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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
British and Irish Lions vs Wallabies Review 17 views
07 July 2013 by The Swede Eaters
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What did you think of the British and Irish Lions vs Wallabies series?
The British and Irish Lions have completed a series win in Australia and despite losing the second test to the Wallabies and their mid week match against the Brumbies, this tour will be labelled a success. All the Lions fans that came to Australia for the series loved it, while I did too!
The British and Irish Lions had too much depth for the Wallabies in the end with the Lions winning the 3rd test by 25 points. The Wallabies were gallant in this series given the mounting injury toll. I can't believe how the Wallabies kept dropping like flies. It was hard to know if it was because of the big ball running Lions forwards or what, but it started in the first minute of the first test when Christian Lealiifano got knocked out and seemed to be a reoccurring nightmare for the Wallabies.
British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland did have the depth of four nations to call upon and hence why he could bring in quality players like Sean O'Brien, Toby Faletau and Jamie Roberts fresh for the 3rd test at the end of a long tour. I thought these changes were necessary because both Faletau and Roberts especially bring some much needed punch and attacking spark.
The most controversial call by Lions coach Warren Gatland was to name ten Wales players in his starting line up including Roberts in place of Brian O'Driscoll. There was an outcry when the Irish legend was dropped but his combination with Jonathan Davies just wasn't working, see the video below. This selection was inspired as the Lions won the third test by 25 points and Jamie Roberts scored a great try. It seems that Davies and O'Driscoll are in many ways to similar in style and just didn't work well as a combination.
British and Irish Lions fullback Leigh Halfpenny was my player of the series, he can do it all, with his goal kicking, ball in hand, tackling and tactical kicking brilliant. In the second test he did miss the deciding long range kick, but he was otherwise sensational and inspirational in the massive third test victory.
It wasn't all doom and gloom for the Wallabies who unveiled some amazing talent in winger Israel Folau who stunned the Lions with two tries on debut in the first test. His match up with George North was awesome.
The Wallabies scrum punched above its weight in the first two tests, although it was heavily penalised in the third test. That is the area where the Lions rated themselves, and in the end it was vindicated.
The scrums were one of the main sources of penalties for the goal kickers during this series and there seemed to be too much time wasted on these.
The Wallabies skipper James Horwill was lucky to escape a ban for stomping, but him and Will Genia were class. I enjoyed seeing George Smith's return from the international wilderness. James O'Connor unfortunately showed us that he doesn't really have the skills as a test match first five eighth.
Coach Robbie Deans is on the outer following this series loss. Who should replace him, Ewen McKenzie or Jake White?
What did you think of the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia? Did you pick them to win the series?
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2013/07/british-and-irish-lions-vs-qantas_7.html
In the Super Rugby Tips SuperBru conference, yours truly finished second just behind winner Kiwi Impi. Kiwi Impi wins pride and personal glory. I think both Kiwi Impi and myself were at an advantage in this series as neutrals. It is so much easier to make picks when you don't have heart vs head dilemmas.
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Tags:
British and Irish Lions, Wallabies,
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