NPR

Slick wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:30 am My only real complaint would be Price, seems a very odd and unfair decision with him being our best back on Saturday. At least he will get on.

I also think Sutherland is a silly decision although Mako was good when he came on. There is no way that Bok scrum is going to be as bad this weekend.

Mish I haven't got too many complaints about, although I still think he deserves to start instead of Curry, but a bit of a waste on the bench - with a nod to JMK's point about the balance.

SaintK wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:46 am

Slick wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:30 am My only real complaint would be Price, seems a very odd and unfair decision with him being our best back on Saturday. At least he will get on.

I also think Sutherland is a silly decision although Mako was good when he came on. There is no way that Bok scrum is going to be as bad this weekend.

Mish I haven't got too many complaints about, although I still think he deserves to start instead of Curry, but a bit of a waste on the bench - with a nod to JMK's point about the balance.

But of course you do
It was probably one of those 50/50 calls with Curry's versatility getting him the nod?

SaintK wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:46 am

Slick wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:30 am My only real complaint would be Price, seems a very odd and unfair decision with him being our best back on Saturday. At least he will get on.

I also think Sutherland is a silly decision although Mako was good when he came on. There is no way that Bok scrum is going to be as bad this weekend.

Mish I haven't got too many complaints about, although I still think he deserves to start instead of Curry, but a bit of a waste on the bench - with a nod to JMK's point about the balance.

But of course you do
It was probably one of those 50/50 calls with Curry's versatility getting him the nod?

shaggy wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:55 am

SaintK wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:46 am

Slick wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:30 am My only real complaint would be Price, seems a very odd and unfair decision with him being our best back on Saturday. At least he will get on.

I also think Sutherland is a silly decision although Mako was good when he came on. There is no way that Bok scrum is going to be as bad this weekend.

Mish I haven't got too many complaints about, although I still think he deserves to start instead of Curry, but a bit of a waste on the bench - with a nod to JMK's point about the balance.

But of course you do
It was probably one of those 50/50 calls with Curry's versatility getting him the nod?

Without May he needs a new hobby horse!

Hal Jordan wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 12:09 pm I wouldn't be surprised if Curry plays the full 80, but if he goes down Gatland's going full on Jack Rowell with Faletau.

I always worry when Mako starts, he always seems to be better coming off the bench.

Slick wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 12:40 pm

shaggy wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:55 am

SaintK wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:46 am
But of course you do
It was probably one of those 50/50 calls with Curry's versatility getting him the nod?

Without May he needs a new hobby horse!

Eh? I don’t think I’ve ever said anything bad about Curry, just think Watson deserves a start.

Jock42 wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 12:10 am

Slick wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 12:40 pm

shaggy wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:55 am

Without May he needs a new hobby horse!

Eh? I don’t think I’ve ever said anything bad about Curry, just think Watson deserves a start.

Ah mate, people need to turn into some nationalistic thing.

Line6 HXFX wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 10:15 am The Sky Sports Lions are not just a little bit corporate, they are all corporate.

You are supporting a brand.
Colgate toothpaste.

Just another perspective into why no one should really give a shit about who works for them, during a day shift..unless you own or have shares in the company...but even then you would just care about the bottom line.

I know you could say that about any rugby team...but I would argue not to the extent of the Sky Sports Lions.

We don't live in a world where if you are a customer or a serious fanatic of a brand, you are not manipulated, exploited, and where they are not just held in contempt and trolled to keep you interested.

Pick your brands wisely gentlemen.

Big D wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 10:27 am I think someone is trying to manipulate us into buying Colgate.

Margin__Walker wrote: Thu Jul 29, 2021 8:54 am Rassie's latest if anyone fancies sitting through an hour long ref whinge. Getting a bit embarrassing now.

JM2K6 wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:15 am Murray for Price is a sure sign we ran too much ball...

Mad call, probably going to be based on something weird like Murray defending Faf better or some shit. Mako starting could go badly wrong. Harris has earned it. Watson dropping out is a curious one, especially given Faletau's done the sum total of fuck all to deserve a squad place and Conan did fine in the first Test. Who the fuck plays 7 if Curry goes down?

Raggs wrote: Thu Jul 29, 2021 9:12 am

Margin__Walker wrote: Thu Jul 29, 2021 8:54 am Rassie's latest if anyone fancies sitting through an hour long ref whinge. Getting a bit embarrassing now.

It's gone beyond the amusing now... just a bit sad.

EDIT - Jesus, just skipped to the end and he's moaning about not straight lineouts.

tc27 wrote: Thu Jul 29, 2021 9:22 am Rassie is unfortunately damaging his reputation but probably successfully put the pressure on the refs ahead of a very big game this weekend (and no-one really talking about the world champs loosing their first competitive home game).

Margin__Walker wrote: Thu Jul 29, 2021 8:54 am Rassie's latest if anyone fancies sitting through an hour long ref whinge. Getting a bit embarrassing now.

Kawazaki wrote: Thu Jul 29, 2021 4:26 pm

Margin__Walker wrote: Thu Jul 29, 2021 8:54 am Rassie's latest if anyone fancies sitting through an hour long ref whinge. Getting a bit embarrassing now.

Just watched about 20mins of that towards the end. It's embarrassing. Looks like he's been drinking as well.

He should really be charged with bringing the game into disrepute.

Kawazaki wrote: Thu Jul 29, 2021 5:53 pm Suicide by cop.


It's extremely unprofessional. He's likely screwed any chance he had of coaching any other test side after he's finished with South Africa.

Big D wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 6:18 pm Some god awful performances today.

Murray, Biggar, VdM, Watson and Hogg in thr backs should all be under pressure for their places. Watson probably keeping his spot.

AWJ, Conan, Curry at least from the forwards should be looked at being replaced.

Said on the match thread that we should stick Smith and/or Finn in. No point dying by a thousand papaercuts.

Yr Alban wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 7:01 pm

Big D wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 6:18 pm Some god awful performances today.

Murray, Biggar, VdM, Watson and Hogg in thr backs should all be under pressure for their places. Watson probably keeping his spot.

AWJ, Conan, Curry at least from the forwards should be looked at being replaced.

Said on the match thread that we should stick Smith and/or Finn in. No point dying by a thousand papaercuts.

None of the Scots lads had a good game today, though to be fair I’m struggling to think of a Lion who did.

I still don’t understand why on Earth Gatland has picked VdM, when the game plan doesn’t play to his strengths at all.

I expect Williams will get his shot in place of Hogg next week, unless it’s in place of one of the wingers. No arguments with that - Hogg didn’t have a great game - but by the same token, Curry was completely anonymous today and I’d expect Watson to get a shot from the start.

TBH it was a bad day at the office for the whole squad.

dpedin wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 7:20 pm

Yr Alban wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 7:01 pm

Big D wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 6:18 pm Some god awful performances today.

Murray, Biggar, VdM, Watson and Hogg in thr backs should all be under pressure for their places. Watson probably keeping his spot.

AWJ, Conan, Curry at least from the forwards should be looked at being replaced.

Said on the match thread that we should stick Smith and/or Finn in. No point dying by a thousand papaercuts.

None of the Scots lads had a good game today, though to be fair I’m struggling to think of a Lion who did.

I still don’t understand why on Earth Gatland has picked VdM, when the game plan doesn’t play to his strengths at all.

I expect Williams will get his shot in place of Hogg next week, unless it’s in place of one of the wingers. No arguments with that - Hogg didn’t have a great game - but by the same token, Curry was completely anonymous today and I’d expect Watson to get a shot from the start.

TBH it was a bad day at the office for the whole squad.

That was one of the most boring games of rugby I have watched for years ... and I survived watching Edinburgh during the Solomon years!

Furlong and Henshaw are the only ones safe. VdM is a ball in hand player, he makes yards, beats defenders and scores tries for fun - so why play a gameplan where he never gets the ball? The SAs will have been delighted to see how the Lions played and that VdM wasn't give the ball in space. I have no idea how the Lions thought they were going to score tries? Actually Gatland is probably not interested in tries, he was going to win the game by winning the territory game and kicking penalties.

I had to laugh at the desperate attempts of the Sky commentators to try and make the game seem interesting, they failed!

Tichtheid wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 7:27 pm

dpedin wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 7:20 pm

Yr Alban wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 7:01 pm

None of the Scots lads had a good game today, though to be fair I’m struggling to think of a Lion who did.

I still don’t understand why on Earth Gatland has picked VdM, when the game plan doesn’t play to his strengths at all.

I expect Williams will get his shot in place of Hogg next week, unless it’s in place of one of the wingers. No arguments with that - Hogg didn’t have a great game - but by the same token, Curry was completely anonymous today and I’d expect Watson to get a shot from the start.

TBH it was a bad day at the office for the whole squad.

That was one of the most boring games of rugby I have watched for years ... and I survived watching Edinburgh during the Solomon years!

Furlong and Henshaw are the only ones safe. VdM is a ball in hand player, he makes yards, beats defenders and scores tries for fun - so why play a gameplan where he never gets the ball? The SAs will have been delighted to see how the Lions played and that VdM wasn't give the ball in space. I have no idea how the Lions thought they were going to score tries? Actually Gatland is probably not interested in tries, he was going to win the game by winning the territory game and kicking penalties.

I had to laugh at the desperate attempts of the Sky commentators to try and make the game seem interesting, they failed!

I thought Harris was decent for an hour or so, probably the best Lions back

Big D wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 6:18 pm Some god awful performances today.

Murray, Biggar, VdM, Watson and Hogg in thr backs should all be under pressure for their places. Watson probably keeping his spot.

AWJ, Conan, Curry at least from the forwards should be looked at being replaced.

Said on the match thread that we should stick Smith and/or Finn in. No point dying by a thousand papaercuts.

Tichtheid wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 7:27 pm

dpedin wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 7:20 pm

Yr Alban wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 7:01 pm

None of the Scots lads had a good game today, though to be fair I’m struggling to think of a Lion who did.

I still don’t understand why on Earth Gatland has picked VdM, when the game plan doesn’t play to his strengths at all.

I expect Williams will get his shot in place of Hogg next week, unless it’s in place of one of the wingers. No arguments with that - Hogg didn’t have a great game - but by the same token, Curry was completely anonymous today and I’d expect Watson to get a shot from the start.

TBH it was a bad day at the office for the whole squad.

That was one of the most boring games of rugby I have watched for years ... and I survived watching Edinburgh during the Solomon years!

Furlong and Henshaw are the only ones safe. VdM is a ball in hand player, he makes yards, beats defenders and scores tries for fun - so why play a gameplan where he never gets the ball? The SAs will have been delighted to see how the Lions played and that VdM wasn't give the ball in space. I have no idea how the Lions thought they were going to score tries? Actually Gatland is probably not interested in tries, he was going to win the game by winning the territory game and kicking penalties.

I had to laugh at the desperate attempts of the Sky commentators to try and make the game seem interesting, they failed!

I thought Harris was decent for an hour or so, probably the best Lions back

C T wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 7:32 pm

Big D wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 6:18 pm Some god awful performances today.

Murray, Biggar, VdM, Watson and Hogg in thr backs should all be under pressure for their places. Watson probably keeping his spot.

AWJ, Conan, Curry at least from the forwards should be looked at being replaced.

Said on the match thread that we should stick Smith and/or Finn in. No point dying by a thousand papaercuts.

Got to admit that I think Watson was the worst of the back three. I wasn't counting but I think the high balls taken/not taken must have looked a bit like this:

Hogg - 5/3
Watson 0 or 1?/3
IrnDu 0 or 1?/2

Hogg of course missed the tackle for the Boks try, but Watson missed a tackle in exactly the same move, 1 tackle before Hogg missed his. You then of course have Watson's rotten potato of a pass which Hogg was getting crucified for earlier on tour.

All of the back 3 were mince to be fair, but Hogg wasn't clearly the worst. I'd make a case for him being the best of a bad bunch. Wouldn't mind at all seeing Williams in, probably for Watson, or IrnDu if the game plan is the same.

Funny how quickly the back three have gone from being such an area of strength to a big concern. Game plan doesn't exactly help them showcase their strengths.