**Official** 2005 Lions tour of New Zealand

[James]

Unbelievable, can't believe how poor the Lions were. They seemed to turn up for the opening 10 minutes but after that they were killed in every aspect of play.

How do the Lions come back from this?

 

[Jamee999]

Bo**ocks.

@ the No. of Scots though.

 

[shaka]

They didn't look like they wanted to win, and kicked the ball back most of the time, lineouts were pathetic with 10 throws off Lions going to AB's, how bad is O'Driscoll's injury?

 

[Sir Redman]

Victory for the All Blacks 21-3

Really we should have scored more, but poor finishing and desperate defence from the Lions kept the score a bit lower.

The Lions need to sort out their lineout, they lost about 12 off their own throw, although to be fair the conditions were pretty awful

 

[Tim]

NEXT.

BOD was a huge blow, but they shouldn't be putting the loss down to that. Their scrum was destroyed and they were outclassed all over the backline.
I just can't see them improving enough in time for the next test.

And the fact that the AB's were able to play like that in horrendous wet weather..well, god save the Lions in dry conditions.

 

[shaka]

How unlucky with Sivivatu, really bad bounce cost him a try. Luckily he did score

 

[JASON]

Expected the game to be close in wet conditions, but it was hardly close. The Lions lost lot of possession in lineout throws and their scrums were hopeless too !! ABs could've easily given them a 50 pointer IMO. They just reduced their intensity after the first 15 minutes of second half and didn't capitalise or push further !!

Agree with Tim. In Dry conditions , I dread to think of the hiding the Lions will get !!

 

[JASON]

Wonder if Mealamu will get a suspension for the O'Driscoll incident ?

 

[Tim]

There didn't appear to be too much to it...he kind of rolled him over in a rough way. He might get a 1 test suspension at the most.

It was extremely unfortunate that BOD landed badly on his shoulder.

 

[JASON]

Why did the sky commentators keep repeating that this was Marshall's last Test ? Does this mean he won't play in the next 2 Lions Tests ?

I thought they meant last test in Canterbury, but I am sure I heard them say this was his last Test full stop !!

 

[Tim]

Last test at his home ground Jade Stadium.

 

[JASON]

Johnny Wilkinson had a pretty poor game IMO and I think he is more a liability for them,ATM !!

I don't think the weather alone can be blamed for his poor kicking. He missed a few !! And I am not sure that he is fully recovered to 100% TBH.

 

[Craig]

Who will replace O'Driscoll?

 

[Tim]

Selecting Wilkinson & Jones together was crazy.

Both Wilkinson and Jones are old-school 5/8's where they run sideways looking to pop the ball up to a man running on.
Woodward made a huge mistake by not picking Henson because at least he takes the line on & quite often breaks it.

It was also clear to see that Wilkinson & Jones were confused as to who should be running the show.
The terrible line-outs didn't help because Jones & Wilkinson were constantly having to clear the ball out of their 22.
But they also should be blamed for alot of aimless kicking too.

 

[JASON]

Who will replace O'Driscoll?

Does anyone know how serious his injury was ?

Feel sorry for SCW. He is bound to be under pressure from the Welsh and Scots backlash (Gavin Hastings and co) and will be under enormous pressure to make wholesale changes !! I expect several players from this Team will struggle to retain their position for the second Test !!

Wonder what kind of spin Alistair Campbell will be putting to this loss to the home nations ?

 

[Blaze]

If it's raining I am tipping the Lions to win. If it's dry I don't even think it will be close. All Blacks by 20+

Nice call Blaze.

Full credit to the All Blacks. I didn't think the tight 5 had it in them but they dominated which is a great sign for the future with most of the forward pack still young.

Lions were pathetic. Not helped by BOD going off in first minute but i expected much more. Where can they go from here?

What changes will they make?

 

[Blaze]

Wonder if Mealamu will get a suspension for the O'Driscoll incident ?

He didn't do anything illegal otherwise the touch judge would have said something cause he was standing right there and saw the whole thing.

 

[JASON]

I think Johnny has played very little until this Test, and that just showed quite clearly today !!
SCW will have to drop him for second Test, otherwise he will remain a liability for them.

Unless he can play the midweek games and show he is getting up there I think SCW will be silly to pick him for the next 2 tests , IMO !!

I know its a big call from me !! But there you have it .

 

[JASON]

He didn't do anything illegal otherwise the touch judge would have said something cause he was standing right there and saw the whole thing.

You are probably right !!

 

[Tim]

Its got to be Wilkinson at 5/8 & Henson at 2nd 5/8.

But that won't solve all of their problems. O'Driscoll is gone so they've got Captaincy issues & their hookers are clearly struggling with their throwing.