a ferry company versus an airline? Airline wins.

Well I suppose it would technically be HSBC versus the airline if we were doing it properly!

toomevara

Wallabies by more than 7

durkadurka wrote: »

Can we not call them Australia?

Well personally I cant wait 'til O2 Ireland take on Admiral Wales in the Aviva Stadium in IMF Dublin next year...Nurse! Nurse!..its time for me meds!!

jank

Wallabies by more than 7

Lions by 4 I think. Can't wait for this. Heading up to it on Saturday morning. Hopefully I will have memories that will last a life time. Another BOD master class please.

Grimebox

toomevara wrote: »

Well personally I cant wait 'til O2 Ireland take on Admiral Wales in the Aviva Stadium in IMF Dublin next year...Nurse! Nurse!..its time for me meds!!

IMF Dublin :P

chris85

toomevara wrote: »

Well personally I cant wait 'til O2 Ireland take on Admiral Wales in the Aviva Stadium in IMF Dublin next year...Nurse! Nurse!..its time for me meds!!

It is more like the O2 Leprechauns V Admiral Dragons

Looking forward to the fixture now in the morning. Great to see POC make the starting XV after such a tough season for him with injury.

Fireball07

Wallabies by more than 7

So, final numbers in the starting 15:

8 Welsh, 4 Irish, 3 English


In the 23:

10 Welsh, 8 English, 4 Irish, 1 Scottish


The Welsh are the current 6N champions, I suppose.

Gambas

Lions by less than 7

Fireball07 wrote: »

So, final numbers in the starting 15:

8 Welsh, 4 Irish, 3 English


In the 23:

10 Welsh, 8 English, 4 Irish, 1 Scottish


The Welsh are the current 6N champions, I suppose.

Grand slam, a six nations and a 4th place in the wc in the past two seasons. Probably more significantly, when the chips were down in winner takes all games they beat Ireland in the WC and England to with the six nations. Can't argue with that really.

thomond2006

durkadurka wrote: »

Can we not call them Australia?

Wallybees?

GiftofGab

Wallabies by more than 7

Just looking at their wingers. They really are big and powerful. They're lacking a bit of agility thou. Both love to get their hands on the ball. Ioane could do with more tries. He's been involved in alot of play this season but I reckon he needs more tries for the way he was playing. AAC has been hot and cold all season. Some games he's been brilliant, some games he just faded. I'm not convinced with JOC at outhalf. He's wasted there. He's not a 10. He takes the ball too much into direct contact rather than use the players outside him and control the game. He's offloading ability is top class.

The Lions will certainly target their scrum. Have to say if Pockock and higginbotham were fit, I would have backed Oz for the first test. Oz biggest weakness is their lack of depth. By the 3rd test, I would expect too many battered bodies to put up a decent fight.

People seem to forget the Oz have an unbelievable record at Suncorp stadium. It's an extremely difficult place to come away with a win. Great tactics for ARFU to hold the 1st game there.

WorldRugby99

Gambas wrote: »

Grand slam, a six nations and a 4th place in the wc in the past two seasons. Probably more significantly, when the chips were down in winner takes all games they beat Ireland in the WC and England to with the six nations. Can't argue with that really.

on the other hand you could well argue they are inconsistent and havent beaten a team of real calibre- 8 losses in a row between six nations titles and no wins v nz,saf,aus for years. Question marks do still remain particularly when games get tight v the big SH teams-do they have the temperament,the mental strength and the quality?

With australia being lightweight at 10-12,im sure they will be very glad there will be no tuilagi running at them,and you wonder having seen cuthberts performances will they send runners his way to test him,his defense a possible weakness.Lions may have north,but minus bowe and tuilagi,you do wonder if lions backline has enough x factor to trouble the aussies.
that said aussies not played since december-lions have to win this first game you feel or its series over as aussies will improve you suspect.i dont know who will win.aussies backline is class,but need parity up front.genia key man of series for me-his brilliance could win it.

subfreq

Lions by less than 7

I have gone Lions by more than 7 as I think they have a 9 point start on this game.

I'm happy with deans selection but I think it's going to take Australia a game or two to get rolling. History tells a recent story of poor starts to the Winter International season and I think that combined with the Lions ability to replace the forwards en-masse in the last quarter should see them home.

Gatland has done his best to even things up with poor selections IMHO, they could have a much better back row and bench to really put this first test out of sight.

Buer

I'm thinking the Lions 6-10 points purely based on their scrum possibly being stronger and having a guy who is in the form of his life off the tee. Leigh Halfpenny could be the winning of a Lions tour. I think we'll see a very physical and tight game but the Lions to work over Australia at the breakdown with more players who can make an impact there.

It's unpopular but I think we're going to see Warburton have a massive game. I don't think any one player is going to go out there wanting to prove a point more than him.

Dave_The_Sheep

Buer wrote: »

It's unpopular but I think we're going to see Warburton have a massive game. I don't think any one player is going to go out there wanting to prove a point more than him.

I don't think people dislike Warburton, but rather they don't see him as the form player. I certainly don't. I'd love for him to do an absolute number on the Aussies on Saturday, if he played all three games and played complete stormers, that would be great. He should be completely psyched for it too.

We all might disagree on certain players, but now that they're in, we don't want them to fail just to prove anyone right.

Teferi

Buer wrote: »

It's unpopular but I think we're going to see Warburton have a massive game. I don't think any one player is going to go out there wanting to prove a point more than him.

I don't think anyone wants him to have a bad game, I agree with you to a certain extent about the big game thing - it's clear to see he has been picked on the back of a hope and a prayer that he has a big game.

But what if he doesn't?

Swiwi.

Dan Lydiate

toomevara wrote: »

Guys, I know I'm revealing my leftie, sandal wearing, be-bearded side while also revealing myself to be an utter pedant (yes, as you might imagine, the ladies can't keep away) but the 'Quantas' wallabies? Really? And there was me thinking they represented the nation of Australia as opposed to a bleedin airline...please, please, please remove it from the thread title, if only to make an old, pedantic, commie a tad less miserable....no pasaran..ahem...

Just to be even more pedantic and because its an Aussie themed Lions series, it's Flip-Flops not sandals...

Teferi

Le vieux renard wrote: »

Just to be even more pedantic and because its an Aussie themed Lions series, it's Flip-Flops not sandals...

It's thongs actually!

Swiwi.

Dan Lydiate

Teferi wrote: »

It's thongs actually!

Not where I come from, but a quick google search has proved you are in the right! Bravo Teferi.

Tox56

I'm the same as the above on Warbs, on-form he is the player we need against the Aussies almost more than any other one player, I absolutely want him to have a stormer and I think we need him to

Buer

I do think there's an element of schadenfreude regarding Warburton. People generally want him to have a belter but there's a definite element, I think, that is waiting for him to screw up and hit "Submit" on their pre-typed "I told you so" post.

corny

Dan Lydiate

Australia by more than 7. Their backs will ensure they score more than we do.

Bogota

People forgot that on the last Lions tour there were similar questions about POC's place in the starting team. Hopefully Warburton can get up to speed.

Kiwi_knock

North up against Folau will be some contest.

I thought O'Connor could cost Australia the series but have changed my mind. The presence of Lealiifano and Barnes will help him, as they can both step into the 10 channel. Also if it does not work, they have 3 players that can go to 10.

Tox56

Buer wrote: »

I do think there's an element of schadenfreude regarding Warburton. People generally want him to have a belter but there's a definite element, I think, that is waiting for him to screw up and hit "Submit" on their pre-typed "I told you so" post.

Ah whatever happens there is someone who said it would, that's the nature of these forums. If we lose people would say we should have started Vunipola instead of Corbs, or that we should have had Lydiate/SOB ahead of Croft, Faletau ahead of Heaslip etc. The only players maybe exempt are Halfpenny, BOD, Sexton, North and POC. Where there are close selection decisions this will always happen

Tox56

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

North up against Folau will be some contest.

I thought O'Connor could cost Australia the series but have changed my mind. The presence of Lealiifano and Barnes will help him, as they can both step into the 10 channel. Also if it does not work, they have 3 players that can go to 10.

I'd expect a few high balls down North's wing. I'll never forget Nacewa comfortably out jumping him to score for Leinster against Scarlets earlier this year and this Folau fella is supposed to be a demon in the air, that would be a big worry

jank

Wallabies by more than 7

GiftofGab wrote: »

Just looking at their wingers. They really are big and powerful. They're lacking a bit of agility thou. Both love to get their hands on the ball. Ioane could do with more tries. He's been involved in alot of play this season but I reckon he needs more tries for the way he was playing. AAC has been hot and cold all season. Some games he's been brilliant, some games he just faded. I'm not convinced with JOC at outhalf. He's wasted there. He's not a 10. He takes the ball too much into direct contact rather than use the players outside him and control the game. He's offloading ability is top class.

The Lions will certainly target their scrum. Have to say if Pockock and higginbotham were fit, I would have backed Oz for the first test. Oz biggest weakness is their lack of depth. By the 3rd test, I would expect too many battered bodies to put up a decent fight.

People seem to forget the Oz have an unbelievable record at Suncorp stadium. It's an extremely difficult place to come away with a win. Great tactics for ARFU to hold the 1st game there.

Didn't I read somewhere that the lions never lost a game there? Something has to give.

runman

Lions by less than 7

My prediction Lions by 7+

1. Lions set piece wins out scrum and line out

2. JS Vs JOC... James o connor takes too much ball into contact, causing turnovers. He then tries to make up for it by offloading/passing in dangerous areas causing even more trouble... Sexton makes all the correct decisions kicks passes and runs when required.

3. 1/2p vs whatevever kicker Oz choose... 1/2p wins

4. Back row battle... 50/50 no winners or losers. Warburton does ok.

5. Wallabies go insane demanding the return of cooper afterwards.

6. Lydiate plays 20 mins, does fine and SOB doesnt make the bench for the second test

7. MOTM sexton

Cant wait for this test.

.ak

Wallabies by more than 7

Buer wrote: »

I do think there's an element of schadenfreude regarding Warburton. People generally want him to have a belter but there's a definite element, I think, that is waiting for him to screw up and hit "Submit" on their pre-typed "I told you so" post.

Maybe. But when the talent in the backrow is so good you really want to see the guys who've been performing so well over the past 3 months get their deserved spots. Warburton has been leap frogged ahead of his team mates in this case, and it's just plain not nice to see! Maybe that's sentimental but so be it.

Having said that, I really hope he does well, for the Lions sake and his own confidence, because when he performs he's a beast in the tight.

P_1

jank wrote: »

Didn't I read somewhere that the lions never lost a game there? Something has to give.

In fairness I think they have actually only played the one game there

Birroc

Lions by less than 7

I am rarely wrong and here are my predictions.

Lions will beat Australia comfortably with O'Connor at 10 being the main reason. Score 23-13.
O'Driscoll to play well but get injured.
Cuthbert to badly miss a tackle leading to an Aussie try
Scrums to be messy but equally penalised. Lineouts to be dominated by Lions.

Swiwi.

Dan Lydiate

In light of fraternal comments expressed on The all new and only slightly recycled off topic thread, may I propose that those who so wish and will be watching the Test at home (because it would look fr*ck*ng weird in a pub) observe a minute's silence before kick-off for our fallen posters JustinDee, Swiwi and Fishooks 1-14. One might even go so far as to wear a black armband, although if this hot weather continues a shirt might be optional (once again not in the pub though), and an armband thus annoyingly sweaty and chafing to sensitive skin.

sydthebeat

Wallabies by more than 7

Buer wrote: »

I do think there's an element of schadenfreude regarding Warburton. People generally want him to have a belter but there's a definite element, I think, that is waiting for him to screw up and hit "Submit" on their pre-typed "I told you so" post.

The australians coughed up 13 turnovers in their 14-12 win last year....
The way they play is high risk and will result in giving up some ball, so I expect warburton to make a real nuisance of himself and turn over some ball. In ways this game is set up for him and he should have a good game, all things considered.

However if he spends the day standing at the back of rucks and doesn't slow ball and disrupt..he will be rightly criticised

Kanrith

Birroc wrote: »

O'Driscoll to play well but get injured.

Why did you have to go and say that, you cursed him now.

sydthebeat

Wallabies by more than 7

Its not much of a leap...

Bod very always plays well...
And lately he always gets injured

100% commitment or nothing

Kanrith

It's strange, how when there is an Ireland match I'm normally not too worried about injuries, but when any Irish players get tackled in a lions match, always worried they won't get back up.

Swiwi.

Dan Lydiate

Kanrith wrote: »

It's strange, how when there is an Ireland match I'm normally not too worried about injuries, but when any Irish players get tackled in a lions match, always worried they won't get back up.

Yes, what Genia tackles God heals. Watch out for the Black Panther.

Glass Prison 1214

Wallabies by less than 7

This Lions team seriously lacks powerful ball carriers in the pack, one of SOB or Vunipola really should be starting.

bamboozle

i've gone from very confident of a 3 nil series win to hopeful cause of all the injuries, i cant see BOD last 3 tests, if Sexton gets injured we're goosed. Cuthburt will be targeted by the speed and agility of Iaone. Though oz should be undercooked for first test, hopefully Bowe and Roberts will be available for second which will add serious grunt to our backplay.

cant understand why the versatility of SOB and his impact off the bench has not seen him selected ahead of lydiate.

playing Croft sees us conceding some of our dominance up front as he hangs out wide and it also will see us taking on oz in a broken field game...which will surely suit them, i'd be much happier with lydiate starting and sob on the bench and proper tactics of outmuscling them upfront.

Finally, bringing 2 outhalves on tours was a bizarre decision, even with the subsequent injuries how Hook or Madigan have not been called up is crazy.

JRant

I think saying all Croft does is around on the wings is very unfair to be honest. A similiar accusation is thrown at Heaslip and it's just not true. You don't play week in week out for that Leicester team if you're only doing the fancy stuff.

I think it's a great achievement to come back from a career threatening injury and regain previous form. He took a knock to the head early in the tour and bounced back with a great display next time out.

Digifriendly

Wallabies by more than 7

Tom Croft is world class IMHO and fully deserves his place. He can break tackles and is in a rich vein of form recently including scoring tries. I do agree re SOB on the bench though.