All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1

[Billy Tell]

@MrDenmore said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:

Who are they going to bring into the side to replace Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty?

Not Laumape please. Not the right time or place.

I'd go goodhue. But they might bring back fekitoa.

[Billy Tell]

@Wreck-Diver said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:

"Ryan Crotty has pulled his hammy, so we already had Jack Goodhue in as a replacement to help him out with his ribs.
"Jack will be staying with us, and we will try to get Ryan ready maybe  for the last test if we're lucky."

Goodhue is shit, plays in a good team is not an AB centre christ is at best a Callum Ralph. Seems you only have to pull on a Cantab shirt and your in :rolling_eyes:

How to pick someone who's either watched no rugby all season or mainly follows soccer. What planet are you on?

[Catogrande]

Good test match, well done NZ and congrats to all you guys.

I felt that the try following the scrum penalty illustrated the difference between the two teams and how the game was won best. Not that the incident itself was the turning point necessarily more how it highlighted the mindset. Your boys got the nudge on big time and got the penalty, then went on. Our guys were mentally preparing to defend the subsequent line out in our 22. And that basically was the story of the game.

What can Gatland do now? I don't think he can tinker too much with personnel, there is an argument for Itoje over AWJ (although Kris saved his worst game of the tour for the first test - at least I hope he did). The more adventurous back three I felt earned another go but I would have North on the bench instead of Halfpenny because it is unlikely that we will be going into the last quarter thinking we need to keep this conservative. Our impact players must be blokes that can take things up a gear. I'm not sure the Sexton-Farrell axis worked too well and would keep Teo. Just got to be more alive to the possibilities and dangers, oh and don't keep coughing the ball up.

[Wreck Diver]

@Billy-Tell mate I'm sorry but the both Canes centres are better than Goodhue. He was pants against the Lions. In my option I think there are better centres in NZ. He's walking into the AB's on the back of a good Saders pack. So would you start him next week?

[Wreck Diver]

@Canerbry I know your from 6 finger country but thinking Thorne was any good is just stupid.

[Crucial]

Not a lot of mention of Farrell's rather poor game.
Considering the amount he is talked up as being critical to the teams he plays in he was a big disappointment.
It was like he was dumbfounded and had nothing to offer.

[Derm McCrum]

Well looks like I didn't miss much. Had to go to work so only had a chance to look back now.

Congrats NZ - deserved win.
Lions up against it next week. Changes to front row combo need to be made. Te'o & Davies needs a change up. Back three were great.

Ryan Crotty must be the unluckiest bloke with injuries.

That try is going to be the Lions highlight of the tour I suspect. Filed under 'what coulda been'

[mooshld]

My only criticisms of the ref were 6 penalties all in the red zone. That's card time.

And after you've told the line out to stop closing the gap just start free kicking them. It was tedious having him move the lions every defensive lineout.

[taniwharugby]

Havent read everything so likely repeating stuff, but whats new around here.

That try by the Lions was as good as anything you could want to see, it was outstanding, and they created chances, but couldnt finish them, and outside that try, it panned out pretty much as I thought it might.

As to our team, plenty of players with question marks over them, Kaino, Read, Smith, Dagg, all stood up, even Cane who has his detractors, was outstanding for most of the game.

We lost alot of shape for about half an hour after we lost Ben and Crotty, but I guess when you hear about thier influence on those around them, that shouldnt surprise, as they both provide direction and stability.

Cruden took a long time to get into the game, but eventually did, and probably our best player under the high ball was Barrett when he was put back to FB.

Guess the question is where do we go now for our starting line up, highly likely Ben is out, Crotty is out, assume for the latter, ALB slots in, but with Dagg to FB, who goes to 14, Naholo, NMS, or move Ioane there and bring back Savea?

That match, lived up to the billing though, if you pay to watch a blockbuster, and got that, you'd be stoked. Peyper played his part, let both teams away with some little stuff, but was mostly consistent.

[mariner4life]

Yea, you lose your 15 and your 13 at the same time it's massive, as they are two of your biggest organisers. Add in it also results in a change at 10 and your loudest voices all just changed. That can't be underestimated.

Changes will be interesting this week.

[mariner4life]

For the Lions i thought their tight 5 were very disappointing. Loosies were excellent but shaded by us just. Murray's kicking was excellent in to the wind, but too long with it. Farrell ordinary (wonder how his ribs are today?) Maybe a better 12 now? 12-out were all very good.

Not the impact from the bench i expected.

In terms of changes, get Lawes in. Maybe start Itoje. But i think the personnel are right, just finish your opportunities!

[booboo]

Sobriety returns with the morning... so I will try and make a semi sensible comment before delving back through the match thread.

Am not sure if the score flattered either team so it was probably about right.

My gutfeelometer had the ABs on top for 55-60 minutes the Lions the remainder.

Who'd have thought that broken field running would be their biggest threat and our biggest weakness.

I expect the team media and supporters to be blowing up at Knockongate. The team were heading back for a scrum ... forgetting a penalty had been awarded so it was a matter of whether the result was 7, 5 or 3 points.

Mind you there's no guarantee they'd have taken the shot given the moronacy (is that a word? It is now) at 23-8 with 3 points gagging for it from in front. That was annoying. 26-8 would have made it 3 tries not 2 plus a kick. Glad that didn't backfire too badly.

Re the refs didn't have any major whinges about Jaco and his team. Lions got away with being offside often from my admittedly biased vantage point but generally nothing too controversial.

Our handling of the high kicks was poor.

Comprehensive and well deserved.

[booboo]

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:

What a try.

Cruden misses the tackle and we are exposed.

Read?

[booboo]

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:

@Donsteppa said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:

Can we play two halfbacks and hook Cruden?

10. BarrettDagg
11. Ioane
12. A. Savea
13. ALB
14. SBW
15. DaggBarrett

FIFY

[booboo]

@rotated said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:

Ben Smith's health probably factors into Crotty's replacement. Could see Barrett on the bench if Smith is 100% and able to cover centre.

Yes. Was thinking the same.

[kiwiinmelb]

Not sure I would bring back NMS yet ,

Doesnt seem to have his attacking Mojo back yet,

And can be a weakness in the air ( competing ) , so without the attack , not sure I would bother yet,

I think Naholo starts right , Do they bring Julian back in , and have Reiko as wing / midfield cover ?

[booboo]

@No-Quarter said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:

Crocket and Charlie, take a motherfucking BOW!

Quoted as it bears repeating.

[booboo]

@mariner4life said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:

Cruden had to pass that? Open your eyes, given the positioning of both teams holding it was definitely the percentage option. He's been really good this half.

You would think barrett scores every time he touches the ball the way a couple of you are carrying on

He doesn't?

My (slightly impared) judgement during the registered Cruden as going OK.

[booboo]

@Tim said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:

What will the NH press complain about?

I'm sure they'll find something

[Bones]

Wait...wreck diver is the one that lost it's marbles during the week right? Yeah Aso is way better...at letting the opportunity waltz through.

Like Booboo I was a bit perturbed at no yellow card for repeat infringements. Imagine the moan fest if that penalty tally was reversed.