v Blues

[J Dory]

[fivepointer]

Pretty underwhelming. Too many mistakes, dull penalties, poor options and some players really looking off the pace. Its game 2, they've been in NZ a week. I wouldn't get too worried as there is obviously the capacity in the squad to play a whole lot better, but the turnaround needs to happen pretty sharpish.

[onlynameleft]

I watched the first two games in the Sports Plaza at Center Parcs. Was kinda thinking of staying here for a few weeks but to be honest can't see the Lions getting close to that simple heads up support play and accurate offloading for West's try so think we will head home Friday.

[QwentyJ]

Well done Blues!

If Gatland could send Seymour and Hogg over to the Scotland camp that would be just great.

Can they send Laidlaw too then.

Nah, I'll pass. Most Scots don't even want him in the 23 which says all you need to know about Gatland as a selector.

Fucks sake Greig, come on.

I would love to have Laidlaw in the Scottish 23. Maybe not the starting 9 at the moment on form but his playing days are not over yet.

[Stom]

Why are people not going Warburton at 6 and Tipuric at 7? Seems like the obvious call to me.

Puja

POWER!

No, seriously. I'd love to see a pure power carrying, ruck hitting pack, backed up with quick backs.

[jared_7]

So what do people reckon it is - really poor Lions or the standard of NZ Super rugby sides being high? Probably a bit of both?

Austin Healey has said Saracens would win by 30 against this Blues side, and the Guardian said all the home nations, individually, would beat them (which I assume includes Scotland?)

[skidger]

I think we all knew anyway but this game confirmed Bristol have made a cracking signing. Although he will have to get past the mighty Jordan Crane first. Sorry Jord.

[skidger]

So what do people reckon it is - really poor Lions or the standard of NZ Super rugby sides being high? Probably a bit of both?

Austin Healey has said Saracens would win by 30 against this Blues side, and the Guardian said all the home nations, individually, would beat them (which I assume includes Scotland?)

A bit of both. I think Saracens are far more likely to win by 3 points than 30 and that is Healey just being a prick as usual.

[Len]

Healey is a twat.

[Len]

I've always secretly thought Nowell was average, never voiced it because he has a bit of a fan club. I never thought he'd make the ABs squad if he were a kiwi. Now I'm not sure he'd make some of the NZ super rugby sides benches. Itoje needs to STFU at the linout. First five a real concern for the Lions. No real playmaker there.

Hopefully the Crusaders can show up on Saturday.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

So what do people reckon it is - really poor Lions or the standard of NZ Super rugby sides being high? Probably a bit of both?

Austin Healey has said Saracens would win by 30 against this Blues side, and the Guardian said all the home nations, individually, would beat them (which I assume includes Scotland?)

It's Gatland. The Lions players are very good but playing to Gatland's formula is a how-to manual of losing to the kiwi franchises. They are more than used to power, and the defensive line is designed to reform at such a high speed that even when it bends it very rarely breaks. Even good kicks can be run back for tries or at least serious field position. I cannot see how a Gatland team wins any of these games without the kiwis seriously fucking up and apparently picking a 20 year old newbie for his first start against the most famous touring side in the world isn't a big enough cock up.

Eta, clearly the guardian didn't see Wales getting their arses handed to them by a depleted chiefs team. FFS.

[jngf]

Why are people not going Warburton at 6 and Tipuric at 7? Seems like the obvious call to me.

Puja

Suspect it's because Warburton's arguably not as good or powerful a carrying 6 as Moriarty or Stander or for that matter Haskell.

Agree that Tipuric is the better 7 - I'd be happy with a 6 Moriarty/Stander 7 Tipuric 8 Faletau back row - but Gatland will stick with Warburton

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Why are people not going Warburton at 6 and Tipuric at 7? Seems like the obvious call to me.

Puja

Suspect it's because Warburton's arguably not as good or powerful a carrying 6 as Moriarty or Stander or for that matter Haskell.

He's absolutely bloody miles ahead of Haskell even in carrying as long as the criteria includes making something out of the carry.

[Lizard]

All this talk of "carrying" by loose forwards shows how far behind the thinking is. The Blues has Luatua who's offloading (3 or 4 beauties) made a significant part of the difference between the teams. It's not the carrying, it's how you keep the ball alive after the carry.

[skidger]

Did not see Saturdays game so not sure if there was a haka before that game but surprised to see one today. Surely that should just be for the National side? Please don't let there be one this Saturday as that would be just be utter bollocks.

[zer0]

Did not see Saturdays game so not sure if there was a haka before that game but surprised to see one today. Surely that should just be for the National side? Please don't let there be one this Saturday as that would be just be utter bollocks.

Why?

[skidger]

Should the esteemed Adidas Haka not be just for the all Blacks? I admit it lost some sheen a few years back in Cardiff when they behaved like babies and did it in the dressing room. But how many 'welcomes' do the Lions need? I would rather you just got on with showing us up on the rugby field with superior skills and players not called Haskell without yet another haka. More is less.

[Mellsblue]

Why are people not going Warburton at 6 and Tipuric at 7? Seems like the obvious call to me.

Puja

Suspect it's because Warburton's arguably not as good or powerful a carrying 6 as Moriarty or Stander or for that matter Haskell.

He's absolutely bloody miles ahead of Haskell even in carrying as long as the criteria includes making something out of the carry.

I'm miles ahead of Haskell at carrying and I'm a long retired, homeless man's George Ford. He was absolutely woeful today in every aspect. Just as I expected him to be.

[ricardominyardo]

Well that didnt go so well for the lions
Not sure they will win anything on this tour now
Cant see them toppling the crusaders.... and a second string lions will unlikely beat the highlanders ... chiefs ... or hurricanes ( even without ABs)
Their only chance will be against the Maori.... and thats looking 50/50 as well

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Well that didnt go so well for the lions
Not sure they will win anything on this tour now
Cant see them toppling the crusaders.... and a second string lions will unlikely beat the highlanders ... chiefs ... or hurricanes ( even without ABs)
Their only chance will be against the Maori.... and thats looking 50/50 as well

Ricardo?! Welcome back!

I agree completely by the way.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Should the esteemed Adidas Haka not be just for the all Blacks? I admit it lost some sheen a few years back in Cardiff when they behaved like babies and did it in the dressing room. But how many 'welcomes' do the Lions need? I would rather you just got on with showing us up on the rugby field with superior skills and players not called Haskell without yet another haka. More is less.

You completely misunderstand the place of a haka in NZ Rugby. Schools do hakas before their games.

[Len]

Should the esteemed Adidas Haka not be just for the all Blacks? I admit it lost some sheen a few years back in Cardiff when they behaved like babies and did it in the dressing room. But how many 'welcomes' do the Lions need? I would rather you just got on with showing us up on the rugby field with superior skills and players not called Haskell without yet another haka. More is less.

Thanks for explaining the Hakka for everyone, you ignorant fuck.

Their country is going through a bit of a racist patch at the moment mate, its fashionable. Quite why we should be sensitive about their terrorist attacks whilst they have a dig at our culture I'll never understand.

[Mikey Brown]

Wow. And you thought Skidger sounded like a moron just then?

[bitts]

Should the esteemed Adidas Haka not be just for the all Blacks? I admit it lost some sheen a few years back in Cardiff when they behaved like babies and did it in the dressing room. But how many 'welcomes' do the Lions need? I would rather you just got on with showing us up on the rugby field with superior skills and players not called Haskell without yet another haka. More is less.

Thanks for explaining the Hakka for everyone, you ignorant fuck.

Their country is going through a bit of a racist patch at the moment mate, its fashionable. Quite why we should be sensitive about their terrorist attacks whilst they have a dig at our culture I'll never understand.

Do you find it hard to be sensitive about what happened in Manchester/london?

We don't expect people to be sensitive about what happened because we think we're special. We expect it Because people are normally sensitive over the matter of people being killed. Especially kids.

[Len]

Thanks for explaining the Hakka for everyone, you ignorant fuck.

Their country is going through a bit of a racist patch at the moment mate, its fashionable. Quite why we should be sensitive about their terrorist attacks whilst they have a dig at our culture I'll never understand.

Do you find it hard to be sensitive about what happened in Manchester/london?

We don't expect people to be sensitive about what happened because we think we're special. We expect it Because people are normally sensitive over the matter of people being killed. Especially kids.

We don't expect people to respect the haka because we think we're special. We expect it because people are normally respectful of other cultures.