All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2

[Rancid Schnitzel]

@reprobate said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:

@Rancid-Schnitzel he had to try to keep the ball. it would have taken a good effort, but he is fast and very good on his feet, which are big advantages when you're trying to buy time. it was far better odds than kicking it to them. lose the ball, lose the game.

Even if by some miracle they'd managed to get the ball back, what then? Maul it 90 odd metres? There were no good options in that situation, just less shittier ones. I think it's very harsh to criticise any player in a situation like that.

[Billy Tell]

I'm selling chill pills if anyone wants some. There is a lot of people throwing tantrums and toys out of the cot here...

I don't think NZ could have done too much different, maybe gone for a 5m line-out rather than one of those missed penalties.

Speaking of which, we all knew that one day BB's goal-kicking would cost a test match.

I find weird the decision to pull Kaino. Plain weird.

Credit to the Lions, they hung in there despite their appalling discipline. I wish they would get free-kicked at least once at the lineout for systematically closing the gap every time though.

NZ needs to think a bit about we approach Auckland, it could be a nailbiter.

[NTA]

@MN5 said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:

Is @NTA one of them or is he boring people about his Powerwall?

NTA is about to pass out, having played two games at THP today.

Watched it at the pub of the opposition team. Was a cracker of a match.

[Tordah]

well, that was disappointing blowing that lead. Lions looked better than last week but still not anywhere close to the level of the ABs, who usually always have a purple patch where just everything seems to click.
The SBW red was clearly the correct decision, it was just a fucking stupid "tackle". The Faumuina penalty at the end was clearly the wrong decision, though, jumping into the tackle counts as dangerous play and the penalty should have been the other way around. I also think - only having seen it live and I think one replay - Murray might have been lucky on his try as Perenara and Savea were both the defenders at the ruck and taken out off the ball. But those things happen at most rucks, I know.

[reprobate]

@Rancid-Schnitzel 20 something phases, score in the corner then cruden kicks the extras, obviously. Has history taught you nothing?
Seriously though, as unlikely as it may be, if you've got the ball you're in control of your own destiny, and the game is still alive.

[Stargazer]

• I question the decision to penalise Retallick for the first Lions' penalty kick.
• what the heck was Aaron Smith doing before their second? Right in front of the ref. Stupid!
• I think TJP was definitely held before the Lions' 2nd try; if that hadn't happened, it's arguable that the try might not have been scored.
• IMO that last penalty against Faumuina was indeed ridiculous.

Vunipola v BB:

1st time: shoulder into BB's chest
2nd time: at least 3 problems - 1) point of contact (arm against neck/head), 2) diving on a player who is already lying on the ground, 3) BB didn't have the ball

Judge for yourself, but I think it should have been red.

[Margin_Walker]

Unlucky guys, really odd game to watch and the Lions did pretty much everything they could to make things difficult for themselves despite the red card. Biggest positives were tightening up defensively around the ruck and finishing the few opportunities they got. Keeps things interesting anyway.

Will need to be a lot better next week though. McGrath for Vunipola the obvious change.

[Billy Tell]

Positives: next test is more interesting. You learn from the losses. This series is valuable for 2019 IMO. I think England might be our theoretical semi-final opponents?

[akan004]

@Stargazer Can't believe the call on Retallick. He did what every forward does at a ruck before a box kick which was to be a blocker for the halfback. What a shocking call.

[Megweya]

@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:

SBW is an idiot. Always wrap your arms, rugby 101. Unforgiveable and if he's not banned he deserves to sit out the 3rd test.

Yep, it was mindless play of the highest order.

Almost matched by the collective brainfart by several Lions who did their best in the 3rd quarter to make it a close game, or even to give ABs a chance of a win.

[Stargazer]

According to Radio Sport, SBW's judicial hearing is Sunday night.

[Frye]

@Stargazer said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:

According to Radio Sport, SBW's judicial hearing is Sunday night.

When's O'Briens?

[antipodean]

Someone explain to me how SBW deserved a red card and Vunipola didn't. Both were straight shoulders to the head. I'm also interested in how you can get a penalty from jumping into tackles.

[Frye]

@antipodean said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:

Someone explain to me how SBW deserved a red card and Vunipola didn't. Both were straight shoulders to the head. I'm also interested in how you can get a penalty from jumping into tackles.

Because French.

And we got another one of the fluffybunnys next week.

[Frye]

Ardie Savea missing the tackle on George was such a poor read.

Then TJ getting sold the dummy.

Moronic.

[Bones]

@Siam said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:

@Nepia Yeah i thought that at first but in reality he got out of the hold easily and flanked left, leaving the hole.
Nah, Murray beat him fair and square

Yeah - I think there's more of a case to answer by Sexton, who was offside and obstructing the player on the inside, stopping him from getting across to Murray. Was very surprised it wasn't looked at.

TJP had already made the decision to go wide.

[Crucial]

@akan004 said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:

@Stargazer Can't believe the call on Retallick. He did what every forward does at a ruck before a box kick which was to be a blocker for the halfback. What a shocking call.

Call was fine if judged against the rule book. If judged against every game and every ref in the last 10 years it was bullshit.
The Comms here made out that he played at Itoje when it was the other way around.

[Crucial]

I'll be surprised if Vunipola doesn't get cited. Surely Ayoub will try and defend himself because he was clearly being ignored by Garces. He will have to put that in his post match report.
Garces was being a real arrogant fuck at times. Too hot headed to ref at this level.

[Crucial]

It would have been interesting if an AB had jumped deliberately into a tackle at the other end though. Would have been a shit play but evened things up for a shit call.
Remember a season or so ago in Super rugby and I think Lowegot a yellow for something similar?When he had to face the judiciary for three YCs they wiped that one out saying he couldn't be held accountable for the other player jumping into him.

[MiketheSnow]

Well done NZ.

Class from Read and Hansen.

This is a very special side. I can't think of another international side who could have competed against this BIL side with a man down for so long. And almost win it.

SBW aside they can be proud of their effort. They came to play, but that was curtailed by the sending off. In real time I thought it was a yellow. On reflection red was the correct call.

Garces was the worst kind of referee, inconsistent. At times he looked as if he was trying to balance the ledger, at others like he was making it up as he went along.

Thank goodness.

Despite almost clutching defeat from the jaws of victory I'm delighted that my Doomsday scenario didn't come to pass and the Lions proved me very wrong.

AWJ and Warburton had their best games on tour. O'Brien and Itoje were very good, and the rest of the pack went about their business with quiet steel. Our tackling was immense.

Vunipola has been criticised, but I think he was given the job of the Fall Guy. His transgressions kept Garces' gaze on him and our back 5 had free reign to ignore the offside line.

Wellington police need to be informed that Itoje has appropriated McCaw's Cloak of Invisibility.

Gatland certainly told his team to 'beg for forgiveness, not ask for permission' and they got away with as much as I could.

His try aside I thought Murray was average and Webb must be wondering what he has to do to get a run.

And I'm not convinced that the Sexton Farrell combo worked.

Despite plentiful, clean ball from scrum and line out the BILs created very little. Davies was the pick of the backs again I thought, and Farrell's pass to Williams to set up Faletau's try was top drawer.

A draw would have been a fair result but I'm very happy that we're going back to Eden Park with it all to play for.

But hopefully Gatland realises that he got out of jail with this result.

Hopefully he won't be fooled that he picked the right team.

I can understand why he would start the same team next week but if we have any chance of beating a 15-man NZ at Fortress Eden then Lawes needs to partner Itoje, with Henderson on the bench.

And I'd put Farrell back at 10 and Te'o at 12.

So on to Act Three, 'The Fall of Eden'