Kruis had a really poor game for sure, Itoje or Lawes in for him surely next week.

I seriously doubt that tbh. The Lions showed a lot of good stuff
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they did but I have a feeling gatland will revert to type and select a less exciting back line next week, yes the lions gt some breaks but they didn't really buther anything apart from 1 try(when the lions player had a 3on2 and came inside and slipped), nz scramble defence was immense

Lets be honest, this is not a great shock to anybody.

AWJ can't be anywhere near the 23 next week, did nothing at all and a Lions test isn't the place for a testimonial. Itoje and Henderson in the second row with Kruis on the bench, or send for Launchbury to cover the bench. Vunipola was walking around as well and really doesn't look fit, back line didn't do too much wrong but Farrell isn't a great stand off and if Sexton was firing on all cylinders he would be a better option. Thought Williams did well at f/b until the last 20 minutes when he was awful, maybe the bang on the head affected him? Pity Hogg is gone but that is Lions tours all over. Warburton is a great guy but isn't up to the standard required so Stander on the bench next week?

brilliant game this morning, the 2 lions locks probably did enough to get into the 23 at the weekend, luamape might have worked his way into nz 23, less said about the ref the better

Kaz

Wasn't M. Toite the ref today?

Garces, he has no clue

Sorry it was poite

comment by United_kaz (U9943)
posted 43 minutes ago
Sorry it was poite
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Like I said, Toite.

Waisake Naholo

Alb in as well, a lot more cutting edge and creativity in that team now

Gatland needs to go for broke, so Sexton and Farrell start with Teo on the bench.

Itoje starts, with Lawes on the bench. Kruis out altogether, as is O'Mahoney, in favour of Warburton starting and Stander on the bench.

Is this enough to win a must win game, or is it just shuffling the deck chairs.

Might look a bit more adventurous, but still see the series ending 3-0.

comment by United_kaz (U9943)
posted 7 hours, 33 minutes ago
Alb in as well, a lot more cutting edge and creativity in that team now
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Absolutely, but unfortunately, we've lost the two main defensive organizers in that backline. More flair but a bit more vulnerable. You could even tell last week when both Crotty and Smith went off to injury.

How is AWJ in the team? Guy is past his best before and if Gatland wants to give him a testimonial should do it Wales, not in a must win test in NZ. He was pretty invisible last week, as bad as Kruis. Warburton for O'Mahoney? Lost a lineout option and added nothing for me. AWJ, Kruis and probably Vunipola didn't do enough for a place for me.

The fact that teo has been dropped suggests to me anyway by bringing sexton in the lions are going to try play the terrortory game, get in behind with kicks and try play in a he nz half, get ready for high bombs galore

Is Ben Smith injured for the game? Would feel a lot more comfortable kicking to Barret.

he is but dagg will play full back ,just as good as smith under the ball

comment by United_kaz (U9943)
posted 44 minutes ago
The fact that teo has been dropped suggests to me anyway by bringing sexton in the lions are going to try play the terrortory game, get in behind with kicks and try play in a he nz half, get ready for high bombs galore
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It is a good strategy tbf as the All Blacks don't like teams that hog the ball and play territory although that usually just unleashes their insane counter attacking play. For that to happen though, the Lions will have to do much much better at the breakdown though. Slow down the All Blacks ball too.

nz can win games with less than 40% dnt think the lions can, I was actually surprised how much ball they did have on Saturday(over 60% I think), again all academic as pointed out if their pack get a job done on them again, nz have the best pack in the world so will take a mighty effort

so score predictions?
lions team set out to throw the ball wider?
will the Farrell-sexton axis work?
rain predicted for some seen as a advantage to the lions as if nz never play in this weather,
will the lack of a big centre free sbw to cause havoc?

im going for the series ending tomorrow nz by 10

Prediction. ABs by 12

Well well well, who saw that coming? Gitland turns it around. And two tries to none, very pleasing.

Feels like breakfast at the pub next Saturday.

Game on

Probably get slaughtered next weekend but damn it felt good this morning

SBW is still the same violent thug as ever

dammit show you beat me by 30 seconds

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