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Rugby Union
- Thread starter Tigerclan
- Start date
There was definitely something dodgy with the hit on O'Driscoll. Umaga and Mealamu were cited for a spear tackle and got off but it looked a bit strange to me, well after the ball had gone. Shame because BOD is a terrific player.
The Lions are in deep do-do's now with BOD, and Hill out as well as Shanklin. Add that to the other injuries on the trip and they're in disarray.
The radio over here is red hot with people blaming Woodward for the loss (most had Welsh accents but not all!) They are not happy!!
None of his controversial picks worked except maybe Wilkinson (although there wasn't much criticism of that pick anyway). The line out was embarrassing!
Now he's faced with 2 compulsory changes with injuries and probably more due to form. By the time the side becomes coherent the tour will be over.
Couldn't happen to a nicer goose than Woodward. He can't go to soccer soon enough, and then Harry Redknapp will 'ave him!
The Lions are in deep do-do's now with BOD, and Hill out as well as Shanklin. Add that to the other injuries on the trip and they're in disarray.
The radio over here is red hot with people blaming Woodward for the loss (most had Welsh accents but not all!) They are not happy!!
None of his controversial picks worked except maybe Wilkinson (although there wasn't much criticism of that pick anyway). The line out was embarrassing!
Now he's faced with 2 compulsory changes with injuries and probably more due to form. By the time the side becomes coherent the tour will be over.
Couldn't happen to a nicer goose than Woodward. He can't go to soccer soon enough, and then Harry Redknapp will 'ave him!
Just finished watching a tape of the All Black victory after going out to Homebush to watch the Swans beat the Pies....good night all round really, if only the Panthers had managed a win it would have been fantastic 
:!!!
I would think that Mealamu will be in some trouble for the hit on O'Driscoll, it didn't look good and it was way off the ball. I don't think that Umaga has any case to answer on that tackle, but there was a later spear tackle which could be an issue, although it didn't look intentional, just momentum, but those kind of things are not looked on too kindly, so who knows.
The commentators said that it was a dislocated shoulder for O'Driscoll, which is such a shame, he is a class player (and individual) and a great captain, and will be sorely missed if he is out for the rest of the tour, which seems likely. And they will definately miss Hill if he is out as well.
After the first couple of minutes the Lions seemed to go to pieces. The All Blacks got a penalty goal against the run of play and never looked back and never looked like they were going to lose. There was absolutely no cohesion in any of the Lion set plays, no understanding in either the lineouts and the scrums, the inside backs were kicking badly and they were not holding up under the enormous pressure the All Blacks were putting on them.
I don't believe that Wilkinson should be at inside centre, not that he was bad, it was just that he had minimal impact on the match and when he was needed he was always to far away from the play. There also didn't seem to be any understanding between he and Jones. I don't think that Wilkinson is a utility back and this match just confirmed my suspicions, for him to be at his best for the team he needs to be controlling play and to do that he must be playing at five-eighth.
There were a number of high bombs put up by the All Black kickers directed at Robinson who spent the first half looking a little like a deer caught in the headlights. This was obviously a pre-meditated play. They must think he is suspect under the high ball. On a number of occassions Carter or Mauger never even looked for touch, but put up the bomb and chased hard to put extra pressure on the Lions back three.
The line out was horrendous to say the least. Chris Jack alone had ten takes from the lineout, half a dozen of those were against the Lions throw, which just shows that either the calls were not being made properly, the hooker was throwing badly, or the jumpers were not obeying their instructions. It was probably a combination of all three, although things didn't really improve after the bench emptied, so maybe it was a coaching problem!!!
The first sixty or so minutes was great tough hard fought rugby, the last twenty was pretty scrappy given the god awful conditions in Christchurch. Playing footy in rain, hail and sleet could not be the easiest thing in the world and it led to some handling and kicking errors from both sides, but the game was over the minute Carter converted the second try to the All Blacks.
There were a couple of problems I saw with the All Blacks, the first being the number of kicks that were being charged down. I know that Carter was trying to keep the ball low so to make it easier for his players to run onto but at times it seemed a little slow.
I think this has more to do with the passes coming in from Marshell, who was a bit all over the place, as always. Carter is well trained from the Super 12 in picking up passes either off his toes or from above his head, and because of this tonight the Lions were in his face very quickly. They were also probably off side for a large portion of the night. The commentators mentioned Marshells passing as something that will have to be looked at for the next match.
The best thing about the All Black performance tonight was the fact that it was a very even team effort. There were no real standout or sub-standard players. I thought the tight five were excellent, Carter, as per usual was fantastic and it would be a great thing to see if Wilkinson is put in at #10 for the next match to watch these two go head-to-head, McCaw was dominating at the breakdown and all of the team, particularly Umaga, were outstanding in defence.
I haven't seen or heard any of Woodwards responses to the loss, how has he handled it so far?
:!!!I would think that Mealamu will be in some trouble for the hit on O'Driscoll, it didn't look good and it was way off the ball. I don't think that Umaga has any case to answer on that tackle, but there was a later spear tackle which could be an issue, although it didn't look intentional, just momentum, but those kind of things are not looked on too kindly, so who knows.
The commentators said that it was a dislocated shoulder for O'Driscoll, which is such a shame, he is a class player (and individual) and a great captain, and will be sorely missed if he is out for the rest of the tour, which seems likely. And they will definately miss Hill if he is out as well.
After the first couple of minutes the Lions seemed to go to pieces. The All Blacks got a penalty goal against the run of play and never looked back and never looked like they were going to lose. There was absolutely no cohesion in any of the Lion set plays, no understanding in either the lineouts and the scrums, the inside backs were kicking badly and they were not holding up under the enormous pressure the All Blacks were putting on them.
I don't believe that Wilkinson should be at inside centre, not that he was bad, it was just that he had minimal impact on the match and when he was needed he was always to far away from the play. There also didn't seem to be any understanding between he and Jones. I don't think that Wilkinson is a utility back and this match just confirmed my suspicions, for him to be at his best for the team he needs to be controlling play and to do that he must be playing at five-eighth.
There were a number of high bombs put up by the All Black kickers directed at Robinson who spent the first half looking a little like a deer caught in the headlights. This was obviously a pre-meditated play. They must think he is suspect under the high ball. On a number of occassions Carter or Mauger never even looked for touch, but put up the bomb and chased hard to put extra pressure on the Lions back three.
The line out was horrendous to say the least. Chris Jack alone had ten takes from the lineout, half a dozen of those were against the Lions throw, which just shows that either the calls were not being made properly, the hooker was throwing badly, or the jumpers were not obeying their instructions. It was probably a combination of all three, although things didn't really improve after the bench emptied, so maybe it was a coaching problem!!!
The first sixty or so minutes was great tough hard fought rugby, the last twenty was pretty scrappy given the god awful conditions in Christchurch. Playing footy in rain, hail and sleet could not be the easiest thing in the world and it led to some handling and kicking errors from both sides, but the game was over the minute Carter converted the second try to the All Blacks.
There were a couple of problems I saw with the All Blacks, the first being the number of kicks that were being charged down. I know that Carter was trying to keep the ball low so to make it easier for his players to run onto but at times it seemed a little slow.
I think this has more to do with the passes coming in from Marshell, who was a bit all over the place, as always. Carter is well trained from the Super 12 in picking up passes either off his toes or from above his head, and because of this tonight the Lions were in his face very quickly. They were also probably off side for a large portion of the night. The commentators mentioned Marshells passing as something that will have to be looked at for the next match.
The best thing about the All Black performance tonight was the fact that it was a very even team effort. There were no real standout or sub-standard players. I thought the tight five were excellent, Carter, as per usual was fantastic and it would be a great thing to see if Wilkinson is put in at #10 for the next match to watch these two go head-to-head, McCaw was dominating at the breakdown and all of the team, particularly Umaga, were outstanding in defence.
I haven't seen or heard any of Woodwards responses to the loss, how has he handled it so far?
Follow up from the All Blacks v Lions match, neither Tana Umaga nor Keven Mealamu have been cited for dangerous play on Brian O'Driscoll, which is a little surprising given it looked pretty dodgy and was off the ball and he dislocated his shoulder.
Anyway SCW is spitting chips and has called the whole tribunal process into question, as you would expect.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15736135-23217,00.html (Woodward urges foul play rethink)
Following on from that, Danny Grewcock, the Lions Lock, has been suspended for 6 weeks for biting Keven Mealamu on the fingure in the second half. He is not allowed to play again until 26th August and therefore is out for the rest of the Lions tour.
http://xtramsn.co.nz/rugby/0,,12416-4510980,00.html (Lions Lock Banned For Biting)
And Welsh winger Gareth Thomas has been named as the new captain of the Lions after Brian O'Driscoll was injured during the first test and therefore can't compete on this tour anymore.
http://xtramsn.co.nz/rugby/0,,12918-4510776,00.html (Thomas New Lions Captain)
Anyway SCW is spitting chips and has called the whole tribunal process into question, as you would expect.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15736135-23217,00.html (Woodward urges foul play rethink)
Following on from that, Danny Grewcock, the Lions Lock, has been suspended for 6 weeks for biting Keven Mealamu on the fingure in the second half. He is not allowed to play again until 26th August and therefore is out for the rest of the Lions tour.
http://xtramsn.co.nz/rugby/0,,12416-4510980,00.html (Lions Lock Banned For Biting)
And Welsh winger Gareth Thomas has been named as the new captain of the Lions after Brian O'Driscoll was injured during the first test and therefore can't compete on this tour anymore.
http://xtramsn.co.nz/rugby/0,,12918-4510776,00.html (Thomas New Lions Captain)
Poor old Clive is copping a caning in the press over here. The Sunday Times had a headline "Unless Woodward moves away from English attrition he could prove to be the worst Lions boss since God knows when".
In another article the 4 problem areas are listed as;
1. All the talk was on attacking the All Blacks yet SCW "retreated disastrously behind a wall of his old 2003 World Cup heroes nearly two years after that team passed its prime."
2. Wilkinson is not an inside centre, his kicks are now short, he's lost his torp and SCW must drop him.
3. The linout was a disaster. Partly due to liberla refereeing allowing collisions in the air and partly due to poor throwing.
Byrne must go to be replaced by Thompson.
4. Teamwork is very poor. Radical work on the trqining ground is needed to get the team to gell and start combining better. (I would add some stability of selections would be nice.)
So basically the tour is in danger of becoming an utter disaster, sending SCW pff to soccer in disgrace.
:rofl :rofl
In another article the 4 problem areas are listed as;
1. All the talk was on attacking the All Blacks yet SCW "retreated disastrously behind a wall of his old 2003 World Cup heroes nearly two years after that team passed its prime."
2. Wilkinson is not an inside centre, his kicks are now short, he's lost his torp and SCW must drop him.
3. The linout was a disaster. Partly due to liberla refereeing allowing collisions in the air and partly due to poor throwing.
Byrne must go to be replaced by Thompson.
4. Teamwork is very poor. Radical work on the trqining ground is needed to get the team to gell and start combining better. (I would add some stability of selections would be nice.)
So basically the tour is in danger of becoming an utter disaster, sending SCW pff to soccer in disgrace.
:rofl :rofl
All the controversy and excitement across the ditch and I almost forgot about the great win our Wallabies had on Saturday afternoon.
Defeating the Italians 69 - 21.
Not to state the obvious but it looks like Matt Giteau will be an absolute superstar of the future and will be controlling the Wallaby play for the next decade or so, while Lote Tuquri is being touted as arguably the best Australian winger ever.
While his performances so far definately mean he is one of the best, and makes up fair combination with a fit Clyde Rathbone, I think that David Campese (among others) may have something to say about labelling him the absolute best, yet!!!
Although I think Lote is only 24 years old, so there are plenty of good years yet to come and you never know, hopefully!!!
Obviously the opposition over the last couple of weeks (Samoa and Italy) has not been as good, which means that it was easier to put on a great attacking display, but there have been over forty tries scored in two weeks of rugby and that shows a committment to play attacking football and that is always a good thing.
France next week will be a much tougher test after coming off two matches against the Springboks - one being a draw, the other a loss (27 - 13) on Saturday night. They have a strong forward pack (probably the strongest in the Six Nations) and the Wallaby pack will need to be on their best game, as the Azzuri did manage to push them around a bit in the mauls.
All up though a great win for the Wallabies and hopefully we can wollop the French this week and then bring on the Springboks ;D !!!
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15727794-23217,00.html (Wallabies crush Italy)
Defeating the Italians 69 - 21.
Not to state the obvious but it looks like Matt Giteau will be an absolute superstar of the future and will be controlling the Wallaby play for the next decade or so, while Lote Tuquri is being touted as arguably the best Australian winger ever.
While his performances so far definately mean he is one of the best, and makes up fair combination with a fit Clyde Rathbone, I think that David Campese (among others) may have something to say about labelling him the absolute best, yet!!!
Although I think Lote is only 24 years old, so there are plenty of good years yet to come and you never know, hopefully!!!
Obviously the opposition over the last couple of weeks (Samoa and Italy) has not been as good, which means that it was easier to put on a great attacking display, but there have been over forty tries scored in two weeks of rugby and that shows a committment to play attacking football and that is always a good thing.
France next week will be a much tougher test after coming off two matches against the Springboks - one being a draw, the other a loss (27 - 13) on Saturday night. They have a strong forward pack (probably the strongest in the Six Nations) and the Wallaby pack will need to be on their best game, as the Azzuri did manage to push them around a bit in the mauls.
All up though a great win for the Wallabies and hopefully we can wollop the French this week and then bring on the Springboks ;D !!!
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15727794-23217,00.html (Wallabies crush Italy)
How impressive from the PR department at the ARU ;D !!!
Lions team for Saturday night's match against the All Blacks:-
British and Irish Lions: Josh Lewsey (Eng); Jason Robinson (Eng), Gareth Thomas (Wal, captain), Gavin Henson (Wal), Shane Williams (Wal); Jonny Wilkinson (Eng), Dwayne Peel (Wal); Ryan Jones (Wal), Lewis Moody (Eng), Simon Easterby (Ire); Donncha OCallaghan (Ire), Paul OConnell (Ire); Julian White (Eng), Steve Thompson (Eng), Gethin Jenkins (Wal).
Reserves: Shane Byrne (Ire), Graham Rowntree (Eng), Martin Corry (Eng), Martyn Williams (Wal), Matt Dawson (Eng), Stephen Jones (Wal), Shane Horgan (Ire).
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15767036-23217,00.html (Wilko returns to No.10)
It seems to be a bit more balanced with a few less English players in the side (from 13 to 9) and a few more Welsh, which is probably the way it should have been in the first place given the way Wales has been playing recently.
;D !!!Lions team for Saturday night's match against the All Blacks:-
British and Irish Lions: Josh Lewsey (Eng); Jason Robinson (Eng), Gareth Thomas (Wal, captain), Gavin Henson (Wal), Shane Williams (Wal); Jonny Wilkinson (Eng), Dwayne Peel (Wal); Ryan Jones (Wal), Lewis Moody (Eng), Simon Easterby (Ire); Donncha OCallaghan (Ire), Paul OConnell (Ire); Julian White (Eng), Steve Thompson (Eng), Gethin Jenkins (Wal).
Reserves: Shane Byrne (Ire), Graham Rowntree (Eng), Martin Corry (Eng), Martyn Williams (Wal), Matt Dawson (Eng), Stephen Jones (Wal), Shane Horgan (Ire).
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15767036-23217,00.html (Wilko returns to No.10)
It seems to be a bit more balanced with a few less English players in the side (from 13 to 9) and a few more Welsh, which is probably the way it should have been in the first place given the way Wales has been playing recently.
The All Black team to play the Lions on Saturday night in Wellington:-
The team: Mils Muliaina, Rico Gear, Tana Umaga (captain), Aaron Mauger, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Byron Kelleher, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Derren Witcombe, Greg Somerville, Jono Gibbes, Sione Lauaki, Justin Marshall, Ma'a Nonu, Leon MacDonald.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15754970-23217,00.html (Three All Blacks changes)
Some interesting changes for the Kiwis coming into the second test, with fullback Leon MacDonald, winger Doug Howlett and halfback Justin Marshall all dropped from the run on side. MacDonald and Marshall are on the bench but Howlett has been dropped completely.
Very interesting indeed : !!!
The team: Mils Muliaina, Rico Gear, Tana Umaga (captain), Aaron Mauger, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Byron Kelleher, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Derren Witcombe, Greg Somerville, Jono Gibbes, Sione Lauaki, Justin Marshall, Ma'a Nonu, Leon MacDonald.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15754970-23217,00.html (Three All Blacks changes)
Some interesting changes for the Kiwis coming into the second test, with fullback Leon MacDonald, winger Doug Howlett and halfback Justin Marshall all dropped from the run on side. MacDonald and Marshall are on the bench but Howlett has been dropped completely.
Very interesting indeed :
!!!And last but not least the Australian Wallabies play the French on Saturday in Brisbane.
There have been a couple of changes to the team which steam rolled Italy last week, the most notable being that Chris Latham comes back into the run on side with Matt Rogers being pushed back to the bench.
Australia
Chris Latham; Wendell Sailor, Stirling Mortlock, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri; Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (captain); David Lyons, George Smith, Rocky Elsom; Nathan Sharpe, Mark Chisholm; Al Baxter, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young.
Reserves: Stephen Moore, Matt Dunning, Al Campbell, John Roe, Chris Whitaker, Morgan Turinui, Mat Rogers.
23rd Man: Scott Fava.
France
Nicolas Brusque; Julien Laharrague, Yannick Jauzion, Benoit Baby, Cedric Heymans; Frederic Michalak, Jean Baptiste Elissalde (captain); Julien Bonnaire, Olivier Magne, Remy Martin; Pascal Pape, Gregory Lamboley; Denis Avril, Dimitri Swarzewski, Olivier Milloud.
Reserves: Sebastien Bruno, Sylvain Marconnet, Thibault Privat, Yannick Nyanga, Dimitri Yachvili, Damien Traille, Julien Candelon.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15766933-23217,00.html (Wallabies dump Rogers to bench)
GO WALLABIES ;D !!!
There have been a couple of changes to the team which steam rolled Italy last week, the most notable being that Chris Latham comes back into the run on side with Matt Rogers being pushed back to the bench.
Australia
Chris Latham; Wendell Sailor, Stirling Mortlock, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri; Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (captain); David Lyons, George Smith, Rocky Elsom; Nathan Sharpe, Mark Chisholm; Al Baxter, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young.
Reserves: Stephen Moore, Matt Dunning, Al Campbell, John Roe, Chris Whitaker, Morgan Turinui, Mat Rogers.
23rd Man: Scott Fava.
France
Nicolas Brusque; Julien Laharrague, Yannick Jauzion, Benoit Baby, Cedric Heymans; Frederic Michalak, Jean Baptiste Elissalde (captain); Julien Bonnaire, Olivier Magne, Remy Martin; Pascal Pape, Gregory Lamboley; Denis Avril, Dimitri Swarzewski, Olivier Milloud.
Reserves: Sebastien Bruno, Sylvain Marconnet, Thibault Privat, Yannick Nyanga, Dimitri Yachvili, Damien Traille, Julien Candelon.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15766933-23217,00.html (Wallabies dump Rogers to bench)
GO WALLABIES ;D !!!
