The Springboks vs British & Irish Lions 3rd Test Thread

[Yr Alban]

Aye, that was a cheeky wee moment at the end when he tried to charge the penalty given they had to tap it first. Two of them laughing about it immediately.

that was a cool thing, best scene of the 3 tests! And Finn Russel was a joy to watch, i have to admit

Speaking as a Scot, he is. Sometimes he takes years off your life, but other times he makes memories for you that will stick around forever.

That’s what sport should do, and he provides it.

Absolutely this. He’s a high-risk, high-margin player. Sometimes it fails and he’s a liability. But when he really fires… there’s nobody quite like him.

[dpedin]

It was all about discipline and giving away penalties! Curry fecks up when Lions had rolling maul towards SA try line, Courtney Lawes not rolling away to concede SA match winning penalty, Sinkler scrummaging with knee on the ground when Lions were on SA 5m line, Vunipola collapsing in last scrum of the game. Anyone see a pattern here?

Yes the pattern is your rampant anglophobia is not just limited to your politics.

Well, to be honest your Scotiaphobia slip shows very often too.

I'm just having fun!

After last weeks Test the board was full of shit, mostly exaggerated, about Hogg and VdM losing the game for the Lions because of their lack of arial prowess - shame these guys can't take the same criticism of their guys when they feck up, badly! Interestingly enough neither Williams or Adams seemed to to much better this week either - Williams could make a simple pass to release Adams to a certain try and Adams was anonymous for most of the game. Williams also missed a simple tackle on Kolbe to concede the game winning try and both of them didn't take a number of kicks.

The penalties I highlighted in earlier post lost the game for the Lions - plain and simple - own it!

[Tichtheid]

that was a cool thing, best scene of the 3 tests! And Finn Russel was a joy to watch, i have to admit

Speaking as a Scot, he is. Sometimes he takes years off your life, but other times he makes memories for you that will stick around forever.

That’s what sport should do, and he provides it.

Absolutely this. He’s a high-risk, high-margin player. Sometimes it fails and he’s a liability. But when he really fires… there’s nobody quite like him.

Is Finn a liability?


I can only think of times when he's tried stuff and it hasn't worked, but I don't recall and litany of howlers where he's given away tries or cost us the game.

On the other hand I can recall some of his passing where he has split open an international defence and left it bleeding, so sharp was his distribution.

[sockwithaticket]

Yes the pattern is your rampant anglophobia is not just limited to your politics.

Well, to be honest your Scotiaphobia slip shows very often too.

I'm just having fun!

After last weeks Test the board was full of shit, mostly exaggerated, about Hogg and VdM losing the game for the Lions because of their lack of arial prowess - shame these guys can't take the same criticism of their guys when they feck up, badly! Interestingly enough neither Williams or Adams seemed to to much better this week either - Williams could make a simple pass to release Adams to a certain try and Adams was anonymous for most of the game. Williams also missed a simple tackle on Kolbe to concede the game winning try and both of them didn't take a number of kicks.

The penalties I highlighted in earlier post lost the game for the Lions - plain and simple - own it!

Perhaps I've missed it, but I can't recall having seen my fellow English posters particularly defending the English players contributions today? There might be some people elsewhere doing it, but perhaps take it up with them there rather than sowing needless division in here.

[Tichtheid]

Yes the pattern is your rampant anglophobia is not just limited to your politics.

Well, to be honest your Scotiaphobia slip shows very often too.

I'm just having fun!

After last weeks Test the board was full of shit, mostly exaggerated, about Hogg and VdM losing the game for the Lions because of their lack of arial prowess - shame these guys can't take the same criticism of their guys when they feck up, badly! Interestingly enough neither Williams or Adams seemed to to much better this week either - Williams could make a simple pass to release Adams to a certain try and Adams was anonymous for most of the game. Williams also missed a simple tackle on Kolbe to concede the game winning try and both of them didn't take a number of kicks.

The penalties I highlighted in earlier post lost the game for the Lions - plain and simple - own it!

I think I'll leave this for a politics thread, but there is a repeated double standard from that poster

[Cartman]

[_Os_]

Dyantyi's try won the match in NZ in 2018, Dyantyi scored twice his second try pushed the lead out from 7 points to 12 points with 20 minutes to go, which was critical because it was a 2 point win. No disrespect to the Pumas in the final RC game of 2019, but they were blown away long before Kolbe's try that day it was some massive score by the time Kolbe scored, if you were going to single out any Bok try scorer in that series it would be Herschel Jantjies especially in the All Blacks match but also in the Wallabies match. Mapimpi's try won the RWC final, it pushed the lead out from 6 points to 13 points, with 13 minutes to play.

I'm not sure about Squidge, some of the stuff he says seems on the mark. But other times everything is a little bit off and that means he ends up being way off.

[Sards]

It's about timing. I was thinking yesterday that he really has not been impressive at all this series but it takes just one moment at the end to go from zero to hero

[Chilli]

He's been worse than useless. 2 penalties so far and almost got a card there.

Hope we don't see him in a Bok jersey again soon. I was quite excited about having him in the mix. How wrong I was.

At least he hasn't mindlessly shouldered anyone in the head (yet...) like he did in the Prem this year.

If the Lions start pulling away then the cheap and dirty shots will start appearing.

They did, and they didn't.

[Paddington Bear]

SA - the better side. Can’t argue

Shit tour that dragged rugby through the mud. No clean hands in that. Not wildly interested in another lions tour if that’s what we get.

[troglodiet]

I can't help wondering how much the lack of a proper crowd had an influence on the quality of the rugby being played.

Not at all excusing any or all of the other reasons, just saying it must've been a huge contributing factor.

[OomStruisbaai]

It's about timing. I was thinking yesterday that he really has not been impressive at all this series but it takes just one moment at the end to go from zero to hero

You missed his tackle on Itoje

[Openside]

Well done Boks.

Williams not giving the pass to Adams and Williams and LCD not tackling Kolbe were the 2 decisive moments.

And Curry’s total brain fart as the Lions were going to score from a maul.

[Sards]

It's about timing. I was thinking yesterday that he really has not been impressive at all this series but it takes just one moment at the end to go from zero to hero

You missed his tackle on Itoje

Possibly. Had a few emergencies at the shop last night so missed a few moments. Fact is. He has been too small and ineffective in the series. But that one moment at the end defines the headlines and his prestige. And it was a great try.

[Paddington Bear]

I can't help wondering how much the lack of a proper crowd had an influence on the quality of the rugby being played.

Not at all excusing any or all of the other reasons, just saying it must've been a huge contributing factor.

It brought into very sharp focus that the pro game has no ‘rugby values’ anymore beyond fans having some beers together. Wasn’t so evident with the ANC and 6N as the winter lockdowns were horrendous and we were all pretty desperate for a distraction

[OomStruisbaai]

It's about timing. I was thinking yesterday that he really has not been impressive at all this series but it takes just one moment at the end to go from zero to hero

You missed his tackle on Itoje

Possibly. Had a few emergencies at the shop last night so missed a few moments. Fact is. He has been too small and ineffective in the series. But that one moment at the end defines the headlines and his prestige. And it was a great try.

Vok weet. He is an x Stormers player and you just can't get over it.

He is a legend, Dom poos

[Cartman]

Dyantyi's try won the match in NZ in 2018, Dyantyi scored twice his second try pushed the lead out from 7 points to 12 points with 20 minutes to go, which was critical because it was a 2 point win. No disrespect to the Pumas in the final RC game of 2019, but they were blown away long before Kolbe's try that day it was some massive score by the time Kolbe scored, if you were going to single out any Bok try scorer in that series it would be Herschel Jantjies especially in the All Blacks match but also in the Wallabies match. Mapimpi's try won the RWC final, it pushed the lead out from 6 points to 13 points, with 13 minutes to play.

I'm not sure about Squidge, some of the stuff he says seems on the mark. But other times everything is a little bit off and that means he ends up being way off.

Yeah a lot of what Squidge says in his videos is just plain wrong to suit his narrative
Still, can't wait for his 3rd test video

[Yr Alban]

Speaking as a Scot, he is. Sometimes he takes years off your life, but other times he makes memories for you that will stick around forever.

That’s what sport should do, and he provides it.

Absolutely this. He’s a high-risk, high-margin player. Sometimes it fails and he’s a liability. But when he really fires… there’s nobody quite like him.

Is Finn a liability?


I can only think of times when he's tried stuff and it hasn't worked, but I don't recall and litany of howlers where he's given away tries or cost us the game.

On the other hand I can recall some of his passing where he has split open an international defence and left it bleeding, so sharp was his distribution.

I can certainly recall him playing Scotland into trouble on occasion, but to be fair, not for a while now. He has matured and tightened up his game. He has been under-rated by many because of the shirt he wears, but hopefully that won’t be the case in future.

Russell will be 32 come the next tour - hopefully he will be in contention then.

[JM2K6]

Yes the pattern is your rampant anglophobia is not just limited to your politics.

Well, to be honest your Scotiaphobia slip shows very often too.

I'm just having fun!

After last weeks Test the board was full of shit, mostly exaggerated, about Hogg and VdM losing the game for the Lions because of their lack of arial prowess - shame these guys can't take the same criticism of their guys when they feck up, badly! Interestingly enough neither Williams or Adams seemed to to much better this week either - Williams could make a simple pass to release Adams to a certain try and Adams was anonymous for most of the game. Williams also missed a simple tackle on Kolbe to concede the game winning try and both of them didn't take a number of kicks.

The penalties I highlighted in earlier post lost the game for the Lions - plain and simple - own it!

Phew, that's good news for Liam Williams, who butchered a certain try by not passing; Ken Owens, who butchered a great chance for the Lions to repeat their drive and score with a horrific lineout throw on the 5m line, Dan Biggar, who missed another fairly easy penalty, and Ali Price, who had a massive brain fart with ball in hand on a great Lions attacking opportunity and managed to concede possession 5m out...

Adams managed to make 44m from 5 carries vs VDMs 26 from 7 - neither set the world on fire. I did find it somewhat amusing that Kolbe's try came from a VDM kick chase, given all the chat beforehand! But on a more serious note, there's no way I'd criticise Williams for missing the tackle on Kolbe, who is one of the best 1-on-1 attackers in the game, who made even Chris Harris look like a mug.

This is one of the more unlikable aspects of a Lions tour - the factionalism - and while the rugby normally makes up for it, it certainly didn't this time. An abortion of a tour ends with a half decent game at least.


Anyway: Lions were well served by the injury to Biggar. Russell played excellently, but even with all that ball and territory, the Lions still weren't an effective attacking unit and some of that is on the coaches. Curry didn't repay the faith shown in him, Conan was present but unimpressive, Owens played like the third best hooker on tour. Wyn Jones battled but the injury should've seen him hooked after that first scrum penalty. Price was good, shame there wasn't pace on the bench to back him up. Would also say the repeated turning down of 3 points was madness.

SA played well in defence and won important moments. Turns out that's all that was required.

[Big D]

This is one of the more unlikable aspects of a Lions tour - the factionalism - and while the rugby normally makes up for it, it certainly didn't this time. An abortion of a tour ends with a half decent game at least.

Metres carried stats can be deceiving when comparing wings (think Adams made most of his m from one carry) but I agree that Adams wasn't anonymous.

Agree on the quoted part. It is actually quite sad.

[JM2K6]

This is one of the more unlikable aspects of a Lions tour - the factionalism - and while the rugby normally makes up for it, it certainly didn't this time. An abortion of a tour ends with a half decent game at least.

Metres carried stats can be deceiving when comparing wings (think Adams made most of his m from one carry) but I agree that Adams wasn't anonymous.

Agree on the quoted part. It is actually quite sad.

Yeah, was more that VDM didn't set the world on fire either - he was definitely looking for work and while a lot of his best stuff came running across the pitch looking for space, that doesn't mean it wasn't useful and I thought he really improved on the things he could have done better in the earlier games.

[Tichtheid]

This is one of the more unlikable aspects of a Lions tour - the factionalism - and while the rugby normally makes up for it, it certainly didn't this time. An abortion of a tour ends with a half decent game at least.

Metres carried stats can be deceiving when comparing wings (think Adams made most of his m from one carry) but I agree that Adams wasn't anonymous.

Agree on the quoted part. It is actually quite sad.

Yeah, was more that VDM didn't set the world on fire either - he was definitely looking for work and while a lot of his best stuff came running across the pitch looking for space, that doesn't mean it wasn't useful and I thought he really improved on the things he could have done better in the earlier games.

I think/hope vdM will get better, it’s not quite ten months since his first test appearance and it’s a bit of a step from Pro14 to playing the world champions on their own turf, even if he is familiar with it.

[Yr Alban]

I think the person who puts together the ‘extended highlights’ for Sky Sports on YouTube needs to have someone sit them down and explain rugby to them. 12 and a half minutes, approximately 10 minutes of which was watching someone kick for goal. Apart from the tries, the only open play included was the moments where the penalties were won. Worst ‘highlights’ of a rugby match I’ve ever seen.

[Hal Jordan]

These were not Test matches for Lions wingers being passed to.

Or full backs joining the line. Or outside centres beating the coverage. Or inside centres finding space. Or fly halves showing and going. Or scrum halves sniping.

[Margin__Walker]

I think the person who puts together the ‘extended highlights’ for Sky Sports on YouTube needs to have someone sit them down and explain rugby to them. 12 and a half minutes, approximately 10 minutes of which was watching someone kick for goal. Apart from the tries, the only open play included was the moments where the penalties were won. Worst ‘highlights’ of a rugby match I’ve ever seen.

That used to wind me right up in Premiership highlights a few years ago.

Same approach in low scoring games. Just a procession of passages of play leading up to a penalty being conceded, followed by the kick at goal. There were always far more interesting bits of play they could have interspersed into it.

[Chilli]

[Chilli]

[Insane_Homer]

[tc27]

It was all about discipline and giving away penalties! Curry fecks up when Lions had rolling maul towards SA try line, Courtney Lawes not rolling away to concede SA match winning penalty, Sinkler scrummaging with knee on the ground when Lions were on SA 5m line, Vunipola collapsing in last scrum of the game. Anyone see a pattern here?

Yes the pattern is your rampant anglophobia is not just limited to your politics.

Well, to be honest your Scotiaphobia slip shows very often too.

Give an example?

For instance have I constructed a post whereby I single out all the Scottish players and exclusively and blame them for the defeat?

[Yr Alban]

Yes the pattern is your rampant anglophobia is not just limited to your politics.

Well, to be honest your Scotiaphobia slip shows very often too.

Give an example?

For instance have I constructed a post whereby I single out all the Scottish players and exclusively and blame them for the defeat?

Well, to be fair, a bunch of people did pretty much exactly that last week!

[dpedin]

Yes the pattern is your rampant anglophobia is not just limited to your politics.

Well, to be honest your Scotiaphobia slip shows very often too.

Give an example?

For instance have I constructed a post whereby I single out all the Scottish players and exclusively and blame them for the defeat?

It is not anglophobia it is based in fact! England conceded 67 penalties in the 6Ns this year, equal most along with Italy. They conceded second most scrum penalties as well. Their ill discipline in 6Ns was a major reason for their poor performances and results. I make the point as I think they brought this lack of discipline to the Lions games as well and the also had a major impact on results.

[Margin__Walker]

Shite like that is absolutely the worst thing about Lions tours

[ia801310]

I think that everyone is being too negative about the state of rugby, South Africa have always played like they did during this Lions series. They have still been involved in plenty of classic games, the 2013 and 2018 New Zealand games spring to mind. Rugby is a clash of styles and if the other team tries to play open and expansive rugby as the All Blacks do then it can be an amazing clash of styles.

The problem arises when the other team tries to out Bok the Boks. All that happens is that you get a poorer spectacle for the casual viewer and the Boks invariably win.

[SaintK]

Well, to be honest your Scotiaphobia slip shows very often too.

Give an example?

For instance have I constructed a post whereby I single out all the Scottish players and exclusively and blame them for the defeat?

It is not anglophobia it is based in fact! England conceded 67 penalties in the 6Ns this year, equal most along with Italy. They conceded second most scrum penalties as well. Their ill discipline in 6Ns was a major reason for their poor performances and results. I make the point as I think they brought this lack of discipline to the Lions games as well and the also had a major impact on results.

Complete bollocks!

[ASMO]

Anyone who thinks Liam Williams was unlucky in missing that tackle really needs to watch it again, it was a pathetic attempt at tackling, all he had to do was show him the outside and it was a simple side on tackle, as an allegedly world class fullback that is meat and drink, Kolbe didnt even have to do anything special to beat him.

[assfly]

Hard luck Lions fans. Could have easily have been very different.

I personally think that the Lions centre pairing and backrow never quite fired in any of the games.

[boere wors]

Hard luck Lions fans. Could have easily have been very different.

I personally think that the Lions centre pairing and backrow never quite fired in any of the games.

They didnt, our defence didnt let them. All their tries came from lineout drives only, iirc. Speaks volumes about our defence.

[assfly]

They didnt, our defence didnt let them. All their tries came from lineout drives only, iirc. Speaks volumes about our defence.

Agreed, very telling. I was surprised Aki was even in the squad, nevermind starting in the third test. Just offers very little on attack.

Could have been a different story if Finn Russell was fit to play more.

[Chilli]

I think that everyone is being too negative about the state of rugby, South Africa have always played like they did during this Lions series. They have still been involved in plenty of classic games, the 2013 and 2018 New Zealand games spring to mind. Rugby is a clash of styles and if the other team tries to play open and expansive rugby as the All Blacks do then it can be an amazing clash of styles.

The problem arises when the other team tries to out Bok the Boks. All that happens is that you get a poorer spectacle for the casual viewer and the Boks invariably win.

This

[boere wors]

They didnt, our defence didnt let them. All their tries came from lineout drives only, iirc. Speaks volumes about our defence.

Agreed, very telling. I was surprised Aki was even in the squad, nevermind starting in the third test. Just offers very little on attack.

Could have been a different story if Finn Russell was fit to play more.

Aki was only there to match de Allende in the midfield I think. Which is telling as well. And ja, Finn Russel has been impressive in his cameo, I have to admit. Played full of confidence and with a smile, a joy to watch. He had sustained an injury in the warm up matches, right?!