Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Springboks take the lead in the series against the Lions

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Springboks take the lead in the series against the Lions

The much anticipated first Test of the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa kicked off in Durban earlier today at a packed Kingspark. The Springboks blundered an early lead to let the Lions back into the match, but did enough to come away with the 26-21 win.

Despite many predicting that the Boks would be rusty after a lack of match practice, they fired from the start as they charged over the line through captain John Smit, giving them the early ascendency.

Prop Beast Mtawaria put on a powerful display as he dominated English prop Phil Vickey, earning a handful of penalties, which Ruan Pienaar duly turned into points. Vickery was replaced by Adam Jones after 45 minutes, which immediately made a difference.

The first 60 minutes was all about the hosts, who powered to a 26-7 lead thanks to the Smit try, a pushover try from Heinrich Brussouw, and successful kicks from Pienaar and Francois Steyn.

They took their foot off the gas though, and along with some early substitutions, nearly allowed the Lions back into the match despite the large margin.

Two tries from Tom Croft and one by Mike Phillips set up a thrilling finish as the Lions came back excellently, producing a really exciting last ten minutes.

They came close to scoring on more than one occasion, with Ugo Monye being held up over the line, and then later having the ball knocked out of his arms from an excellent covering tackle by replacement flyhalf Morne Steyn.

The center pairing of Brian O'Driscoll were, as predicted, a powerful force as they caused chaos in the Bok ranks for a large part of the match.

While South Africa almost managed to blow their strong lead, it was the Lions who had over sixty percent of the possesion throughout the match, that they probably should have, and could have, turned into points.

This meeting of rugby giants is anything but a forgone conclusion, but the Lions now have an uphill battle as they'll need to win the next two matches to clinch the series.

Time: 09:30

First off congrats to the Boks for winning. The only score that matters is the one on the board.

That said here are my feelings on the game. Lions should have scored 7 tries. The "crossing" decision by the ref was bs....BOD did a dummy scissors with Byrne and the Bok centers fell for it hook line and sinker....Bod went clear and passed for the try. That was 100% not crossing. Monye has to score both those tries.

I just feel like the Boks got all the breaks in this game. Fair play to the Boks.They took all their chances.....The Lions left about 20 points on the board, the Boks missed 1 penalty and that was it.

When the Welsh frot row was on we went much better. Vickery had a mare, but the Beast did not scrum straight. With a better platform we would have won.

The Boks did nothing in this game really.....Spies was absent....so much for beign superman. He was anonymous.

The Lions backs cut the Boks to ribbons out wide with Roberts and BOD outstanding.

Interesting that the Lions had 68% of possession and only made 34 takcles to the Boks 88.

We had a terrible first half and just could not recover.

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 8:00 pm
lol.um wow we scrumed well in the 1st half.way to many subs in the 2nd half.let them back in to the game. BOD needs new underpants..wahahaha.. jacobs was krap..need to play jaque fourie.

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 8:00 pm
Sheridan was not picked because he was "absent in the loose." But if this game shows anything it is that a prop that cannot anchor the scrum is a house buuilt on a foundation of sand. If you cnnot scrummage then I don't want you on the pitch....I don't care of a prop walks from scrum to scrum and does nothing else. The Welsh lasds who came on did well for us. It made a world of difference in the secdn half.

The Boks were lucky lucky lucky in this one.

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 8:00 pm
Monye must have been the most frustrated player. To be fair, it was an excellent tackle - wrap around the arms, slide downwards to dislodge the ball. well, Bowe knocked on one.
Gotta give some credit to POC for rallying the pack after conceding a try from a line out maul. The psychological impact could have been fatal but they stood up and dragged their arses back into the game.
Mike Philipps was outstanding when he started remembering scrum half is not part of the back row. He scored a try when he worked out the Boks must have drifted early to do man and ball tackle every time.

By vinniechan, at June 20, 2009 8:01 pm
Amazed at how arrogant the Boks were even before half time. Well cocky; they thought they were just gonna cruise it and almost paid the price.

If the Lions can somehow keep the ball away from them in the next two tests and get nice quick ball flowing round the park, they could do 'em. Easier said than done though!

The Beast done well alright, but he did have a solid foundation behind him as well. Poor old Vickery had a shocker but i don't know why he was there really - technically not a great scrummager and isn't the force with ball in hand that he was a few years ago.

If you're going to have a small, mobile hooker like Mears, you need a monster at tight head. I'd like to see Julian White vs. The Beast, but we might not get to see that contest now. That would be an awesome battle!

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 8:01 pm
nooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

jk go boks. lol

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 8:01 pm
Absolutely gutted. Thought the game was an example of how much difference props make to the game - the one major difference between the Lions winning and losing was bringing on Jones.

Very disappointing game for Vickery, who seemed unable to make the technical changes needed to stay straight on Mtawira. The ref was a disgrace on that front and should have pinged the beast off the pitch for not scrummaging straight, but if Vickery had got his flankers to keep his arse in, and worked more to stay straight on the hit, he would have shafted the beast.

Also, despite his try, I was really disappointed in Philips - slow service and really poor decision making. I mean, the Bokkes have some of the best forwards in the world, so why keep hitting the blindside, especially when Jamie Roberts (MOTM IMO)and BOD were having a stormer in open play.

By HM, at June 20, 2009 8:07 pm
what is it with Phillips and the effin blindside?!? Its not very blind if its the only route you go down.

He just gave sooo much time to SA defense to get ready, accross the park.

Front row change way the key, BOD crossing issue v tight. Especially considering the Lions lost only by 5.

At least the next game has a chance now of being tight.

By mise, at June 20, 2009 8:08 pm
was definately crossing for that disallowed one.

monyes first - massive credit has to go to JDV, to keep him from grounding it was great defensive play

monyes second - well done by steyn but ugo prob should hav had it in the other arm.

some positives - always looked dangerous in the backs. and the breakdown wasnt as bad as people were predicting.

think lions can win next week but it will be difficult

martyn williams has to start

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 8:13 pm
Great game, really enjoyed it. Well done to South Africa, showed what a great side they are, but I'm glad the lions weren't walked over like people predicted, and how we were in New Zealand.

The BOD crossing decision was the correct one, he passed behind Byrne who took out runners. dummy Scissor the ball carrier needs to pass in front, he was looking to pop short to byrne but saw he was marked by the Bok Backs.

The ref was pretty good i think, i do think he got fooled by the beast into believing that Vickery was at fault, when you could see he wasn't hitting straight and driving in on vickery. Fair play though, if the ref doesn't pull it up then why not?

Apart from that, it was a pretty good game from the ref. Great knowledge and confidence in the rules when he gave the 22 for Monyes missed try.

Dickinson on the other hand once again showed he has to influence in the game somehow, and the penalty against Rees when the lions were in the 22 for punching was dismal. Rees's hand wasn't even clenched and he actually grabbed the south africans jersey.

That aside though, Pienaar was immense, what a fantastic player he is, but where were the miraculous bok backs we've heard so much about? I imagine they will be far better next week, both defensively and in attack.

What a pack though!! absolutely dismantled the lions set piece in the first 60, was the right decision to bring jones in and get the smaller props underneath the boks front row. It'll be a different front row next week, expect only Jenkins to survive and Rees and Jones to start with Mears on the Bench.

We need to get lower in those Mauls and drive on the Ball better, can't allow that kind of yardage from the Boks again. Matfield and Bakkes were excellent, in every aspect of play, and the boks really did take it to us up front.

Bad, bad kicking in the first half by the lions who were somewhat flustered by the disappearance of their set piece.

And I know people will moan about Jones two misses but they were hard kicks, and the missed trys were far more important.

Was surprised how ineffective at the breakdown the Boks were, compared to the last few weeks where the lions have struggled there, Wallace did pretty well as a link man, and think Williams was introduced at the right point.

Think he may start next week with Wallace moving to 8. but we'll see.

Think Shaw may come in for jones to add some weight in the scrums and Mauls.

BOD & Roberts were excellent, and it really was a classic lions South Africa game, superior pack against more creative backs.

Well done south africa, gutted with the result but not disappointed with that second half at all. Next week will be a fantastic game.

I think the boks ot take the series 2-1

By goodNumber10, at June 20, 2009 8:25 pm
First thing, got to say, really good game of rugby.

True the Boks were getting incredibly cocky for a team that really didnt have much to show. Their kicking was immense though, and it took the lions too long to figure out their game.

Beast was dominating in the scrum, but I agree wasnt pushing straight. Vickery had a nightmare against him, I'd love to see Sheridan in there but Jones did a very decent job. Don't think Sheridan can play in Vickery's position anyway.

Roberts and BOD had a quality game and I really felt like we deserved the win, shame we squandered our chances.

Just makes me wonder how Shane Williams might have taken Monye's chances.

By cp85, at June 20, 2009 8:31 pm
Sheridan is not the answer - for an absolute mutant, he isn't as devastating in the scrum as you'd expect, and that points to a lack of technique...

Also, would it not have been sensible to have a TMO, who spoke the same language as the other refs? It was a joke when he couldn't explain what he was thinking to Dickenson.

By HM, at June 20, 2009 8:36 pm
^ To Bryce Lawrence.. Dickinson was touchjudge.

But yeah, that was ridiculous :-s

By Dave, at June 20, 2009 8:42 pm
Well done to the Boks. They were clearly up for it from the off and were very powerful in the first 20mins. You might even argue that they deserved it for their last ditch defending alone, which was as good as you are likely to see.

I do have to say though that today was probably the worst display of reffing the scrum i've ever seen. Vickery was getting pinged for not binding when it was plainly obvious he couldn't because Mtawaria was not driving straight. I mean it was absolutely blatant. Having said that, the ref is the only man with an opinion that counts and Vickery should have dealt with it. Jones did a better job when he came on.

Apart from that all of the rugby was played by the Lions. There were a load of gain line breaks and silly amounts of opportunities created (and that was well before all the subs were made)and they really should have racked up at least another 3 scores. I don't blame Phillips for going blindside because to me it seemed to be a pre determined plan. I assume to draw in some of the back row and isolate their centres for Roberts and ODriscoll have a go at. To be fair it worked well but was a bit over used.

Looking forward to the next game but this was really an opportunity missed as i think the Boks will only impprove from here on in.

By Blonz, at June 20, 2009 8:43 pm
Top level sport is all about taking your opportunities.

The Boks took just about every single socring opportunity. They had 2 chances to score tries and took them. Every time they were in out 22 they scored points. They missed 2 penaties and that's it...yu have to give them credit for that

The Lions left 4 tries and 2 penalties behind. Assuming conversions that is 30 points!! You cannot do that against SA and expect to win.

Ps. The ref was awful....that "crossing" decison was a shocka when he called backed the Lions try in the 1st half.

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 8:53 pm
Crossing was blatant. Byrne knocked the two defenders down like bowling pins, they wouldn't have got there but he didn't stop his run, so technically. Bull Hayes and Hines have to start.

Anyone else think Stephen Jones was a joke, nobodys said it?

By Brick Shithouse, at June 20, 2009 9:08 pm
changes to be made for the second test
Kearney in for Byrne ( Byrnes kicking was pointless, just giving it back to the south africans an Kearney was brilliant with kicking and all over the park)

Fitzgerald in for Monye (he wasted too many chances)

Rees in for Mears (He couldnt hit an elephants arse with a banjo)

Jones in for Vickery (i dont even need to say anything)

ROG in for Jones (at least he can kick goals) how the hell did he miss the second one?

Hayes in on the bench (He might not attack the scrum but he can secure one and the lineout will solid FINALLY!!!!)

By Frontrowforlife, at June 20, 2009 9:17 pm
As a Bok fan I have to say we had the rub of the green today! It's not often you get 3 try saving finger tip tackles saving you 21 points in a test.

The Lions can take heart. Often it is the team that loses that makes te required adjustments and comes back. Also the Lions MUST win next saturday. These psychological factors will be pressing.

De Villiers substiutions were crazy and we lost shape...maybe he felt we were tiring. But he nearly threw it all away. Januarie and Jacobs were awful and our backs had the cutting edge of a banana. Steyn at 15 looks shaky. Luckily the forwards came up with the goods.

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 9:18 pm
Note to rugby administrators.

Make sure that the TMO speaks the same language as the referee. This might help in crucial decisions in test matches.

The ref simply did not understand that the ref was saying that the ball had been played out by the Boks and needed a scrum 5 to the Lions.

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 9:27 pm
It is absolutely disgraceful that the TMO could not speak good enough English to communicate to the ref for the 1st Monye "try" decision.

He was clearly trying to say that the Boks had played it out and it was a scrum 5 to the Lions. The ref just could not understand him with the langauge problem in a loud stadium.

You would think someone would have a little bit more respect for the players and coaches of both sides who put so much time effort and prep that the rugby admin would get this correct.

PATHETIC!!!

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 9:32 pm
" Prop Beast Mtawaria put on a powerful display "

Yeah, a powerful display of dropping his binding and not boring straight.

Terrible refereering right throughout the game.

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 9:47 pm
It was nice to see the SANZAR Lions working together, New Zealander Bryce Lawrence teamed up well with the South Africans.

My highlight was where he was confused about the ball going out and called Jones back even though it was still in play.

Someone should show him the rulebook about putting the ball in straight to a scrum and how to bind and shove too.

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 9:54 pm
he out scrumed vickery.stop bitching

By Alain, at June 20, 2009 10:09 pm
would the Lions supporters like some hard cheese and sour grapes with their Pommie whine? Refs make mistakes, live with it. Penalty count was Boks 12, Lions 13. Hardly a truly biased performance by Mr. Lawrence was it. Blaming the ref is what sore Kiwis do when they get dumped out of the WC. Grow up. If you want to blame somebody, then blame the idiots who butchered three easy scoring chances and the muppet who missed 6 points at goal. Thats where you lost the match. Lord knows it looked like PdV was trying to give it to the Lions with all those retarded substitutions with 20 minutes to go. WTF?!!!!

By Bokke2007, at June 20, 2009 10:16 pm
goodNumber10 - 'Great knowledge and confidence in the rules when he gave the 22 for Monyes missed try'

I'm not sure he got that one right at all. The video ref said that the defending player 'played' the ball in the goal line. The ref took that to mean that he grounded the ball within the goal line when in fact he meant that he had held monye up, and that is a scrum 5. The language barrier was a joke.

Also the ref allowed repeated offenses by the Boks within their own 22 in the last 10 mins. Must've been at least 5 times and not even a warning for a yellow. Blew for a knock on instead of playing advantage when Jones was away down the wing and was awful at reffing the scrum. I disagree he had a pretty good game.

By Blonz, at June 20, 2009 10:17 pm
go scotland

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 10:23 pm
the lions were hard done by although they didnt deserve the win from the way the forwards played for most of the game.

The lions backs were by far superior to me but unfortunatley they got crap ball. I wouldnt change the backline except maybe Byrne for Kearney Kearney just seemed to have the better kicking game and he used the bal well.

Some might say that O Gara should have been brought in for Jones but they couldn't afford to do that. Im a munster man and im not gonna be biased if O gara came on the lions would have been worse because O Gara would have been killed and missed tackles and i think his passing game would have been poor 2 so it wouldn't be worth scorin a few paenaltys than letting in more trys .

Monye played well but was unlucky and he shouldn't be replaced. Hayes should be brought into the 22. His scrumagging is in the best but he completely changes the line-out. Like when you see O Connell dominating the line-outs for Munster and Ireland it is mostly down 2 Hayes.

Thats my opinion on the game and what should and should not be done.

By Mr front row, at June 20, 2009 10:28 pm
Was Tom Croft the only back-row forward the Lions had on today? Sure as hell felt like it.

And what about Matfield and Botha? F**kin' hell, brilliant.

By T, at June 20, 2009 10:29 pm
donnez la première ligne des français aux lions britanniques,et ces poulets remplis de créatine sud africains seront niqués

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 10:39 pm
Firstly I can't believe no one has mentioned it, De Villiers try saving play on Monye was illigeal, he threw the ball out of play, correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that a penalty. Tommy Bowe v New Zealand in Nov anybody, yellow card and penalty try. If De V had planted the ball, no problem, 22 drop out, but he didn't. Unless, theres a different rule for doing it in over the try line than out field, can't find one.

Those mentioning that Williams would've scored, Monye was double teamed for first one and Steyn put in a hugh hit on second, doubt if result had been different. Maybe you're convinced his previous form would've been enough. Also, I'd say Steyn had Bowe covered.

Although Wallace had a good game and has been form flanker in Europe this season I think Williams has to start next week, with Wally either at 8 or bench. Although he did do a defensive job on Spies which Williams might not.

Also, as there were gasps in British press and on here when O'Callaghan was named on bench, I feel ( even though I'm not his biggest fan at Munster) he made much more of an impact than the over rated Wyn Jones. I still haven't seen him do anything to mwarrant selection, it was obviously decided pre tour no matter what Geech and Gatland say. In saying that, Shaw to start next week with DOC on bench. O'Callaghan had more dog and hit everything when he came on.

Finally, to go to SA against the best line out opperators attacking and defensively in the game without the best lineout lifter was ridiculous. If Hayes plays well on Tuesday he should maybe come in on the bench. Yes the game was ultimately decided on the penalties given away at scrum time, while Hayes might collapse it he never stands up and always drives straight (he's too honest to go in on the angle). He is also an incredible rucker and can disrupt single handedly. Something Lions still haven't done. Watch the NZ Fra game and Fra's commitement at ruck and how it kept NZ's score down when NZ were in control.

By Huh!! the 3rd, at June 20, 2009 10:41 pm
Forgot
Cristophe Berdos was the TMO and he is in charge of one of the remaining tests. Don't know which. If people think his video reffing was bad, wait til you get a load of when he is actually in charge, Incroyable!! Joel Joute is sorely missed, he was initial choice but hasn't recovered from ligament injury. Its very sad that I know this.

By Huh!! the 3rd, at June 20, 2009 10:50 pm
"goodNumber10 - 'Great knowledge and confidence in the rules when he gave the 22 for Monyes missed try'

I'm not sure he got that one right at all. The video ref said that the defending player 'played' the ball in the goal line. The ref took that to mean that he grounded the ball within the goal line when in fact he meant that he had held monye up, and that is a scrum 5. The language barrier was a joke.
"

Monye carried it over and technically it went dead as de villiers ripped it out into touch. Therefore he wasn't held up, he was stripped of possession in the opposition 22.

Thats a 22, same as catchin a ball with one foot in goal and one in play - same outcome 22

Off what the TMO was saying, he made the right decision.

Whether we agree with it is another matter.

The Jones thing was annoying, but mistakes happen, he did apologies straight away.

What ever way we look at it, he didn't cost us the game, we just didn't take all our opportunities for scoring.

I thought he was pretty good all things considered, i thought some of the assistants calls were dodgy.

By goodNumber10, at June 20, 2009 11:03 pm
Sheridan and Shaw for second test, need more density and aggressive player.

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 11:14 pm
on the team...

why wasnt vickery brought off after the thrid scrum! i dont care if people say "The Beast" wasnt scrumminging properally Vickery couldnt handle him and when jones came on showed him how to do it!

so Jones for Vickery

alun wyn is no good with POC! there relitavly new together and when your coming up against Botha and Matfield in a line-out you need two players who understand each other!!

DOC for AWJ

lee mears hasnt got the same strength as Rees...and he doesnt have the size and weight!

Rees for Mears!!

and we need the bull on the bench...enough said!!!

any thoughts????

By creggs08, at June 20, 2009 11:17 pm
JDV knocked the ball out of Monyes hands.. the fact that it went out doesnt make it deliberate.
Clutching at straws there mate..

If the Lions had scored another converted try, and won the match, none of you would be moaning about the ref and this 'SANZAR conspiracy'. Since when would a kiwi help a south african?? That's a ridiculous accusation.

Learn to lose with dignity..

By Dave, at June 20, 2009 11:19 pm
In my opinion the ball was held up before it was stripped. In any case to strip a player of the ball in the goal line and send it into touch is not a 22 drop, it's a scrum 5. To do it deliberately is a penalty.

By Blonz, at June 20, 2009 11:20 pm
could somebody tell me why when the phillips "try" was disalowed, called with a knock-on why he did not go back for the penalty that he (the ref) was playing advantage for?

at points today, it felt like watching cricket; whoever yelled howzat loudest got the penalty, which on most occasions was the bokke, as the actually made their case heard, rather than just nodding and sulking away O'Connell style.

the only time O'connell spoke up to the ref was in the penultimate lineout where he made the call for a knock on, where the ref seemed not to see it.

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 11:23 pm
Rather see Hook in for Jones than ROG....

By canrugby, at June 20, 2009 11:28 pm
So much for the BOKS being rusty, there was nothing rusty about them today! The coach was rusty with all those subs...almost gave the game to the Lions..oh,well what ever these B&I Supporters say it's 1-0 to the BOKS and this only being their first game of the season and off to the highveld next...it aint gana get any easier for the lions, can't wait for the next test!!!! BRING IT ON!!!

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 11:42 pm
To post no. 5 - arrogant!!! I think you guys take that tag, you thought you had it!!!!!,MUPPET!!

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 11:45 pm
It makes me laugh how all you B&I fans blame the ref & state the could have, should have scored... and you call the BOKS arrogant... you lost - deal with it - the history books will sate BOKS 1-0 !!!!

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 11:49 pm
BOKS 1 LIONS 0 - ENOUGH SAID!!!

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 11:50 pm
Not bad for the BOKS first game of the season, WELL DONE WORLD CHAMPS! (From a French Fan)

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 11:52 pm
SO TRUE! lets see white vs the beast.. bod and roberts awesome pair i see no reason why they shouldnt get picked for the next test. If we had a prop to go up against the beast it would of made all the diff

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 11:54 pm
The penatly count was 13-12 to the boks, that's no excuse for the loss guys, we were beaten by a better team on the day, although when their subs came on things did seem to change...

By Anonymous, at June 20, 2009 11:56 pm
Thanks French fan! Think we started well but went asleep in the second half..and what was the coach thinking putting on all those subs in critical positions when the game was still there for the taking...guess only he will know. I do feel that the BOKS will only get better because as you said, it was their first game of the season. Here's hoping & I can't wait for the second test!!

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 12:05 am
WINS FOR ALL THE 3N TEAMS THIS WEEKEND!! BRIL!!

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 12:12 am
Beast is awesome, vickery is shit... Adam jones made a huge difference with his scrummaging as vickery stood n chance against mtawarira.. BOD and jamie roberts were great too

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 12:27 am
Heaslip must lose his spot. I like the idea of Wallace at 8 and Williams at7, though Powell starting and Wallace covering all 3is not a bad idea too. The Welsh front row seemed to be the most effective and should stay intact.

Shane Williams has not earned a test jersey though Monye should be dissapointed not to finish on two excellent opportunities.

Bowe's form was a little disappointing as well. How about Kearney on the wing with Bryne staying at 15? Two huge boots.

Has Jones earned the opportunity to deny ROG again? I don't think so.

Roberts must get the ball more, he simply cannot be tackled by one man and makes or breaks the gain line with every touch.

Keep kicking the high ones as well, the Boks didn't seem to deal well with them.

De Villiers didn't look too out of his leage as a coach at the beginning of the match did he? Could have been poor subs or maybe the right Lions subs as well.

To all of you moaning about the language difficulties between the TMO and the Ref, was not the right call eventually made? Is that not the most important thing? Do none of you appreciate the global aspect of having all the top rugby playing nations represented in this match?

Very compelling game, look forward to the next.

By Canadian Content, at June 21, 2009 12:38 am
think us lions fans up here are getting abit narky with the ref!!

yes he did have a couple of bad decisions but that didnt stop

Matfield and Botha destroying the line-out!!

Botha doing a very good try saver on Phillips

Monye being destroyed with a very good try saver from Steyne(hope i spelt right)

the ref couldnt stop "The Beast" destroying Vickery. even if people say it was bad refing (it kind of was) Jones didnt complain once but done very well in his scrums against him!!

fair play to the Boks ye played well, were never rusty, knew were the space was and how to use your pack against are weak one!!

cant wait for next week!!

from an Ireland fan

By creggs08, at June 21, 2009 12:40 am
Wow that was relatively quick, thanks RD.

The difference in the match was the scrummaging. Unluckily just like everyone else who has posted (or so it seems) I know nothing about what's going on in the front row so I can't comment...

What I would like though is a video of analysis by some actual experts (if available) on what was going on in the scrum! So far I haven't been able to find anything objective or truly analytical but if someone finds anything to do with it, then do share!

By anonymous no6, at June 21, 2009 12:50 am
No excuses we lost..The better team won....The Boks took their chances decisively and thats what winners do...We didn't and thats why we lost...Monye should have had the ball intight to his chest for that last chance instead of in his hand and those two penaltys should have been kicked by Jones, well one of them at least...

However while admitting we were beaten by the better team, at times the ref was shocking....as was the decision to have a TMO that didn't even speak the same language as the Referee....Ridiculus..

Postivies form the match were-
BOD and Roberts partnership is one of the best in all of world rugby at the moment I mean they seem to much more in sync than most international partnerships....The liitle flip passes and inside balls between the two cut the Boks midfield to shreds...Kearney played very well aslo when he cam on...The two wings were pretty good too just need to find that killer instinct come try time...

Negatives- Line out was shocking...But in fairness to the jumpers it was more down to absolutely terrible throwing...I mean some of the throws went no where near the jumpers...and in competing with the Boks our jumpers were much to slow being lifted up when trying to challinge mattfield and Botha....
.
Changes which need to be made....
Jones for Vickery
Rees for Mears
If Fitzgerald plays well mid week I might put him in place of Monye to see how he does.
Kearney for Byrne.
The Bull Hayes on the Bench in case the line out falls to pieces again or the pack gets outmuscled.

Many are claiming teh back row should be changed but they managed to pretty much shut down te very dangerous and physical back row of the Boks other than Brussow who had a very good game..Spies was nowhere to be see...

my two cents

By themull, at June 21, 2009 12:52 am
I was watching the game today and i couldnt help but realised most of the welsh made crucial mistakes. jones missed two penaltys which o gara would have put over (responding to mr brick shithouse.) i believe that kearney made a diffrence when he came on. ugo monye was dissapointing i was looking forward to seeing how he would do against jp but he missed to chances. donnacha o callaghan was solid when he came the breakdown was more secure and the scrums improved. i believe that john hayes will start the next match as his physical prescence will even the beasts.

changes for the next test:

rog for jones
hayes for vickery
fitzgerald for monye
kearney for byrne
hines for aw jones

also i want to add that roberts and o driscoll played well today

By C.Corcoran, at June 21, 2009 1:12 am
"Bryce said that Phil was constantly boring in," explained captain Paul O'Connell. "I didn't think so but it is hard to see. Phil is a very experienced player and how he was seen to be making the same mistake four or five times in a row is beyond me.

"You can understand a guy giving away one or two penalties but every time he just seemed to be reffing us and not them."

Strong words, but whether action will follow is highly unlikely.

Ian McGeechan will take the matter up with International Rugby Board referees chief Paddy O'Brien as part of the official protocol before next week's second Test, in an attempt to seek clarification on the issue.

But even if O'Brien decides Lawrence's interpretation was incorrect, or unfavourable towards one team, the damage has been done.

The pity is that the refereeing issue clouded an otherwise brilliant occasion and spell-binding contest, that while uneven for the first half, burst into glorious life in the second.

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 1:45 am
Lions should of won the match

South Africa's back line is hopeless, They have no penetration at all and this was exposed last night, with O'Driscoll, Roberts, and on occasion Tommy Bowe breaking the line when they got clean ball

anyone who disagrees with this clearly didn't watch the game

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 2:20 am
South Africa, made bugger all breaks in the backs, Jacobs and De Villiers had shockers

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 2:22 am
Monye couldnt catch a cold! Croft was bloody useless, he had nothing to do for the tries and he nearly frigged the first one up! How big a loss was Ferris to this team? Vickery was hard done by the beast's totally illegal scrummaging, ref had a shocking game in general. The SA time wasting at the last lineout was a disgrace along with the amount of playing people of the ball. When the lions started to play SA couldnt cope with the roberts/bod combo so not looking to bad for the next test :)

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 2:37 am
Vickery def not boring in the beast was at it all day he might as well of been at hooker he was at the big an angle

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 2:38 am
Yeah to many refs dont know how to judge the scrum, unless you've played it you'll never be able to make an informed decision, lawerence was a dipstick

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 2:39 am
Yeah there wasnt crossing in that first half move, roberts? just ran a straight line and the SA centres both closed on him! Bowe could've been under the posts

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 2:42 am
Hayes could easily counter the beast's power, never a brilliant scrummager but when was the last time anyone saw Big John buckled, and he frees up a forward at the lineouts been able to lift the jumper by himself. POC+DOC partnership made a big difference, aw jones great player but the lions need a strong partnership up agaisnt the matfield bakkies pairing, anyone think habanna was acting like a jumped up little dick today?

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 2:45 am
The Boks were again what they were in WC 2007 in the big matches. Strong on set piece, limited ambition, excellent long kicking game, pressure game, hard up front.
The Lions played all the progressive rugby and had the talent to win it, but did not do the basics properly for the 1st 40 mins and were sloppy.
The Lions did everything they could to let SA in, and SA were clinical, but the Lions wont be as bad again ad SA not as clinical again.
The Lions should have won this. All the breaks. 3 tries missed.
Frustrating, but they can take this series.
The Lions can step up more gears than the Springboks can.

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 3:32 am
Whine, whine, whine thats all im hearing from the BL fans!! I actually thought the ref did a great job. About time someone snapped these Lions players for the cheats that they all are.
Great game played by the Springboks they certainly outmuscled the Lions squad thats forsure. Pitty about the last 10 mins. Anywho a wins, a win. Funny watching the Abs and the wallabies games, all the commentators were looking forward 2 was the Lions and Springboks game :D. Great weekend for all of the 3nations teams. Congrats!

By Kieth, at June 21, 2009 3:50 am
Springbok "A" team totally outclassed the lions, end of story.

The coach made some idiotic substitutions that allowed the lions back into the game.

I wouldn't place all the blame on Vickery. His hooker was getting drilled.

It was crossing 100% The center pairing of BOD & Roberts were top class. Springboks center pairing is not the strongest they can field. Lets hope the coach wakes up and makes some adjustments.

The Lions now face an uphill battle to not get blanked.

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 3:53 am
Bokke2007 said...
Blaming the ref is what sore Kiwis do

that's so right Bokke, I've never heard a South African blame a referee for a result in decades of following rugby, it just wouldn't happen.. ever

chuckle

By jerryB, at June 21, 2009 4:20 am
Vickery was worthless.

Good on Croft for that shove on Du Preez - shame it was awarded as a penalty. I get that a ref/judge doesn't make the right decision 100% of the time, but as far as I know:

"Law 7:

...

Any player may tackle, hold or push an opponent holding the ball."

And that interaction between Lawrence and Berdos on the Monye non-try...awkward.

By Smithers, at June 21, 2009 4:42 am
The complaining about the scrum is ridiculous.
The B&
I Lions front row simply got outmuscled. They couldn't handle the power and technique in the SA front row.
The irony was that it was the Lions coaching staff who insisted that the ref pull out the penalties at scrum time. But Vickery and Mears were getting mangled and couldn't stay bound or even keep themselves in nthe scrum, kept getting popped out.
The Lions actually looked more dangerous with ball in hand than the Boks did, but it didn't matter, cuz the boks won the battle up front. Both tries scored through the forward pack and a strong defensive effort saw them home.
The substitutions really let SA down too, they were clearly dominant until those players were changed, particularly the subbing of Botha, Smit and the Beast. Without them SA really strugled to contain the Lions, who had actually strengthened their team by subbing off vickery.
Very exciting game overall, with a great atmosphere and I look forward to the second test.
On the high veldt, with a Boks team that's worked out some of the rust, I'd say it'll be a 10 point victory to SA.

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 4:55 am
did someone else see the agression on BOD at 22 secs?
a disgrace

By kevdetoulouse, at June 21, 2009 5:36 am
Firstly can i just say – great game of rugby. Lulled a bit in the middle but great way to start the series. Lions could have edged it at the end – but after that first half display did they deserve it? Probably not...

Secondly, what awesome AWESOME defence from SA! I don’t think i have ever seen some many ‘try saving’ tackles in one game, let alone the fingertip stuff that some of them came down to.

In the end i think it was a fair result- but as a lions fan i am encouraged – if the altitude in the next 2 tests doesn’t affect the team too adversely then i think they could be in with a shout. Take into account that Jones 6 missed points (the first one of which lead to a SA try) and all the “nearly” trys the lions could have scored and if they get “the rub of the green” and the bounce of the ball*, which didn’t go their way today, then why not?

It should be a good series.
Well done to the Lions (except Vickery obviously) and well done SA - Here’s looking forward to the next test!

*I’m not trying to say the ref got anything wrong. It’s just some things didn’t come off for the lions today. It’s a game. it happens. Get over it....

PS) BTW Who rattled bryan habana’s cage though? He looked like he was spoiling for a fight at every opportunity?! He is (obviously) a great player and doesn’t need to lower himself into that kind of crap. I hope that this tour stays clean and is played in good spirit, and doesn’t descend into the kind of cheap shot Alistair Campbell (AKA Sebastian) fuelled slagging match 2005 did.

By Unknown, at June 21, 2009 7:18 am
Boks were in control for about 60 mins.. then stupidly ALLOWED the Lions back in the match by closing up shop, and bringing all those subs on. Changing your combinations like that is dangerous, as we saw. They changed #9, #10, took off their captain, and the Beeeeeasst. Pienaar was injured yes, but the reshuffle almost cost them dearly. PDV (coach) even admitted his mistake afterwards.

I wouldnt get too excited B&I Lions fans.. I dont know what makes you think that the Boks will stay in the same place, and you guys will be the only team to improve on what was done wrong yesterday. Riiight.

By FrankyH, at June 21, 2009 8:36 am
Just to say it's funny all the Bok's Fans complaining that the Lions fans are blaming the ref and THEN blaming THEIR coach for letting the Lions back in the game and Not the players or giving the Lions the credit.

Fact of it is the Boks playeed brillaintly, then the lions clicked into second gear.

Pot kettle and black all come to mind.

Both teams will be better next week and it will be one hell of a ding dong, onthe hard grounds and at altitude.

In all honesty I don't think anyone is blaming the ref for us losing, we all know you have to play to the ref, it's just it's hard to see why he was pinging Vickery, when yer man the beast was blatantly boring after the initial hit, and it did have a huge influence on the game - look what the lions backs did with 1st phase ball once the scrum settled in the second half.

Lions did the right thing by getting Jones on. Rowntree will sort this out. A lot of the Bok scrum power actually comes from the back 5 not the front 3. We need a scrummager in the 2nd row, so i think Shaw has to come in, and he'll bring some weight to the loose and great contact skills.

The only place i think we can't sort out for next week is the line out, i think we conceed that's lost and i think that's why Jones wasn't kicking to the corners. Although i think we need to next week.

Wouldn't be upset i ROG came in, but I think Jones will keep his place.

By goodNumber10, at June 21, 2009 9:01 am
the boks dominanted the first 50 minuets then got cocky so they brought of there big boys conceeded 2 trys and then relised they hadnt won the game. if jones had nailed 1 of his 2 penalty misses we had a penalty infrount of the sticks on the 10 metre line to win it. roberts and o.drisscol dominated SA had nothing in the centres and there open play was pritty poor dont think that was crossing for bows try. if we can sort out the breaakdown and scrums we have every chance of winning this, habana did jack shit all match bring on pretaria

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 9:58 am
If, but, would have, should have, could have... accept it and move the fuck on

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 10:50 am
RD can you please put on a first half scrummaging compilation especially of the scrum were The Beast lifted Vickery and smashed him back.

Thanks

By Jochen, at June 21, 2009 11:06 am
I wonder if the boks back line remember how to run forward, cut to ribbens!!!!! vickery lost it for all the lions, but it should have been the coaching staff who should have stepped up and taken him off after 30mins, lions would have easily won then. 12/13 partnership unstoppable, any rugby fan in the world must be creamin themselves over such sexy rugby as that!!

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 12:18 pm
Roberts and BOD are a very good center combination but they won't get enough ball if the Lions forwards get monstered again.
The Boks won the battle up front, and that won them the game

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 12:33 pm
Bryce Lawrence made some piss-poor calls...but that's no excuse for the poor set-piece plays by the Lions that cost them so many points.

By Timmyt, at June 21, 2009 12:48 pm
Although Vickery scrummaged poorly, the Beast was scrummaging illegally, boring in and driving up. He still probably would have beaten vickery even if he'd have scrummaged legally but all the penalties given by the ref against Vickery probably should have gone the other way as the south african was committing the offenses. That said, the South Africans still deserved to win and took their foot off the pedal in the 2nd half, letting the Lions back into contention.

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 12:53 pm
The SH has always made up its own rules, looks like illegal scrummaging is one of the latest. Should just let them make up a whole new game, its not like it would last logner than 10 minutes seeing as none of them have got any money.

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 1:40 pm
"Huh!! the 3rd said...

Firstly I can't believe no one has mentioned it, De Villiers try saving play on Monye was illigeal, he threw the ball out of play, correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that a penalty."

Well, the lawbook says:

22.10 BALL HELD UP IN-GOAL
When a player carrying the ball is held up in the in-goal so that the
player cannot ground the ball, the ball is dead. A 5-metre scrum is
formed. This would apply if play similar to a maul takes place in
in-goal. The attacking team throws in the ball.

22.11 BALL DEAD IN IN-GOAL
(a) When the ball touches the corner post, the touch-in-goal line or the dead ball line, or touches anything or anyone beyond those
lines, the ball becomes dead. If the ball was played into in-goal by
the attacking team, a drop out shall be awarded to the defending
team. If the ball was played into in-goal by the defending team, a
5-metre scrum shall be awarded and the attacking team throws in
the ball.

---------

Now, where there's some confusion is about what exactly went down...IMO, though I thought Lawrence was a bit of a turd this match, he got this call right. The play certainly didn't stop with the ball being held up - it was flicked backwards by the SA player. I think that Berdos was thinking that perhaps it was under the SA player's control as it went into the in-goal area, meaning that he carried it in (though his comments contradict this...), but ultimately Lawrence got it that the Lions player carried it in, but the SA player got his hand under it and flicked it into touch, meaning that a 22-metre restart was appropriately awarded.

And to those who are getting their panties in a knot about Berdos' accent issue (he was speaking the "same language", as it was clearly English) - it's not much easier at times to decipher a Welshman or a Scot for an American...(not that we'd ever make IRB international referees). Chill out, you wieners.

By Snoopy, at June 21, 2009 2:12 pm
The most disappointing thing about the scrum was that if it had not been for Ewan Murray being injured he would have bitched the beast.

Second Row should be Shaw and Hines two monsters to bully the boks almost worked for Scotland in the Autumn tests and they didn’t have a midfield to finish off the packs good work.

I don’t even know why the two English props are on tour to begin with, the two worst props in the 6 nations sin binnings for stupid fouls for two supposed to be experienced pros. Vickery for a 80 cap international plays like a school boy when game isn’t going his away. Sheridan getting bullied in the scrum buy Julian White try’s a cheap shot and but ends up being knocked on his arse says it all.

Totally agree with all the criticism Mike Phillips has come under guy needs to do the scrum half job first and get his backs quick ball. Was really lucky the boks didn’t start targeting the age he takes to get rid of the ball. A scrum half who can’t pass off the floor should thank his lucky stars he wasn’t flattened.

And with an easily kickable penalty with 4 mins to go Jones should have knocked it over then pressure there line right to the death and at least if the didn’t get a try, a drop goal would have sealed a great lions come back. Poor decision making.

Also agree that Hayes should go straight into the 22 if not the 15 but don’t think he will as the coaching staff will feel that they are admitting to making the wrong selection to begin with.

As they have done by putting Harry Ellis on the bench ahead of Mike Blair, When Harry can’t even get a game for his club and showed how much class he lacked with hat stupid tackle on Dan Carter in the Heineken Cup.

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 2:40 pm
i loved the emotion and spirit being shown towarads the end of the match especially mike phillips. If they can carry on like that with that drive and determination they will win the series.

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 3:29 pm
Probably the best moment of sports comedy was the ref not understanding the TMO.

A clip of this for one of the friday funnies would be great.

On the topic of the match, It wasnt the Lions game to win, Alun Wyn-Jones, Lee Mears, Stephen Jones, Lee Byrne, Monye and Vickery should be worried about their places for next week.

Todays Irish paper sums up all I have to say on Vickery: 0/10, Disaster, catastrope, shambles, South Africas best player"

I think everything I wanted to say has ben said in this blog previously so wont get into details.

By Westerner, at June 21, 2009 3:41 pm
You Lions boys were only capable of threatening for a period of about 20 minutes in the match, and at that stage the Bok team was totally reshuffled and had subs on.

Are you really THAT confident you can win the series based on that? hmm..

PS: bryce lawrence is a little b*tch. Sharks fans dont like him too much after the S14.. so he wouldnt have been too popular down in durban I bet.

By Dave, at June 21, 2009 3:44 pm
mike philips can be lucky the sa forwards didnt eat him..he was bein way to cocky..hope they munch him in the 2nd test

By dale, at June 21, 2009 3:48 pm
3 disallowed tries and too many chances missed by jones , we should have won
at least we outscored them on the try count , great last 20 by lions , never stopped trying , glimmer of hope for the forhcoming tests

By welshno7, at June 21, 2009 4:04 pm
To all those saying we have shit backs..we still won, shit backs and all! So when 'Pdivvy' realises that he needs to change some of our backs, it will be a bril team ( Speak to any SA rugby fan, none of us wanted Jacobs there in the first place) however I still think we kicked too much, never even tried to run it.. Oh well BOKS 1 Lions 0 ( and with shit backs, shit subs - we still took it!!)

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 4:11 pm
the less englishman on the field the better the lions

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 4:19 pm
Anon said: South Africa, made bugger all breaks in the backs, Jacobs and De Villiers had shockers

Yeah and we still won!!!! BOKS 1- Lions 0!

Shit from some of these comments you would have thought the Lions had won WTF?! Reality is - you HAVE to win the next one to save a WHITEWASH!!
And this was only the BOKS first game of the season - lots to improve on and the coach has put his hands up and admitted he was hasty with the Subs, so lesson learnt, bring on next test in the highvelt!!!

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 4:20 pm
Can't believe the comments about the TMO, so people who can't speak english 100% shouldn't be involved in Rugby.. WTF!! Trust the B&I Lions fans to come up with that one!!! ARROGANT MUPPETS!!!! Maybe for the next world cup we should only allow the B&I nations to play as they speak English, oh we can't do that cos we gotta leave Wales out cos don't they speak Welsh???!!! GROW THE F...UP!!! It's the 21'st centuary!!!! That has got to be the most pathetic thing I have ever heard of on a rugby site... there are 11 official languages in SA so English is mostly everyones 2nd language, would love to hear some of you speak in your second language, actually from your comments I bet you all only speak english..thought so!!!

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 4:29 pm
When are the Boks ganna learn to play a full 80mins of rugby??!!! Hopefully next week, come on guys, can't wait for the second test!!

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 4:31 pm
All these B&I fans make me laugh, if you are so into the could have, should have, would have...blah blah blah...how bout these:

should have left vickery on the field all match
should have landed those two missed kicks
ref should have yellow carded that muppet for his no arms tackle on Du Preez
should have left our flyhalf (most importand position) on the field till end
should have left Brussow on till the end
should have left our captain on the field till the end
should have..aaah I could go on & on - but even with all these should have's the Boks still won!
BRING ON THE NEXT TEST!!!

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 4:42 pm
Hayes could be the right decision, but he didn't have the acclimatation programme to the altitude, so he's not prepared to face that in Pretoria.
Jones to start for Vickery in the 2nd test.

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 4:44 pm
goodnumber10, we aint blaming our coach, he admitted it was is fault!!! Didn't you listen to the after match interviews, obviously not!?!ASS!!

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 4:47 pm
anonymous.

De Villiers admitted it, yet how many people on here are blaming the lions come back on the substitutions?

^ Looks up, that's quite a lot.

You can't have it both ways, either the lions played well in the last 20 and the ref dosen't matter, or dev illiers made mistakes and let the lions back in.

but either outside influences have a bearing on the match or they don't, so if the ref doesn't matter then neither does de villiers decisions.

If his decisions do matter then so do the refs.

how do you like them apples?

Now jog on, you muggy idiot.

By goodNumber10, at June 21, 2009 5:36 pm
If Ruan Pienaar hadn't kicked so well out of hand the Boks would have been destroyed! For all those people saying shut up with 'would have, should have, could have' arguements, we're just saying it because the next Test is coming up.

After watching the last Test, you have to say, if the Lions sort out the scrum and kicking game, South Africa won't win the game, they had no penetration in the backline. Lions have more reason to be hopeful than the Boks.

South Africa didn't win that game, the Lions lost it!

However, the Springboks supposed 'superstars' Spies, Habana and du Preez weren't up to their usual standard, so maybe they'll get better for next Saturday. ( But I hope not!)

By Brick Shithouse, at June 21, 2009 5:40 pm
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 6:07 pm
ROG shouldn't come in for Jones, ok he missed 2 (for him) kickable penalties which is out of character. But if ROG starts he'll kick it away before BOD and Roberts even have a touch.
Maybe bring in Hines or Shaw for wyn jones, the lions need a at least one baddass to compete with Botha and Matfield, extra weight will help in the scrum too.
M Williams should start too, and an all Welsh front row.

By David, at June 21, 2009 6:09 pm
and to the above comments, that is what Mike Phillips is picked for, to get under the opposition's skin.

But i agree with you he has a deathwish starting on the Bok pack, anyone see him pull Spies scrum cap down over his face...brave or daft he is!! =)

By David, at June 21, 2009 6:13 pm
Monye try attempt when he got tackled and lost the ball, no one pointed out, was that not a high tackle?!

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 6:23 pm
Monye and bowe looked so average against their opposite wingers. I'd like to see Williams & Fitzy have a game to give us that edge. Great game though.

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 6:27 pm
"Can't believe the comments about the TMO, so people who can't speak english 100% shouldn't be involved in Rugby.. WTF!!"

Let's get one thing fucking straight - that's not what we're saying. I have no problem with foreigners being refs etc. However, it does make sense that the Ref, TMO and touch judges should all be able to speak to each other. I would have absolutely no problem with four French officials etc...

If you're so smart mr many languages boy, how come you can't even put a name to your post?

By HM, at June 21, 2009 6:27 pm
Im a lions fan and I think that South Africa had a poor game and still managed to win! If they reach their potential in the next test it will be a cricket score. Think kearney has to start instead of byrne as his kicking game was slightly better.
I don't think o'gara should start as he couldn't tackle a ham sandwich. As for vickerey there were times when the beast wasn't driving straight but as a professional he should have been able to counteract that.
South Africa to win the next test!

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 6:32 pm
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 6:48 pm
Lions left far too many points behind them to win this game.

The first Monye effort (resulted in SA 22 on TMO call). Berdos tries unsuccessfully at least 3 times to call a red scrum 5, but over ruled by ref who wants an explanation. The explanation as to why it is a red scrum 5 is that the ball was held up not grounded prior and therefore dead prior to Monye probably going into touch eventually (corner flags irrelevant now). That does mean that the stripping out of the ball and throw direct into touch doesn't count - on a dead ball - although if ball was live it is penalty and yellow.

Monye just has to score that second 'try'. He has carried the ball in the wrong arm, and left nothing available to fend the defender. If he fends, with ball on the other side, it is a try. Poor, poor finishing. I find it hard to believe Fitzgerald would have gotten his basics so badly wrong.

The two missed penalties were not by any means gimmes. Little blame attaches to Jones but by god it would have been nice to get them and ROG has been doing that...I'd start him on Saturday.

I say fair play to the SA's for riding the scrums as the ref was calling them. Ultimately Vickery could not sort himself out. Should have gotten the shepherd's hook on 30 mins (and I like and respect him as a player but this was just not his day). Look at the difference when Jones came on - no penalty points for SA, platform for the Lions.

Of the forwards, aside from Vickery, I thought Mears was poorish, Heaslip did not feature and there is a need for more power in the second row (perhaps Simon Shaw or O'Callaghan should start - both hit more breakdowns that AWJ albeit he is a better player in many other areas). Fair play to Croft for 2 tries well taken - he ran excellent lines in support to get those; effectively what he is picked for. I would however again go for a power back row to start, with Croft to come on for a significant portion of the game. I don't think Williams made a significant impact when on for Wallace, who played pretty well.

Mike Phillips service - pretty awful, and not the result of playing behind a pack on their heels in the first pack - he was insistently taking a couple of steps/having a look before letting it go. Bizarre as his service has been luxury silk and dynamite pace until now.

I would chance the following 22 on Saturday :

- Byrne (if fit)
- Bowe
- O'Driscoll
- Roberts
- Fitzgerald (give him a run on Tuesday) or Kearney
- O'Gara
- Phillips
- Powell
- Heaslip
- Wallace
- Shaw
- O'Connell
- Jones
- Rees
- Jenkins

Subs

- Mears
- Murray if fit, otherwise Hayes.
- O'Callaghan
- Croft
- Whichever of Kearney/Fitzgerald does not start. If Byrne is not fit and Kearney therefore plays FB, James Hook (apparently recovered)
- Stephen Jones
- Ellis (oh for a proper option at 9)

I don't want to whinge about the ref...but just one eh...whinge I suppose. The crosing called against O'Driscoll/Byrne when Bowe was released to score in the first half was absolutely manufactured/persuaded by two beaten SA defenders and the ref fell for it.

I don't know if the Lions will win on Sat...but they surely can. Come on!!!

By Eoghan, at June 21, 2009 7:14 pm
I addressed this briefly in my last post but if people are going to actually praise the ref for over-ruling the TMO on Monye's first effort in the first half...

From 'goodnumber10'...'great knowledge and confidence in the rules' regarding the call on Monye being held up in goal - absolutely wrong.

a) rules - TMO makes call on referral. Not ref.

b) Berdos was trying to give scrum 5; reason is that ball is held up after which Defender (illegaly if on a live ball) plays it in the tackle/strips to touch. The language barrier was quite clearly a factor - which is actually a disgrace. Teams of officials should all share at least one language in common, fluently.

Berdos tries three times to insist on scrum 5 red. Ref cuts accros him and asks 'did the defending player play the ball dead from the field of play or over the try line'. Berdos says 'over the try line'. Ref cuts and states 'right its a 22 so'. He will be absolutely Bollocked by his assessor for not applying the decision given by TMO, especially when his referral was 'Christophe, check grounding, check touch, check everything, basically try or no try'. Notwithstanding his referral he then resolves himself that it is either try or 22. Completely incorrect - in fact if he thought that it was possible 22, because the SA player makes the ball dead after it had crossed the try line, it must be a penalty and yellow if not penalty try because :

a) ball must be considered live
b) ball is in tackle
c) played out of tackle by player off his feet - penalty/penalty try & yellow and/or
d) played out of tackle by player not entering through the gate and not the tackler regaining his feet (doesn't matter as the first offence is at c) above but for completeness.
e) penalty for deliberately throwing ball into touch. And possible penalty try, most probably a yellow again.

In other words if ref gives a 22 because he believes defender has played ball out of tackle over the touch ingoal line, he must ask himself how is that play legal ?

So I could stick this post up under 'goodref' but I won't.

Important to be accurate though when you're eulogising a ref for his confidence and rules knowledge though. This guy got it absolutely wrong.

Not to worry I've never met an outhalf who knows the rules :D

By Eoghan, at June 21, 2009 7:23 pm
Elo boys...;nice too see all tha passion..
However the Lions have had more than enuff time to warm up and sort out their problems, on the other hand this is South africas 1st test of the season and they still won..lets be real we all know this was not south africa at their best...The lions fielded their strongest team they had enuff warm up games and they still lost....The lions should not start decieving themselves by saying they are gonna come back the stronger side....Mr Schalk Burger is comin back u know.......How many agree with that if jonny wilkinson had been fit and injury free he would have made a whole lotta difference!!!

By Mr Speedy Man, at June 21, 2009 7:24 pm
hmmm alot of comments about how close the lions were.
True, pretty sure another winger besides monye would have gotten at least 1 try.
Also true, the boks never looked like losing till they made all the subs

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 8:05 pm
To an anonymous a bit above who is claim us lions fans are all complinag that the TMO wasnt speaking Enghlish and that we apparently think all Refs should speak english...Maybe you should try and understand whats being said here..

We are complaining that the TMO and the Ref both sspoke different languages...The ref TMO partnership is one of the most crucial in the whole game and if they don't understand each other how can they be expectd to ref the game properly...

We couldn't care less ifd the Ref spoke Chinese Japenese Irish English welsh Spanish or Italian so long as they all understand each other when they are on the same game....

AND to the "Brick shithouse"...Are u from linker? lol

By themull, at June 21, 2009 8:10 pm
Lol @ Eoghan's last comment. I'm a 10 we make them up as we go along.

this is how i saw it at the time.

It's not a penalty, unless it's a deliberate throw into touch. I don't think de villiers had any idea other then he was trying to rip the ball.

If you and i are in the in goal area and you carried the ball over and i then rip it away and drop it and it goes into touch then it is a 22 to my team.

The TMO is saying, the south african played it. he clearly says scrum 5, but the Ref asks why? he then repeats the south african played it dead. But if Monye wasn't held up - he wasn't, and the ball went dead, it did, and a south african played the ball, he did, then it's a 22.

Held up would have been an attacking scrum, knock on would have been a defending scrum.

South African played the ball before it went dead, but it was carried over by a lion. 22 to the South Africans.

The ball would only become dead if it was grounded or became unplayable. Neither happened imo.

Is the TMO decision final? i thought the ref could over rule all his team.

Either way Monye should have finished both his chances, should have gone lower and under pietersens tackle. Great work by de villiers imo.

Maybe I'm wrong on the ref's decision, it seems fair to me, and i don't think it cost us the game, a scrum 5 would have been destroyed at that stage anyway.

Anyway i guess we'll never know and it's all conjecture now.

The lions looked strong in the last 20, stronger then the boks had in most of the game. Although the ease they racked up points int he fist 20-30 was incredible.

I think at altitude and on the hard grounds the boks will be too much, i think it'll be 2-0 next week, but i think we'll win the 3rd.

By goodNumber10, at June 21, 2009 8:31 pm
The ref was horrible, the "sorry, sorry" inciodent summed it up really when Jones had a clean break, absolute joke imo
lions wont win the next 2, could win 1

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 8:36 pm
Eoghan:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/4828542.stm

first example sued.

By goodNumber10, at June 21, 2009 8:38 pm
"ref should have yellow carded that muppet for his no arms tackle on Du Preez"

Yeah, and does that mean he "should have yellow carded that muppet for his no arms tackle on" Phillips?

That "muppet" was, in the second instance, JP Pietersen who used his body to shove Phillips into touch.

By Ello, at June 21, 2009 9:00 pm
bokke!!! thought SA deserved the win, just took our foot off the gas towards the end. need to sort out defence at 12/13 big time, other than that thought backs did really well. frans steyn is a legend and so is pienaar, although it may be interesting to put m.steyn at starting 10 next week for the drop goal option and home support!! good start bokke- crowd singing the anthem gave me goosebumps. my blood is green

By beast4president, at June 21, 2009 9:00 pm
To Eoghan:

I wouldn't like to specualte what nationality you are, but you sure you couldn't squeeze any more irish into your team? Dropping Croft, are you out of your mind? Why not start Hayes at 9 to get another passy involved.

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 9:36 pm
Vickery got done over at scrum-time, that's the facts of the matter. Even if the Beast was driving in (which is dubious - looked more like Vickery was folding in under the pressure), a good tighthead can hold his position, and even use the inward pressure to get himself to the hooker. Vickery was actually off his feet at one point, which is rare in international rugby, and a sure sign that someone is in real trouble at scrum-time. It irritates me that McGeechan will not admit to his selection mistakes - Murray would have sorted the Beast out (he has done before), and there is little if no difference between he and Vickery's contributions in the loose (if anything, Murray is a better bet cos he hits rucks harder, and doesn't give away penalties). Can't fathom why Vickery was the first choice and why Murray played on Tuesday, but there you go.

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 9:42 pm
p.s. obviously I know that I am speaking in retrospect, as Murray is now off-tour, but he wouldn't be injured had he not played on Tuesday, and if McGeechan could pick a decent front row, he would have been rested and vickery would have been playing.

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 9:44 pm
lol at squeezing any more Irish into the team anony. What's it got to do with where they come from ?

I swapped Croft out for a Welshman - power back row, Mears for a Welshman, Vickery for a Welshman.

Monye and Jones swapped for Irish men...I think I ended up with 6 Irish, 7 Welsh and eh just the 1 English on the 15...who cares.

Seriosly Crofts tries were well taken, fair enough - anyone else think we can't get blown away by that Sprinkbok Maul again ? Anyone else think we need to beef up second and back row ? Anyone else think Croft is a bit underpowered at 6 in South Africa ? Thought so.

By Eoghan, at June 21, 2009 10:58 pm
Adam jones made a massive difference, one of the most underrated players on tour. And im starting to like that phillips guy too.

By Un-Dutch-Able, at June 21, 2009 11:11 pm
Monye is too english to score tries ;]

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 11:14 pm
jamie roberts and BOD where the only players taht stood up tot the boks and had a go.
they needed to get bowe in the game more been the best player on tour, and did well with what ball he had.
great to see croft play well and score after beeing left out the tour to start, and i thought gethin jenkis played well and didnt get the credit he desverd because vickery was getting killed on the othe side of the scrum, but he held smith well through out the game.
team for 2nd test
1- Gethin Jenkis
2- Lee Mears
3- Adam Jones
4- Alun Wyn Jones
5- Paul o'conol
6- Tome Croft
7- Martyn Williams
8- Andy Powell
9- Mike Phillips
10- Stephen Jones
11- Rob Kearny
12- Jamie Roberts
13- Brian 0'driscol
14- Tommy Bowe
15- Lee Byrne (if fit- fitzgearld play on the wing kearny move to 15)

16- Mattew Rhys
17- Andrew sherdin (if fit)
18- Nathen Hines
19-Jamie Heislip
20 Harry Ellis
21- James Hook (if fit)
22- Luke Fitxgearld or Gordan Darcy.

By Anonymous, at June 21, 2009 11:17 pm
I don't know where all these "get Hayes in there" comments are coming from - there's not a lot of praise for Jones coming on and sorting the scrum out - he does wonders in the breakdown, too - there weren't nearly as many turnover balls after he came on the pitch.

I'd have him in all 3 tests...an all-Welsh front line doesn't sound half bad.

By Hey There, at June 21, 2009 11:19 pm
All you Tom Croft fans obviously missed his piss-poor tackle that let in the first try. He also knocked the ball on for his own first try, and was lucky to be given it. He's a decent player but he's too lightweight to play 6 against the Boks, he should be on the bench at best. Wallace, M Williams and Heaslip have to start if we want a balanced backrow. Wallace was the only forward who carried ball effectively and he was taken off way too early. Ferris has been a huge loss...

Monye has to drop out of the 22 also, finishing is all the guy has, and he couldn't even do that on Saturday.

By H, at June 21, 2009 11:52 pm
i suggested vickert shouldnt be mentioned for the squad in 1 of these comments and i was told i was a loser. whoever said that now stands corrected.
for next test its simple;
1. castrate vickery to make an example of him(and also to make sure ha doesnt reproduce another version of himself)
2. moyne should be cut- he couldnt finsh his dinner the muppet
3. fitzgerald in
4. make sure bod and roberts are 100% for remaining tests
5. bring in hook or o'gara. jones did nothing special whereas hook and rog wouldve spotted and taken the cross kick for bowe on the wing
6. o'callaghan and williams on and jones and wallace on bench
7. possibly hayes on-not a great scrummager but usually holds his own, does unbelievable work in the loose and is best lifter in lineout
8. any other suggestions????

By dj, at June 22, 2009 12:01 am
Anyone else see on around about 15 minutes. Gethin jenkins tackling habana when he was in space!
Jenkins is a class act, such a worker:)
Im welsh, but i definitly dont think that it should be a welsh XV because im from there.
I want welsh players to do well and be in the squad because they deserve it:)
Adam jones had a much better game than vickery. So deserves to play next i think. Im not dissing vickery but jones was more suited to the game:)
And im not dissing monye because i think he's an absolutly class act, flying and strong. But for the attacking options, you have to admit.
Shane williams can sometimes make something special out of nothing. And is a class finisher too.
I think luke fitz gerald should start on the wing the next test, but have shane on the bench. The worlds best player of the year should be given an opportunity id say, judging on what iv seen him do.
Anyways its just my opinion:)
Dont mind at all if anyone disagree's with me.
All i can say is ,
COME ONE THE LIONS:D!
Matt,

By Matt, at June 22, 2009 12:14 am
BOKKE!!!!

Brussow was massive!

By Anonymous, at June 22, 2009 1:37 am
Bring in Shane & Fitzy

By Anonymous, at June 22, 2009 4:41 am
"superman Spies" missing in action at test level again. surprise surprise, lucky escape for the Bok.

By Anonymous, at June 22, 2009 5:33 am
Spies does tend to 'go missing' in Tests at times. But that's cos he knuckles down and does some hard graft. I personally would rather have Kankowski, who is 100% flash, which is more 'spectator friendly', but Spies is a machine.

I have to say though, as much as the SA press praised Spies after the Bulls semis & final, it's the UK etc media who built him up into this 'superman' character, even to the point where Andy Powell had to make some stupid comment about him.

Jamie Roberts btw - awesome.

By Dave, at June 22, 2009 5:59 am
Yeah, Spies is a good player, a very good player. He's an incredible athlete, but he's still very young and quite green and has a ton of improvement in him.
I agree that it was the UK media who created most of the hype. He's rated a very good player in SA, but they'd never call him a Superman. That garbage came out of the UK.
Besides, he was solid without being spectacular on Saturday, made some good tackles and a couple of good runs. Nothing flash, but he also didn't put a foot wrong, not one mistake. Considering he's pretty new to the test scene that's all you can ask.

By Anonymous, at June 22, 2009 6:25 am
For a team that "didn't have much to show" and STILL won....welldone BOKKE. Cant believe the arrogance of the Lions supporters n this site. If Beast was scrummaging illegally - he would have done it when Adam Jones stepped on the park - but the Lions scrums woes stopped when the Vickery was taken off... Lions should have received two yellow cards - one for the shoulder charge against Fourie and the other for the number 16 punching on the ground.

Our coaches brain melt down made the Lions look better than they were...Will say that the Lions center pairing is awesome though.

Weldone Bokke - lets hope PDV watches the right game next week - not sure how he thought that we needed more "energy and enthusiasm" when we were 26:7 up....and then takes off the best players on the park.

By Just a Fan, at June 22, 2009 9:07 am
1st thing well done Springboks, youdestroyed us in the scrum and the maul ( and lineouts come to think of it!) No excuses, the Lions coaching staff need to get back to the basics of selection. Moyne must never wear a red jersey again, he is useless and not a footballer. Put in Fitzgerald ( at least he has a brain!) Jones was solid in the front row when he came on, I expect the scrums to be more on par in the next test. lions centres destroyed the Bok backs ( and all of this with crap set peices , platform!)I am sure Bok backs are wetting themselves in fear thinking about another re match against BOD & Roberts...I hope Hook makes a start at 10 sometime soon!!!

By ConnachtFan, at June 22, 2009 10:30 am
Can't blame the ref it's pointless. The Safa's won the game fair and square with their defence and at scrumtime which was amazing. Awesome game, really enjoyed it. Next week lets get our kicks at goal and make some changes. Poor Vickery i do think he's a fantastic prop but he got shown up big time. I'd play Shaw and Martyn Williams. Monye believe it or not i'd keep as I still think he's , more dangerous the Fitz. Swap Mears and Rees.

By Andy, at June 22, 2009 12:19 pm
Jamie Roberts is a great player and holds the key to the lions success but i just think the boks are going to be too good this series

By Anonymous, at June 22, 2009 12:30 pm
Bokke!!

By Anonymous, at June 22, 2009 1:44 pm
All this bitching and moaning about the ref and the scrum and the penalties is not very dignified. You lost fair and square. Can't you just take it on the chin? I'd hate to hear you whine after the second test. Not cool.

By Jacques, at June 22, 2009 1:49 pm
Bottom line is the Lions believed they were better than they were and got the shock of their lives when they got bossed in every single facet of play for 60mins.

Perspective was needed...the Cheetahs by all initents and purposes should have won their Saturday match against a Lions side almost identical to the test team and the Cheetahs have been the wooden spoon holders in the S14 for the last few years running...

BOD and Robberts are EVERYTHING in this team...without them the boks would have abbliterated the Lions in this game and would walk the series 3-0 with ease.

Despite what people say the Boks were as rusty as a delapotated seaside pier.

Not one of out combinations worked. We made a littany of unforced errors out back and Steyns lack of experiance at 15 showed MASSIVELY in the second with terrible kicking straight down the centre of the field?

The next test is going to be awesome because the Lions simply HAVE to win so are going to be very pumped.

I think the Lions now have the advantage because they now know exactly where we are vulnerable after seeing us play and we have HUGE rust in midfield defence and the high ball which is purely down to game time.

I would pick Kearney at 15 his kicking has been better than Byrne and I'd pepper Steyn with high ball after high ball in between letting Robberts march it up the middle...

Quite simply if S.A do not get some form of offence and attck back into their game out back the Lions have a MUCH better chance of winning the next test because we are far too one dimentional at this stage...

By durrie, at June 22, 2009 2:03 pm
Thats true. A sad display of bitterness.

Deal with it, guys. You lost, fair and square.

By Rob, at June 22, 2009 2:04 pm
Who thinks with wilko that game would have bn in the bag??

By Anonymous, at June 22, 2009 2:16 pm
Lmao oh yes wilkinson! Wooo
NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!
LMAO
Yes lets get all the english on the pitch!:D
Thats the answer right?
:) oops, bye bye vickery HELLOOOO ADAM JONES:D

By Matt, at June 22, 2009 2:42 pm
Yes, and Rowntree for Vickery. Should do the trick.

By Jacques, at June 22, 2009 2:55 pm
if sa lost the match im sure they would start the "what if's , and the but's and the maybe's"
so stop saying take it on the chin !

By Anonymous, at June 22, 2009 3:00 pm
NO NO NO..take it on the chin..u lost deal with it

By dale, at June 22, 2009 3:03 pm
Anyone else think that the Lions' plan of staying in Capetown until Friday could backfire on them?

I'd have thought the key would be to get up to the highveld early (like today), even if that means splitting the squad. I'd have thought that the longer the lions have at altitude the better...

And yes, before some Saffer says it for me, I am getting my excuses in early ;-)

By Unknown, at June 22, 2009 3:03 pm
Jacques, I don't have enough time to read every post but to me it looks like they're more often than not saying well done to the Bokke before complaining about how badly some of our players played (Vickery, Monye etc).

So stop trying to cause a row or fuck off.

By andy, at June 22, 2009 4:34 pm
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By Anonymous, at June 22, 2009 5:24 pm
"some call him GOD, i think he is a better player"
BOD is amasing ! ! !

By Anonymous, at June 22, 2009 5:52 pm
The most hated race in the world? I reckon probably the 1500m. A really awkward distance, especially for some of the big lads who look at thi site.

By Jeffo, at June 22, 2009 5:53 pm
Boks looked very good in the fowards, average in the backs. The Lions fowards need to go back to basics, big and strong, old school but it will work. Vickery did get owned, but Beasts tactics and angles were dodgy, can't believe some of the refs calls. Monye is world class and was unlucky, maybe williams would be better suited for the tight ZA defence though. Personally I'd be more worried as a green blood, as soon as the lions fowards start acting as fowards, big and ugly, my money will be on the lions offence, look how many chances there were, and they didnt even turn up for 60 mins, and gave you 10 penalties in the 1st half..

By Anonymous, at June 22, 2009 6:32 pm
Would you listen to this durrie chap!!!

this is a rugby site mate not an english classroom

By Anonymous, at June 22, 2009 7:06 pm
fair enough, if the lions sort out their scrum then it ll will be an awesome contest. but if the sa backs sort out their centre defence and get more possession, then they will be able to exhibit their abundance of talent 9-15. these are all 'ifs' so we ll just have to wait and see how it goes on sat. I think PDV will concentrate on defence big time and wouldnt be surprised if the scrum will be used again as a major source of attack and pienaar/steyn kicking penalties/drop goals... may be a boring match.... hope not, but winning is what counts!!bokke

By beast4president, at June 22, 2009 7:19 pm
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By Anonymous, at June 22, 2009 8:13 pm
I think you'll find it's the other way round now - isn't there a quota or something?

Apparently that's the only reason JP Pieterson went to the last world cup, and he's now one of the stars of the team...

By Unknown, at June 22, 2009 8:43 pm
Paddy O’Brien, the IRB referees’ manager, who was effectively in charge of the refereeing team in Durban, described Lawrence’s performance as “an outstanding piece of scrum refereeing”. Yesterday, when Rowntree analysed the problem at the scrum, he stressed more than once that Vickery was not the sole offender. “By Phil’s own admittance, he struggled,” Rowntree said. “But it’s not all down to him. The rest of that pack, particularly the guys next to him and behind him, have got to help him. What we failed to do was keep a lid on The Beast at engagement time. But it’s not all about one guy.”

The same opinion was expressed by Paul Wallace, whose propping was so notable a part of the Lions success here in 1997 and is back as part of the Sky commentary team. “We didn’t scrummage intelligently,” he said, “but I wouldn’t blame Phil entirely.

“The Beast did a big number on him, but it was more to do with the size of the pack around him. I was surprised to see the amount of power that was generated by the Springbok back five into the front row. It was about as impressive a display of power as I have seen.

..........

so deal with it.

By Rob, at June 22, 2009 8:52 pm
I just want to think what a great game its gonna be when both sides ARE firing on all cylinders.

I would hope by the final test both sides will figure out there best 15 to play.
I would hope that its a 1-1 tie in the series.

No excuses, no ifs and buts. Pure rugby paradise.
I'm getting wet thinkng about it... that along with those tasty cheerleaders S/H teams seem to have.

GO LIONS.... GO CHEERLEADERS.

By Cheech, at June 22, 2009 9:06 pm
quote from brian o'driscoll ..
They look to bully and intimidate you, always talking and sniffing for weakness.

“Bakkies Botha had me on the floor in the first half and Bismark du Plessis in the second.

“It was hardly the most pleasant position to be in, but you have to look them in the eye and not be cowed.

“Du Plessis pulled his right fist back and said he was going to knock me out.

“I told him to go ahead.

“He wanted me to flinch and show weakness, but he had no chance.

“Suddenly he found himself in a position where, if he went ahead with his threat, he would be in trouble with the officials.

“He had to pull away.”

By Anonymous, at June 22, 2009 9:22 pm
yeah saw that, first half du pleiss was stood over BOD with his arm back cocked ready to whack him, he did a couple of pretend twitches as though he was going to punch him and BOD was laying underneath him, looked like he was worried, and at that point i thought that's the image of the game, the lions being towered over and beaten.

Then i saw the reverse angle and he was mouthing off back to Du Pleissis to whilst even on the ground and not giving an inch just going "come on then, do it" and Du pleissis just looked confused and you saw him back down.

Was really pleased to see him, BOD, do that. Showed Du Pleissis up for the idiot that he was being.

By goodNumber10, at June 22, 2009 9:36 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcGyWqQNPBs

Watch the whole video.

O'Driscoll lashes out at Du Plessis first.

Bad move.

By Anonymous, at June 22, 2009 9:44 pm
great bit of editing, shit video, what you don't see is what du pleissis giving BOd a dig on the ground, which he does first and prompts BOD reaction.

Du Pleissis looks like a C*nt to be honest, anyone can look hard towering over a prone player, let him get up THEN give it the big one.

By goodNumber10, at June 22, 2009 9:49 pm
You guys are lame.

1) SA cheated in the scrum - but the IRB head guy Paddy O'Brien disagrees.

2) SA are mean and dirty and horrible. We're going home etc....
But video footage confirms Lions antagonistic strategies.

3) We had a brilliant comeback. But the genius SA coach subbed half his team at the same time.

Lame.

By Anonymous, at June 22, 2009 9:53 pm
"You guys are lame.

1) SA cheated in the scrum - but the IRB head guy Paddy O'Brien disagrees."

And? that doesn't mean he's right.

"2) SA are mean and dirty and horrible. We're going home etc....
But video footage confirms Lions antagonistic strategies."

that footage dosen't show Du Pleissis giving BOD a dig prior to him lashing out. Watch it again he's looking for BOD, he's already ready for his retaliation. why because he's already given him a dig on the way down.

He's on his knees and watching for BOD, he lashes as he gets up, then Du Pleissis act's like a twat instead of walking away.

The fact is you can cut video to look any old way to suit you. it's an age old trick. Would liek to see a british TV channels version of the same footage.

"3) We had a brilliant comeback. But the genius SA coach subbed half his team at the same time."

Well it can't be both can it. either your Team is good enough - including your 22 - or it's not. The lions made five subs as well which you all conveniently forget, and it's a 22 man game nowdays.

So Either the South African coach is a twat for his subs or the lions are genius for theirs?

"Lame."

yes your post was, incredibly.

By goodNumber10, at June 22, 2009 10:00 pm
"1) SA cheated in the scrum - but the IRB head guy Paddy O'Brien disagrees."

and I believe this is the same O'brien who backed the atrocious ELV's that ruined rugby for two years.

great example

By goodNumber10, at June 22, 2009 10:15 pm
Dude, there's really no point arguing with you.

Apparently, the IRB head referee doesn't know his job. The Lions scrum coach is also wrong, and evil elves have edited the video footage to sink your argument.

Boks 1 - Lions 0

By Anonymous, at June 22, 2009 10:19 pm
It started going quite well once we'd got rid of the English fellers!

There's rumours now that the team name is being changed to The Welsh & Irish Lions as the Scottish & English players don't seem to want to play rugby anymore...

What the hell happened to Habana? I've never seen him like that. Mind you, there was more action from him in those two tantrums than there was from Vickery throughout the whole match.

If Vickery put as much energy into winning a scrum as he puts into winning a yellow card he could end up being...fairly average on a good day.

By Calon Lan, at June 22, 2009 10:48 pm
As a tighthead prop, vickery should have known how to sort his situation up, he got owned... crdit goes to the beast for his beast stregnth haha

By Angus, at June 22, 2009 10:49 pm
Staying at sea level til Thur/Fri is a big mistake, never mind the Altitude, its the travelling the day before a test thats perplexing.

The more I think about the game the more worried I am for Sat.

Fourie Du Preez had a quiet game, bar some fine box kicking. That will change in his home stadium, likewise Habana and Spies.

Don't recall Habana, De Villiers or Pietersen receiving a single pass, Jacobs did, once, and was double teamed by BOD, Roberts. Unlikely SA won't find their backs next time.

Even with Croft's 2 tries (luckily the 1st didn't go to TMO, knocked on), he was exposed defensively. Wallace had great game, kept Spies down, I think he has to go to 8, Williams is needed and Heaslip didn't do enough. Oh where is Leamy when he is needed, ironically, these matches were made for Quinny (not saying he'd make the tests, but not great competition, so he had a chance, muppet)

The double standards on this tour from coaches has been extraordinary regarding Stephen Jones. I know GoodNo10 will disagree with me, you have on this matter before, re, Geech's strategy. 'Takes game to the line and all'.

Stephen Jones hasn't done anything to warrant starting (he has been 3rd best 10) yet will start again.

For those saying he plays flatter. So, that doesn't matter if your passing is telegraphed. Watch his motions before he passes, its like he is saying, 'here mate I'm giving it to you', he clearly set SA their targets, yet, luckily it was BOD outside him, someone able to deal with bad ball and make space and Roberts who Boks don't know how to deal with.

All this talk about O'Gara not releasing outside backs and kicking too much, this is test match rugby, Lions needed ball in SA corners. F Steyn could've been exposed if proper pressure had been applied (recall what he did to Williams in Cardiff and Limerick), note the difference when Kearney came on. Steyn didn't once get clean ball.

Just incase anyone wants to refute facts re O'Gara, in group stages of HCUP, Munster had 3rd highest try count without having Italians in their group, O'Gara has, along side Stringer and Charlie Hodgson the best passing game in B and I.

Now for the reality, that last 20 showed why there is a gulf between hemispheres. SA knew they had the game. It was at times embarassing to watch, especially when Lions were allowed back in, I like watching SH rugby, but it does leave a hollow feeling, how good would 6N be if they played each other 3 times a year.

Both sides can argue about stepping up a level, lets hope from a contest point of view the Lions raise it more, otherwise 3-0.

Hayes should come in on bench at least, but that would be Geech admitting he got it wrong, so Vickery could still be in 22. Likewise he won't make wholesale changes. Even though Wyn Jones should be dropped from 22, won't happen.

People say, whatever happened POC and BOD would always have started, well add Wyn Jones, Philips, S Jones and Byrne to that, he was injured before kickoff for crissake. Lets go in against best kick chasers and attackers in world rugby with a one footed full back. I like Byrne btw but thats insanity, luckily for Lions SA didn't cop that.

Jenkins, Rees*, Jones, Shaw, O'Connell, Croft, Williams, Wallace, Philips*, Jones*, Monye*/Kearney, Roberts, BOD, Bowe Kearney/Byrne

Mears, Vickery*, Jones*, Heaslip, Ellis*, O'Gara, Fitzgearld.

* Shouldn't but will. I'd have O'Callaghan and Hook on bench with both Jones' gone. Also don't rule out Shane, whichever wing plays better Tue I suppose.

Done and done.... and I mean DONE!

By Huh!! the 3rd, at June 22, 2009 11:33 pm
DISGRACE ! RAPE ! DISGRACE ! RAPE
EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL

that ref deserves to be shot.

was he paid money to let the bokke win or what?

if you analyse the match, he gives 3+ pens to bokke that wernt even pen + that crossing no try + that 22 drop out that was a 5 attacking scrum + the beast always pushing sideways

wtf that ref really doesnt deserve to do 1 match anymore

By taiwanprop, at June 22, 2009 11:43 pm
That's just embarassing ^^^

The Bokke don't need an excuse to gloat/crow/call us whinging poms, so don't give them one. The ref wasn't biased, and only got one or two calls wrong.

Geech should take more of a rap for not having the balls to take of Vickery after 20min. It would have been brutal on a legend of a player, but this is professional sport and he was having a fucking shite day.

By Unknown, at June 22, 2009 11:51 pm
Ever hear the phrase 'play the ref'? He did have 2 touch line assistances as well. They do wield power,ie, Rees punch. SA did get rub of green, but Lions did get one or two calls...... Croft's try?

Fact is, had Lions taken chances, SA wouldn't have made changes and could have absorbed pressure and scored themselves. Remember Lions were on Boks line for 5 min before Philips scored. Took too many scrums which waste time, and had an international winger who doesn't know which hand to hold ball in when being tackled in scoring.

Make Monye watch Sean Cronin's try for Ireland A v Saxons, within 10m and at full tilt (Something Monye doesn't do either) he changes ball from right hand to left for a hand off, then left to right and handoff then charges over the line, he is a hooker.

By Huh!! the 3rd, at June 23, 2009 12:00 am
Huh!! the 3rd,

I agree that O'Gara is, at times, good at putting the ball into the corner or just behind the defensive line...but it works for Munster best when he gets that quick ball that Stringer is so known for.

Phillips is slower than Stringer (but a million times more powerful with his running...), so I don't know if teaming him up w/ ROG is the best idea.

If it takes too long to get the ball, then SA have time to get back and be ready for it...

I'd usually put ROG or Stephen Jones ahead of Hook, but I really would've liked to see Hook in that last match.

By kalapois, at June 23, 2009 12:20 am
Kalapois

Stringer was second choice behind O'Leary for majority of season. O'Leary is slow passer aswell but seems to see the lines, gaps quicker/better than Philips and doesn't waste as much possession. No doubt O'Leary would have put more pressure on Philips than others but thems the breaks unfortunately.

By Huh!! the 3rd, at June 23, 2009 12:55 am
Roundtree doesn't think the Boks cheated at scrum time, he's man enough to admit they got beaten, fair and square.
I think Lions supporters should man up and do the same. Beaten fair and square, take it on the chin.
In terms of tha game, the Boks were strangling the life out of the Lions until PDV made araft of ridiculous subs.
Brussow, Smit, the Beast, Botha, Piennar were the dominant players in then game and he yanked them all for no good reason.
Before the subs, the Lions were getting bossed, after the Boks could barely stay in the game.

By Anonymous, at June 23, 2009 3:19 am
martyn williams, rees , adam jones,
maybe ROG to start
and shaw for aw jones

By Anonymous, at June 23, 2009 4:00 am
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By goodNumber10, at June 23, 2009 6:57 am
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By Anonymous, at June 23, 2009 7:52 am
Taiwanprop.. you're making a fool of yourself.

Anonymous said...
Would you listen to this durrie chap!!! this is a rugby site mate not an english classroom.

An English classroom? - not with spelling like this.

abbliterated (obliterated)
delapotated (dilapidated)
littany (litany)
experiance (experience)
dimentional (dimensional)
..and the rest.

By chill, at June 23, 2009 8:57 am
Simmer down please guys. You're not going to win an argument (or a Test series) by swearing at and insulting one another.

Keep things respectful and play nice, or have your comments removed. It's up to you.

Cheers

By GMC, at June 23, 2009 9:03 am
Lets try and break the 200 comments mark.....I think Vickery and Monye should start on Saturday...

By Andy, at June 23, 2009 10:34 am
lions, way to individual
to much play for own succes.

By Anonymous, at June 23, 2009 11:38 am
emerging springboks 6 - 37 south africa

By Anonymous, at June 23, 2009 11:51 am
andy *
vickerey shouldn even be in the matchday 22 never mind the starting xv adam jones/hayes to start at 3 depending on how tonights game goes and i think williams will take monyes place
what do you think the starting back row will be?

By welshno7, at June 23, 2009 11:56 am
Welshno7,

I'd have Williams, Heaslip and Croft. Williams on for Monye and although I like Jones and think he's had a great tour Hook to start at 10 and get us some valuable penalties. I would also consider (you'll think i'm mad for this) Worsley at 6,and moving Croft to 8, I though Heaslip was pretty poor on Sat and Worsley does alot of work people don't realise. Get rid of Vickey Jones into front row with Rees and Shaw in at 2nd row. You?

By Andy, at June 23, 2009 12:29 pm
welshno7 said... who will start in the back row?
i think coft at 6 because he is a very good line out opnion.
Martyn williams at 7 to get a better link between forwards and backs.
and heislip again at 8, because does a lot of the unseen work, but i think andy powell will be on the bench to give impact last 20.

p.s what the big thing with evrybody saying hayes is a great line out lifter, gethin jenkins and adam and phil vickery can all lift and thet are no smaller than the SA props. The proplom is that victor and bakkis are a lot more inteligent in the line out than POC and the lions. And we most propably have the size advangetge in the line out with croft at 6 because the SA back row isint that big. what do you think?

By Anonymous, at June 23, 2009 12:34 pm
looks like the lions will probably win the series to be fair in this test the lions could have potentially won it by at least 17 points but it is only thanks to a very good last ditch attempt from the boks defence that won it for them the lions just need to believe that they can win it, because although south africa are excellent the lions are at least of the same level as them and could be better

By Anonymous, at June 23, 2009 2:18 pm
To the above. Are you mad? The safas took off their best players. Believe me it's going to be very tough to win this, but not impossible by any means

By andy, at June 23, 2009 2:23 pm
TO THE anonymous above..nah sa forwards are all croft's size and bigger..6ft4 ;6ft5...brussouw only 6ft

By dale, at June 23, 2009 3:01 pm
yeah i agree , im a big fan of worsley , hardly ever misses a tackle and pretty good in the lineout , id have croft at 6 , williams 7 and worsley at 8 with andy powell coming on for williams in last 20 (worsley back to flank)

By welshno7, at June 23, 2009 3:34 pm
Anonymous said...
play bdaminton
rugby = gay

anonymous, surely you mean
rguby = gya

By bill, at June 23, 2009 3:51 pm
"Anonymous andy said...

To the above. Are you mad? The safas took off their best players. Believe me it's going to be very tough to win this, but not impossible by any means"

Andy, lets not forget that the lions took off 5 of their players as well, Byrne was injured -Kearney came in and played very well.

Jones for Vickery, made a huge difference
Rees for Mears - made a huge difference
Williams for Wallace - was introduced at exactly the right time
DOC for Wynn jones - as above.

Yet De Villiers subs were terrible and the lions subs are not talked about.

As much as people moan about de villiers allowing his team to lose momentum, people should also allow for the fact the Lions subs had a far greater impact then the Bok subs.

Test level Rugby is a 22 man game.

By goodNumber10, at June 23, 2009 6:04 pm
Hayes is the best lineout man in world rugby hands down.

First off hes 6 foot 4. Very big for a prop so he can lift people an extra 6 inches higher than Jones who is only 6 foot without even leaving his hand

Second he has been working with DOC and POC for about 7 years now and they work very well together.

He anticipates opposition jumpers very well.

And finally. He has the most freakish upper body strength than anyone in the world. He can lift his second rows in the air without the help of someone else. Not only does he get POC and DOC into the air in lightening fast time but he throws them into the air like rag dolls.

Have a look at that and youll notice how Paul O Connell has left Hayes' hands

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0aRC91ueAT1ce/340x.jpg

By Frontrowforlife, at June 23, 2009 8:01 pm
So what if he has worked with them for years,
DOC has done nothing to put himself in a test place hines as been a lot better than him.
and POC is only in the team because he is captin.
And if hayes was that good he would have been in the squad to start, and wasnt evan talked about for the tour.
Alun wyn and hines best second row partnership, and BOD as captin.

By Anonymous, at June 23, 2009 10:23 pm
Just a thought but why is everyone so overly keen on DOC in with POC? I thought Shaw has had an impressive run. I thought DOC impressed during the 6N but hasn't shown much on tour. Not had a bad tour but I think Shaw has stuck out a bit more for me. Adds agression and bulk.
P.S. Did anyone see the S.A Physio... she was hot!!!

By Cheech, at June 23, 2009 11:34 pm
I would like to hear what people think of keith earls. Being from limerick i saw him single handedly winning the senior schools cup for munchins two years ago. In limerick he is regarded as nothing short of a champion, and as a first year as a professional rugby player he has finished top try scorer for munster, scored a try on his debut for ireland and was called up to the lions tour, now i know roberts and fitzgerald are of similar age and have achieved more in the game but earls was a surprise call-up and even though he had a shocker in the first match he has scored two great tries. Ronan o gara has gone on to compare his impact in his first season to johnny wilkonson and while i dont see earls dropping a goal off his weak foot for ireland in a world cup final i genuinely think he will be a world beater in the next few years. drop a comment to what ye think.
Paul

By Paul Gormley, at June 24, 2009 8:29 pm
Would you feck off Paul Gormley with the Keaith Eayls crap. Thats two vids youve posted the same comment on.

By Anonymous, at June 24, 2009 9:29 pm
who the hell are you to tell me what to post and what not to post? it a matter of opinion and i asked people who WANTED to discuss to comment not dickheads who dont even leave their names

By Paul Gormley, at June 24, 2009 9:46 pm
Well people dont want to discuss it and dont want dickheads like you posting your stupid opinion

By Anonymous, at June 24, 2009 10:43 pm
With the way the springboks scrum pulled up, it looks like South Africa are definately not missing
Os Du Randt and
CJ Van Der Linde.

Great job Mtawarira!

Note:
isnt it funny how Australia dominated the english scrum late last yr (sheridan)

and the same was done to Vickery this time around.

By Tuilagi-Inspired, at June 25, 2009 7:27 am
Heaslip at 8.20 class

By Anonymous, at June 26, 2009 4:26 pm
de boks wer gud! bt dat ref was shit nd ruind d game 4 d lions

By Anonymous, at August 11, 2009 5:04 pm