Lions 2013 Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Teferi · 11-07-2013 01:41PM

Buer wrote: »

The Lions were the better side over the three tests. They won the series which is all they wanted to do.

From where I'm standing the Lions were the better team in one test. Australia lost the first test more than we won it and the second test was about equal.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 11-07-2013 01:43PM

You only have to look at the highlights of the reds game to see how Cooper bossed the Lions around when he had the ball, and making a holy shambles of Cuthbert in the process

He would have been so much better than JOC at 10

Buer · 11-07-2013 01:45PM

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

You only have to look at the highlights of the reds game to see how Cooper bossed the Lions around when he had the ball, and making a holy shambles of Cuthbert in the process

He would have been so much better than JOC at 10

He also missed simple kicks, turned over possession repeatedly and missed tackles. He gave the vintage QC performance veering from superb attacking play to being a complete liability.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 11-07-2013 01:48PM

Buer wrote: »

He also missed simple kicks, turned over possession repeatedly and missed tackles. He gave the vintage QC performance veering from superb attacking play to being a complete liability.

Ya but JOC's inability to actually play at 10 is far worse than that imo

The Austrlians needed his distribution, even at the cost of his defensive frailties

JagerScout · 11-07-2013 01:50PM

THE axing of Brian O’Driscoll from the Lions team for the final test match was the ‘wrong decision’ according to Irish lock and fellow Lions tour member, Paul O’Connell.

Speaking with Ray D’Arcy on Today FM, O’Connell was emphatic on whether or not it was the right decision, while admitting a ‘bias’ towards the Irish star.

“I was shocked and disappointed,” O’Connell told D’Arcy.

“After playing so long with him, you end up being a bit of a fan. I wouldn’t say it took the gloss off it (the Lions test victory) a little bit for me… but it probably did.”

O’Connell, who stayed on to help with coaching on the tour after he suffered a broken arm in the first Test victory over the Wallabies, added that ‘it felt wrong’ to see a fit O’Driscoll wearing a suit on match-day.

“It’s a shame he wasn’t out there. Even going on the bus with him. I was injured and there were other guys resigned to the fact that they weren’t on the team – it just felt wrong that he was on the bus with the non-playing [squad] not in the 23. It just felt wrong.”

With many tipping O’Connell to be Irish captain when he returns to fitness, the 33-year-old’s feelings on the subject of O’Driscoll were raised again when D’Arcy asserted that the nation’s record try-scorer ‘wouldn’t have let anybody down.’

“It wouldn’t even be a case of letting anyone down; Brian would have been one of the best players on the pitch. That’s just the way it is," O'Connell replied.

“I thought Brian was playing well. If you look at the first two Tests there wasn’t a whole lot of quality ball given to the back-line.

“Apart from George North, who had a ball kicked down his throat and created an unbelievable try there wasn’t [sic] any backs that stood out. So it’s hard to fathom the logic behind the decision, certainly from my point of view.”

Brian O’Driscoll and the rest of the Irish members of the British and Irish Lions arrived back in Dublin Airport yesterday.

speaking sense

Buer · 11-07-2013 01:57PM

Teferi wrote: »

From where I'm standing the Lions were the better team in one test. Australia lost the first test more than we won it and the second test was about equal.

They got their game plan completely wrong in the second test and deservedly lost.

They were the better side in the first test. Australia missing some kicks doesn't change that. Australia didn't convert kicks but the Lions failed to take anything from several visits to the Australian 22. They controlled possession and territory overall especially in the first half and were a couple of inches from putting a big gap between the sides when North grazed touch.

Hagz · 12-07-2013 12:48AM

I don't know if this has been posted already but I found it quite interesting.

http://www.dailyedge.ie/lions-australia-third-test-ian-madigan-980112-Jul2013/

.ak · 12-07-2013 07:21AM

Hagz wrote: »

I don't know if this has been posted already but I found it quite interesting.

http://www.dailyedge.ie/lions-australia-third-test-ian-madigan-980112-Jul2013/

Gattyball would be the complete opposite of Maddyball, per se.

BBDBB · 12-07-2013 09:10AM

Buer wrote: »

It's an underrated one. I thought the involvement of Dawson was very interesting in particular. His comments which made him a pariah with the coaching staff and then his redemption against the Brumbies. He showed a huge amount of character on that tour. Completely idiotic for the article but really did come across well, I thought.

I'm not sure if it was on the extras of in the main feature but, whilst Healey is clearly the clown of the squad, I got the impression he was not popular at all with the other players. I think it might have been Hendo who passed comment on him that he was just a pain in the arse.

It's frightening how good BOD was though when he came on the scene. He simply scythes through the Wallaby defence repeatedly and played with no fear at all. The chip and catch in the build up to Back's try in the second test was brilliant.

Im good friends with someone who was on the coaching staff of a club that Healey played for, (vague enough? )

He said he was "sh*t stirring little b*stard", a real pain in the ass to all around him. "If ever there was a problem, amongst the squad, he was always in the middle of it"

who_me · 12-07-2013 02:51PM

Teferi wrote: »

From where I'm standing the Lions were the better team in one test. Australia lost the first test more than we won it and the second test was about equal.

Probably- though after South Africa where the Lions were probably the best side (by a margin) in 4 of the 6 halves of Test rugby and still lost, I think they'd be blissfully happy with any kind of series win. Even if it included lots of Aussie injuries, perhaps mis-selections, lots of poor kicking etc.

who_me · 12-07-2013 02:56PM

Lelantos wrote: »

Eh? No it wouldn't. It would probably stop Zebo from playing a test though

My point was it could have lost Murray a place - if they weren't aware of Zebo's call to kick it out. It was initially a tight selection between Youngs and Murray for the bench spot, and towards the end of the tour it was marginal between Philips and Murray for the starting spot. Very risky from Zebo.

Buer · 12-07-2013 03:00PM

who_me wrote: »

My point was it could have lost Murray a place - if they weren't aware of Zebo's call to kick it out. It was initially a tight selection between Youngs and Murray for the bench spot, and towards the end of the tour it was marginal between Philips and Murray for the starting spot. Very risky from Zebo.

I tend to agree. All funny in hindsight but bit of a stupid thing to do at the time. I doubt CM was able to see the funny side for a couple of hours. He was roundly criticised at the time for making such a basic error. Zebo might have known he was almost certainly not going to appear on tour again but Murray had everything to play for.

.ak · 12-07-2013 03:02PM

who_me wrote: »

Apologies if already posted but... Zebo phones from Aus, demanding to be Munster captain

I remember that moment in the game, and thinking that was a bit sloppy from Murray. Something like that could be enough to get you dropped out of the Test squad.

That is hilarious.

.ak · 12-07-2013 03:03PM

Buer wrote: »

I tend to agree. All funny in hindsight but bit of a stupid thing to do at the time. I doubt CM was able to see the funny side for a couple of hours. He was roundly criticised at the time for making such a basic error. Zebo might have known he was almost certainly not going to appear on tour again but Murray had everything to play for.

In fairness all the coaches new about the prank, hence the 'fine' apparently. So I don't think it would've effected him.

Buer · 12-07-2013 03:21PM

.ak wrote: »

In fairness all the coaches new about the prank, hence the 'fine' apparently. So I don't think it would've effected him.

Obviously they were filled in after but, at best, it just made Murray look silly in a big match.

The coaches can have a giggle and say "Yeah, one of his team mates told him to stick it out". Behind closed doors they could well be saying "Why doesn't our scrum half know what's going on without having to be told by some random shout from someone on the field?"

I don't think it had any impact on selection given it was a done deal in Gatland's head but it did make CM look pretty stupid.

Hagz · 13-07-2013 08:52AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb_8lFrrdSA

Micky Dolenz · 13-07-2013 02:18PM

I see Sexton is back in France next week to start preseason training. Must be wreaked.

CatFromHue · 13-07-2013 02:27PM

Buer wrote: »

It's an underrated one. I thought the involvement of Dawson was very interesting in particular. His comments which made him a pariah with the coaching staff and then his redemption against the Brumbies. He showed a huge amount of character on that tour. Completely idiotic for the article but really did come across well, I thought.

I'm not sure if it was on the extras of in the main feature but, whilst Healey is clearly the clown of the squad, I got the impression he was not popular at all with the other players. I think it might have been Hendo who passed comment on him that he was just a pain in the arse.

It's frightening how good BOD was though when he came on the scene. He simply scythes through the Wallaby defence repeatedly and played with no fear at all. The chip and catch in the build up to Back's try in the second test was brilliant.

Just remembered Keith Wood's drop goal attempt in the last min of the first test

stpaddy99 · 13-07-2013 04:47PM

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

I hope they lose. Sorry but I actually do, that may be petty but this is the straw that broke the camels back for me (and I think Phillips over Murray is just as bad a call)

It's been an awful insipid joyless tour and I don't believe teams should be awarded for playing ultra conservative rugby, especially with players capable of doing so much more in the squad

Add to that the amount of players on that team not dealt a fair (include Grant and Hogg in that too) hand and I don't give one **** if the Lions win or lose, I just want our lads back playing in green/red/blue. Petty I know, but I don't care

what disgraceful comments, shame on you ...and of course you turned out to be hopelessly wrong...of course you wont learn anything from it

stpaddy99 · 13-07-2013 04:50PM

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

I'm not surprised. What has surprised me is the giant media **** fest over what was a very poor tour, won by a team playing boring rugby against a very average poorly coached Aussie side

Not to mention the amount of players screwed over by "Gatty"

Oh but they won don't ya know, so all the above is just begrudgery

youre not a lions fan , you were supporting Australia so what do you care?

Lelantos · 13-07-2013 04:51PM

Looks like the Lions aren't the only ones looking to get fed!

Means Of Escape · 13-07-2013 04:54PM

CatFromHue wrote: »

Just remembered Keith Wood's drop goal attempt in the last min of the first test

They need to give more points for drop goals.
It's a skill shot that needs to be rewarded more and would up the ante in the game .

stpaddy99 · 13-07-2013 04:56PM

so about from this ugo money traitor who else on here was supporting Australia?

Hagz · 13-07-2013 04:58PM

Can't agree with that. rugby would become a snore fest if drop goals are worth more.

Hagz · 13-07-2013 04:59PM

stpaddy99 wrote: »

so about from this ugo money traitor who else on here was supporting Australia?

Why don't you sieve through the thread and let us now. We're all very interested to find out.

stpaddy99 · 13-07-2013 05:12PM

Hagz wrote: »

Why don't you sieve through the thread and let us now. We're all very interested to find out.

sarcasm is the lowest form of wit....were you supporting Australia too?

Hagz · 13-07-2013 05:23PM

stpaddy99 wrote: »

sarcasm is the lowest form of wit....were you supporting Australia too?

No. I was supporting the Lions. But I didn't have a strong emotional attachment to the game. I'm not really emotionally invested in the Lions. It's a great spectacle and I find it very entertaining, but the outcome isn't hugely important to me if I'm honest.

.ak · 13-07-2013 05:30PM

Hagz wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb_8lFrrdSA

Try of the tournament for me has to be BOD's, linking up with Tuilagi. The work that Sexton does and Tuilagi's line off it is mesmeric. Such a pity that combination wasn't used for the tests. I think they would've butchered the Australians, especially in the 2nd test when the game was crying out for a clever midfield.

.ak · 13-07-2013 05:31PM

stpaddy99 wrote: »

so about from this ugo money traitor who else on here was supporting Australia?

Give it a rest.

stpaddy99 · 13-07-2013 05:33PM

.ak wrote: »

Try of the tournament for me has to be BOD's, linking up with Tuilagi. The work that Sexton does and Tuilagi's line off it is mesmeric. Such a pity that combination wasn't used for the tests. I think they would've butchered the Australians, especially in the 2nd test when the game was crying out for a clever midfield.

great try I agree, but that wasn't try of the tour, try of the tour in terms of teamwork was halfpennys created by man of the match Jonathon davies
north scored the individual try of the tour.

Lions 2013 Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

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