Crusaders v Lions match thread

irishbucsfan

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Don't know why Howley looks so happy. Pack and halves have delivered a huge platform but no shape or composure in attack at all.

Losing Hogg and Davies early arguably could have had a lot to do with that. But then again it's Howley

sting60

Stuart Barnes there are more than just English players with Murray having a blinding second half.The pack were just awesome.

dregin

Holy ****ing Emmerdale Farrell, bat man!

Sephiral

Murray might be the most important tourist. Webb and Laidlaw are nowhere near him.

All the Irish lads put up their hands. George and Kruis too. Saracens plus Furlong tight five for the test team. Sexton's hands under pressure are really amazing; with a better attacking structure outside him, Lions would have ripped it up tonight.

MattD

Centres and back 3 really just look at sea in defense and attack no matter the combination really. Nothing excessively bad, but the fact that the Lions 8 is regularly the big threat with ball in hand isn't great.

North wasn't awful, but you'd really hope he'd do more with the amount of joy Murray was getting with his box kicks.

Payne at 15 with Watson and Williams/even Seymour need a go.

irishman86

irishbucsfan wrote: »

is their scrum normally this much of a liability? Or maybe the standard of the opposition might be playing a part...

The standard of opposition include South Africa and Argentina front rows.

shuffol

I think that's the template for a test victory, keep it tight, strong defense with Murray putting them in the right parts of the pitch.

Sexton looked a different player to recent weeks, I think the lack of kicking duties took pressure off him and he really imposed himself on the game. He's one of the few Lions backs capable of sizing up a defense and picking the right option.

Tigerandahalf

Serious need to look at Watson at full back. There is always a guy who steps up a level on tours and he looks really good.

Attacks the space in front of him and doesn't crash into defenders. Badly need flair in the backline.

Was Sexton or Teo at 13? Sexton looked really good out wise. Passing was really good. The need for the 2nd playmaker suits his style and he has better vision than Farrell. Can he take the hits at 12?

Henshaw looks out of the picture now.

ScrubsfanChris

How I wish Zebo could be on the end of those Murray box kicks, would put up a bigger challenge for the ball then any player out there did today.
Made look better by the Crusader players dropping a few.

awec

shuffol wrote: »

I think that's the template for a test victory, keep it tight, strong defense with Murray putting them in the right parts of the pitch.

Sexton looked a different player to recent weeks, I think the lack of kicking duties took pressure off him and he really imposed himself on the game. He's one of the few Lions backs capable of sizing up a defense and picking the right option.

Lions will need to score tries to beat the all blacks.

connemara man

Good to see a win but the lions aren't beating the all blacks through penalties alone. Irish lads all played well. Murray will be starting 9 for the tests. I wouldn't be surprised to see Farrell at 10 seemed to have better go forward ball with how flat his passing was. Outside that though there seems to be little spark.

MattD

A pack of Vunipola George Furlong Itoje Kruis O'Mahoney Warburton Faletau/Stander looking very tasty right now.

Yourself isit

awec wrote: »

Lions will need to score tries to beat the all blacks.

Or stop NZ scoring and win with penalties. That's how I interpret the rules anyway.

BBDBB

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Serious need to look at Watson at full back. There is always a guy who steps up a level on tours and he looks really good.

Attacks the space in front of him and doesn't crash into defenders. Badly need flair in the backline.

Was Sexton or Teo at 13? Sexton looked really good out wise. Passing was really good. The need for the 2nd playmaker suits his style and he has better vision than Farrell. Can he take the hits at 12?

Henshaw looks out of the picture now.

Whilst that's true about Watson it glosses over his passing which is more than a little ropey

I wouldn't be writing off anyone at this stage, it would be foolhardy to do so the way the tour often goes regarding injuries

irishbucsfan

awec wrote: »

Lions will need to score tries to beat the all blacks.

Yeah, I question if we have the outside backs to play Sexton/Farrell from the start. But great option to finish out games.

Clegg

MattD wrote: »

A pack of Vunipola George Furlong Itoje Kruis O'Mahoney Warburton Faletau/Stander looking very tasty right now.

Think you have to put SoB in for PoM.

Badabing

Will o'brien play again on Tuesday? Needs game time

SlickRic

Yourself isit wrote: »

Or stop NZ scoring and win with penalties. That's how I interpret the rules anyway.

It's an impossible game if you're relying on the All Blacks not scoring tries.

shuffol

awec wrote: »

Lions will need to score tries to beat the all blacks.

I think that's the template they'll go for but I'm not expecting a test victory unless conditions are very bad for one of the games.

They missed a trick not bringing Ringrose tbh.

Yourself isit

SlickRic wrote: »

It's an impossible game if you're relying on the All Blacks not scoring tries.

Dont the crusaders have 8 or 9 AB starters?

Anyway I thought that was a really excellent performance in about 80% of the facets of the game, the other 20% obviously being getting over the white line. Lions were in control of that game for the whole thing. Actually created a number of really good try scoring chances none of which were taken, for either the wrong option being taken (Farrell big skip pass), stupid mistakes (CJ knocking on) or trying to be too clever (not just taking the ball and mauling it from a 5m lineout).

Lot of positives there. We can't be too far off the test side there, maybe 16 or 17 of the 23.

awec

Yourself isit wrote: »

Dont the crusaders have 8 or 9 AB starters?

They won't play like today when playing for the All Blacks.

Ireland beat NZ by having a go and putting tries on the board. Ireland did the same thing in 2013 when they came close.

If the Lions keep it tight and try suck the life out of the game and win with penalties they will lose. The All Blacks will score tries.

Buer

Will watch it back but Murray, Farrell and Faletau are nailed on test starters now I would imagine.

Buer

Yourself isit wrote:

Dont the crusaders have 8 or 9 AB starters?

No, not that many and they were missing a couple of them. Still a very strong line up from them though.

awec

Buer wrote: »

Will watch it back but Murray, Farrell and Faletau are nailed on test starters now I would imagine.

100%. I think today was pretty close to the test team but I am still not convinced by the outside backs. The back three is a problem because it has been fairly mediocre so far, Anthony Watson aside.

Boscoirl

I thought falateau went missing for parts of the game. And when SOB tracked back after the 10 in the first half, while TF got back here he looked disinterested in getting involved.

ThisRegard

Del.Monte wrote: »

So much for the cream of NH rugby - can't even manage a try.

We were probably expecting more from Crusader than the Lions. No tries from the Lions is hardly a surprise at the moment.

awec wrote: »

If ball didn't go dead they'd counter attack.

Yeah, but what was there to lose at that point?

spock.

ThisRegard wrote:

Yeah, but what was there to lose at that point?

The players were all tired, no need to risk someone getting injured.

molloyjh

Only saw the second half. Was very disappointed in the Crusaders but the Lions were good in the main. Questions still remain over their ability to score. They had lots of territory and possession in that half and managed to get a grand total of 3 entire points from it all. Against a side that was barely in the game.

I really think Sexton-Farrell has to be the starting 10-12. There as enough in them today to make me think they've the potential to donreal damage in the tests. It does raise the question of who starts at 13 though. It also removes the need for Halfpenney at 15. I know he's nailed on but I'd like to see Payne there. Watson has to start too. Best winger so far from what I've seen. Not sure who I'd put on the other wing.

Saw Makos highlights and might have to reconsider my position on him. Wouldn't have started him at all but he looked to bring a hell of a lot around the park. Furlong and Sinclair are great options at TH. plenty of options in the row too. Back row isntough to call. Warburton is probably nailed on and Moriarty has played well. I believe POM and SOB played well throughout today. Faleatau has been really good. Haven't seen much of Stander but seems like he's mixed the good with the bad a bit.

Tigerandahalf

Warburton needs a big game in his next outing or Gatland will drop him.

I can see a backrow of Itoje SOB and Faletau as a possibility now. I hope SOB stays fit as he looked very bright today. Stander on the bench gives good cover.

Jamie George was very solid too.

Some big calls to be made in the backs.

molloyjh

ThisRegard wrote: »

Yeah, but what was there to lose at that point?

What was there to gain? You play on you risk an injury. Game was won and there was nothing to be gained from extending their lead.

awec

ThisRegard wrote: »

We were probably expecting more from Crusader than the Lions. No tries from the Lions is hardly a surprise at the moment.



Yeah, but what was there to lose at that point?

Crusaders scoring a try at the death would have been a bit of a boot in the balls to be honest. Keeping them to 3 points a big confidence boost.

irishbucsfan

I definitely wouldn't be starting Sexton/Farrell myself but if they do then Payne can't be the starting 13. We'll never score. Shame we didn't get more time for Davies today.

I think Te'o is winning the battle for the 12 jersey fairly convincingly.

Boscoirl

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Warburton needs a big game in his next outing or Gatland will drop him.

I can see a backrow of Itoje SOB and Faletau as a possibility now. I hope SOB stays fit as he looked very bright today. Stander on the bench gives good cover.

Jamie George was very solid too.

Some big calls to be made in the backs.

Going by the name check Gatland gave stander in the post match interview, I think He has a spot in the test 23 all but nailed down.

SOB was good today, but I think Tipuric and Warburton are still ahead of him in Gatlands eyes, Warburton is going to have to stink the place out to not start the first test.

molloyjh

I meant Payne at 15. Davies at 13.

penybont exile

Good result today .... showed how it is possible to cause these NZ teams lots of problems if you put them under pressure and limit the number of mistakes.

In reality the Lions should have scored at least three tries ..... The score flattered the Crusaders - shows you can win without scoring tries. Saying that they will need to take these opportunities against NZ.

Pack went well & Murray was outstanding .......

Davies & Hogg going off early in the game was unfortunate ..... I think they would have won much more convincingly if they were on the pitch. Both were getting involved .... Davies in particular looks very sharp.

Sexton was OK .... I wouldn't start him in the Tests @12 though.

Warburton is now under pressure for his place in the team .... Also if box kicking is going to be the order of the day GN is not the winger to chase them.

stephen_n

Boscoirl wrote: »

Going by the name check Gatland gave stander in the post match interview, I think He has a spot in the test 23 all but nailed down.

SOB was good today, but I think Tipuric and Warburton are still ahead of him in Gatlands eyes, Warburton is going to have to stink the place out to not start the first test.

Warburton is captain and nailed on to start if fit, SOB is ahead of Tipuric probably in Gatlands eyes. There is still a possibilty of SOB, Faletau and Warburton being the starting backrow if SOB puts in another good shift.

Scrum was very unconvincing tonight, it looked like Furlong was struggling but it's very hard to pinpoint exactly what was going on. Lions will need a solid scrum to have any hope against the all blacks.

Buer

Boscoirl wrote:

Going by the name check Gatland gave stander in the post match interview, I think He has a spot in the test 23 all but nailed down.

Stander might be in the 23 but I'd put absolutely no stock in comments from Gatland in an interview a few minutes after the match.

He namechecked BOD in 2013 and brought him to the press conference before naming his team for the final test. It's meaningless.

PTH2009

Did anyone ever fall over doing the haka ???

The choreograph of the dance is amazing. World non new zealinders in the club teams be allowed do the ritual or would they observe ??

Trojan

Lions almost scored at least 3 tries - a bit more time training and playing together and one or two of those final passes will be better and they'll be in.

Squidgy Black

PTH2009 wrote: »

Did anyone ever fall over doing the haka ???

The choreograph of the dance is amazing. World non new zealinders in the club teams be allowed do the ritual or would they observe ??

If the whole team were doing it, I'd imagine they'd do it as well. It's a Maori ritual and a good few of the ABs who do it wouldn't have any Maori heritage, it's a sign of respect to do it.

Trojan

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

It's a Maori ritual and a good few of the ABs who do it wouldn't have any Maori heritage, it's a sign of respect to do it.

It's a very solemn sign of respect for old gods and new.

We hear ye, oh Ad'i Das. We prostrate ourselves before you, Ay Eyeji. Praise!

bilston

PTH2009 wrote: »

Did anyone ever fall over doing the haka ???

The choreograph of the dance is amazing. World non new zealinders in the club teams be allowed do the ritual or would they observe ??

Do they have non NZ players in their Super Rugby sides? I thought it was NZQ players only?

bilston

bilston wrote: »

Do they have non NZ players in their Super Rugby sides? I thought it was NZQ players only?

A few yeah, but not many. Nacewa was one for example, wasn't NZ qualified. I think the Japanese SH was playing with a NZ side for a time too, maybe still is.

ThisRegard

molloyjh wrote: »

What was there to gain? You play on you risk an injury. Game was won and there was nothing to be gained from extending their lead.

It looked a kick at relatively close range, it just looked to me that it was an as easy kick either over the posts or the dead ball line behind as it was out the side. That's all.

sydthebeat

Katelyn Shaggy Warship wrote: »

A few yeah, but not many. Nacewa was one for example, wasn't NZ qualified. I think the Japanese SH was playing with a NZ side for a time too, maybe still is.

No. Tanaka moved to the Sunwolves this season.

irishman86

Katelyn Shaggy Warship wrote: »

They missed a trick not bringing Ringrose tbh.

Why I dont think he would be suited at all to Gats style.

ScrubsfanChris

Apologies if it'd already been mentioned....
Hogg and Davis both failed HIA so will not be alowed play at the weekend.

Buer

ScrubsfanChris wrote:

Apologies if it'd already been mentioned.... Hogg and Davis both failed HIA so will not be alowed play at the weekend.

Can play at weekend but can't play against the Highlanders. Probably wouldn't have anyway.

I would say Gatland will want to look at something like Joseph or Henshaw at 13 and take a look at one of the alternative options at full back i.e. Williams, Payne etc.