Who will bury his head in the sand more?

The common thing that unites both Gatland and Deans is not just their Kiwi citizenship. It's their stubbornness and firm belief that their style of play can win. Injuries prove disruptive for them more so in personnel rather than their tactical approach.

We've seen two games so far and very little difference in the gameplan of both sides. Gatland has identified what he thinks can win the game. Deans knows what he wants to do. The players selected are clearly instructed to play the way the coaches want.

Both sides are very even. Both sides have the potential to be more flexible and varied in the way they play. Both coaches are unlikely to want to chance their arm in terms of tactics.

Gatland might have to worry about the loss of another leader. He's already lost POC and may be without his tour captain Warburton. So how might that affect his backrow? Will he go for status quo and Heaslip, SOB and Lydiate with Croft covering lock and the backrow (shaky as that might seem) or will he chance his arm more and go with Tipuric, Croft and Heaslip with SOB covering the backrow. To me the Lions have been missing a link man that can get the ball away from the contact area to the big wingers out wide. To me this is the riskier option but one that would prove a handful for Australia. Similar to instructing Sexton to run at the line and not kick it away.

Deans similarly will want to keep the status quo. LLF proved invaluable as a goal kicker so that means continuing with the same failed experiment of JOC at fly half. He created the winning pass to AAC but he almost gave the game to the Lions with his kick out on the full after it was taken back. He doesn't control games but Deans has not many options in his squad at fly half. He doesn't want Cooper and he doesn't have someone untested like Foley. He's made his decision and he's sticking to it. What will happen though if Horwill gets suspended? Who will be the captain and how much will that affect the Oz gameplan? In my view very little.

Both coaches have made their minds up. Risk is not in their vocabulary. They will stick to what they know best and feel can win the game. How they do it is irrelevant. So unfortunately this series for me won't live up to what it could be. The stakes are high for both men - keeping his job and putting a claim on a job - and like the players are becoming increasingly nervous as we reach the crucial deciding moments. Both coaches are doing their best to impersonate an ostrich and both are doing convincing jobs of that.

That's a great analysis, mate. Appears spot on, too.

I like the ostrich analogy. To take it one step further, when one buries one's head in the sand, which part of the body sticks up? And which gets kicked?

I'd say their behind and they both get shafted.  

I think the Lions should have had Tipuric on the bench yesterday, he is by far the best impact backrow player at the moment

If Warbs is fit, Tipuric should be on the bench just in case this week

If Warbs isn't fit, Tipuric has to start.

Lydiate deserves to keep his shirt, Heaslip does not - Faletau or SOB should start at 8.

I agree Kia...what your really saying is select Cooper for the third test!

Neeeeeeeever gonna happen yet its exactly what he should do. He would have coped much better than JOC on the weekend.

For the Lons Manu, Faletau and Tipuric have to start (perhaps SOB if not the two)

Perhaps RD has forgotten that it's emu's we have here, not ostriches. Emu's don't stick their head in the sand Robbie, they run - just like the Wallaby backs used to once upon a time.

I've got a slightly different take. I think the Lions are in some respect constrained as to how they play the game. I listened to an interview with one of the Red's coaches the other day. He thought that against the Reds and the Brumbies they struggled at high pace and high intensity. I.e. whilst they are well conditioned they aren't used to playing the game at extreme pace. When put in that position their decision making falls apart. To some degree I agree. I think a wide game plays into the Wallabies hands. Their strength is in close. I'm thinking improve the set piece, strangle the rucks, kick for position and look to counter attack if they want to win (pretty much the Gatland approach I think).

In terms of the Wallabies. cooper isn't likely to happen in a month of Sundays. There strategy looks like an old Crusaders team. Good defence, compete at the set piece and 2nd phase. I think they've been the marginally better side in both games so far. If they could modify their ruck (particularly on defence) to that of the Lions (i.e. attack the ball in the tackle, bridge or seal the ball off in the rucks) I think they'd probably win comfortably.

If you're going to play Saders style bc you need a specialist fly half who can control a game. JOC is not that player nor is he someone to stay up flat in the line. His instinct is to run and if you close down the space on him you shut him down. He'd be better suited on the wing but that leaves a hole at 10 and Deans does not want to risk someone like Foley there because he refuses to select Cooper.

I agree Gatland has correctly assessed the Lions' best chance. But there is some freedom in using that style of play. The rolling maul has been underutilized and you can bypass the midfield with a quick link man if you get turnover ball or a roll on.

My beef with both coaches is that they're playing it safe. Minimize the risk and put defence above all else. It's understandable given the context but it's a dangerous game to play given that both games have gone to the wire and both sides feel within the game. If you put your side out ahead with a good lead you make the other team chance their arm more. Only problem is that their mindset is if you try to attack and it goes wrong you fall behind. Play safe and grind out the win.

Just seen the Lions' team for the third test. I don't think just Gatland's head is buried. He's dug himself a hole and jumped down into a pit. He will live or die by the Gatlandball sword.

In terms of preparation, Deans can't be confused as to what the Lion's tactics will be. Some interesting bench options but will it be too late by then? Gatland is convinced he can win playing this way but the Aussies won't give so many gifts in errors like they did last week.

I think many Lions fans worst fear prior to the series was employing a kick and chase, physical, defence based gameplan and it's come to light. All in all it's a real shame for rugby more than either set of supporters as this series could've been an advertisement for attack minded rugby we've been missing for a few years. The Lions could have gone in looking to play with a structured but attacking game plan which would have played to their strengths and an Aus side with Cooper at the helm could have looked to use their backs in the most destructive way possible.

1.Healy 2.Youngs 3.Jones 4.Gray 5.O'Connell 6.O'Brien 7.Tipuric 8.Heaslip
9.Youngs 10.Sexton 11.North 12.Roberts/Tuilagi 13.O'Driscoll 14.Bowe 15.Halfpenny

1.Robinson 2.Moore 3.Alexander 4.Douglas 5.Horwill 6.Mowen 7.Hooper 8.Palu
9.Genia 10.Cooper 11.Ioane 12.O'Connor 13.AAC 14.Folau 15.Beale

Prior to the series starting I was desperately hoping to see an attacking series with two sides such as the above starting. Unfortunately it wasn't to be though.