THE SMILING, AMIABLE Lions on the 2013 will quickly retreat from Canberra and head, scowling, to Brisbane for the first Test against Australia following a 14-12 loss to the Brumbies.
Warren Gatland’s men, so accustomed to rushing in tries from all over the park, were outfought and outfoxed by the Super Rugby league leaders. It was hard to pick out a player in red that had a good game, although some of the replacements showed the required steel to get the Lions into a position to steal a game they scarcely deserved to.
The Lions, with Stuart Hogg’s fabulous tour turning sour and two goal-kicks from four missed, were 14-3 down at one stage but battled back to within two points. They had field position for a late drop goal attempt but looked to draw a penalty and were turned over. The game ended on the tourist’s 22 with the Brumbies going through 10 phases and three scrums to wind down the clock.
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Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Gatland said, “The first half performance was not good enough. We got what we deserved.”
Gatland admitted that backs coach Andy Farrell was required to address the team at half-time ‘and give them a bit of a rocking’. The intensity levels raised but the Lions could not secure ball off their lineout — hooker Rory Best had a nightmare — and the Brumbies were up for a scrap.
Reflecting on another game with poor ball retention at the lineout, Gatland returned to the maxim that ‘there are things we’re going to have to work on’. The bench was not fully cleared until the final quarter of the match and the Kiwi proclaimed he was trying to give the starting XV a chance to right some wrongs. He added:
It was a tough decision. A few of those players (on the bench) will be involved on Saturday… we came here on the right track, the momentum was good but we’ve taken a backward step tonight.”
Brumbies coach Jake White put the win right up with his leading South Africa to a World Cup win in 2007. He said, “They were a bit disjointed with a couple of chaps coming in late.”
The South African commented ‘this is as big as it gets for me’. He declared that the breakdown battle was crucial in winning the match and playing tight, smart rugby was also key. He said:
We were trying to play field position. All the other (Australia) sides tried to play flashy and tried to run it. We thought we’d play it like a Test match.”
If the Wallabies play it like the Brumbies in their Test match on Saturday, the good-natured Lions may withdraw into their shell and take some hefty licks.
In my humble opinion, this result I beleive is good. Grounds the lads, makes them hungrier to come out and win the first test. Lions 2/1. Sextons gonna have a stormer.
Gatland should take a lot of responsibility for the defeat. Hogg is not a 10 ,maybe people understand why people said bring 3 out halves not 2. Rory Best fan club gone from score ? Slapped together backs and it showed. Kearney did well. Subs should have been used earlier and lions would have won. Thats Gatland for you
Gatland needs to take the responsibility for this one. A makeshift back line where the majority ( Williams, Barriyt, Wade & Twelvetrees) only in the country & with the squad a few days. Kearney did well considering, but can’t look beyond Halfpenny at 15 with kicking duties regardless who plays 10.
Alot of people were delighted to see Best called up in Hartley’s place, me included! But it is now even more clear that he can’t throw a ball straight, it might be even safe to say that he won’t feature too much here on in, can’t even see him in the Irish 6N side this Spring.
Take the positives though, like the Capt. says this will ground the lads & make them hungrier for sure. I can’t see beyond this as the starting XV, the lads were playing for spots on the bench today.
1. Vunipola
2. Hibbard
3. Jones
4. O’Connell
5. AW Jones
6. <>
7. Warburton
8. Faletau
9. Philips
10. Sexton
11. North
12. O’Driscoll
13. Davies
14. Cuthbert
15. Halfpenny
Me too, the warm up games are exactly that, warm ups. It’s all about the tests. Even though they have been injury hit it’s still a great squad and a great mix of experience and players on form. Davies has been v impressive and I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts ahead of Drico. or BOD 13, Davies 12, cant see BOD as 12, Great opportunity to do the Aussies. Half penny will be worth 12 points alone if he continues so if we get over for 2 tries I ‘d say we will win. 24-15 type of thing.
Bad team selection and an even worse captains choice. That being said the fixtures seem to be made with a view to mugging the lions second team selection in the games just before the tests. If the lions run the risk of losing players before the tests then Australia should be obliged to let their squad play with their cub teams that would put an end to the better clubs playing the lions just before a test game. It’s an unfair advantage
Unfortunately your squad selection is pretty close to what it will be. Not only that but the fact that we underrate them due lack of picock,higginbotham,george smith etc is why i really want the aussies to win and also the luons is a media scam
Awaits a sea of red thumbs from people who dint under stand the sport
This was the tour game the Lions were always going to lose. The Brumbies are a good side even without their Wallabies. This was also the weakest Lions team so far on tour. As for Best…he had one of those nights where he couldn’t hit the ocean if he jumped off a boat.
Just got home from the game , they just couldn’t seem to get going , kicking was poor not to take away from the brumbies though their defence was strong , great support from the Irish and British fans and good banter between the fans .
And Best was upset about not been included in the original lions squad , he is not up to this standard , 30 years old and can’t make a decent throw .embarrassing …….
I feel bad for Rory Best, but to be honest I’ve never really rated him as a thrower. His percentages over the years have just been too low, despite improving a bit prior to this season. He’s not really at this level as an all round 2, and to be honest 2 is a relatively weak position for the Lions this tour, which is a pity given the wealth of talent in other specialist positions this time out.
Still though, he’s likely to start next Tuesday, with the pressure off, knowing that he won’t be in the 23 at any point for the tests bar injuries. So hopefully he will dust himself off and get some pride back.
It’ll be a long summer for him if it ends like this though, following a disappointing end to 2013 for Ulster.
Good game from Kearney – Zebo and Murray added a spark to the game when they came on but it was too little too late. O’Brien had an alright game, funny the way people say Croft has the advantage over him in terms of the line out – but O’Brien had a line out catch today haha … Falateu had a good game, still think Heaslip should start though – was nominated for European player of the year.
Being nominated for European player of the year has nothing to do with whether Heaslip gets picked, the fact that he has a a good tour so far is the reason he should start.
O’Driscolls defence and reading of the game is why I put him at 12 instead of Davis. But I take your point.
As for Cuthbert, he’s fit, North is a doubt, both will play if both are fit.
If the Ausie back line were big I’d have him at 12, but they’re pretty small and I reckon they’ll try and move it out wide quickly. But look, we’ll just have to wait and see.
Cuthbert ahead of Zebo. He was part of the original party. North was always going to play, but there is a doubt over him. Bowe would have started at 14 but he’s injured. Zebo in the 23 because Maitland has been shite!
Gatland must take total blame for that loss..what an insult to all the current international wings to haul out Williams for a nice little pay day.. Either Trimble or McFadden would have travelled half way round the world if given the chance and deserve a Lions cap…what an inferior back lack line today, down to Gatlands total lack of vision..All he wants as a Kiwi is to stuff the Aussies…well in my opinion he may end up with even more egg on his face in 3 weeks time , my money is on Australia for the series 2-1.
Funny how when Clive Woodward brought a big squad he was hammered for it yet you could see his logic as a lot of injuries show up your hand and you end up bringing in lads who were lying on the beach at home.
The Lions should still hammer the aussies at the scrum but they look to have issues at the lineout. Be interesting to see who the Wallabies put at 10. Maybe Berrick Barnes and they will kick for territory forcing lineouts and avoiding scrums by playing a loose game. Would still fancy the Lions to win series.
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In my humble opinion, this result I beleive is good. Grounds the lads, makes them hungrier to come out and win the first test. Lions 2/1. Sextons gonna have a stormer.
Gatland should take a lot of responsibility for the defeat. Hogg is not a 10 ,maybe people understand why people said bring 3 out halves not 2. Rory Best fan club gone from score ? Slapped together backs and it showed. Kearney did well. Subs should have been used earlier and lions would have won. Thats Gatland for you
Gatland needs to take the responsibility for this one. A makeshift back line where the majority ( Williams, Barriyt, Wade & Twelvetrees) only in the country & with the squad a few days. Kearney did well considering, but can’t look beyond Halfpenny at 15 with kicking duties regardless who plays 10.
Alot of people were delighted to see Best called up in Hartley’s place, me included! But it is now even more clear that he can’t throw a ball straight, it might be even safe to say that he won’t feature too much here on in, can’t even see him in the Irish 6N side this Spring.
Take the positives though, like the Capt. says this will ground the lads & make them hungrier for sure. I can’t see beyond this as the starting XV, the lads were playing for spots on the bench today.
1. Vunipola
2. Hibbard
3. Jones
4. O’Connell
5. AW Jones
6. <>
7. Warburton
8. Faletau
9. Philips
10. Sexton
11. North
12. O’Driscoll
13. Davies
14. Cuthbert
15. Halfpenny
Patiently awaits a sea of red thumbs! :-P
Awaits a sea of red thumbs ?
What makes you think people rate your opinion ?
Hope you are right Capt.
I don’t, hence the :-P at the end. D’oh!
Me too, the warm up games are exactly that, warm ups. It’s all about the tests. Even though they have been injury hit it’s still a great squad and a great mix of experience and players on form. Davies has been v impressive and I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts ahead of Drico. or BOD 13, Davies 12, cant see BOD as 12, Great opportunity to do the Aussies. Half penny will be worth 12 points alone if he continues so if we get over for 2 tries I ‘d say we will win. 24-15 type of thing.
Bad team selection and an even worse captains choice. That being said the fixtures seem to be made with a view to mugging the lions second team selection in the games just before the tests. If the lions run the risk of losing players before the tests then Australia should be obliged to let their squad play with their cub teams that would put an end to the better clubs playing the lions just before a test game. It’s an unfair advantage
Unfortunately your squad selection is pretty close to what it will be. Not only that but the fact that we underrate them due lack of picock,higginbotham,george smith etc is why i really want the aussies to win and also the luons is a media scam
Awaits a sea of red thumbs from people who dint under stand the sport
This was the tour game the Lions were always going to lose. The Brumbies are a good side even without their Wallabies. This was also the weakest Lions team so far on tour. As for Best…he had one of those nights where he couldn’t hit the ocean if he jumped off a boat.
Adebayo silly comment- start ahead of O driscoll mm yeah that would be smart! Creativity would then be flowing out of the backline.
Just got home from the game , they just couldn’t seem to get going , kicking was poor not to take away from the brumbies though their defence was strong , great support from the Irish and British fans and good banter between the fans .
And Best was upset about not been included in the original lions squad , he is not up to this standard , 30 years old and can’t make a decent throw .embarrassing …….
I feel bad for Rory Best, but to be honest I’ve never really rated him as a thrower. His percentages over the years have just been too low, despite improving a bit prior to this season. He’s not really at this level as an all round 2, and to be honest 2 is a relatively weak position for the Lions this tour, which is a pity given the wealth of talent in other specialist positions this time out.
Still though, he’s likely to start next Tuesday, with the pressure off, knowing that he won’t be in the 23 at any point for the tests bar injuries. So hopefully he will dust himself off and get some pride back.
It’ll be a long summer for him if it ends like this though, following a disappointing end to 2013 for Ulster.
Good game from Kearney – Zebo and Murray added a spark to the game when they came on but it was too little too late. O’Brien had an alright game, funny the way people say Croft has the advantage over him in terms of the line out – but O’Brien had a line out catch today haha … Falateu had a good game, still think Heaslip should start though – was nominated for European player of the year.
Being nominated for European player of the year has nothing to do with whether Heaslip gets picked, the fact that he has a a good tour so far is the reason he should start.
My test 15:
15. Halfpenny.
14. Cuthbert.
13. O’Driscoll/Davis.
12. Roberts/ O’Driscoll.
11. North/ Zebo.
10. Sexton.
9. Phillips.
1. Vunipola.
2. Hibbard.
3. Jones.
4. AW Jones.
5. O’Connell.
6. Croft.
7. Warburton (c).
8. Heaslip/Faletau.
Some of those changes are injury permitting, the other is because I can’t separate them.
I don’t think O’Driscoll will start at 12 if Roberts is out simply because his defence is a lot stronger than Davies on the outside channel.
I think you might wanna throw zebo up beside cuthbert there instead
O’Driscolls defence and reading of the game is why I put him at 12 instead of Davis. But I take your point.
As for Cuthbert, he’s fit, North is a doubt, both will play if both are fit.
If the Ausie back line were big I’d have him at 12, but they’re pretty small and I reckon they’ll try and move it out wide quickly. But look, we’ll just have to wait and see.
Cuthbert ahead of north/zebo?????????????
Cuthbert ahead of Zebo. He was part of the original party. North was always going to play, but there is a doubt over him. Bowe would have started at 14 but he’s injured. Zebo in the 23 because Maitland has been shite!
Gatland must take total blame for that loss..what an insult to all the current international wings to haul out Williams for a nice little pay day.. Either Trimble or McFadden would have travelled half way round the world if given the chance and deserve a Lions cap…what an inferior back lack line today, down to Gatlands total lack of vision..All he wants as a Kiwi is to stuff the Aussies…well in my opinion he may end up with even more egg on his face in 3 weeks time , my money is on Australia for the series 2-1.
For me Lions to take the series thanks to Halfpenny’s radar boot.
Best is not at the required level necessary. We need more British steel.
Cheers Yoda.
Funny how when Clive Woodward brought a big squad he was hammered for it yet you could see his logic as a lot of injuries show up your hand and you end up bringing in lads who were lying on the beach at home.
The Lions should still hammer the aussies at the scrum but they look to have issues at the lineout. Be interesting to see who the Wallabies put at 10. Maybe Berrick Barnes and they will kick for territory forcing lineouts and avoiding scrums by playing a loose game. Would still fancy the Lions to win series.
Deans has already said he wants joc to start 10
It’s only the start boys