Waratahs v British & Irish Lions

[TRF_Olyy]

VDM has that crazy "What's he gonna do next?" about him

People say the same thing when he doesn't have the ball, too, though - and not in a good way

I just can't see a former defence coach picking him, tbh - especially as his flaws have been on full display in his games so far

 

[AlRums]

There are two chances that Morgan isn't in the 23.....SLIM and NONE.......and slim just left town

There is NO WAY that Farrell has his 1st test as Lions head coach, a student of Lions history as he is, and not have all 4 nations represented.

The way he spoke so glowingly about Morgan after the reds games (and he hasn't really spoken about anyone like that in the lions) means Morgan starts.

He's the only loosie whose had a MOTM performance and is the last Welshman standing. Fighting for his Cymru nation. Also, the joy from the other Lions when he scored his try against the reds midweek was just magic and tells me he's popular with the Lions.

Gowaaan Jaccy boi !!

Dunno why people think Conon is a given, the Lions staff have all the stats, and they'll see, he's had 12 carries for 36m that's not setting the world alight

That's why I think they may go with a Pollock at 8 (especially if Pollock plays as well in midweek as he did against WF) I actually think the Lions blagged about Pollock's injury today, to save him for the weds Brumbie game in what many people are saying will be a close to the test side or Earl at 8, basically someone more dynamic. I reckon Earl and Pollock are equally good through contact and better at the breakdown than Conan

Lowe isn't slow, but he isn't fast either. People my shake their head, but I think VDM will get the nod over Lowe, VDM has that crazy "What's he gonna do mext?" about him, great in the open field and in broken play. The Lions don't really have anyone like him. He could be what George North was in the 2013 Lions tour.

Keenan was awful. The FB position was his to lose, and he's gone and done just done that. Kinghorn's shirt. Kinghorn played decent, didn't have much ball to be fair as Lions didn't really play to the wing in the 1st half but the switch to FB in the second half he was solid enough

I agree, Genge starts at LH. Plus the Lions need a loud silverback and Genge is just that. Maro is quieter, not chest thumper (And I hope he doesn't try to be coz it wont suit him) and that's fine coz you also need that too. Players who won't shout your face off but just say one or two pointers

I agree with your other picks. As to the game today ? Dunno why Mitchell got MOTM, he only had a good 15 minutes.

So you're saying Morgan will be playing all three tests just because he's Welsh and not necessarily on merit?

 

[AlRums]

Five talking points as Lions overcome NSW Waratahs - The British & Irish Lions Website

It may not have been a vintage performance but The British & Irish Lions got the job done in Sydney, overcoming New South Wales Waratahs 21-10.

www.lionsrugby.com

 

[petetherhooker]

There are two chances that Morgan isn't in the 23.....SLIM and NONE.......and slim just left town

There is NO WAY that Farrell has his 1st test as Lions head coach, a student of Lions history as he is, and not have all 4 nations represented.

The way he spoke so glowingly about Morgan after the reds games (and he hasn't really spoken about anyone like that in the lions) means Morgan starts.

He's the only loosie whose had a MOTM performance and is the last Welshman standing. Fighting for his Cymru nation. Also, the joy from the other Lions when he scored his try against the reds midweek was just magic and tells me he's popular with the Lions.

Gowaaan Jaccy boi !!

Dunno why people think Conon is a given, the Lions staff have all the stats, and they'll see, he's had 12 carries for 36m that's not setting the world alight

That's why I think they may go with a Pollock at 8 (especially if Pollock plays as well in midweek as he did against WF) I actually think the Lions blagged about Pollock's injury today, to save him for the weds Brumbie game in what many people are saying will be a close to the test side or Earl at 8, basically someone more dynamic. I reckon Earl and Pollock are equally good through contact and better at the breakdown than Conan

Lowe isn't slow, but he isn't fast either. People my shake their head, but I think VDM will get the nod over Lowe, VDM has that crazy "What's he gonna do mext?" about him, great in the open field and in broken play. The Lions don't really have anyone like him. He could be what George North was in the 2013 Lions tour.

Keenan was awful. The FB position was his to lose, and he's gone and done just done that. Kinghorn's shirt. Kinghorn played decent, didn't have much ball to be fair as Lions didn't really play to the wing in the 1st half but the switch to FB in the second half he was solid enough

I agree, Genge starts at LH. Plus the Lions need a loud silverback and Genge is just that. Maro is quieter, not chest thumper (And I hope he doesn't try to be coz it wont suit him) and that's fine coz you also need that too. Players who won't shout your face off but just say one or two pointers

I agree with your other picks. As to the game today ? Dunno why Mitchell got MOTM, he only had a good 15 minutes.

Fair points. I think we are reaching the point where the weaknesses of the original squad selection are coming out, insufficient genuine no 8s, too many open sides and I'm a fan of MS but he was never genuine full back cover, so with Daly gone and Kinghorn late, full back is a problem.

You could pick any from Earl, Morgan, VDF, Curry and Pollock to play openside and a couple could play blindside, but I'm picking Chessum for the lineout. The one place I really disagree is that nationality should be a reason for selection. The Lions should be about the best team, not about balancing nationalities. I agree Morgan is close, but the reason for picking him shouldn't be his country of origin

 

[Jimbo]

Fair points. I think we are reaching the point where the weaknesses of the original squad selection are coming out, insufficient genuine no 8s, too many open sides and I'm a fan of MS but he was never genuine full back cover, so with Daly gone and Kinghorn late, full back is a problem.

You could pick any from Earl, Morgan, VDF, Curry and Pollock to play openside and a couple could play blindside, but I'm picking Chessum for the lineout. The one place I really disagree is that nationality should be a reason for selection. The Lions should be about the best team, not about balancing nationalities. I agree Morgan is close, but the reason for picking him shouldn't be his country of origin

I don't think anyone would argue Morgan has more than earned his place, he just plays in probably the most hotly contested positions, I can only see that swinging it on a 50/50 and honestly why not when your simply looking for a separator and there is little else to choose, he seems popular with his team mates and fans win, win.

 

[odw26]

People my shake their head, but I think VDM will get the nod over Lowe

I cannot see Duhan starting over Lowe with how Duhan has been playing so far this tour. Lowe's been decent when he's played.

 

[Jimbo]

Indeed one of Lowes real strength is his boot, I suspect they haven't used it as much in the build up games as they want to throw it about a bit and build some familiarity for the tests, that won't be what they do in the tests so it then becomes far more useful and really sets him apart, smug grins aside Lowe is very strong in contact in his own right.

 

[Rugby100]

So you're saying Morgan will be playing all three tests just because he's Welsh and not necessarily on merit?

Dunno about Morgan starting all three tests, but he definitely starts the first.

See how he goes in the first and as I wrote earlier, Farrell is going to want all 4 nations represented in his 1st test as head coach as will all the staff.

All back row positions are wafer thin, but I do think in that context, Morgan being the sole man from Cymru will give him an edge and the fact that Wales are probably the most passionate and traditional rugby nation in Britain and Wales are the nation that really put the Lions on the map, from Gareth Edwards, to JPR, to Phil Bennett to Barry John.

Farrell knows all this, that's why I simply can't see Morgan not being in the starting 15.

And by the way, this won't be some not some box ticking exercise by Farrell I think Morgan has been the best back rower on tour, Support play n cleaning out rucks was 2nd to none. High tackle count, and rounded off with a few turnovers and a try.

It's great that the media are deservedly bouncing about Jac Morgan like he's this great new discovery.

In Wales, they already know.

Because this is what he does.

Every game.

Problem for Morgan is after the tour he has to go to back the Wales national team and that's enough to depress anyone.

 

[Reiser99]

So finally watched the game. My usual thoughts post match.

Front row finally went well in Australia. Not sure if that was our props were fantastic though or the Waratah's were not as good as previously. Maybe a bit of both. Bealham definitely not hurt his chances, but was also lacking around the park outside of the scrum. Schoemann had a better game, but again I don't think he'll have changed any minds. Genge looked good for the time he was on. Furlong not so much. Furlong definitely not in the 23 for me and he gave away the only scrum penalty. LCD was pretty good and hit all his darts. Sheehan started well and had an immediate impact then faded tbh. I still think Sheehan starts, but LCD might well have the bench spot, especially for impact.

Locks, Cummings had a fantastic game and tbh was unlucky not to be MoTM. Don't know if it's enough to get him in the 23, but he did as much as he could tbh. I forgot Ryan was playing tbh and I said after the last game he needed a big performance, tbh he barely did anything and the stats speak for themselves. 2 runs for 0m, 1 pass, 6 tackles, 1 missed. McCarthy was similar to Sheehan. Seemed to have an immediate impact and then faded.

Backrow. Beirne just looks out of form. I wouldn't start or have him in the 23 on reputation alone. Van de Flier had a good game and probably helped his chances. Earl looked good in attack, but still gives away too many penalties. I feel like he's battling for the bench spot with Pollock.

Half backs, I thought Mitchell and F.Smith weren't as bad as people made out on here when I was reading. Not great, but not awful. I especially think the forwards didn't give them a very good platform and it's always harder when your forwards struggle. White and M.Smith were fine, though Smith had a poor kick. I feel like White is seen as a midweek player regardless based on only getting 10 minutes. I don't think Marcus will have done anything to overtake Fin.

Centres were excellent overall. Will be good to compare Ringrose and Aki in the next game assuming they get a chance together. I still think Tuipolotu starts for me, but it's a tight contest for the starting jerseys.

Back 3, Hansen and Keenan didn't have great games. Kinghorn was fine without being great. Van der Merwe had some impact off the bench. I feel like Lowe and Freeman benefitted the most by not playing.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

So finally watched the game. My usual thoughts post match.

Front row finally went well in Australia. Not sure if that was our props were fantastic though or the Waratah's were not as good as previously. Maybe a bit of both. Bealham definitely not hurt his chances, but was also lacking around the park outside of the scrum. Schoemann had a better game, but again I don't think he'll have changed any minds. Genge looked good for the time he was on. Furlong not so much. Furlong definitely not in the 23 for me and he gave away the only scrum penalty. LCD was pretty good and hit all his darts. Sheehan started well and had an immediate impact then faded tbh. I still think Sheehan starts, but LCD might well have the bench spot, especially for impact.

Locks, Cummings had a fantastic game and tbh was unlucky not to be MoTM. Don't know if it's enough to get him in the 23, but he did as much as he could tbh. I forgot Ryan was playing tbh and I said after the last game he needed a big performance, tbh he barely did anything and the stats speak for themselves. 2 runs for 0m, 1 pass, 6 tackles, 1 missed. McCarthy was similar to Sheehan. Seemed to have an immediate impact and then faded.

Backrow. Beirne just looks out of form. I wouldn't start or have him in the 23 on reputation alone. Van de Flier had a good game and probably helped his chances. Earl looked good in attack, but still gives away too many penalties. I feel like he's battling for the bench spot with Pollock.

Half backs, I thought Mitchell and F.Smith weren't as bad as people made out on here when I was reading. Not great, but not awful. I especially think the forwards didn't give them a very good platform and it's always harder when your forwards struggle. White and M.Smith were fine, though Smith had a poor kick. I feel like White is seen as a midweek player regardless based on only getting 10 minutes. I don't think Marcus will have done anything to overtake Fin.

Centres were excellent overall. Will be good to compare Ringrose and Aki in the next game assuming they get a chance together. I still think Tuipolotu starts for me, but it's a tight contest for the starting jerseys.

Back 3, Hansen and Keenan didn't have great games. Kinghorn was fine without being great. Van der Merwe had some impact off the bench. I feel like Lowe and Freeman benefitted the most by not playing.

Can you really say Cummings had a fantastic game when his main job is to catch ball in the lineout and the Waratahs didn't compete in the lineout so Cummings had no competition. Its like saying a prop was fantastic in a game where there were no scrums.

 

[Reiser99]

Can you really say Cummings had a fantastic game when his main job is to catch ball in the lineout and the Waratahs didn't compete in the lineout so Cummings had no competition. Its like saying a prop was fantastic in a game where there were no scrums.

He did far more than the lineout. Having said that, how many players this tour have had a job to do and failed? I said I don't think he'll make the 23, but considering his last game it was a huge improvement.