Notes From Down Under 2: Lions start well - as I predicted
FoR relaxing...
By "Fan of Rugby" June 5 2009
"Fan of Rugby" has sent us a further missive from the land down under. Having followed the fortunes of the Leeds team via email and the thinnest of news feeds that he could possibly have got on the English ND1, he turns his attention to the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa once again in this, the second of his ruminations from the colonies...
In a week where Dragon disappeared for a few days and people thought he'd died, and my first article is received better than a pass from Care to Cipriani, the Lions have indeed played twice.
I have a habit of looking at a sporting side, any sport I might add, and predicting results pretty damm accurately. Looking at Saturday's Lions side, my first reaction wasn't positive. It was full of anger at the fact that some of my favourite (and may I add, the nation's best players) had been overlooked for this tour. Had McGeechan become mesmerised by Munster's dominance all the way up to the point where Leinster destroyed them? Were the Lions affected by the hundreds of players missing due to the Heineken Cup Final? Seeming as though only a handful of Lions were actually appearing, had the coach bolted from the horses a little too soon.
No. The effects of altitude appeared to take it's toll. When you have athletes of their calibre complaining that they couldn't breathe then I suppose you have to believe them. In a side where the Welsh boys dug us out of a hole in Bryne and Roberts, how good were the opposition? I was an angry young pup. Sunday morning, following a game where the 'contact' was policed as heavily as brothels and the basics were applied as well as FOR does 'polite', how far was this magnificent touring squad going to go.
Until Wednesday's selection. The back-row looked well-balanced, a decent hooker was selected, and the second row had something to prove, were the Lions going to roar? Stephen Jones was selected at 10 which meant we could actually connect the forwards with the backs, and a one-dimensional 12 excelled. Jamie Roberts produced a double up performance where one only has to step back and applaud. Vickery dismissed Mark_C's reviews where he was described as over the hill, and excelled. Croft was dynamic and effective at the breakdown, making a mockery of his original non-selection. And my god we had the class act the Lions have to perve over. BOD wasn't roaring, merely purring, but what a player.
Onwards to prey on a few Cheetahs, where we are all in much better spirits than 4 days ago. I am leaving Sydney to travel up the coast. As for Dragon, can a big 'congratulations' be offered as the Welshman's 800th call regarding a Welsh player has been proven correct. Whether due to the law of averages or Rhys having a quick word at the end of season family shindig, we don't know for certain. All that we know is that the old man is missed in his absence, the Irish boys continue to talk.....well 'Irish', and Farmer seems to be having a few quiet months, and demanding another spark of genius from your resident journalist. For me, on Saturday I have to support the Barbarians, and then we will all continue to be excited AND let down by all aspects of the Lions, as that is why we love them so.
Laters
FOR xxx
Notes from Down Under 2: Lions start well - as I predicted
Posted by: TykesRugby.co.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 05/06/2009 17:17
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Well done FOR, good report. I may be dead, dead right that is when I say those Welsh lads and indeed the others played really well on Wednesday and thorughly deserved their places. I'll be especially interested to see how young Halfpenny goes, he's going to have to be something special to earn a place in the test side. Looking forward to the next report from down under, assuming I live long enough. Wonder if they will play James Hook from the start, his fake tan should endhere him to the locals?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:06:05:20:22:12 by dragon27.
Looking at today's side, it look's the weakest so far. The balance doesn't look right,and we have a winger playing at 12. Oh well, full day of rugby coming up.
Full Day of Work Here for Me I'm Afraid - Two Weeks and "Noo Yawk" calls, so getting in front of myself here. I hope Halfpenny plays well today, as the more pressure put onto the selectors from different players, then the better for the Lions side it will be. The Male Nurses here are trying to trawl the internet looking for Holland Cricket jerseys at the moment - One reason is the win yesterday and the other is that they'll look rather fetching at "The Twelfth" Bonfires !!!
If you were shouting for the Baa-Baas (or barracking as they, rather oddly, call it over there) I imagine you will have had an interesting evening. I can think of few things worse than being surrounded by Aussies when they win by a street against a team they doubtless perceive as essentially pom, even though most of the players weren't!
surprisingly, there were a number of aussies suporting the Baa baas (who were terrible). even more surprising as SBW was booed everytime he even went near the ball.
RTE Reporting the Win wasn't convincing and the Lions are going to have to raise there game before the tests, or they may as well get on the flight home now - George Hook is appoplectic !
Stephen Ferris is getting a Lot of Praise for his Performance from RTE - seeing he plays for Ulster, then that's praise indeed, as they don't give us the credit where it's deserved usually
Ferris is a great player and deserves all the praise he gets. I am going to stick my neck out now and say that there is enough guile, grit and skill in the squad for the Lions to edge the first test. The BOKS will start as massive favourites but I think that a shock is on the cards.
Powell was shown up for the one-dimensional player he is - should never have gone in my view and will be lucky to be warming the bench for the midweekers from here on. Fitzgerald didn't accrue many test match credits either and Shane Williams has definitely lost his sparkle, which is a shame as in his pomp he would have been one of the first names on my team sheet. Hook had an ok game but I can't see them looking past Stephen Jones and ROG for the tests, unless one of them has a mare in the first match.
I agree Newtfish taking Powell was a big mistake, Ryan Jones is a more complete player and should have gone IMO. I thought Hook did OK, I don't think the coaches would be afraid to play him, he's done nothing wrong and kicks as well as Jones or ROG. Halfpenny didn't get any ball I hope he gets another chance. Few of the players that played yesterday will get a test place, maybe Byrne, O'Connell and Ferris.
He will Freddy but probably more to do with being captain than his current form. I also noticed when the forwards were in a huddle it was Powell doing all the talking, he is Welsh however.
I would not be too sure Freddy PoC has not looked much of a Lion to me in his 2 outing he has been distinctly average. If he carries on in the same vein, he may end up being the only Lions Captain not to make the test side, there are only 3 more games before the 1st test and PoC needs 2 good games.
I would add Sheridan of Test Lions but think he will make the bench.
I dont think that will happen. Its only injury that will keep him out of the test side. The first game he was one of the few that performed along with ROG.
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