Blues v BI Lions
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Just really plodding and dumb/slow rugby for the Lions. It was really obvious in the first half when they were dominating possession in the blues half, how easy it was for the Blues to just tackle and regather while they waited for the next phase of....one off runner.
Most players not even looking test level and really lacking any cohesion.
Surely there must be a high level of foxing going on here, they just really can't be that bad?
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At 16-15 I thought the Lions would close it out and would take some much needed confidence moving forward. They were a lot better tonight, the Blues would slap the NZB side every day, but that try from West was not just a killer in this match, but the tour in general. Gatland has a pretty big task ahead of him keeping the group together and focussing on the positives now, as they'll be copping it from all sides.
A tour like this always reinforces how important the team aspect of rugby is, it's a hell of a task pulling together a team on short notice, and I always expected the Lions to start slow and build into the tour. They're doing that, but losing this match is a set back.
As for the Blues, that was a pretty standard performance from them. Up and down all game, some incredibly frustrating stuff mixed in with some genuine quality. The performance will be remembered for the West try, and so it should that was fucking magic, but the three players that got them over the line were Luatua, SBW and Ioane. They were a class above everyone else on the park.
I'm very keen to see 11. Ioane and 12. SBW for the first test. And I'm a Savea fluffer from way back, but Rieko's class is undeniable now. SBW is a douche but I want that douche at 12 if he's gonna play like that.
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Really enjoyed that. Lions much better than I expected. SBW, Reiko & Luatua playing themselves into an AB jersey, Moala & Patty T the opposite. From this game I can see the Lions getting better. I see Crusaders are clear favourites now, I missed out on Blues 13+ but did collect on the crazy $3.35 odds on a blues win. Will be unlikely to see any more good odds.
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@Tim said in Blues v BI Lions:
@Crucial Lawes is the most overrated.
Who's better than Scrafton? The three Crusaders, Retallick, maybe Franklin? Bird has faded this season.
It was a rough count based on ABs pecking order.
Whitelock
Rettalick
Romano
Barrett
Tuipolotu
Fifita
Bird
FranklinThen you've got Wheeler, Fatialofa, Scrafton
Agree that on current form Scrafton is higher up the rankings but all these guys are all as good as Itoje
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The UK equivalent of Radiosport is covering the Lions post match atm. For anyone who is interested...
http://talksport.com/radioplayer/live/talksport2.html?popup=1
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Wow , lions go into the crusaders game under the pump now , would not want to lose 2 in a row
@kiwiinmelb said in Blues v BI Lions:
Wow , lions go into the crusaders game under the pump now , would not want to lose 2 in a row
Cmon easy game. Only the ... err .. Crusaders...
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@Tim pretty to watch. I love how the BIL's players all around Luatua just had no idea how to defend that.
West should fuck super rugby off and head (Back?) to the 7's. He'd kill it.
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@Crucial he didn't have any energy left after all the chest pumping or was it jet lag
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What a cracking game. Blues were the Blues and mixed some jaw-dropping magic with jaw-dropping crap. Poor Tana. I wonder if those dreads will last his contract. That West try was insanely good, bloody hell did he show some speed. Thing is also, but for a heel, could have easily been another try for the Blues. They looked good on attack, especially Reiko burning it up down the wing, and SBW showing nous to follow up on that penalty kick that bounced off the post.
There was some shit passing at times, really shit, and some weak grubber kicks that would make any coach want to punch a kitten. But they manned up on defence, and to be honest, the Lions never really looked threatening try-wise.
For the Lions, Halfpenny was excellent, and that boot of his will always punish transgressions. Worst player was that fuckface Williams. Learn how to contest a ball in the air, you wankpuffin.
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What a cracking game. Blues were the Blues and mixed some jaw-dropping magic with jaw-dropping crap. Poor Tana. I wonder if those dreads will last his contract. That West try was insanely good, bloody hell did he show some speed. Thing is also, but for a heel, could have easily been another try for the Blues. They looked good on attack, especially Reiko burning it up down the wing, and SBW showing nous to follow up on that penalty kick that bounced off the post.
There was some shit passing at times, really shit, and some weak grubber kicks that would make any coach want to punch a kitten. But they manned up on defence, and to be honest, the Lions never really looked threatening try-wise.
For the Lions, Halfpenny was excellent, and that boot of his will always punish transgressions. Worst player was that fuckface Williams. Learn how to contest a ball in the air, you wankpuffin.
@Mokey For what it's worth I think yellow was bit of a turning point, in particular because it made Lions wary of attempting contestable kicks, a staple of theirs. Thank goodness Blues gave up in second half on those chip kicks, which always handed ball back to opposition.
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@kiwiinmelb said in Blues v BI Lions:
Wow , lions go into the crusaders game under the pump now , would not want to lose 2 in a row
Cmon easy game. Only the ... err .. Crusaders...
@booboo said in Blues v BI Lions:
@kiwiinmelb said in Blues v BI Lions:
Wow , lions go into the crusaders game under the pump now , would not want to lose 2 in a row
Cmon easy game. Only the ... err .. Crusaders...
Lions lose that , things could unravel quickly ,
I think they can put together a tough test side ,
But these super rugby sides could trip them up first
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Woooo awesome win for the Blues and NZ rugby in general.
Others have mentioned it but Ioane, SBW and Luatua were the best on the park.
Great to see SBW find some form before the tests.
NZRU need to buy out Luatua's contract like they did with Naholo (and Charlie F's too)
Even as a Savea fan I think Ioane needs to start at 11 now unless Savea destroys the Lions in their game.Didn't think Perofeta was too bad. Great pass for the first try. As West showed it isn't that easy to throw that sort of ball. He went pretty well for a young guy making his starting debut against the Lions with shitty service from Pulu who was fucking slow to clear the ball as usual..
I must have missed the good stuff Collins did. He looked his usual slow, unable to beat a tackle or take a gap self.
Nanai would have had a field day with that shitty lions defence. What did Collins actually do other than not fuck up?As for the Lions, what can you say. The pressure has just ramped up. Itoje looked a bit over rated to me but might get better. Hopefully any future refs will ping their 9 if he continues to pick the ball up and place it at the back of the ruck.
