All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1

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?

~~Barrett~~Dagg

Ioane

A. Savea

ALB

SBW

~~Dagg~~Barrett

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.

jegga

Rapido

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

@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?

Goodhue was outstanding against the Lions. Crusaders best player. One of the very few franchise players to enhance their reputations (apart from some frontrowers) in the tour games.

taniwharugby

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

@Tim Charlie Faumuina, baby. Most underrated player in NZ.

Dunno if he is under rated at all, most seem pretty gutted he is off overseas!

booboo

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

Haven't read the thread yet.

Williams had some good moments and credit to his defence, but hold onto the fucken ball you numbnuts. Put severe pressure on the ABs with turnovers at times.

Cruden was pretty lacklustre.

A Smith was there for his passing - really disappointing to see him completely wreck a couple of crucial opportunities with super shit passing.

ALB looked quite lost at times.

Locks and loosies were brilliant.

Taylor needs to sort his throwing, those were 2 big lineouts before he got yanked.

Peyper with some odd calls around the tackle. What the fuck was that when McGrath is crawling along the ground after being tackled twice and then the ABs get penalised? Otherwise well reffed.

I wonder if the NH media will stop with the rubbish around scrum dominance now?

Overall, thought the ABs played pretty ordinary, which is comforting - we can improve a lot.

Fuck. No wonder we lost ... oh hang on ...

BTW your glass is the half empty one over there ...

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1