Wallabies v Lions Game 2 MCG 26 July

[noscrumnolife]

Lynagh is a good player with the skills to be a top 10. However, like every young half who isn't Dan Carter, his success at Test level will be dependent on a combination of selection consistency, environment, cohesion and frankly a bit of luck. The wallabies have been unable to provide that in a long time.

Fin Smith is a great example IMO. He has looked the bees knees at Northampton, where he is the main man in a great team and has been his whole life. Similarly has been bought in gradually to a more experienced consistent england environment with experience at the junior age group level.

However, he has looked well off the pace for the Lions I think, because that level of consistency and comfort isn't there.

The ability to succeed out the gate at the highest level without much preparation and a lack of comfort as a 10 only comes with talent and experience - think Russell, George Ford who can go in and out of England and his level never drops.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Are you suggesting that… we… are… Red?

Well the alternative was betting on black, which doesn't work either

 

[Tomthumb]

Lynagh is a good player with the skills to be a top 10. However, like every young half who isn't Dan Carter, his success at Test level will be dependent on a combination of selection consistency, environment, cohesion and frankly a bit of luck. The wallabies have been unable to provide that in a long time.

Fin Smith is a great example IMO. He has looked the bees knees at Northampton, where he is the main man in a great team and has been his whole life. Similarly has been bought in gradually to a more experienced consistent england environment with experience at the junior age group level.

However, he has looked well off the pace for the Lions I think, because that level of consistency and comfort isn't there.

The ability to succeed out the gate at the highest level without much preparation and a lack of comfort as a 10 only comes with talent and experience - think Russell, George Ford who can go in and out of England and his level never drops.

I agree, that’s the point. I’m not saying Lynagh won’t be really good one day, but expecting him to be ready to beat the Lions at this stage is unrealistic and why I’ve had such a bee in my Bonnet about it

 

[Tomthumb]

Well the alternative was betting on black, which doesn't work either

I think we are betting on double zeros at this stage

 

[Italophile]

Lynagh is a good player with the skills to be a top 10. However, like every young half who isn't Dan Carter, his success at Test level will be dependent on a combination of selection consistency, environment, cohesion and frankly a bit of luck. The wallabies have been unable to provide that in a long time.

Fin Smith is a great example IMO. He has looked the bees knees at Northampton, where he is the main man in a great team and has been his whole life. Similarly has been bought in gradually to a more experienced consistent england environment with experience at the junior age group level.

However, he has looked well off the pace for the Lions I think, because that level of consistency and comfort isn't there.

The ability to succeed out the gate at the highest level without much preparation and a lack of comfort as a 10 only comes with talent and experience - think Russell, George Ford who can go in and out of England and his level never drops.

I think that's right. Excellent for Saints, comfortable with established and talented backs around him. Looked good for England when Borthwick basically surrounded him with his Saints' mates. Now out of his comfort zone and it shows. Understandable, he's young and still pretty inexperienced. But talented.

 

[Wilson]

Then surely you start with Skelton and let him rip for 30-40 minutes

Maybe if the lions were a strong mauling team or we were sacrificing the territorial game we played that meant they never even got the chance. But without needing that particular point of difference from Skelton, I'd much rather have him come on early in the second where he can really change the game and bring his size to bear.

 

[Tomikin]

I stopped on page 5, but I think our best bet this week is getting Bobby V fit.. and let him go to work.. He did it against the Reds this year and a few others... We were losing the gamish.. or the ball carry.. and Bobby just said fuck this shit Im going up the guts.. and we can put that on them.. First Nations showed that.. Skelton and maybe LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) can help.. but really we need a dude who no one in the world can handle easy.. that's Just Bobby V.. I wish we could recruit Ardie, too.. but they are game changes.. and if Bobby V fires, we win...

 

[dru]

Maybe if the lions were a strong mauling team or we were sacrificing the territorial game we played that meant they never even got the chance. But without needing that particular point of difference from Skelton, I'd much rather have him come on early in the second where he can really change the game and bring his size to bear.

I don't follow this. Surely to toughen the ruck in drive through the middle and in D can only help the WB prospects where we were out-muscled. I'd be starting Big Skel and Valetini if fit. Then repeat the game plan but hopefully from a better platform.

 

[Tomikin]

I don't follow this. Surely to toughen the ruck in drive through the middle and in D can only help the WB prospects where we were out-muscled. I'd be starting Big Skel and Valetini if fit. Then repeat the game plan but hopefully from a better platform.

Yeah we arent out skilling them, but we have some boys who can probably out muscle them.. Skelton and Bobby V back... lets fucking ping the fluffybunnys lol

 

[emuarse]

If you really believe in your heart of hearts that he was treated the same as any other 17 year old and was brought across purely based on his absolute superior talent and athleticism I stand corrected. Please accept my sincere apology.
Maybe we scout the UK for more 17 year old exceptional talent that might be floating around.

I remember seeing him play in his first games for the Reds & I immediately thought to myself that this bloke is a natural flyhalf, even if the games were just trials.
And at his first start in a test, it had to be all up hill against a combined international forward pack that towelled our forward pack when he was on.
In the circumstances, he could have done far worse.

 

[wamberal99]

One of my neighbours is a Kiwi who is very knowledgable (he has been involved in coaching at a fairly high level). He thought Lynagh showed a lot of ability.

 

[A mutterer]

Tom lynagh and his foolsball are the devil!

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

One of my neighbours is a Kiwi who is very knowledgable (he has been involved in coaching at a fairly high level). He thought Lynagh showed a lot of ability.

Isn't every Kiwi who lives in Australia and AB trialist?

 

[Purce]

The more the hours trickle away the more I lean in to the idea of dropping Potter, bringing in Paisami and shifting JAS to the wing. FNP last night really highlighted the need to try and belt the lions where you can, and I was really really impressed by Paisami in that reds game in that aspect.

I also think that based on what we've seen, JAS would excel particularly against the Lions on the wing. Theyre going to pepper him with high balls he can handle, and he would be in a great spot to attack our own box kicks on his side of the field. I also think hes a fantastic finisher in open field space.

Nothing against Potter, think he's a fine young player, I just think this is the lineup we need to get more effective in the backs. Doubt Schmidt feels the same way unfortunately.

Edit: also lets Len move back to his position at 13 where he's arguably the worlds best, and I think Paisami matches up with Tuipolotu quite well.

Couldn't agree more. Said this a few pages back as well. I'd have Donno to start with white or Tate at 9.

Valetini, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Skelton into the pack/bench. Hooper and Langi on the bench.

Much better side for the lions challenge.

 

[Purce]

If those reports are true and we are trading centre injury coverage for an impact backrower to bring the team home, I'm in. Back the team to be lucky and get it done. There's no more chances after this game, may as well push it all in against Red

Agreed. If they are going 6/2 I would have thought donno to start and JOC (James O'Connor) on the bench.

Lynagh either starts or is out of the 23 imo if the other bench option is an experienced 10/12

 

[wamberal99]

Isn't every Kiwi who lives in Australia and AB trialist?

Every Kiwi I have ever met knows a lot about rugby. Another one of my neighbours told me once "every mother in New Zealand knows the Laws of the Game".

Maybe a slight exaggeration. But the chap I quoted about Lynagh is the real deal. He has told me things that only a rugby insider would known about.

 

[Major Tom]

Every Kiwi I have ever met knows a lot about rugby. Another one of my neighbours told me once "every mother in New Zealand knows the Laws of the Game".

Maybe a slight exaggeration. But the chap I quoted about Lynagh is the real deal. He has told me things that only a rugby insider would known about.

Ask him if he knows where offside is.

 

[drewprint]

LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto):

"He said he also took the attitude that he didn’t care about the celebrated status of the Lions players.
“I’ll be honest, I just don’t care,” the heavy lock said.
“I got a taste of them up against the Reds and I just knew that what they’re about means nothing to me, I just go out there and play."

Serious arousal. Get the man in the team. Not for this game, but I'm having dirty thoughts of him coming in all guns blazing in what is hopefully the deciding Test and gleefully wrecking people.

 

[Major Tom]

LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto):

"He said he also took the attitude that he didn’t care about the celebrated status of the Lions players.
“I’ll be honest, I just don’t care,” the heavy lock said.
“I got a taste of them up against the Reds and I just knew that what they’re about means nothing to me, I just go out there and play."

Serious arousal. Get the man in the team. Not for this game, but I'm having dirty thoughts of him coming in all guns blazing in what is hopefully the deciding Test and gleefully wrecking people.

Aura

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

If any player was daunted by the status of a jersey they should be dropped. Who gives a flying fuck about the title of the side you play. Good on him for saying that. I hope they all feel that way. Bunch of journos circle jerking about the BIL