Crusaders v British & Irish Lions, 10 June

by **George Carlin** Wed 07 Jun 2017, 7:14 pm

First topic message reminder :

Crusaders v British & Irish Lions, 10 June - Page 6 Crusad10

Crusaders v British & Irish Lions, 10 June - Page 6 Lions_10

Crusaders v British & Irish Lions
10 June 2017
KO: 19:35 NZST (8.35am BST)
Rugby League Park, Christchurch

Live on Sky Sports, Sky Sports HD and SkyGo

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Touch judges: [tbc]
TMO: [tbc]

A. FORM:

2 June 1993: Canterbury 10 - 28 British & Irish Lions

28 June 1983: Canterbury 22 - 20 British & Irish Lions

25 June 1977: Canterbury 13 - 14 British & Irish Lions

B. TEAMS:

Crusaders
I Dagg, S Tamanivalu, J Goodhue, D Havili, G Bridge, R Mo'unga, B Hall, J Moody, C Taylor, O Franks, L Romano, S Whitelock (capt), H Bedwell-Curtis, M Todd, J Taufua.

Replacements: B Funnell, W Crockett, M Alaalatoa, Q Strange, J Brown, M Drummond, M Hunt, T Bateman.

British & Irish Lions
S Hogg; G North, J Davies; B Te'o, L Williams; O Farrell; C Murray; M Vunipola, J George, T Furlong; AW Jones (capt), G Kruis; P O'Mahony, S O'Brien, T Faletau

Replacements: K Owens, J McGrath, D Cole, M Itoje, CJ Stander, R Webb, J Sexton, A Watson

C. PREVIEW

by eirebilly Sat 10 Jun 2017, 9:53 am

ebop wrote:Another BS scrum penalty

Have to agree. The Lions have lived a charmed life in the scrum.

by Scottrf Sat 10 Jun 2017, 9:53 am

ebop wrote:Another BS scrum penalty

Wahwah why do they allow things in the game that aren't running the ball?

by **BigGee** Sat 10 Jun 2017, 9:54 am

It's the last pass every time. Very poor from Watson

by eirebilly Sat 10 Jun 2017, 9:55 am

BigGee wrote:It's the last pass every time. Very poor from Watson

You do have to feel sorry for Williams. He has got into those positions to only see bad ball to him.

by **RDW** Sat 10 Jun 2017, 9:55 am

BigGee wrote:It's the last pass every time. Very poor from Watson

No need to force it at all

by Tattie Scones RRN Sat 10 Jun 2017, 9:56 am

This ref is utter mince. Crusaders getting nothing.

by **BigGee** Sat 10 Jun 2017, 9:56 am

Looked forward to me

by **RDW** Sat 10 Jun 2017, 9:59 am

Better from Watson - not sure Williams needed to kick though

by Scottrf Sat 10 Jun 2017, 9:59 am

Williams' kick chases have been awful.

by **BigGee** Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:00 am

Stander!!!!!

by WELL-PAST-IT Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:00 am

What the score, just got back not seen anything yet?

by WELL-PAST-IT Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:01 am

Tried getting coverage on the radio, thought great 5 Live covering it, it's in Bl00dy welsh

by Scottrf Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:02 am

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:What the score, just got back not seen anything yet?

3-9.

Try TalkSport.

by **BigGee** Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:02 am

Lions defensive line working so much better now. Crusaders not used to playing against sides that tackle so effectively

by Rory_Gallagher Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:03 am

Back three just aren't playing well. With the centres brought along on tour they are never going to see much ball. For that reason, the likes of Watson will have to start as they are very good at counter attacking from deep.

by Scottrf Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:03 am

Crusaders must have knocked on more today than the rest of the season. Does show the difference in the pressure from a rush defence too though.

by Guest Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:05 am

Crusaders scrum dominating the Lions

by eirebilly Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:07 am

Murray's kicking has been superb today.

by **RDW** Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:07 am

Connor Murray nailing on the 9 shirt so far!

by Guest Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:08 am

by Engine#4 Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:10 am

Crusaders scrum has been illegal all day, no attempt to drive straight. Not surprising really, NZ scrum is barely top 10 in the world. Get by being clever.

by The Great Aukster Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:11 am

Can't believe that Kruis was subbed over AWJ - it's looking like the unenforced subs in this game look like they will miss the Maori and therefore the Tests.

by WELL-PAST-IT Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:12 am

Scottrf wrote:
WELL-PAST-IT wrote:What the score, just got back not seen anything yet?
3-9.

Try TalkSport.

cheers Scott, got it, just at the right time by the sound of it

by eirebilly Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:12 am

This performance from Sexton today really say's to me that he was not fully fit for the first two games.

I have no more words for Farrell's performance, it has been excellent and he has linked well with Murray.

by Guest Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:12 am

Lions absolutely butchered a try there but did the 3 pt thing

by **RDW** Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:12 am

We absolutely butchered that - why the miss pass??

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:13 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:We absolutely butchered that - why the miss pass??

Agree it was the wrong option unfortunately, through the hands and that looked like a try

by **RDW** Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:17 am

Lions have been so physical this game

by eirebilly Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:20 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:Lions have been so physical this game

Fair play to AWJ, he has taken some stick on here recently but he has been very physical and very good today.

by Guest Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:20 am

WTF!!!

A scrum penalty to the Crusaders?

by GunsGermsV2 Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:21 am

Great win for the Lions. Good to see a Kiwi team refereed properly.

by Taylorman Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:21 am

Well done Lions, nice to see you've finally arrived in NZ, better late than never.

Nooooooow we have a series.

by **RDW** Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:22 am

eirebilly wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:Lions have been so physical this game

Fair play to AWJ, he has taken some stick on here recently but he has been very physical and very good today.

The game has certainly suited him - very physical but not too fast paced and lots of stoppages. Not sure if he's the right MSN for NZ though!

by Taylorman Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:22 am

GunsGermsV2 wrote:Great win for the Lions. Good to see a Kiwi team refereed properly.

Oh really, do they not teach them about scrum dominance up there. No wonder things are bad with clowns like that ruining the game.

by eirebilly Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:23 am

Oh bugger, Sexton looks crooked again...

by WELL-PAST-IT Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:23 am

The radio must have jet lag, i'm still listening to it

by GunsGermsV2 Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:23 am

Sore loser Taylorman. As usual

by **RDW** Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:23 am

eirebilly wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:Lions have been so physical this game

Fair play to AWJ, he has taken some stick on here recently but he has been very physical and very good today.

The game has certainly suited him - very physical but not too fast paced and lots of stoppages. Not sure if he's the right MSN for NZ though!

by Guest Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:23 am

Good win Lions, well done

Defence won that

by Taylorman Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:23 am

eirebilly wrote:
ebop wrote:Another BS scrum penalty

Have to agree. The Lions have lived a charmed life in the scrum.

Yes, all the while going backwards...how...odd.

by Guest Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:25 am

GunsGermsV2 wrote:Great win for the Lions. Good to see a Kiwi team refereed properly.

That's a bit cliche guns

by Rory_Gallagher Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:25 am

I wouldn't change that pack too much for the tests. Or the halfback pairing. Bring in Itoje, McGrath and Warburton (obviously).

by Scottrf Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:25 am

3 points for a team that normally gets 40+ is impressive.

But 2 tries in 3 games is worrying.

by **RDW** Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:25 am

Massive win for the Lions - we made one of the best club teams in the world look very ordinary.

Our attack is still non-existent but defence was superb and our forwards really took it to them.

by brennomac Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:25 am

Great stuff from Lions, but if Crusaders are the best team in the SH......well....

by Taylorman Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:26 am

Well done Lions!
They're not going to break the try scoring records this tour but they've come back under huge pressure, massive.

Enjoy the night Gatland and team, you've deserved it.

Awesome!

by **BigGee** Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:27 am

Well done Lions, finally arrived in NZ.

Great performance from the pack, pretty much all of them putting up their hands for Test selection. Murray and Farrell also nailing down the test stating spot. The rest of the outside backs still struggling a little bit, but maybe that is the next piece in the jigsaw. Losing Hoggy and Davies and early on probably did not help, both were playing well.

by RuggerRadge2611 Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:27 am

Much better from the Lions, a bit brighter in attack with Watson, North and Williams getting a bit more of the ball.

Hope Hogg and JD2 are OK. Hoggs eye looked really nasty.

by Guest Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:27 am

Taylorman wrote:Not far away now and the Lions are about to face the best side in NZ rugby at the moment and believe me, this is a very good side. There aren't as many star names like Barrett or the Smiths but across the entire 23 there are few weaknesses.

They have the best pack in NZ and have won matches they probably should have lost, and are practised, and as yet unbeaten.

With the Lions combinations not clearly obvious the Lions concept is going to come under the heat with this match, the contrast doesn't get much more stark in terms of prep for the match.

In short, without established combinations individuals are going to have to stand up, big time. They're going to need at least five or six players playing THE best rugby of their careers to have a chance.

So far, not one Lion has achieved that in the two matches to date. The ability to attack the gain line, to put players through or around is almost benign so far.

Going through the motions, doing the basics ain't going to be enough here, the Saders will attack with everything they've got, from everywhere so a good defence over 80 is an understatement.

If Farrell and Murray have poor games, I'd expect a 20-25 point win to the Saders, that's how tough this is going to be.

Off day for the 'Saders?!

by Taylorman Sat 10 Jun 2017, 10:28 am

brennomac wrote:Great stuff from Lions, but if Crusaders are the best team in the SH......well....

Keeping the best of four nations tryless is not a good effort in your books?

You have high standards then, you must get let down an awful lot. thumbsup

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