Here is your chance to discuss today’s match between the NZ Provincial Barbarians and the Lions.
How did the Lions look in their first outing on tour? Which players stood out for you? Which combinations worked well?
How did you rate the Lions’ opposition?
Give the match a rating out of ten and share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Some distinctly average performances there but four tries held up over the line tells you we were doing something good. I’m sure one of those deserved at least a check from the TMO, but the ref obviously didn’t think so. He also didn’t think there was any problem with Barbarians continuously going well past the ruck to clear out players. Also penalising the Lions for one throw not straight, but not penalising the Barbarians for several which were clearly not straight. The one thing always difficult to adjust to is the difference in refereeing. SH refs always view things slightly differently, so it’s just one more challenge for the Lions.
Have to echo your views on the ref; really inconsistent and not enforcing the law as we would see it in the northern hemisphere…a sign of things to come. So many hands in the ruck and playing the ball from an offside position.
I appreciate its the first game but a few really poor performances, notably Sexton, Henderson and AWJ. Hogg also started slowly but got going second half.
Actually thought Laidlaw played well considering the stick he normally gets, just needs to improve his running game.
Noticeably better once Farrell came on but little chance for the Lions to really play after giving up the ball so many times.
Totally agree about Laidlaw. Webb is good but is still a bit naive when making decisions. Thought Sinckler was outstanding and possibly our best player. Faletau, Moriarty and T’eo were also very good.
AWJ, Sexton were poor. Hogg was both good and poor. Some sloppy touches and lapses in concentration but linked up well with T’eo in attack.
Sexton won’t thank Laidlaw for laboured service which piles pressure outside. If that’s the passing standard from the base of the ruck maul and scrum then it’ll have to be Farrell for the ability to take heavy treatment.
Also thought Watson and Seymour did well with what ball they had. Looking forward to see who will make up the back three in the next match. I think a combination of Daly, North and Williams would be good.
A poor start against the weakest side they will meet. Hardly surprising given the ludicrous scheduling. Top athletes making a 27 hour flight and playing three days later is absolutely ludicrous and the NZ board should hold have been told so. Plusses were Sinkler and Teo, big minuses Sexton and AWJ who is at least two years past his best and has too many miles on the clock. Neither of the front rows moved the Barbarians an inch in the tight and there were too many people falling off tackles. Agree that the ref gave the Lions absolutely nothing and the Barbarians virtually free reign but a poor ref could not disguise serious shortcomings. I reckon they will lose all three tests and at least two other games.
I understand Gatland could have brought the bulk of the squad out 7 days earlier but chose not to.Also agree his selection of coaches and players is too based on those he knows-Howley and AWJ prime examples.I queryWarburton as capt.Tipuric consistently a better 7.We will do well to win 2/10.
Voted match a 4, but 3 was the consensus. The ref’s always seem to be ‘poor’ when they’re pinging yr team. This 1 was an Oz BTW. However, when I saw the Highlanders v Crusaders preceding this game, I’m afraid the skill levels were chalk & cheese. Gatland had to put a positive spin on the result I suppose, as did Stuart Barnes to a lesser extent, highlighting the Lions’ being held up over the line x 4. Ditto with Justin Marshall, but as he also stated, it’s only going to get harder from here on in! It’s not just the Lions’ inability to score TRIES & frankly their lack of invention, but also their LACK of intent, that should be of concern. If they go for goal instead of tries v the S. Franchises, let alone the AB’s, then I can potentially see their beating, maybe, only the Maoris. It’s early days, they have jet lag & haven’t played together etc, but they’ve got 1/2 a week to fix it & that’s it. A potential hammering by the Blues, who will have most of their AB’s starting, could leave this tour in deep guacamole almost before it’s got under way. Gatland needs to sharpen things up pronto methinks.
AWJ, Henderson,Warburton Laidlaw,Sexton,and Hogg had poor games. Are AWJ and Warburton fit?
I am sure players will improve except Henderson and Laidlaw. Thought Sinkler Moriarty Faleteua Teo played well Watson took his try well need to improve for Wednesday ii am sure we will
I would agree about the ref. I don’t usually complain about that official but some of his decisions were a bit one way/eyed. His quick decisions about the number of tries held up were interesting as was his award for a Barbarians throw in when a Lion touch the ball with his foot in touch. That was quickly followed by a Barbarians throw in to the player at the front of the line that was clearly crooked. Still a lesson to be learnt. The only way you can overcome any sort of bias from that direction is to pound on the points. Interestingly enough the comical twins of SB and MH missed all that and seemed more interested in slagging of the Lions and applauding the Barbarians. Has MH ever played Rugby.
The Lions that stood out for me were all the substitutes that came on plus Faletau, Moriarty and T’eo. Still early days and a lesson of what can be expected over the coming weeks