Excited about that midfield, but Gatland will need to help them out a bit by not standing deep and just shovelling.

A bit perplexing that our best lock is on the bench. This will be our 3rd lock pairing in 3 weeks.

I really thought they'd start Ruru. Nock looked so mentally shot after a couple of turnovers last week, he tried his best to avoid touching the ball altogether near the end of the game.

Bench looks pretty average overall and lacks impact value for the most part. Good to see Perofeta back though.

@taniwharugby said in Lions v Blues:

@kiwimurph
Yep, has to be last chance saloon for Nock and can probably consider himself lucky to get the start!

@MN5 like passing?

Nock really is playing for another contract with communication (or lack of) being one thing the Blues have told him must improve.

@dice said in Lions v Blues:

A bit perplexing that our best lock is on the bench. This will be our 3rd lock pairing in 3 weeks.

Yeah it's odd, Scrafton is clearly the best performing lock (and tight forward) in the team.

Tuipolotu should be on the bench.

@sammyc said in Lions v Blues:

@dice said in Lions v Blues:

A bit perplexing that our best lock is on the bench. This will be our 3rd lock pairing in 3 weeks.

Yeah it's odd, Scrafton is clearly the best performing lock (and tight forward) in the team.

Tuipolotu should be on the bench.

I agree, even more so with this game being played at altitude. It'd also help balance out a bench devoid of impact type players.

@nogusta ha, yeah was a maul late in the game last week when he shoulda been screaming at his forwards, but he kinda stood there waiting for something to happen, and the something that happened was the maul collapsed and the blues lost the ball.

It seems to me that they see the 3 locks as interchangeable with 1 of them rotated onto the bench - Tuipulotu was on the bench week 1, GCT in week 2 and Scrafton this week.

Maybe also they think Scrafton on the bench will help balance the second half slump the Blues have been having? Bringing on a hard worker off the pine to help the Blues battle against the altitude?

Proof will be in the pudding.

It will be interesting to see how Hodgman fares against Dreyer in the scrums. If he doesn't get dominated, then he could be an option for the All Blacks as quality LHPs are a rarity.

Finally, the Blues get over the line; excellent try from Akira Aioneee. (What's up with these commentators not being able to pronounce his name correctly?)

Half time: 21 - 10 to the Lions.

Blues are really struggling to get through the Lions' defence. Also giving away a lot of penalties. Gatland-Nock combo not working. I suspect the effect of altitude that will kick in during the 2nd half, will make it even harder for the Blues to catch up.

Nock replaced early; Ruru on in the 44th minute.

Gatland's kicking game has been terrible thus far. Not kicking into touch; inaccurate cross-kicks; now also missing an easy penalty kick. Bring on Perofeta!

Geez, and now a pass from Ruru is intercepted and the Lions are over again. 28 - 10.

They showed a stat earlier that the Blues had 62% possession and the Lions a lot of missed tackles, but that's clearly not reflected in the score.

Rieko gets the try after a great pass from Ruru.
Lots of subs have been made in the mean time, including Perofeta.

Perofeta looks good with Ruru. Was Hodgman concussed?

Wow, another try from Rieko! The subs have had a positive influence and have sped up the game considerably.
Ruru + Perofeta is miles better than Nock + Gatland.

@stargazer said in Lions v Blues:

Wow, another try from Rieko! The subs have had a positive influence and have sped up the game considerably.
Ruru + Perofeta is miles better than Nock + Gatland.

More cohesion and the Team is really moving forward.

SBW is pretty disappointing though.

@stargazer said in Lions v Blues:

SBW is pretty disappointing though.

Duffie's defence has been suspect, he still comes in and exposes his Wing.

@number9 said in Lions v Blues:

@stargazer said in Lions v Blues:

SBW is pretty disappointing though.

Duffie's defence has been suspect, he still comes in and exposes his Wing.

Not just Duffie's defence. Lions strike back immediately.

35 -24 to the Lions with 6 minutes to go.

Try Tupou. Probably the only name the commentators have pronounced right during the game.