Finally, for the third time in 20 days, my health will be seriously threatened by a rugby match, tomorrow at lunch time here in Italy.
I can say, finally, because the waiting is what's really killing me!
I haven't read the match-threads here, due to the little time I have, I'm gonna say a few things that surely have already been said.
Just 5 thoughts on this last match.
First
I'm a big Liam Gill fan. He's one of the smartest player I've ever seen, and I think he could become a new Richie McCaw... and obviously I'm gutted for him, because honestly he didn't do nothing to be dropped for the showdown.
But I'm also a big George Smith fan, and if Gill had to be dropped, let be the 110-test cap veteran the responsible of that omission. It's hard to accept, but I trust this Deans choice.
The mind game RD is playing is not just only
"Hey Lions look, while I'm selecting a rugby legend, your coach has dropped the most experienced and cold blooded man in your team."; the mind game he's playing is firstly with his young, a bit unexperienced, but extremely enthusiastic side.
He's said to the Wallabies:
"You're gonna play alongside with a legend. I trust him and I trust you, because you're all up to the task. He's a legend, you all could become legends" and I'm sure that if there's a man that can lift the boys performance tomorrow, is George Smith himself!
Second
They are big as mountains. They will come harder and harder. Because it's the only thing left to them, as they have no other plans but hammering all time, playing for 1/2c's foot.
And despite the Wallabies won't have the same phisicality of them (who would?!), I'm not too worried.
This Lions are going to play exactly like the Springboks, almost with the same type of players in the same key spots: a non-fetcher 7, great scrummagers in the XV with high-workrated players to come later, big straightners in midfield, a hitman to take kicking duties.
Wallabies has already successfully challenged this kind of teams, also recently in 2012 (Springboks, England).
Nothing to be worried too much!
Third
Lions n. 13: I've already written it in the comments to some articles here in the past, especially when BOD picked up injuries last year.
The best thing that can happen to the Wallabies attack is the Lions selecting Jonathan Davies in the starting XV.
I've read many analysis here on his abitilies in defence, creating
"blitz defence" to stop the attack out wide, and I've always contested it.
Jonathan Davies is an istinctive and ill-disciplinated defender, because he doesn't do an actually organized
"blitz defence", he just uses to be attracted by the ball carrier, leaving the defensive line and opening big gates.
He did in RWC 2011 bronze final (Barnes try); he did in 2012 6N a couple of times; he did in june 2012 series against the Wallabies and a couple of times he has been explored (unfortunately without a try).
Again, he did it 7 days ago.
He didn't trust BOD, he's got drawed by O'Connor, leaving a fucking
Brandeburg Gate in front of Adam Ashley-Cooper!!
Jonathan Davies is not a bad tackler, he's a terrible defender, which is much better!!!
By that time I've thought:
"We won't see him anymore; with Roberts returning, say bye to some midfield holes"
When I read about BOD dropping I wouldn't believe. I couldn't.
So, I hope Dingo has noted it, and with every single good front foot ball, throw V2-Bomb in that channel!
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) of course, but also Beale and Tomane, and please the alien in n. 14 jersey!
Fourth
I'm worried by the 6-2 split with no outside centre cover. I don't want to imagine who's gonna be stuck there if AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) should be replaced.
Fifth
Again, to every Wallabies supporter reading here who will attend the match in Sydney: shout your soul out!
Make sure the Lions fans will be silenced, shout louder, shut them up!!!!
They could be the B&I Lions.
WE ARE GOLD!
Let's fucking do this.
So I could take heart pills for the rest of my life!
