Springboks v British & Irish Lions II

@rebound said in Springboks v British & Irish Lions II:

@mikethesnow I take Gatland will dust off his playbook after the 1st test against the ABs in 2017

SBW red card incoming for the 3rd test then

A French ref. What could go wrong?

sparky

Missed the game. I had more interesting things to do, although it sounds as if I had been watching wet paint dry then that would have been more interesting too.

pakman

@akan004 said in Springboks v British & Irish Lions II:

@victor-meldrew Yeah, Lood made a big difference.

He was owesome.

OomPB

Glad to be Bok supporters.

Our coaches are top notch.

We play more ball in hand this time.

Kolisi played his best test and the bomb squad were outstanding.

We can only improve on this.

Bones

Be interesting to see what citings come out of this. Itoje? Kolbe?

MajorPom

@bones said in Springboks v British & Irish Lions II:

Be interesting to see what citings come out of this. Itoje? Kolbe?

What did Itoje do?

Bones

@majorrage said in Springboks v British & Irish Lions II:

@bones said in Springboks v British & Irish Lions II:

Be interesting to see what citings come out of this. Itoje? Kolbe?

What did Itoje do?

Knelt on de Allende's throat.

nzzp

wow, did not see that second half comign from the SA team. Forwards really stepped up; driving a maul 30 m is bloody impressive.

Been an absolutely arm wrestle of a series. Last week the rub of teh green went teh way of the Lions, and they squeaked home. This week, it went the other way - and the dominance just built. Very interesting; maybe coming in underdone is smart for the Bokke.

So, after teh biggest game between RWC today, we get treated to another one next weekend. Can't wait, will be great fun.

Kolbe was so stupid. Why the hell do people run into that space- they know it's forbidden. That said, probably a yellow.

Faf was lucky that tackle didn't get looked at, and that' he's short. If Eben does that, he's walking off the park I reckon.

Overall, a really fun tight tussle. I've found it engrossing. Thought BOK had one of his better games. That could have really kicked off, and he made clear decisions and communicated tehm well. Someone said 'he reffed the way World Rugby would want him to', adn I reckon they nailed it. Plenty of whistle, but hard to argue with msot of the decisions.

Roll on next week!

MiketheSnow

@nzzp said in Springboks v British & Irish Lions II:

wow, did not see that second half comign from the SA team. Forwards really stepped up; driving a maul 30 m is bloody impressive.

Been an absolutely arm wrestle of a series. Last week the rub of teh green went teh way of the Lions, and they squeaked home. This week, it went the other way - and the dominance just built. Very interesting; maybe coming in underdone is smart for the Bokke.

So, after teh biggest game between RWC today, we get treated to another one next weekend. Can't wait, will be great fun.

Kolbe was so stupid. Why the hell do people run into that space- they know it's forbidden. That said, probably a yellow.

Faf was lucky that tackle didn't get looked at, and that' he's short. If Eben does that, he's walking off the park I reckon.

Overall, a really fun tight tussle. I've found it engrossing. Thought BOK had one of his better games. That could have really kicked off, and he made clear decisions and communicated tehm well. Someone said 'he reffed the way World Rugby would want him to', adn I reckon they nailed it. Plenty of whistle, but hard to argue with msot of the decisions.

Roll on next week!

Ben can put his whistle away

Stag

Another Gatland coached team playing Warren Ball, most uninspiring coach in the game.

nzzp

@stag said in Springboks v British & Irish Lions II:

Another Gatland coached team playing Warren Ball, most uninspiring coach in the game.

I'm no particular fan of Warren, but he's a bloody good coach. That 17 Lions series were very very well coached, very cohesive, and played some good attackign rugby. I reckon it's a beatup

MajorPom

Rightio, so a few thoughts.

Firstly, it was a match of two halves. Neither half will please the Lions fans.

Half one was every single thing that is wrong with modern rugby. It took 65 minutes, there was pretty much so no action, it was an absolute drudge fest. Fair play to the Lions for at least trying something here 'n there. Boks did nothing. It was 65 minutes of boof bash big guys into each other with a smattering of technical penalties in place. Utter utter dog shit. My children watched 4 matches of woman's sevens in the morning and I couldn't drag them away. They both lasted less than 3 minutes of the the biggest match of the last couple of years.

Lots of criticism of Ben O'Keefe and most of it is deserved, although I'm not sure it's his way. Yes, he could have kept things moving a bit more, yes he could have kicked off the stream, the literal fucking stream, of trainers running up and down and then on the second there was a break in play. He could have followed up on his earlier threats, he could have carded more etc etc. But what the fuck is he supposed to do? World Rugby is his boss, and I think he ref'd it almost exactly the way they want the game to be ref'd. The shit ness of the first 40 belongs with the players / coaches, not the refs. Pretty much so no skilll on offer.

Cards. I've watched little rugby the last 18 months, but I cannot for the life of me why Kolbe should have been a red. Is the law now that you MIUST jump to catch it? Or if you jump, then you have ALL the rights? Thats completely absurd. Kolbe had his eyes on the ball the entire time, just because Conor jumped two feet in the air, why should Kolbe then be SENT OFF? Ridiculous.

Right, the second half. Much much better all around. SA were on top and used their strength advantage to great effect. A couple of very well taken tries and a real dominance. I'm sure Itoje's line out steal though will ensure that UK writers still give him MOTM and use words like colossus to describe him. No doubt, the Bok's brain trust spent the week watching him & Lawes and they had their number. Neither achieved anything in this match, other than looking like boys against the men of SA. Very reminiscent of the 2nd half of the 2019 WC Final. This Bok team is really something when they play their game. IT's just a shame it takes 40 minutes of boredom before it comes to the party. Although I guess if you are a supporter, you are probably ok with it ....

Nigel Owens. Unequivocally the best ref of the last 20 years. But he doesn't belong in a commentary box. He was so biased, and quite often, just so wrong. Did he ever make a call in SA favour? Even once? It was just terrible. A real shame. It's a shame Warburton is such a boring sounding guy (very monotone, not much x-factor) as everything he says is astute, smart and makes a lot of sense. Hopefully he'll grow into the role. Comes across as one of the game's great brains.

So in summary, don't bother catching a replay. Or if you must, start at half time. Next week is going to be interesting. Personally I think the Boys dealt a huge mental blow and the Lions won't get within 10 points.

NTA

Up to minute 55 of a complete snorefest.

I would have yellow carded both captains as soon as the Kolbe card happened. They were fucking warned

NTA

Also: why was Kolbe allowed to stay on the field after a clear head knock early trying to make a tackle?

The Silver Fern

Springboks v British & Irish Lions II