British and Irish Lions vs Melbourne Rebels, 25th June 2013, Sky Sports 10.40am

tbm

I'm listening on the radio and it really sounds like SOB is trying too hard and making mistakes. I'd be gutted for him if he doesn't get a test jersey.

bilston

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Was that Lydiate or OBrien? Commentators said O'Brien and have confused me!

Unfortunately it was SOB, watching it on my phone so like you was initially confused!

lologram

spank_inferno wrote: »

Is Gray any better than Toner? I'm not sure he is.

I wouldn't say so, Toner may even be the better player. Remember people discussing whether Leinster should have signed Gray before the start of last season? I'm really glad they didn't after the season he's had.

stackerman

spank_inferno wrote: »

Is Gray any better than Toner? I'm not sure he is.

Neither up to this level

sydthebeat

irishbucsfan wrote: »

On evidence of rugby of rugby played this season, no. Toner should dye his hair.

By the looks of grays roots, I think he does already...

Maybe this is richies crap rugby playing black haired twin??

Pudsy33

I think Seanie has made a few errors that'll cost him. I'd also be concerned Jamie's place is under threat.

Swan Curry

"Both second rows have been outstanding..." No Paul,no they haven't.

shuffol

Deleted User wrote: »

Lydiate with a good break but a big spill

Was SOB but I think he was suffering after a bang on the head in a tackle a few mins before, immediately pulled off his scrumcap and looked a bit wobbly on his feet.

sydthebeat

Pudsy33 wrote: »

I think Seanie has made a few errors that'll cost him. I'd also be concerned Jamie's place is under threat.

Not if toby plays a full eighty.

However if he goes off, and sob moves to 8, it's quite possible

lologram

Swan Curry wrote: »

"Both second rows have been outstanding..." No Paul,no they haven't.

Lazy second row is out standing in the field.

bilston

Buer wrote: »

Ian Evans, Maitland, Faletau and Tuilagi probably the beneficiaries of that half.

Murray and SOB have gone well but have made some fairly prominent errors which will weigh heavily against them. SOB spilling the ball there and his penalty conceded. Murray one or two sloppy pops and kicking ball out before the hooter sounded.

Kearney has done little. Dealt with what he had to but not forcing his way into anything.

Zebo has got his hands on the ball but a few errors have possibly ended any hopes of his shot at the 23 jersey.

Would agree with Evans, Maitland and Tuilagi, while Lydiate has gone about his business well doing what he usually does. Not so sure about Faletau though.

Murray did have one or two sloppy moments at the end but I thought Barnes was well off the mark with his comment about how he wasn't playing well.

Buer

Pudsy33 wrote: »

I think Seanie has made a few errors that'll cost him. I'd also be concerned Jamie's place is under threat.

I'll eat my hat if Heaslip isn't one of the first names on the team sheet at the weekend.

Rebels are a pretty poor side. All that has been done tonight is that Gatland will feel more confident in his bench selections for the first test.

Lydiate has been everywhere in defence. Ridiculously so. 11 tackles already. Maitland has been very slick too in anything he has done.

19543261

That second try was better than both Cuthberts and Norths on every level.

Kayless

Pudsy33 wrote: »

I think Seanie has made a few errors that'll cost him. I'd also be concerned Jamie's place is under threat.

Jamie will keep his place, he was up there for MOTM last weekend

Lelantos

Couldnt be bothered watching sky, Aus tv commentators singing the praises of SOB, Murray & Maitland

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

It will be an absolute disgrace if SOB isn't involved in one of these tests. He made one or two mistakes, but the guy has been everywhere

Toby F, Maitland, Farrell, Tualagi and Lydiate going very well too

Stuart Barnes is simply insufferable. If he thinks Murray is playing badly I'd hate to see what he thought of Phillip's performance last week

Buer

There's a real case now for Lydiate starting this weekend on a shut down mission against Genia. He has been excellent in the first half. Croft is the man on the bench too so Lydiate could well be coming off shortly.

Buer

Ian Evans has absolutely nailed down the bench spot too going on this evening.

cityman 18

Ya Barnes really doesn't like Conor Murray for some reason, i think he's been pretty good. SOB is trying everything but making one or two handling errors. He has been impressive as well though.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Oh and how anyone saying Richie Gray should go in for the second test is in need of a head checking. I'd actually agree that Toner is probably a better player, and I'm no fan of Toner, but Gray is useless

Tox56

Lelantos wrote: »

Couldnt be bothered watching sky, Aus tv commentators singing the praises of SOB, Murray & Maitland

Aussies really really rate SOB, a fair bit more than UK media

Swiwi.

MattD wrote: »

Maitland has been going well so far here, easily the best out of the back 3... The bastard...

Bloody Kiwis!

.ak

Tox56 wrote: »

Aussies really really rate SOB, a fair bit more than UK media

That's because he's worth having in your 15, regardless of the few mistakes, he'll make you yards, tackle, and cause teams to go backwards all day.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Well done Murray, not a word out of Barnes...funy that

garv123

SOB down

irishbucsfan

Some turnover from Murray

Buer

Looks like the end of SOB's tour tonight....

.ak

How's SOB looking? Can't see, on radio.

stackerman

****e
SOB

leakyboots

Great turnover by Murray, SOB down injured

NU8

Buer wrote: »

Looks like the end of SOB's tour tonight....

I don't think so. He was just stunned. Still, not what you want to see.

Spudmonkey

Seanie down.... ****....

.ak

TBH Lydiate and SOB should be taken off, let Croft and Tipuric do the 2nd half.

sydthebeat

Seanie up

stackerman

Compressed neck by the look of it. Took the tackle on the top of the head

Would need to be bad for him to go off. Knows that would be his chances gone if he did

garv123

head first into the tackle probably had him stunned a bit is all.

Sean O'Brien wears a scrum cap for other people's safety.

leakyboots

Lydiate - 14 tackles
Gray in second - 10 tackles

captbarnacles

Melbourne Rebels

ffs Gray. He joins the back of the maul and doesn't even push

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Lydiates tackling technique is just so good

irishbucsfan

.ak wrote: »

TBH Lydiate and SOB should be taken off, let Croft and Tipuric do the 2nd half.

I think we might see Croft come on for Evans and play in the 2nd row. And Tipuric on for Lydiate.

garv123

Out of the frying pan into the line out is definitely not how the saying goes.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Seanie is really frustrated

19543261

Wait, what has Grey done so dreadfully poorly? He's passed a little, covered rucks, tackled...?

NU8

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Seanie is really frustrated

He needs to stay calm. He's trying way too hard!

Tox56

Buer wrote: »

There's a real case now for Lydiate starting this weekend on a shut down mission against Genia. He has been excellent in the first half. Croft is the man on the bench too so Lydiate could well be coming off shortly.

Have to agree, it would seem like a defensive move but Mowen was all over Phillips and played a big part in the latter's abysmal performance, we shut down Genia we go a long way to shutting down Oz.

Dave_The_Sheep

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Seanie is really frustrated

Understandable. He offloads in the tackle, someone fails to catch it, he's in for an almost-certain try and the pass is ****e. It must feel like he's not getting a chance to show what I can do, however the reality might be.

JRant

SOB being heavily used in the lineout and doing well. Could be a good sign for the weekend.

leakyboots

Delicious kick from Farrell

finally!

And a good pass from Lydiate too. Might only be the 4th his thrown this year!