Lions played like they were 1 up, Australia like they were 1 down.

Watching that test match you saw the context of the series. The Lions felt they had a cushion and implemented a kicking game. Sexton bombed away and Bowe did a very effective job at winning the ball back. We never really saw the Lions attacking to find width. North and Bowe were anonymous out there in terms of running with the ball in hand because they were never given any chances. Davies had his critics out there tonight but he too never had enough ball to run with. Gatland wanted to squeeze the life out of the game and go for the win. To a large extent he almost got that right. There were key errors particularly with the lineouts that went to the back that hurt the Lions. The Lions scored with scraps in possession but eventually they had too much defending to do. They need to ask more questions of Australia in defence and take the game more to them in the third test.

Australia on the other hand played with the mental pressure of needing to win. I liken their performance to a virgin with his first sexual experience. Hardened up and eager to perform but riddled with doubt and that was reflected with poor handling, spills in the tackle or early offloads that were ill-advised and an overall performance leaving much to be desired.

JOC was once again indecisive and ineffectual. The backline tried to force things too much and there were all too fleeting moments when the backline had front foot ball and space in which to operate. In a way 6 points down helped the Wallaby cause. With ten minutes to go they knew they needed a try and that gave them hunger and purpose that was lacking for much of the game.

A comedy of errors with both sides doing their best to throw the game away and the best thing we can say from today's match is that both coaches need to go away from that performance and realise they are capable of so much more and will need to improve out of sight for the deciding game. The pressure will be there but both sides need to attack a lot more and with much greater accuracy. They must leave it all out there and not play within themselves.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:
Australia on the other hand played with the mental pressure of needing to win. I liken their performance to a virgin with his first sexual experience. Hardened up and eager to perform but riddled with doubt and that was reflected with poor handling, spills in the tackle or early offloads that were ill-advised and an overall performance leaving much to be desired.

Dude! I nearly spat tea out my nose on reading this...

It's like reading 50 shades of grey!