South Africa vs British and Irish Lions 7th August

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SOUTH AFRICA v BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
Saturday 7th August
KO: 18:00 SAST / 17:00 UK / 02:00 Australia  
Cape Town Stadium
Sky Sports Main Event

TEAMS:

SOUTH AFRICA
A very large bunch of blokes.

WAZZER'S WIZARDS

15. Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales) #833
14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) #836
13. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #824
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland) #837
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #841
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) #821
09. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) #843

01. Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales) #842
02. Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) #829
03. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #818
04. Maro Itoje (Saracens, England) #825
05. Alun Wyn Jones – captain (Ospreys, Wales) #761
06. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) #826
07. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England) #853
08. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #839

16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England) #851
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England) #787
18. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, England) #814
19. Adam Beard (Ospreys, Wales) #852
20. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England) #849
21. Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #790
22. Finn Russell (Racing 92, Scotland) #835
23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) #822

The Oracle wrote:

MichaelT wrote:

The Oracle wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Biggar has looked a shadow of himself so far.

Anyone who thinks he has performed on tour are kidding themselves.

It’s the gameplan that’s the blame

Did the coaches say they had a game plan? They are getting paid as coaches and have picked a squad of players, but did they actually say there was a plan for the tour?

Yes I’ve heard Gatland say ‘game plan’ in interviews this tour. Even Gregor said the word the other day. But I do not know what it is.

Thats not enough proof. I can say submarine or million pounds, doesn't mean I have either.

MichaelT wrote:

The Oracle wrote:

MichaelT wrote:

The Oracle wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Biggar has looked a shadow of himself so far.

Anyone who thinks he has performed on tour are kidding themselves.

It’s the gameplan that’s the blame

Did the coaches say they had a game plan? They are getting paid as coaches and have picked a squad of players, but did they actually say there was a plan for the tour?

Yes I’ve heard Gatland say ‘game plan’ in interviews this tour. Even Gregor said the word the other day. But I do not know what it is.

Thats not enough proof. I can say submarine or million pounds, doesn't mean I have either.

Possibly the most ridiculous reply I’ve ever read on here. And there’s been many. Congrats!

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/gregor-townsend-defends-dan-biggar-21241602

Game plan I think is basically keep it tight try to win a few pens and hope they tire.

Lawes on the other hand says high tempo ball in hand is the way forward. Let's hope Lawes is the one slipping in the correct tactics.

It's too late in the day to change anything substantial. Lions will be persisting with the same tactics - I suppose with kicks in open play they'll be aiming to keep the ball in play as much as possible rather than find touch, and they should be pressuring the officials into ensuring that the South Africans aren't allowed to have time-outs whenever they feel like it, as was the case in the second test.

Most important thing is the Lions find a strong 60-minute performance to win the series. They only managed 40 minutes in the first test (the second half) and 40 minutes in the second test (the first half), but were dominated in the other halves of those games. They need a powerful effort for at least three quarters if they want to win the series.

I've been watching Chasing the Sun this week to get me in the mood for tomorrow's game, and I guess Gats feels Wales got so close to SA in that WC semi playing the heavily kicking orientated game, that throwing in a few additions such as Furlong and Itoje means they should be strong enough to pull it off.

I don't think there is much to choose between the two teams, but SA performed much closer to their highest level than the Lions did last test. Whoever performs the basics better tomorrow will win.

The aerial battle and breakdown is going to be key.

In addition whoever dictates the set piece.

Old Man wrote:New Zealand has managed to break SA defence, mainly through counter attack, their speed and ability to go to space on counter is sublime

NZ also don't look to try and over power the boks in the forwards. The look to contain/match them other than at the ruck. Their defence is one of the best in the world and then as Old Man points out are the best counter attackers in the game. Their decision making and support lines make coughing up the ball against them generally a costly experience.

Lovely day for some Rugby, eh mates?

Yup

Be nice to finally see some rugby being played. Let's hope the Refs just get on with it and take charge without fear of being in the YouTube hit 'Debrief with Rassie 2'

I still think it is pretty amazing we have a tour at all. Looking forward to the finale a little wistfully as I was intending to go on this tour. SA is such an amazing country to visit.

I've got a cricket match starting at 1pm. I'm hoping we win the toss, bat first and I get some runs but then the heavy rain forecast in Edinburgh will hopefully wipe out play by 5pm. Best of all worlds. I get to bat (which I love), don't have to field (which I hate) and finish by watching the Lions decider.

Have a good one 606ers. I wouldn't be surprised if it's another turgid game but it should be very engaging one.

doctor_grey wrote:I still think it is pretty amazing we have a tour at all.  Looking forward to the finale a little wistfully as I was intending to go on this tour.  SA is such an amazing country to visit.  

I was supposed to go too. Although I’ll undoubtedly do one, i have had to miss the last two now for differing reasons and won’t get them as cheap as I could’ve again.

Fingers crossed for a good one. I'm doing a likely lads for this and so far successfully for the bledisoe. Can I make it to tomorrow morning.

I am very excited for this final test and am slightly hopeful.

Mon the Lions

king_carlos wrote:I've got a cricket match starting at 1pm. I'm hoping we win the toss, bat first and I get some runs but then the heavy rain forecast in Edinburgh will hopefully wipe out play by 5pm. Best of all worlds. I get to bat (which I love), don't have to field (which I hate) and finish by watching the Lions decider.

Have a good one 606ers. I wouldn't be surprised if it's another turgid game but it should be very engaging one.

field yourself in the pub

Well....

I decided, last month, to ditch SkySports. I assumed that it would switch off tomorrow morning. guess what happened when i switched on today?

I've just had Donnacha O'Callaghan's cousin on the phone asking what time I want him round for the match. ( He lives next door and is five foot four... other than that the similarity is uncanny)

I think I've just sorted out another month's Sky.

Do ye need a SkyGo login Jim?

Eirebilly, you're a fine man so you are. No worries. I'll just have to put up with another month of sky sports. I'll cancel it just in time to resurrect my Premier Sports subscription.

Great to see Miles Harrison is able to commentate today, after his cancer battle and recovery from surgery. Whatever your opinion of him as a commentator, it’s still very positive news and a nice story for today.

RiscaGame wrote:Great to see Miles Harrison is able to commentate today, after his cancer battle and recovery from surgery. Whatever your opinion of him as a commentator, it’s still very positive news and a nice story for today.

Was unaware of his illness, I thought Sky had just moved on to a different main commentator. Will be great to hear him today.

Nervy start. Biggar pretty poor miss and that awful lineout.

Lions keeping it in hand more early on, but struggling to hit the gainline.

Better play from the Boks, Lions will be happy to settle for a pen there

Biggar looked like he was struggling before going down tbh.

Biggar in trouble?

Russell time then

Finn?

VDM almost caught one!

Can't see Biggar lasting too longer.

Biggar off, Finn on

Blimey, that is not what we were expecting!

Time for some Finnsanity!

BigGee wrote:Time for some Finnsanity!

.

Well, this is going to be interesting at least! Step up Finn lad

Terrible for Dan Biggar but this is some outcome for Russell to be on so early.

I am going to get a new drink

Russell on to liven the game up.

Nose trumps - I’ll put Steve Borthwick out there.

Franco Claret is his new name

Well, it's at least a chance to see Price & Russell together, when the game is still live.

The Lions scrum definitely looking stronger this week with Owens and Jones onboard

3-3. A typically dry start.

Biggar's tour ending like that is very unfortunate, but Russell might enliven this series somewhat.

Nothing wrong with Finn's kicking either

3 all

Well Finn nailed his first kick. It should be a good Finn day.

And that is what Finn Russell brings

The Lions are much more active with Finn at first 5/8

Great start from Finn

The difference with Russell playing the gain line is immediately obvious!

Yep, Russell's been on five minutes and suddenly the Lions have turned into a mix of the Barbarians and the Harlem Globetrotters.

eirebilly wrote:The Lions are much more active with Finn at first 5/8

Really are. Will draw more pens having a crack at them.

Finally a try, great call to go for the corner!