Brumbies vs Lions, Match Thread

matTNT wrote: »

I don't, that sounds bad but I hope Zebo takes his place, otherwise I fear we will be stuck with Cuthbert and a half fit North for the entire series, I hope Zebo has a cracker and a fully fit North returns for the second and third tests with Zebo and they're the wings that could win a tour.

First Up wrote: »

I thought he injected pace and purpose today but that was such a dreadful three quarter line to start almost anyone would have shown up well.

shuffol wrote: »

Speaks volumes IMO that the pundits team is essentially the one they would've gone with pre-tour but for injuries, they've aready made their minds up on a lot of players and are using dumb logic to try justify their selections. i.e. Faletau's workrate, Heaslip operates in wider channels.

Rightwing wrote: »

Sky ratings:

15 Rob Kearney

The Ireland international was the pick of the back division as he proved he is back to full fitness. He consistently looked to get the Lions on the front foot, making 12 carries. Kearney also kicked well, chased hard and was solid in defence but lacked the support of others. 7
14 Christian Wade

It was a tough introduction for the England winger after flying in from Argentina. He had a couple of half-breaks and went looking for work but was exposed for the only try. He coughed up possession too easy. 5
13 Brad Barritt

Defensively the England centre was solid but he was completely anonymous in attack. That wasn't entirely his fault as the new arrival got hardly any ball to play with, however unlikely to see him involved in the Tests. 4
12 Billy Twelvetrees

Twelvetrees will be counting the bruises after he was thumped hard and driven back several times. He wasn't helped as the ball was so slow in reaching him and the fact he made 2m from nine carries sums up his night. 4
11 Shane Williams

There was no dream cameo for the former Wales winger, who was called into the squad for just this match. He started well enough but quickly faded as the Lions backs failed to gel. 5
10 Stuart Hogg

The Scotland full-back was brutally exposed in the No 10 jersey by the experienced Brumbies. At fault for the try, Hogg also kicked badly, was slow to distribute and ran far too much ball. There is a strong argument he paid the price for the failure to pick three fly-halves. 3
9 Ben Youngs

The England No 9 started lively enough but could do little to turn the tide behind a faltering pack. He desperately tried to boss the forwards but lacked that usual spark as the Lions struggled. 6
1 Ryan Grant

The Scotland prop had been mentioned as an outsider for the Test team but based on this performance he is nowhere near. The Lions set piece was a mess until the replacements arrived while he was then pinged for a needless flare up with Scott Sio. 4
2 Rory Best

The Ireland hooker's initial omission from the squad was seen as controversial - however on this performance perhaps the Lions management were right. His lineout throwing was woeful, the scrum stuttered and he made little ground with the ball in hand. 3
3 Matt Stevens

Another player who struggled to make an impact. The Lions scrum looked better when the front row was changed while he was virtually anonymous in the loose. Was a shock inclusion in the squad and it is easy to see why. 3
4 Ian Evans

Part of a disappointing performance from the Lions pack. He struggled to build a connection with Best at the lineout and lacked the work-rate of fellow second row Riche Gray in the loose, while Geoff Parling had more of an impact of the bench. 5
5 Richie Gray

Like Evans and Best he cannot escape criticism of a dreadful lineout dispay, however he did at least disrupt the Brumbies throw and snaffle two of their balls. He was also busy in defence, making seven tackles. 6
6 Sean O'Brien

It says a lot about the Ireland flanker that despite having his worst performance on the tour he was still one of the Lions' better players. He tackled hard and showed plenty of dog at the breakdown but failed to make an impression with the ball in hand. 6
7 Justin Tipuric

Arguably the pick of the Lions side, the Wales flanker seemed to be one few players up for the fight in the first half. He was the top tackler and managed to turn over the ball well. However he is unlikely to oust Sam Warburton from the Test team. 7
8 Toby Faletau

The Wales No 8 has been involved in a battle for a Test place with Jamie Heaslip and he did his cause no harm. He made 16 carries as he looked to get the tourists over the gainline. He also put in a good shift defensively as he grew into the game. 7

Ardillaun wrote: »

Should JW and (gulp) Delon Armitage be out there?

.ak wrote: »

How many did he give up? I count 2. One was an incorrect call from the ref. That's unfounded criticism.