Australia vs British and Irish Lions 2nd Test (Melbourne)

[ACT Crusader]

kind of weird that we seem to run out of puff at the 60min mark after having to string a few phases together for the first time in the game. I, a) would have thought there would be a lot in the tank and b) surprised they managed to close out the last 20.

There were some pretty long periods of play in that second half, with some end to end stuff. Both sides had plenty of players sucking in the big ones.

Just the whole atmosphere seemed to get the better of a few from both sides tonight.

Lions backline had a very tough night in attack. They were met with staunch defence, but Sexton didn't vary his game at all. Their backline is screaming for their big running inside backs in Roberts and Tuilagi to open up space for BOD to work his magic. BOD in attack hasn't been given the space or time which is a credit to OZ defence.

Already looking forward to the Sydney test.

 

[Bullrush]

Last week I commented straight after the match I thought we had seen a change in the set up with the runners having more effective close support. Scott Allen told me I was dreaming. Well on the back of today's test I have to say yes I was. On too many occasions the Wallabies runners were truly one out, other sides do NOT do this. There was a clear 2-3 seconds after the tackle before a support player arrives. Hence the turnovers. Now with the runners and particularly the running forwards nobody is running with the intent of fast attack from the run, no offloads (because it adds risk) no mini-mauls and drive, no pick and drive (at pace). It is set up to be ruck to ruck, one out runner to one out runner.

As for Deans no dropping passes etc etc. That has been the excuse for the entire time he has been coach. Considering the Wallabies rarely run a backline play it is shocking that they cannot maintain security of the ball in contact. What do they do at training?

Every guy (and girl) on here who has played the game knows this shit though. Every forward on these pages knows how to support the ball runner, protect the ruck, maintain possession etc etc. Same as the backs - they all know how to catch a ball, how to carry into contact e.g.. the basics.They do this week in and week out for their Super Rugby teams!! Are you saying that Robbie Deans actively coaches them to do the opposite in Wallaby camp?!?

Look at that absolute sitter that Beale dropped right when The Wallabies were starting to get some good momentum and pressure and field position. Is that RD's fault somehow?!? This was a game where opportunities were few and far between for both teams - that was one of them and I don't know how Robbie f**ked that up??

 

[biggsy]

Beale to 10, Folau to 15 and O'Connor to the wing. Tomane big question mark - did nothing.

Genia 9, cooper 10 ,JOC (James O'Connor) 12, Falou 13 ACC 11, Cummins 14 Mogg 15..

And Trust your forwards to be in your boots at all times

i'm Dreaming...


Still trying to find positives out of the 5min of the 80min we played. But i'm a C#$T... Can I say that here....

Really looking Forward to the Podcast this week. Matt and Scott have been doing a cracker job lately with the lions tour.... Well done lads

 

[Paradox]

Tomane big question mark - did nothing.

He cleaned up some shite ball and won collisions. What other back did anything other than Genia and Lilo with his kicking? Cummins is a good player as well.

We got belted at the breakdown. Hooper, Douglas, and Horwill were pretty ordinary. Palu stepped up I thought.

 

[ACT Crusader]

As for Tomane, he played exactly like he does for the Brumbies IMO.

That's what I said about Tomane. He seemed to be not phased by the occasion and what was happening and played his natural game.

 

[Paradox]

Genia 9, cooper 10 ,JOC (James O'Connor) 12, Falou 13 ACC 11, Cummins 14 Mogg 15..

You'd seriously drop Lilo ?

 

[fatprop]

That's what I said about Tomane. He seemed to be not phased by the occasion and what was happening and played his natural game.

He just needs to have the confidence to take more authority on kick receipt, that will come, I thought he was very solid and didn't look out of place

 

[jollyswagman]

Look at that absolute sitter that Beale dropped right when The Wallabies were starting to get some good momentum and pressure and field position. Is that RD's fault somehow?!? This was a game where opportunities were few and far between for both teams - that was one of them and I don't know how Robbie f**ked that up??

Yes, everyone drops a ball from time to time and it was a huge occasion with massive pressure - however - I would argue that these types of errors at critical points in the match are the hallmark of an underdone player who hasn't played a lot of footy lately. These are the errors that drive us all crazy at the start of the Super season. So it may be seven degrees of Kevin Bacon, but RD's influence is evidenced by the fact the he has selected a few underdone players in key positions. When he has selected an underdone player in the past he has also made the mistake of putting an inexperienced player beside them IMHO.

 

[Paradox]

Folau totally underutilised - what was Dean's game plan?

His game plan was not picking a genuine 10.

 

[jollyswagman]

You'd seriously drop Lilo ?

If it meant QC (Quade Cooper) got a run - heck yeah!

 

[Paradox]

If it meant QC (Quade Cooper) got a run - heck yeah!

You'd drop a 12 with ice in his veins for a 10? Mind you I'd prefer QC (Quade Cooper) at 10 with Lilo at 12.

 

[fatprop]

JOC (James O'Connor) will be 10 next week, they ain't gunna change it at this stage.

So we can spend all week bemoaning the fact or we can spend all week getting damned excited about what is to come

I will be taking option B

 

[ACT Crusader]

He cleaned up some shite ball and won collisions. What other back did anything other than Genia and Lilo with his kicking? Cummins is a good player as well.

We got belted at the breakdown. Hooper, Douglas, and Horwill were pretty ordinary. Palu stepped up I thought.

I think Douglas never really recovered after that 1st half knock. But he wasn't as effective.

Thought Hooper was pretty solid tonight. Geez there were a few rucks where he saved some ball on his own because other forwards were too slow.

Just watching through a bit of it now again and the Lions were red hot when the ball hit the deck. Their tight 5 played well around the ground I thought.

 

[biggsy]

You'd seriously drop Lilo ?

With out hijacking this thread Off the bench mate, But i like Cummins and ACC can finish.... Lilo was ok tonight, his kicking was fantastic.

 

[jollyswagman]

You'd drop a 12 with ice in his veins for a 10? Mind you I'd prefer QC (Quade Cooper) at 10 with Lilo at 12.

Yep, I would run JOC (James O'Connor) at 12.....or at least like to "experiment" with it. What we got right now sure as shit aint working. To be honest though I was just having a jab as I would like to see QC (Quade Cooper) back in the yellow jersey.......I take that back, can we just swap JOC (James O'Connor) for QC (Quade Cooper) - there's an original idea for ya!

 

[lewisr]

JOC (James O'Connor) will be 10 next week, they ain't gunna change it at this stage.

So we can spend all week bemoaning the fact or we can spend all week getting damned excited about what is to come

I will be taking option B

You're absolutely right and it makes me sad to think that will be the case...

I know I should be taking option B but watching a dysfunctional backline with a winger at flyhalf just makes me cringe...

How can the (supposedly) best coach in Australia not see that there is an issue with that selection? Is he legitimately that stubborn?

It just doesn't give you much faith in the decision making going on in the blokes head.

 

[Bullrush]

Yes, everyone drops a ball from time to time and it was a huge occasion with massive pressure - however - I would argue that these types of errors at critical points in the match are the hallmark of an underdone player who hasn't played a lot of footy lately. These are the errors that drive us all crazy at the start of the Super season. So it may be seven degrees of Kevin Bacon, but RD's influence is evidenced by the fact the he has selected a few underdone players in key positions. When he has selected an underdone player in the past he has also made the mistake of putting an inexperienced player beside them IMHO.

That's a massive bow you're drawing. Beale was very good last week, he has proven his value in the past and it would be hard to argue that there are many players available better than him. You'd start Mogg over him?

And it wasn't only Beale dropping the ball. There was Douglas dropped right before he got dragged that had me pulling my hair out........

 

[something]

Yeah that was almost my ideal backline that played tonight (except with cooper at 10 instead of JOC (James O'Connor), using JOC (James O'Connor) as super sub or wing)

how good is lilo though, just a player who is a joy to watch

 

[RoffsChoice]

Beale to 10, Folau to 15 and O'Connor to the wing. Tomane big question mark - did nothing.

This was basically his debut test and he looked as if he was struggling with the pressure of the situation. Give him 10 more and he'll be okay under pressure, 50 more and he'll be great.

 

[ACT Crusader]

JOC (James O'Connor) will be 10 next week, they ain't gunna change it at this stage.

So we can spend all week bemoaning the fact or we can spend all week getting damned excited about what is to come

I will be taking option B

You going to the test FP?

Deans is likely to only make forced changes because of injury. Not sure wht there is even talk of Cooper when he's not even in the squad. Seems strange. Unless of course the likes of JOC (James O'Connor), Beale, Lilo break down with injury during the week he may get a late call up. But even then he would be unlikely to make the 23 with the players they already have in the squad.

I will say I did like the look of the Gill/Hooper/Mowen trio at the close of the test. That last 20 was better with a lot less isolations. Although Gill seemed to turn into a nervous nelly in the dying seconds being extremely tentative with ball in hand twice in the lead up to that 1st penalty win to the Lions.