you have come into your own on this tour
Well observed, mate, which is why nobody suggested it.
Now, where did you copy and paste all that from?
I’d say he is in a hard-core rugby whatsapp group
That’s brilliant analysis kid.
Just laying out my thoughts, mate.
I’m offended that you’ve made a copy and paste accusation against Choco.
After watching the entire game i don’t think the Lions played all that poorly. Front five will be disapointed but the rest probably played to par. They are just probably 15-20 odd points a worse side than New Zealand. Not sure that is a massive surprise to many. They didn’t take the chances they got which is just suicide against NZ
Doubt gatland will make many changes. Will definitely start Warburton probably ahead of POM. Will have a negative impact on lineout but under pressure WG will revert to what he knows.
1 Like
That’s a belter of a post
Warburton is done… He did nothing after coming on (and all tour) and if anything the Lions lost their grip on the game when POM went off - I think the rest of the players can see Warbs is done and the white flag went up when he came on imo.
I think you’re right all along - The Lions greatest handicap from the off has been Gatland.
Oh I know that pal.
Warburton is a very good player but he hasn’t played v much since the 6N and played little on the tour. I wouldn’t have him next or near the 23 but Gatland will
Choco plagiarising the shit out of something here, all those years in college have stood him in good stead,
Now what is it, boards?
I thought you’d have twigged by now — I played with Young Munsters and Garryowen for years and was on the fringes of Munster squad in 07/08… i’ve given you enough clues.
2 Likes
I wouldn’t be surprised at all if you were a genuine rubby man. It’s not unheard of, there were plenty good Limerick rubby men over the years with a background similar to yours.
@ChocolateMice providing some real food for thought here.
I asked your uncle sure he filled me in ages back. A sound man
1 Like
He’s very knowledgeable. In an understated way.
You’re related to a Young Munster legend, aren’t you?
He is. The self same uncle I referred to above
1 Like
A tough boy.
The number one priority for the 2nd test should be to get an out and out openside into the team. Sam Cane is no Michael Jones, Josh Kronfeld or Richie McCaw but he was the most influential player on the field yesterday. Lions just couldn’t slow down New Zealand ball or exert any influence at the breakdown. The initial squad selection was completely flawed ignoring the strong claims of the Scotland pair John Barclay and Hamish Watson, who completely outclassed a fit Warburton and Tipuric in that department when Scotland beat Wales 29-13 at Murrayfield. Warburton is not fit and shouldn’t be near the match day 23, which should mean that Tipuric starts. I’d be fairly certain that Tipuric won’t feature in the match day 23 and Gatland will select Warburton to start.
Liam Williams was very good in an attacking role yesterday but showed a lot of fallibility when it came to the nuts and bolts of full back play. Reckon Leigh Halfpenny will come back in at full back and Williams will go to the wing with Eliot Daly dropped. Rest of the back line will probably stay as is. Sexton (largely for familiarity of playing with Murray, as opposed to anything approaching top form) should be considered ahead of Farrell but I’d be fairly certain Gatland won’t make a change.
Itoje will come in for AW Jones in the second row. There’ll be a change in the backrow to accomodate Warburton. Most likely one of the Irish flankers to be dropped, probably O’Mahony. Consideration should be given to dropping Faletau and putting O’Brien at Number 8. Stephen Jones in the Sunday Times amusingly rated Faletau as the Lions best forward and reckoned Kieran Read his opposite number wasn’t as involved in the game as Faletau.
Interesting to see a man who knows a bit about playing hooker, Sean Fitzpatrick, musing over whether Rory Best should be brought into the front row for his superior scrummaging ability and strength over the ball. Gatland not going to do that though.