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**Official** 2005 Lions tour of New Zealand
- Thread starter Tim
- Start date
superkingdave
Hall of Fame Member
at least O'Driscoll gives some respectability 19-13 with 6 to go
Sir Redman
State Vice-Captain
Woodward to blame the ref in 5...4...3...2...
Sir Redman
State Vice-Captain
I'd like to know why the Maori didn't use Gear at all...instead they used Ralph with inside balls the whole time.
MacDonald had a great game, as did Gibbes and Holah (that turnover at the end was crucial). McAllister was very strong in defence except for that one miss on O'Driscoll and Tupoki had a strong game, even if he was a bit selfish at times. Weepu had a typical game for mine...some strong runs and tackles mixed with some rubbish passing and kicking.
All in all, the Maori played pretty well, though I'm a bit suprised at the lack of their trademark flair..
MacDonald had a great game, as did Gibbes and Holah (that turnover at the end was crucial). McAllister was very strong in defence except for that one miss on O'Driscoll and Tupoki had a strong game, even if he was a bit selfish at times. Weepu had a typical game for mine...some strong runs and tackles mixed with some rubbish passing and kicking.
All in all, the Maori played pretty well, though I'm a bit suprised at the lack of their trademark flair..
superkingdave
Hall of Fame Member
actually he said they were much the better side and the scoreline flattered the Lions...Sir Redman said:
Blaze
Banned
Lions wern't even in it and still managed to only lose by 6..
Gibbs must be in the All Black squad somewhere IMO.. He offers cover for both blindside flanker and lock and he is a leader.
Rico Gear did nothing to enhance his All Black chances. I don't think we will see him starting against the Lions but he will still feature later in the season.
The Maori out passioned the Lions who were 1 dimensional and couldn't convert their chances in the final quarter bar O'Driscalls brilliance
Gibbs must be in the All Black squad somewhere IMO.. He offers cover for both blindside flanker and lock and he is a leader.
Rico Gear did nothing to enhance his All Black chances. I don't think we will see him starting against the Lions but he will still feature later in the season.
The Maori out passioned the Lions who were 1 dimensional and couldn't convert their chances in the final quarter bar O'Driscalls brilliance
Tim
Cricketer Of The Year
The Maori pack did exceptionally well against what the Lions thought was one of their best forward pack options. Deacon Manu showed that he's unlikely to ever make international level but the rest of the pack was brilliant especially Hollah, Gibbes & I thought McDonald was very good at #8.
Leon McDonald was awesome at fullback and I think he could well be named in the AB's side tommorow.
The fact is though..that the AB's team will be a step above this Maori side with the likes of McCaw, Jack, Carter, Umaga etc.
The Lions backs are definately going to need to improve. As I suspected, as soon as Lewsey came under pressure he struggled but I still think he's one of the Lions better options at fullback.
I watched Stephen Jones closely and he had an ok game, but at this stage i'd think that Hogdson might have snuck past him and will be in contention with Wilkinson for the 1st test.
Leon McDonald was awesome at fullback and I think he could well be named in the AB's side tommorow.
The fact is though..that the AB's team will be a step above this Maori side with the likes of McCaw, Jack, Carter, Umaga etc.
The Lions backs are definately going to need to improve. As I suspected, as soon as Lewsey came under pressure he struggled but I still think he's one of the Lions better options at fullback.
I watched Stephen Jones closely and he had an ok game, but at this stage i'd think that Hogdson might have snuck past him and will be in contention with Wilkinson for the 1st test.
Blaze
Banned
Tim said:
But the wingers spots are being so hotly contested. I think he needed to involve himself more. Obviously the selectors are not going to base his selection on that one performance but if they were weighing him up against Doug Howlett then his performance tonight would have done nothing to tip the scales in his favour
Tim
Cricketer Of The Year
But I don't think Gear showed anything tonight to suggest he shouldn't be playing against the Lions.
Don't forget, Howlett played against Fiji which is a huge difference.
It'll be really interesting to see who makes the squad tommorow. But surely, Hollah & Gibbes played their way into the team on the basis of tonights performance.
Don't forget, Howlett played against Fiji which is a huge difference.
It'll be really interesting to see who makes the squad tommorow. But surely, Hollah & Gibbes played their way into the team on the basis of tonights performance.
Tim
Cricketer Of The Year
McAllister's time will definately come & im sure he'll feature in the tri-nations when GH & co want to rest other players due to the long season.
Defensively he looks very good & he showed glimpses that he can also be a good play-maker.
Gibbes was just superb, I cannot congratulate him enough. When Hohneck was struggling in the lineouts, Gibbes stepped up despite being marked heavily.
Defensively he looks very good & he showed glimpses that he can also be a good play-maker.
Gibbes was just superb, I cannot congratulate him enough. When Hohneck was struggling in the lineouts, Gibbes stepped up despite being marked heavily.
Blaze
Banned
I agree about Holah and Gibbs also.
McAlister might in tri nations depending on how the Lions series goes.
My big concern is the goal kicking. It always has been ever since I saw Dan Carter's kicking strike rate for the season. He kicked at 69%. That is not flash. I have studied his kicking behaviour in his last 5 games or so and anything from 5 metres in from touch or further he is only a 50% proposition. This is concerning. I have mantained from the beggining of the season that I think Mehrtens should be starting with Carter at second five and Umaga centre.
I just hope that the All Blacks selectors pick capable cover when it comes to goal kicking because although Carter has the ability to kick well he cannot be relied to kick at 85%+ in every test he plays... yet
McAlister might in tri nations depending on how the Lions series goes.
My big concern is the goal kicking. It always has been ever since I saw Dan Carter's kicking strike rate for the season. He kicked at 69%. That is not flash. I have studied his kicking behaviour in his last 5 games or so and anything from 5 metres in from touch or further he is only a 50% proposition. This is concerning. I have mantained from the beggining of the season that I think Mehrtens should be starting with Carter at second five and Umaga centre.
I just hope that the All Blacks selectors pick capable cover when it comes to goal kicking because although Carter has the ability to kick well he cannot be relied to kick at 85%+ in every test he plays... yet
Tim
Cricketer Of The Year
I think Carter will be ok. My concern is that there is no back-up goal-kicker because Mauger clearly has not been practising his goal-kicking at Canterbury with the likes of Carter, Mehrtens & Blair (even MacDonald) playing for them in recent years.
I think we've got to have either Mehrtens or Evans on the bench..but by the look of things, neither of them are going to be picked tommorow.
I have a feeling goal-kicking will be crucial in this series so I think we need to have 2 recognised goal-kickers in the playing team.
I think we've got to have either Mehrtens or Evans on the bench..but by the look of things, neither of them are going to be picked tommorow.
I have a feeling goal-kicking will be crucial in this series so I think we need to have 2 recognised goal-kickers in the playing team.
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