Off Topic Ospreys, Wales & BIL

Just watched that Dove ad. That little boy is in grave danger of being hurt when Hogg drops him!

 

No bite marks …..

 

There's definitely an inconsistency still with some of these decisions. Personally i think yellow was right for Kolbe, as he was looking vertically at all times. If that is not mitigating then there should just be a blanket rule that it's a red, then end of any debate.

There is a thought that because this ref sent off an Aussie against France, that was overturned on review, that he was erring on the side of caution, rather than had the words of Erasmus in the back of his mind.

I agree on Faf, surely needed looking at.

Let's not forget VDM didn't even get penalised for the tip tackle, let alone a card.

The officials are under extreme pressure and i hope Erasmus gets seriously penalised.

 

If they are concerned about a SA TMO - why not put O’Keefe to TMO on Saturday and have Jonker as a touch judge: far less contentious?

 

They may indeed need to be seen to be acting on this, just to cover themselves.

 

Gatland has rung the changes:

British and Irish Lions: Williams; Adams, Henshaw, Aki, Van der Merwe; Biggar, Price; Jones, Owens, Furlong, Itoje, A Wyn Jones (c), Lawes, Curry, Conan

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Vunipola, Sinckler, Beard, Simmonds, Murray, Russell, Daly

 

I think Van de Merwe is a bit fortunate to retain his place. Good to see Liam and Josh back in and Wyn Jones will hopefully secure the front row.

 

I'm amazed VDM has retained his place. I expected Watson to remain instead. Nice front row though!

The bench isn't a surprise, as it smacks of grunt and "SA proofing" (Beard). Apart from Russell . Don't get me wrong, I'm glad there's no Farrell but Finn's a bit of a loose cannon and not what I'd expect from Gats in this type of game. Maybe he's there as a "last throw of the dice" if the Lions are losing and desperate for some kind of magic to save the game. Seems odd to me as it's still not a squad you look at and say the Lions are going for the attacking win.

Still, some welcome changes and on to Saturday!

 

Surely, his name should be Van de Mediocre

 

Aki - for me, is a yellow/red card in waiting given his tackle technique.

How VDM has retained his place is astounding.

Picking Ali Price tells me that they are going to try and speed up the ball from the set piece and try and move it.

The sheriff at Hooker is equally astounding - I wouldn’t have him in the 23.

Surprised that the back row is unchanged - if we are going to try and go wide, one option would have been Curry to blind side with Watson open side.

I can understand Beard being in the 23 - if only got his physical presence.

Strikes me that Gatland has gone for club/country combinations where he can - eg, Henshaw and Aki, Wyn Jones and Owens…

The tactics last week were poor - Biggar only passed the ball three times - two of which were in one move!

 

Gats is conservative to say the least and has always favoured defence first, I'm glad we got any positive changes! This seems like a small concession toward any creative attacking intent, if any. It doesn't mean to say we'll see a big change in tactics of course. None of Tadgh Beirne, H. Watson or Faletau in the 23 has disappointed me. Not really a surprise though with Gats mindset.

I think Faf will be the Boks biggest miss, he's that well oiled cog that keeps them ticking. I've lost some respect for SA after the last week, good to see Rassie facing a misconduct hearing.

I'm way more optimistic than I was before the last game but it's going to need everyone to click to win this. SA are still big favourites for me.

 

Or Van der Muffer

 

Well, he certainly muffed his lines ….

 

Good summary

 

Apparently, the Lions Squad will be flying into Jersey to quarantine, where their wives will join them.

My wife has just been chatting to Steve Tandy’s wife Karen who has come home to see her Mum.

 

Are they paying £89 per test per person or is there a rule for one and a rule for another?

My wife is flying in from Poland on Friday and the test costs,even though she has had two vaccines,is ridiculous.

 

Whilst extremely more optimistic than last week, I'm still seeing a Boks win today. Unless, the Lions click and have a blinder. Here's hoping

 

I’m hoping for the best but expecting the worst ….