Lions Vs Emerging Boks

As I sat in the stands of a wet, wet Cape Towns Newlands looking at a game being played in the middle of the park with the stadium built with apatite in place I still could not help but think wow I what a great game and that true I found the hole time I been here there is some thing special about the Lions.

Well today's game the wet and wind stop them being to special but our front row played well, second row. I can be bothered to have ago at Worsley and Powell again but they where rubbish. Ellis was not at his best but still played well. Fluty had his best game of Tour and his D was smashing! Shane look good I don't no if it was good to tack the test spot as Monye came on and look good. Earls has had a bit of a bashing from this blog but I must say he played well. Same for Fitzie as normal he was OK.

O'Gara came off after 45 which makes me think he could be in a shout of a test spot. Vickery came on from Boos from one part of the stands, which made me angry but he put his critics to rest with a excellent 14 minuets.

So with all this what went wrong. First the brake down was slow and second we where slow in the rain.  

First Test-What I think

We can blame the Ref, we can blame Vickery, we can blame Jones and we can blame Myne but at then end of the day we lost, and it relay dose not matter how we lost or what we could of dune just that those things don't happen next week.
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I do remember people tell me that this is not like 1997 as our pack are much more match, boy they where wrong. Vickery I can say had the worse game of his life after beest destroyed him. After the first couple of scrum Vickery mind blow and never came back. Mears had a shakie game but I would not say it was a shocker and still see him starting the next test even after Rees played well when came on. Jenkins was the out standing player of the front row.
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Second Row all three had good games, Jones Reilly could of put his hand up for the way he played the first half. Our back row played well. Wolles was all over and his ball caring was topnotch. Hislip had a quite game we rill needed him to stand up but you can not say he had a bad game just good. Croft the man who was left at home who is fighting for a plays in the England team and his club think he not good to play on the flank, was the best player for the Lions.
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Phillips was on fire he showed the pride of the Lions when we where down he stood up and put in the exsta pace which lacked in the first half. Jones had a good game in open play and in the D but did not kick all his goles will Geech drop him because of the kicks when he others so much?
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Robertes and BOD where great again amazing rugby in the mid field. Before he was taken off for a knock Burn had a OK game not a good game but was ok. He did not make mistakes but did not do any thing mouth dropping as we might hope. Moyne played well, yes he had to disallowed trys but he did pass the line. Bows lines are great.
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Attack was good, our D was good but we gave to many penalties and our scum was week.

Lions Vs Southern Kings -What I Think

I think you will find I said "This could go wrong for the Lions". Well I was kind of right it was a crap game. The first half I felt like I prefer to watch paint dry. There where no death in attack and the pace of the game was slow, was this because no one wonted to be over dune for the test? People like Monye and Fitz had slow game but Monye probably has got that test shirt now. Earls was better he look good running before he bugged up, so at least he is doing some right before he messes up. I can not help if any of the other players who where playing fallback we would be tow more trys up.
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The boys in the Mid filed where boring and flat. Hook got a bad knock and O'Gara came on and played OK. I don't know why but he seems to be playing in a different style and I would like to see him play like he dues for Ireland and Munster even it boring he is danders instead of trying to be Cipiarni.
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Worsley and Powell the Barbarian did what they do and hang out in the mid Field and Waite for the ball. Hines had a great game he got stuck in and was keen infarct the other second rows Shaw D O'Callaghan also played well but at times you could tell we had three second row on the pitch. Could this mean that Hines will be on the test bench as a back row cover and second row?
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Our Front three today where great Murray came of early and I just hope he is OK. Sheridan R Ford and Jones; who came on for Murry. Where great I think Geech will be asking him self do I do for the power of Sheridan or do you go for the open play of Jenkins?
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The D was good again I think Edwards is doing a outstanding job. So could be said for the kicking. I don't know if they went slow and uncreative because they are tired or that they are just saving them self. I hope the latter. I think I can say it again but Job Done!

6 Bok down 4 to go. It the big 4 next come on BOYOS!!!

Lions Vs Western Province - What I Think

Well that was a close one! I think it safe to say the Lions D under Edwards is up to scratch. This was always going to the Lions hardest pre-test game as WP do not have as many Boks and are a good well drilled team.
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Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Ugo Monye all had a good game I said before the match that Bow just needs a 'OK game to see him on the team sheet'. Well I am happy that we got more than that, he showed us why he is a test player. Monye I would say has put his hands in the test shirt unless Fiz has a cracker on Tuesday or Geech go for out of form Willams. Monye hinted to the BBC that he like to play with Bow as they play better together "He is a great winger and with Rob Kearney there as well it has been easy to slot in between the two of them. Our attacking combinations seem to be coming on, we have got a really good pattern and shape, and without the ball our defence has also been strong." As Monye said Kearny play great I would say it to late for him to push Burn out the test side before the first test but could see him on the bench and maybe used in the other tests.
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Mid field was OK, Keith Earls and Riki Flutey had a OK game Flutey was not outstanding; and that what he had to be to push BOD or Roberts out the teem but he played OK. Earls did not do anything which would make you hit your head on the table, so a good game from the young gun. A quite game from Jones but did enuth for him to stay on pole for the test 10. Ellis showed his class I think we see more of him on this tour, Phillips test 9- for the first test at least.
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Back Row, Joe Worsley and Andy Powell did get to the brake down a bit more but still standing in the middle of the park to much, look for the TV cameras. I can not help think if Powell just stuck his head down and drive on their mull he could help stop it, instead of playing pater-cake with them. If it was not for Martyn Williams we probably be a lot more slow ball with more turn overs as he had the game of his life. He got stuck in at the brake down. Good with ball in hand, so good I think he might be the back up 12! Williams is given Geech and Co a hell of a tuth call. Wallace or Williams I would be happy ether way and I would not like to put any cash down on which one they go for, both class players.
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The second row where OK I would not say they did much to push AW Jone off the test team sheet. Andrew Sheridan, Matthew Rees,Phil Vickery the big 3 at the front. Sheridan I would say had a OK game but he need to match Jenkins great game so I think he lost his test place. Vickery was good, as Captain and as a player I think he will be in Pole for the test shirt unless Murry has a cracker on Tuesday. Rees and Ford (off the bench) showed why Meirs will get the test 2 shirt, that is because Meirs is the only one who can throw the ball in strait!
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We scored trys, our D was good. Players put there hands up. But they did get a couple of drop goles and the odd penalty but I would think Geech and Co be happy as there no meager problems. Job Done.

5 Boks Down 5 to go!

A good game the test team has written it self. Half way let carry on boys!

Lions Vs Sharks- What I Think

It was a good win 3-39 but it fills like we just scrap throw a win. I don't know if I was so lost it the game to not see we put 40 point (give or take) on them but it shows that even a well drilled team with a soled D we can score good trys and come away with a convincing win.

OK for my round up I will start with this man ROG or Ronan O'Gara before the game he told keo.co.za "It’s frustrating to watch from the bench. Nobody wants to watch from the bench," he said. "I felt like an imbecile in that first match in Rustenburg. I certainly underestimated the effects of altitude. The mind was telling me one thing, but the body wouldn't get into position to do it. "The boys took it up a fair few notches at Ellis Park, and I asked myself why there was an efficiency in that game that there wasn’t when I played," So it seems he know that Geech and Co where giving him the test 9,12,13 to let him show he what he can do with them. Well they did score trys from the mid Field and he did control the mid field unlike Hook but something lack he just could not make it work like Jones. ROG did not play like he dues in the Ireland or Munster shirt he seem to be trying to play with a bit of flare. I be happy to say ROG will be second filled to Jones now.

As I said before Phillips has the test 9 shirt, BOD has the test 12 shirt and Roberts has the 13 Fluty seem good when he came on but time is up to form a good combo with BOD. The others I be happy to say in the backs who have pined there test shirt who played Wednesday is the best 15 in the world Lee 'The Sunbed' Byrne top stuff from him again. Fiz look good on the wing and I would say his test shirt is all on how Monye plays on Saturday. Williams will be lucky man to make it in.

Alun-Wyn Jones, Tom Croft, David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip all I would say played them self on a test team sheet they where key to the win with line-outs, quick ball at the brake downs and got there hands dirty. I will not use my blog to undermine Paul O'Connell as a captain but he seems to be finding the job a wee bit harder than being Munster Captain .

Before the game Stephen Jones said in his daily e-mail from the Lions tour that "Latest discussions in and around the Lions camp surround the identity of the loose-head for the forthcoming Test series. The argument is rather obvious in one sense. Do they go for the incredible power of Andrew Sheridan, the man who sent the Lions scrum rocketing forward against the Cheetahs last Saturday?Or do they go for Gethin Jenkins, whose defence in the middle of the field against the Golden Lions was so remarkable? The point is that Jenkins is nothing like as powerful a scrummager at Sheridan. He is not a bad scrummager, just not a ferocious one.On the other hand, Sheridan is not nearly as active in the loose play as is Jenkins - although the ability of Sheridan to carry along the hard yards is significant." Well I think the debate on this one is still open Jenkins played well and his D was out of this world. He did give away the odd penalty but the South African ref seemed to give it to the Sharks even when the Sharks chap was not binding on and drooping his shoulder, I say no more. Lets just see how Sheridan plays on the weekend. Adam Jones played well but Vickry has been playing well and so has Murry. Mears as the only Hooker who can throw straight has got the test shirt but he has been playing well in the scrum and on the field.

4 boks down 6 to go!

Lets see how Jones, Ellis, Sheridan, Murray,Bow,D'Arcy, Fluty,Monye get on come boy let keep it going.

Lions Vs Cheetahs- What I think

"My first thought about this team is a worried one. I don't know why but I can't help think this team can slip up." "Fizgerald playing inside? Hook we all know Hook on his day is one of the best players on this green, green earth but, as we seen with the Ospreys, he can lack control and with a young guns out side him will he lose control?" "This won't be the Tryfest of Wednesday but we will all be looking for a good win. If our defence is good and stop them scoring Trys and if we get 2+ Trys and kick our goles I be happy with a low scoring win."
This is what I said in my Preview. Well yes I was right to be worried. Hook, Fiz and young Earls did look good for the first 20 but then Hook last control of the mid field. What we sore on the first game was no control at the brake down. Today we seen no control at the brake down and I put this down to Powell and Worsley they both seemed more interested in standing and waiting to make big hits or run with the ball then get there hands dirty and do the dog work what all great back rows do; you would not see Hill for games because he would be in the Ruck and Mulls doing the dirty work.

I will stick up Shane Williams, ok he had a bad game but you could tell he is trying to play himself into some form but he has lost his mojo, I think it would be worth playing him in the next game as I think some game time would help. The same with Halfpenny he needs some game time under his belt, he come good by test time. Wing is still the place the Lions are finding hard. Byrne was good but unlucky.

I have said that I think Powell and Worsley where rubbish today but I do think Ferris played well and is the inform flanker (other than croft), it showed how much of the dirty stuff he was doing when he got sent off as we lost a lot of ball. The other player I think needs a big gold sticker today was that English bulldog of Ellis he had a cracker of a game.

I do think the front row, apart from Ross Ford where great. I can not pick my test pack. Would you have Euan Murray starting with Vicky off the bench or the other way round? Sheridan Or Jenkins, mussel or passe? O'Callaghan the newest of second rows to played well, I can not make my mind up Hines, Jones or O'Callaghan, at this time I would say AW-Jones but the others are making it hard for me to say that. If any thing was first class today it was our scrum I think the Boks won't be so confident they boss us around there.

We did win and Earls did score, he is one for Australia 2013 not South Africa 2009.




Three Boks down 7 to go.
Job dune this was never our test team.

Lions Vs Lions- What I Think

What a game, I must say I am so happy as the tour starts now! I said at the end of last game's (Royal XV) 'What I think' that the boys needed to put a flag down to let the bok know the lions are in town and are looking to go hunting.

It was the same tactics they used in the last game but they did the small things which payed off. Good offloading, Munster Mull in there 22 work but probly needed more of the Munster pack in it. The forwards played out of there skin and especially that old Raging Bull Vickery.

So the Front row where alsom Mears and Vickery I would say have a test spot. Open side Sherdon Vs Jenkins for that shirt. Second row look good it will be a fight till the end to see who gets the second, second row shirt. If Croft has not shown why he should be on tour or to play flanker for Lester or make the England flanker shirt his with out fight with Haskell or even show why he is the man to start for the lions I don't know what he has to do. Heaslip, Wallace must be first choice.

Sound game from Jones-Phillips. BOD is the man. He is playing like he 22 again if he carrys on this way he wont just be seen as the best center in the world but be writing his name with the all time greats. Roberts has stuck his big hand up into the sleeve of a test shirt it not his to lose but Flutys to win. The back 3 played ok. I think the wings is the Lions biggest problem at this time no play has truly stuck there hand up yet.

You can't get excited the Golden Lions where week and this is where the Lions should be at nothing more. I would say thou Lions defence was top class as I think the Golden Lions had more persecution I hate to here what Mr Edwards said to the boys this week.

Two Bok's down 8 to go!

Royals Vs Lions- What I Think

What a game! Even when we where losing I had no dought we would win as the option was so week. I was thinking to my self before the game if we do not win by 35+ this might be a tuth tour. Could this be like Englan RWC in 2007?
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So a quick brake down. First I think we do have the tactics right, quick ball, fancy offloading and it seems if in there 22 the Munster mull was used. So what went wrong first the altitude got to the boys you could tell by 20 min in they look out of shape but know after that game they should be better.
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The tow mean problems in the game that our backs lack spark, I would say that came from the centres. You had Robert's doing what Robert does and runs hard and fast and Earls had a bad game what they lack was a change on angles and direction from midfield; what you would get from BOD and Flutty. Second we where slow and ineffective at the brake down to many turn overs and the Royals where just stepping over the ball like u12 are shown. The need to be there quicker and get more physical even it means playing a bit more on the edge.
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Good thing: Shane Bryne shown why I think he is the best fall back in the world and that try of his is in my top try I have ever seen! The subs made a big impact, the pick of them Mears, who looking like a shoe in for the 2 shirt. Phillips was looking extremely good and strong at the brake down. Flutty opened up the backs when he came on must be a shoe in for a test place. Vickery add a lot of leadership when he came on, test starter or is Vickery the impact sub?
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Job done? Maybe but they need to put down the flag agents the Golden Lions!






1 Bok Down 9 two go.