Waratahs v British & Irish Lions - Saturday, 5 July @ SFS

[LeCheese]

Would be interesting to see the ball in play stats for this one, as well as most phases strung together

 

[HJ Nelson]

Well done Tahs

 

[Linerunner2023]

Farrell won’t be happy but might like the fact they had a side with a 7 make life difficult all night. Don’t want/need blow outs before Tests.

Not too many of the Lions did themselves any favours, but Mitchell has absolutely locked up that backup halfback spot for the first test. He was electric tonight.

Agree the only lions player that looked good was Mitchell
Maybe jones at 13 as well but he may be the 4th centre atm for the lions

 

[Uh huh]

Geez I hope they pick van der Merwe on Wednesday. Big fast lad who makes good metres, but let's be honest, in defence he turns like the facken Ruby Princess. Corey Toole is going to snap his ankles clean through.

 

[PhilClinton]

I am genuinely pumped for the Au/NZ game.

Will be interesting to see the side the Lions roll out against the Brumbies. Wouldn’t be surprised to see a similar team to tonight.

 

[Marbig]

First game the Lions have played where they’ve actually been better in the set piece then their opposition.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

That was actually quite enjoyable.

No doubt will end up being the weakest Lions side that plays but still impressive none the less.

Add it to the tally!

Also the least test players of Aus sides…

 

[Super Hooper]

If meritocracy exists, Gamble should go straight into the Wallabies starting line-up and Kellaway should be dropped from the squad

 

[Marbig]

Geez I hope they pick van der Merwe on Wednesday. Big fast lad who makes good metres, but let's be honest, in defence he turns like the facken Ruby Princess. Corey Toole is going to snap his ankles clean through.

Tahs really shut him down, he often breaks the first tackle but I don’t think he got past them once.

 

[molman]

I am genuinely pumped for the Au/NZ game.

Will be interesting to see the side the Lions roll out against the Brumbies. Wouldn’t be surprised to see a similar team to tonight.

AUNZ game players will be well short on time together. Some definite class, but it will be interesting to see if they gel quickly or not.

 

[Uh huh]

If meritocracy exists, Gamble should go straight into the Wallabies starting line-up and Kellaway should be dropped from the squad

If meritocracy existed, Kellaway wouldn't need to be dropped because it would've already happened last year.

 

[Wilson]

Agree the only lions player that looked good was Mitchell
Maybe jones at 13 as well but he may be the 4th centre atm for the lions

A few of the others looked good - both centres were strong and Schoeman had the wood over Tupou at scrumtime, when the other starting props they've run have struggled, Mitchell was very much a standout though.

 

[PhilClinton]

AUNZ game players will be well short on time together. Some definite class, but it will be interesting to see if they gel quickly or not.

Oh yeh 100%, it’s a BaaBaas game with narrower selection parameters. But the player quality is there to break the game open.

 

[Aussie D]

If meritocracy exists, Gamble should go straight into the Wallabies starting line-up and Kellaway should be dropped from the squad

You rate him better than McReight and Tizzano? Also think Rory Scott is ahead of him in the queue. Kellaway has been poor all year so tonight was not unexpected

 

[molman]

Oh yeh 100%, it’s a BaaBaas game with narrower selection parameters. But the player quality is there to break the game open.

True and a few ex/potential Wallabies who will hopefully have a good crack.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Tahs showed that you have to take the space quick. They are a thrown together side so can be slightly out of position. if you let them get easy front foot ball you’re done.

Push up then to the sidelines.

 

[Marbig]

Did anybody at the ground happen to catch a crowd figure?

Edit: 40,568 according to Rugby AU, great to see. Was hoping they might break the Allianz record but not to be.

 

[PhilClinton]

If meritocracy exists, Gamble should go straight into the Wallabies starting line-up and Kellaway should be dropped from the squad

Gamble easily MOM tonight but you can’t make that call when McReight and Tizz haven’t played under the game conditions against that side.

I called him prime McCaw earlier and partly that’s because he played the ref so well. Hard for even the best jackals to get 4 turnovers in a game but Williams was keen to give the ruck a bit of free for all. It probably balanced out over the game.

I’ll die on the Joey Walton (Walsh) hill though not being paid in any other game as a Tahs penalty.

 

[molman]

You'd have to consider bringing him into the squad (35) and then see how the other boys are tracking/fair. Hopefully competition pushes standards, so what's not to love.

Now, if only we just had more Props pushing for higher honours.

 

[Wilson]

I reckon Marcus Smith must be filthy Fin has been getting the chances at 10 ahead of him. He's looked out of his depth (or at least all at sea in the system) and now Farrell's come in there's every chance he'll be the default back up.