NEW ZEALAND v BRITISH & IRISH LIONS, 1 July

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NEW ZEALAND v BRITISH & IRISH LIONS  
1 July 2017
KO: 19:35 NZST (8.35am BST)
WESTPAC Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington

Live on Sky Sports HD

Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
ARs: [tbc]
TMO: [tbc]

A. Head to Head

39 Played 39
30 Won 6
3 Drawn 3
6 Lost 30
664 Points 360

B. Recent Form

24 June 2017
Eden Park, Auckland
30 – 15 to New Zealand

9 July 2005 
Eden Park, Auckland 
38 – 19 to New Zealand 

2 July 2005 
Westpac Stadium, Wellington 
48 – 18 to New Zealand

25 June 2005 
Lancaster Park, Christchurch 
21 – 3 to New Zealand

3 July 1993 
Eden Park, Auckland 
30 – 13 to New Zealand 

26 June 1993 
Athletic Park, Wellington 
7 – 20 to British & Irish Lions

12 June 1993 
Lancaster Park, Christchurch 
20 – 18 to New Zealand

16 July 1983 
Eden Park, Auckland 
38 – 6 to New Zealand

2 July 1983 
Carisbrook, Dunedin 
15 – 8 to New Zealand

18 June 1983 
Athletic Park (Wellington), Wellington 
9 – 0 to New Zealand

4 June 1983 
Lancaster Park, Christchurch 
16 – 12 to New Zealand

C. TEAMS:

NEW ZEALAND

[tbc]

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS  

[tbc]

nlpnlp wrote:

...

I hope the referee picks up on the All Blacks being offside at every ruck and maul, unlike in the Hurricanes game which was a joke.  But they are up so quickly and do it so well collectively that they get away with it.  Sour grapes I know, as they are much the better team (and if we were good enough to get away with it I would be happy), but it is annoying.

Funnily enough I've been hoping the ref picks up the Lions offside on the rush defense
On Saturday Peyper pinged them a couple of times early, then they largely stopped doing it. The French ref in the Crusaders game OTOH let both defensive lines away with being a mile offside - which probably contributed to the lack of tries in the match ...

I hope the ref if consistent. I think there's a case to say the way peyper reffed favoured nz but I say that because it created a scene where you're not going to give up attacking ball without a big mistake by the attacking team and not because he favoured nz by showing them bias. The next 2 regs should suit the lions but I fully expect nz to adapt mug better and still look fantastic. After all the talk let's remember it's about entertainment if it's as good as last week or better and the lions lose ill be happy.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:A few stats:

* The Lions made more clean breaks than the All Blacks in the first Test (15 to 12) despite having just 38% of overall possession.

* The Lions haven't won the second Test of a three-match series since their successful tour of South Africa in 1997.

* The All Blacks have a handy winning record at Westpac Stadium. Their last loss there was at the hands of Sir Clive Woodward's England in 2003.

http://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/preview?gameId=290602&league=268565

 And Form Guide:

All Blacks: WWWWW.

British and Irish Lions: DLWWL.

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:A few stats:

* The Lions made more clean breaks than the All Blacks in the first Test (15 to 12) despite having just 38% of overall possession.

* The Lions haven't won the second Test of a three-match series since their successful tour of South Africa in 1997.

* The All Blacks have a handy winning record at Westpac Stadium. Their last loss there was at the hands of Sir Clive Woodward's England in 2003.

http://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/preview?gameId=290602&league=268565

 And Form Guide:

All Blacks: WWWWW.

British and Irish Lions: DLWWL.

Presently no rain in Wellington yet Laurie, been virtually none all week but it's looked like it's about too all week. Hopefully it stays away another thirteen hours.

Well, that didnt last long. Light rain dark overhead now.

Taylorman wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:A few stats:

* The Lions made more clean breaks than the All Blacks in the first Test (15 to 12) despite having just 38% of overall possession.

* The Lions haven't won the second Test of a three-match series since their successful tour of South Africa in 1997.

* The All Blacks have a handy winning record at Westpac Stadium. Their last loss there was at the hands of Sir Clive Woodward's England in 2003.

http://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/preview?gameId=290602&league=268565

 And Form Guide:

All Blacks: WWWWW.

British and Irish Lions: DLWWL.

Presently no rain in Wellington yet Laurie, been virtually none all week but it's looked like it's about too all week. Hopefully it stays away another thirteen hours.

I hate to rain on your parade. But it's been raining on and off over night. Currently light rain and little wind. I picked the eldest up from training last night and the field was a bog. Westpac will be well drained, but still likely to be a softish track.

Not grey and not a ghost wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:A few stats:

* The Lions made more clean breaks than the All Blacks in the first Test (15 to 12) despite having just 38% of overall possession.

* The Lions haven't won the second Test of a three-match series since their successful tour of South Africa in 1997.

* The All Blacks have a handy winning record at Westpac Stadium. Their last loss there was at the hands of Sir Clive Woodward's England in 2003.

http://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/preview?gameId=290602&league=268565

 And Form Guide:

All Blacks: WWWWW.

British and Irish Lions: DLWWL.

Presently no rain in Wellington yet Laurie, been virtually none all week but it's looked like it's about too all week. Hopefully it stays away another thirteen hours.

I hate to rain on your parade. But it's been raining on and off over night. Currently light rain and little wind. I picked the eldest up from training last night and the field was a bog. Westpac will be well drained, but still likely to be a softish track.

Well, not , I doubt it will make much difference what the conditions are. I can't see the Lions winning whatever the weather.

Exiledinborders wrote:

Not grey and not a ghost wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:A few stats:

* The Lions made more clean breaks than the All Blacks in the first Test (15 to 12) despite having just 38% of overall possession.

* The Lions haven't won the second Test of a three-match series since their successful tour of South Africa in 1997.

* The All Blacks have a handy winning record at Westpac Stadium. Their last loss there was at the hands of Sir Clive Woodward's England in 2003.

http://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/preview?gameId=290602&league=268565

 And Form Guide:

All Blacks: WWWWW.

British and Irish Lions: DLWWL.

Presently no rain in Wellington yet Laurie, been virtually none all week but it's looked like it's about too all week. Hopefully it stays away another thirteen hours.

I hate to rain on your parade. But it's been raining on and off over night. Currently light rain and little wind. I picked the eldest up from training last night and the field was a bog. Westpac will be well drained, but still likely to be a softish track.

Well, not , I doubt it will make much difference what the conditions are. I can't see the Lions winning whatever the weather.

 True, the weather is the last thing the Lions need to worry about, all they have to do is score a couple more tries like their last one last week and they could do anything to the scoreboard.

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Exiledinborders wrote:

Not grey and not a ghost wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:A few stats:

* The Lions made more clean breaks than the All Blacks in the first Test (15 to 12) despite having just 38% of overall possession.

* The Lions haven't won the second Test of a three-match series since their successful tour of South Africa in 1997.

* The All Blacks have a handy winning record at Westpac Stadium. Their last loss there was at the hands of Sir Clive Woodward's England in 2003.

http://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/preview?gameId=290602&league=268565

 And Form Guide:

All Blacks: WWWWW.

British and Irish Lions: DLWWL.

Presently no rain in Wellington yet Laurie, been virtually none all week but it's looked like it's about too all week. Hopefully it stays away another thirteen hours.

I hate to rain on your parade. But it's been raining on and off over night. Currently light rain and little wind. I picked the eldest up from training last night and the field was a bog. Westpac will be well drained, but still likely to be a softish track.

Well, not , I doubt it will make much difference what the conditions are. I can't see the Lions winning whatever the weather.

 True, the weather is the last thing the Lions need to worry about, all they have to do is score a couple more tries like their last one last week and they could do anything to the scoreboard.

Obviously if I were I'd agree with you. However as I'm not I can see them winning. My worry is we are vulnerable to a kicking game.

Not grey and not a ghost wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:A few stats:

* The Lions made more clean breaks than the All Blacks in the first Test (15 to 12) despite having just 38% of overall possession.

* The Lions haven't won the second Test of a three-match series since their successful tour of South Africa in 1997.

* The All Blacks have a handy winning record at Westpac Stadium. Their last loss there was at the hands of Sir Clive Woodward's England in 2003.

http://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/preview?gameId=290602&league=268565

 And Form Guide:

All Blacks: WWWWW.

British and Irish Lions: DLWWL.

Presently no rain in Wellington yet Laurie, been virtually none all week but it's looked like it's about too all week. Hopefully it stays away another thirteen hours.

I hate to rain on your parade. But it's been raining on and off over night. Currently light rain and little wind. I picked the eldest up from training last night and the field was a bog. Westpac will be well drained, but still likely to be a softish track.

Well yeah I wasn't out in it last night. It was ok but very grey around 5, and it's not raining now so it's not as bad as purported earlier.

This is hard case

(marty, may not be your cuppa tea though )

Lee Stensness was playing in the 1993 decider and saw a $20 note on the Eden Park turf during a 5 m scrum so he shuffled over a bit, picked it up and stuffed it in his sock. He still has the $20.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11868370

Looks like the main ground at Waitemata.

Morning all, here's to a good match.

Yet another example of why the Lions is damaging NH rugby. Mako says this is the "biggest game of their lives" - really? A non-representative game for no trophy or ranking points is bigger than England beating Australia to stay in the World Cup, at home!
There is no way an All Black would put a fantasy game ahead of playing for New Zealand, and that is what makes them so good. As long as these mercenary expeditions keep relegating the individual home nations to second place in the players minds, that is the highest position their nations are likely to reach.

Good to see you getting into the spirit of the game there Aukster

I cant help but like Scott Quinnell, he is as mad as a bag of spiders but a great laugh.

eirebilly wrote:Good to see you getting into the spirit of the game there Aukster

Considering the spirit of the players embody such a loser mentality, it is surprising that so many fans embrace it.

The Great Aukster wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Good to see you getting into the spirit of the game there Aukster

Considering the spirit of the players embody such a loser mentality, it is surprising that so many fans embrace it.

Yes that's a good frank admission, the 6N can only do so much for ones confidence I guess but there you.

Already a bit of gamesmanship from the AB's by making the Lions wait a wee bit in the rain.

Trademark Itoje clap!

Great drive from Furlong, shame Itoje knocked it on though.

Haven't thought for a second that Williams would catch a high ball this tour.

Scrappy so far.

Can't help but feel this offloading game is going end up with us getting burnt. We're not skilled enough to make them stick. If we don't concede an intervention try I'll be amazed!

Nice hands from.the Lions but we didn't have really get anywhere.

Could do with some points for all this possession!

link pls somepone

alive555 wrote:link pls somepone

http://www.sky.com/skyq/buy/build

Scottrf wrote:

alive555 wrote:link pls somepone

http://www.sky.com/skyq/buy/build

Positive from the Lions but are still too stagnant and not hitting the rucks, far too many turnovers already.

Scottrf wrote:Haven't thought for a second that Williams would catch a high ball this tour.

He has not been good under the high ball, another one knocked on.

Much to like in the way the Lions have approached the game early ...but disappointing to be three down after twenty despite all that possession ...
Conditions as they are these penalties are going to be crucial.

And what a beauty from Farrell

That has to be a yellow card...

A Red I think...

Too me that is a harsh red, correct by the law I guess but I think a yellow was the correct call.

eirebilly wrote:That has to be a yellow card...

Or not!

Big chance.

Now it gets interesting!

Going to be quite the talking point later !

But it is going to make this match very interesting ...

The genius of Gatland to drop Te'o, and get SBW running violently amok.

Dura lex sed lex...

That was disgusting. Got exactly what he deserved.

Take a bow Garces - everyone was trying to talk him out of correctly penalising another example of NZ thuggery.

Also - the TMO is getting a bit big for his boots. He interjected multiple times and was still mouthing off as Garces walked towards SBW.

The AB's are still a very dangerous side even with only 14 men on the field.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Also - the TMO is getting a bit big for his boots. He interjected multiple times and was still mouthing off as Garces walked towards SBW.

Typical George Ayoub

I can expect the AB's to kick even more to Williams now. Watson is better under the high ball than Williams so I would swap them.

Lions not using the numerical advantage very well so far...

Really need to make it pay rather than just swap penalties every five minutes.

Since the red card, we've kicked the ball away twice and given away two dumb penalties. That won't win the match.

No arguments with that red, total brain fade from SBW.

Would really like to get Te'o on and hang on to some possession...

Rugby Fan wrote:Since the red card, we've kicked the ball away twice and given away two dumb penalties. That won't win the match.

Warren Gatland didn't get the red card.

mid_gen wrote:No arguments with that red, total brain fade from SBW.

Would really like to get Te'o on and hang on to some possession...

I have to agree here, Teo would be perfect now that SBW is off but who goes off Sexton or Farrell? Farrell has his kicking boots on but Sexton is the more likely to unlock the AB defence...