Wallabies v Lions Game 2 MCG 26 July

[ACT Crusader]

If Tizzano was hamming it up, I take my hat off to him because he certainly has better game awareness than many players. There he was competing vigorously for the ball but also have in his mind the fact that the game is on the line and that he could bring about a famous Wallabies victory by acting like he was shot in the head.

Ben fatto, signore

 

[Rebel man]

It won't get us the series back but I think it's important to get clarification either way. In this instance if it were shown to be wrong there would be intense media interest in that and it would place a huge focus on the Sydney test - not only is that a good thing in terms of viewership, but if we were to win that we could then claim a moral 'series victory' of sorts. Actually, it would be critical we win if WR (World Rugby) (World Rugby) find in our favour.

Nobody cares about the third test it’s a dead rubber and if world rugby finds in our favour it doesn’t help us at all.

Nobody cares different to saying but if Beale didn’t slip we win 2-1

 

[Super Hooper]

SA or NZ put that game to bed easily. We suck. Imagine being 23-5 up and still losing a series decider. Blokes are gutless.

The Lynagh's knock-on after Wright's try was a KEY moment. If he had received the ball and kicked it as far as possible, WBs would have won the game. He gave them life when they were dead, and they took advantage of their chance

 

[TSR]

The Lynagh's knock-on after Wright's try was a KEY moment. If he had received the ball and kicked it as far as possible, WBs would have won the game. He gave them life when they were dead, and they took advantage of their chance

You’re probably right. It’s not like the Lions had many experienced test players in their squad capable of regaining composure and taking back the momentum of the game themselves.

 

[bhim]

If Tizzano was hamming it up, I take my hat off to him because he certainly has better game awareness than many players. There he was competing vigorously for the ball but also have in his mind the fact that the game is on the line and that he could bring about a famous Wallabies victory by acting like he was shot in the head.

Ben fatto, signore

A lot of the people saying Carlo was playing it up to milk a penalty were the same ones saying that Lynagh should have stayed down after getting taken out by Curry in the air

 

[Backintheolddays]

Lunching with a former Wobbly back with a decent rugby brain. Some thoughts from him are a little left of center.
Forwards in first 35min were amazing, best performance in 30 years. But fell away badly. 9 & 10 were fine.
Thought center pairing was an experiment worth trying given lack of alternatives but hasn't really worked. Critical of passive defence and JAS inexperience where he was defending "inside out" rather than "outside in". Thought the Bundee break created doubt and trust in inside defence. Very critical, which was not on my radar, of Max J in defence. Not missing tackles per se, but being wrong positionally to put pressure on those around him. Will need to rewatch to understand context further. The passive defence gave up to much easy ground and they were getting 10-15m over advantage line whether they went wide as opposed to be met.
Disappointed but indifferent to the penalty on fulltime - such is the interpretative nature of the laws of rugby.
Now back to the beers.

 

[Tomthumb]

The Lynagh's knock-on after Wright's try was a KEY moment. If he had received the ball and kicked it as far as possible, WBs would have won the game. He gave them life when they were dead, and they took advantage of their chance

Yeah, Lynagh isn’t ready for this level yet. But on the plus side these are all growing moments that will hopefully make him ready in a couple years for the World Cup. Same with Suualli

 

[Dan54]

I not in anyway getting into decision on last tackle/ruck, but I have one question. Why did Ikitau sit back on heels and not come forward and tackle Keenan?

 

[ACT Crusader]

Lunching with a former Wobbly back with a decent rugby brain. Some thoughts from him are a little left of center.
Forwards in first 35min were amazing, best performance in 30 years. But fell away badly. 9 & 10 were fine.
Thought center pairing was an experiment worth trying given lack of alternatives but hasn't really worked. Critical of passive defence and JAS inexperience where he was defending "inside out" rather than "outside in". Thought the Bundee break created doubt and trust in inside defence. Very critical, which was not on my radar, of Max J in defence. Not missing tackles per se, but being wrong positionally to put pressure on those around him. Will need to rewatch to understand context further. The passive defence gave up to much easy ground and they were getting 10-15m over advantage line whether they went wide as opposed to be met.
Disappointed but indifferent to the penalty on fulltime - such is the interpretative nature of the laws of rugby.
Now back to the beers.

The Lions have numerous bodies in motion once they move the ball from first receiver. It has created a lot of confusion in the provincial matches as well as the two tests.
It’s borderline obstruction but nonetheless very effective in putting doubt into the defensive line but also creating space out wide.
Agree Jorgensen was caught in no man’s on at least 3 occasions I recall.

 

[Tomthumb]

I not in anyway getting into decision on last tackle/ruck, but I have one question. Why did Ikitau sit back on heels and not come forward and tackle Keenan?

Laurie Fisher

 

[TSR]

I not in anyway getting into decision on last tackle/ruck, but I have one question. Why did Ikitau sit back on heels and not come forward and tackle Keenan?

Just looking at it he seems to be retreating quickly to get onside as the ball comes and, at that point, is caught a bit. He does come forward but then tries to balance to make a good shot. I think a decent amount of credit needs to go to Keenan for having good enough speed and footwork to get him on the outside.

 

[Yoda]

Yeah, Lynagh isn’t ready for this level yet. But on the plus side these are all growing moments that will hopefully make him ready in a couple years for the World Cup. Same with Suualli

I agree, although he'll get better. As will Donaldson with more starting chances.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I not in anyway getting into decision on last tackle/ruck, but I have one question. Why did Ikitau sit back on heels and not come forward and tackle Keenan?

He's exhausted. 80mins in, 2mins of 13 phases. After defending on both sides of the field multiple times in that section, he was also heavily cleaned out in the tackle before the Tizzano one.

 

[Joe Blow]

JOC (James O'Connor) would have been good on the bench. His defence is very good these days. The bench was not right pretty much across the board.
Some food for thought moving forward. Valetini and Skelton will be better for the run.
I thought Lynagh made a couple of crucial errors in this one but he will also learn a lot from it.

It’s just where we are at the moment. Cannot fault the effort and commitment of anyone in the 23. It was mammoth but we just fell short. Very disappointing for us the fans and I an sure devastating for the squad.

 

[noscrumnolife]

Watching the game back have to give kudos to N Frost. Someone I and others have been quite critical of. He had a quiet blinder doing the job almost single-handedly at the lineout and lots of subtle but big plays on both sides of the board. Him and Skelton make a good pairing.

 

[dru]

Looking back, I'm thinking that was the entertaining game of rugby I have seen from the Wallabies in probably 10 years.

I'm looking forward to the third test. I also have to say that I respect the vibe that BIL fans bring. And of course their money.

I'm normally right up there with Derpus over depression with Aus rugby and the Wallabies. But right now I'm simply enjoying it.

 

[Heavyd]

Geez Harry Wilson is a class act. Outstanding words during post game interview with emotions still raw.

 

[Sword of Justice]

No one seems to be really discussing the fact that we left a player on the bench for the full 80 despite how exhausting that match was. Or did I miss it in my malaise last night? Seemed critical to me.

 

[Super Hooper]

You’re probably right. It’s not like the Lions had many experienced test players in their squad capable of regaining composure and taking back the momentum of the game themselves.

That's what I mean when I said: "They took advantage of their chance"

 

[Heavyd]

Nobody cares about the third test it’s a dead rubber and if world rugby finds in our favour it doesn’t help us at all.

Nobody cares different to saying but if Beale didn’t slip we win 2-1

The dead rubber will have plenty of spice. Chance to play for for both teams.