The Lions in New Zealand thread for the 2017 tour.

[Chris in London]

Is that you Warren? ;-)

Vunipola was poor i completely agree but Itoje?

Truth is both Warburton and Wyn Jones where largely anonymous in that game today and for 25 mins in the second half we had no leadership out on the field.

You think so? I didn't think there was that much difference between the Lions performance in the first 25 minutes to the next 25 minutes. The difference I thought was that New Zealand were better with 14 than they had been with 15, until they ran out of steam. Then they were picked off.

 

[blueinsa]

You think so? I didn't think there was that much difference between the Lions performance in the first 25 minutes to the next 25 minutes. The difference I thought was that New Zealand were better with 14 than they had been with 15, until they ran out of steam. Then they were picked off.

They where superb with 14 they really where and their energy levels incredible but we just didnt turn up for 25 mins in the second half, gifting them possession, penalties and points. We had to play the game in their half once they went down to 14 but we didn't have the brains and leadership out there to get that done and imo, only a knackered all black side at 60 mins allowed us to eventually do what we needed to do.

I'm possibly being overly critical because mentally, overcoming this side is possibly one of the hardest things to do in world sport but boy did we make hard work of it and it wasn't helped because we failed to play smart for long periods.

Great win today but next week, 15 against 15 again and at Eden park, i just dont believe we will have what it takes but hopefully im wrong.

Southern hemisphere ref as well iirc?

 

[Manc in London]

Not at all but Itoje for all his talent is incredibly thick and gives way too many pens.
Itoje is like the rags player for England, hes their media darling.
Hes a class act but still a penalty machine,

I think he gave two pens. Vunipola, who gave away four, is quite simply an impact player.

Itoje is young. Plenty of time to learn.

 

[SWP's back]

You think so? I didn't think there was that much difference between the Lions performance in the first 25 minutes to the next 25 minutes. The difference I thought was that New Zealand were better with 14 than they had been with 15, until they ran out of steam. Then they were picked off.

Can't agree with that. Lions were poor for first 20 minutes of the second half and that it.

 

[leighton]

The team was a lot better with Murray and Sexton at 9 and 10 and with Farrell at 12 for me. Murray took his try well and was a key player all game long. I honestly think Vunipola may well miss out the decider giving away too many pens and I would say a impact sub role would be best for him. Flankers no change but what shocked me more was CJ Stander not getting a run out in the game as a impact sub be it as a replacement for Faletau near the last 10 minutes or so. Gatland decision to play both Sexton and Farrell worked. Farrell stood up and kicked well he needed a big game as if he didnt then he would of been out of the line up next week. We have a lot of key players there but Farrell aint a first pick centre on tour and Gatland lost faith in him as a number 10 it seems but what will happen in the next game who knows with this tour and injuries.

 

[Chris in London]

Can't agree with that. Lions were poor for first 20 minutes of the second half and that it.

They were made to be poor by an ABs team that played out of their skins but then ran out of steam.

 

[Uncle Wally One Ball]

They where superb with 14 they really where and their energy levels incredible but we just didnt turn up for 25 mins in the second half, gifting them possession, penalties and points. We had to play the game in their half once they went down to 14 but we didn't have the brains and leadership out there to get that done and imo, only a knackered all black side at 60 mins allowed us to eventually do what we needed to do.

I'm possibly being overly critical because mentally, overcoming this side is possibly one of the hardest things to do in world sport but boy did we make hard work of it and it wasn't helped because we failed to play smart for long periods.

Great win today but next week, 15 against 15 again and at Eden park, i just dont believe we will have what it takes but hopefully im wrong.

Southern hemisphere ref as well iirc?

Yes I think the next referee is South African

 

[blueinsa]

Yes I think the next referee is South African

Its going to be even tougher then unfortunately as i have no doubt the all Blacks will be allowed to get away with far more than they did today.

 

[Uncle Wally One Ball]

Its going to be even tougher then unfortunately as i have no doubt the all Blacks will be allowed to get away with far more than they did today.

Waiting until 7pm to see it on Sly sports 2. I slept through the alarm this morning, extremely pissed up last night. Was so excited all week about it and then slept through it, what a prick of a bloke.

 

[Chris in London]

Waiting until 7pm to see it on Sly sports 2. I slept through the alarm this morning, extremely pissed up last night. Was so excited all week about it and then slept through it, what a prick of a bloke.

Spoiler: Lions match

we won, mate