@toddy said in South Africa 'A' v British & Irish Lions:
I always thought the tackled player was allowed a chance to place the ball? He was short when tackled but it looked on the line when he placed the ball.
Said it was short on second attempt
Third go was playing the ball on the ground
Sth Africa showing how to close out a game from the 60 minute mark....
And can we ban the commentators saying when a tackle is shown in a replay "and that what it means to be a Lion.."
The Lions will be disappointed they didn't capitalise on the 2-man advantage as they had try-scoring opportunities. Credit to the SA defence though.
Some players who might have been test starters didn't impress that much tonight.
Good game management last 10 for SA saw them through. Some good performers both sides but felt a lot being held back in set play moves? Nice run for both esp first half apart from scrums which looked lottery…
Made me laugh
“Down at half time was tough ask. We were calm and executed most of what we wanted to do, but it’s a good hit out against a good side. This was something that we needed and it was massively physical.” (So called Captain Murray)
I agree this will be of greater benefit to their prep than previous games, but if that was an example of the Lions executing most of what they wanted to do, then I’d be very very worried. However, that was likely just a phrase to use in an interview wasn’t it?
Please tell me it was..
@mikethesnow said in South Africa 'A' v British & Irish Lions:
I thought I was watching Wales v Argentina again
Dumb rugby from BIL
Deserved to lose
On the plus side, the game showed the Test series will be a tough fight and not a Covid-induced farce.
Really looking forward to it after this game.
Did anyone notice how much weight the SA pack had gained over Covid?
Agreed with comments in Conor Murray, he was easily the worst Lion out there. That roll-the-ball-through-the-caterpillar thingy EVERY time he was looking to box kick or for an exit play was not a good strategy - gave SA time to set - not to mention being bloody annoying.
Farrell's thinking under pressure went to pieces and although I like Rees-Zammit-dammit he did himself no favours yesterday, got shut down too easily.
Tom Curry easily the best Lion by a country mile with good cameos from Vunipola and abrasive Adam Beard as well. Pack was much improved after they entered the fray. For mine, I;m still not sold on Itoje, good when carrying and in mauls, but still too much ruck-inspecting and leaning, albeit he was not alone in that. Tom Curry has surely picked himself in that test squad, he set the bar, and should be held up as an example for the rest to match.
While watching the first half, I was sitting here thinking how much I miss the good AB/Boks tests, you know where everyone just rips in and hurts each other at every collision etc.
Just seems so much better than the sanitised stuff we get too often playing the Wallabies etc.
@catogrande said in South Africa 'A' v British & Irish Lions:
You’d be watching that on Betamax I guess. It’s all a bit sanitised these days as a spectacle. Just don’t say that to the poor buggers thar have to play the game.
yep, they do tend to be, still reckon best test I have seen in last 20 odd years or so has to be ABs/Boks at Ellis Park in 2013, was a bloody top brutal match!
@frye said in South Africa 'A' v British & Irish Lions:
Neither team brought much else apart from bosh. Handling was truly dire at times. If these shadow teams were a preview than I can't say I'm excited for the test series, especially without crowds.
