South Africa 'A' v British & Irish Lions

[Toddy]

SA lucky not to receive a card there for repeated infringements.

Though may get one for foul play.

[Toddy]

I thought the yellow for FAF was fair. No clear contact to the head.

Good to see the ref dish out another yellow though for repeated infringements.

[MiketheSnow]

Should have gone for the scrum
Wasted opportunity

SA 17-3 Lions
Half-time
2 YC for SA

[Toddy]

What's the reason behind the Lions reluctancy to maul from a lineout 5m out? Not want to show their hand too early?

[MiketheSnow]

@toddy said in South Africa 'A' v British & Irish Lions:

What's the reason behind the Lions reluctancy to maul from a lineout 5m out? Not want to show their hand too early?

Christ knows

Murray v poor

[Bovidae]

@mikethesnow said in South Africa 'A' v British & Irish Lions:

Should have gone for the scrum
Wasted opportunity

I was just about to post the same thing. The Lions were guilty of too much bravado. Dumb.

Not much has changed for SA. Plenty of kicking and ferocious defence.

[MiketheSnow]

Finally Wyn Jones goes over

SA 17-10 Lions
45 mins

[MiketheSnow]

Wyn Jones gone, shoulder
Mako on

[Toddy]

Lions do another tap from a penalty and finally get over the line (against SA reduced to 13). The decision not to go for a scrum or lineout is just weird.

Maybe Gatland is trying to find out if you can tire SA out.

[MiketheSnow]

15v15

Farrell with the pen
SA continued infringement

SA 27-13 Lions
51mins

[MiketheSnow]

Last man standing wins

[Toddy]

I always thought the tackled player was allowed a chance to place the ball? He was short when tackled but it looked on the line when he placed the ball.

[MiketheSnow]

@toddy said in South Africa 'A' v British & Irish Lions:

I always thought the tackled player was allowed a chance to place the ball? He was short when tackled but it looked on the line when he placed the ball.

Said it was short on second attempt
Third go was playing the ball on the ground

[MiketheSnow]

Get Murray off FFS

[Machpants]

I think we can safely say the physicality of both these half strength test teams would be far too much for the ABs. It looks bloody painful out there

[Victor Meldrew]

Sth Africa showing how to close out a game from the 60 minute mark....

And can we ban the commentators saying when a tackle is shown in a replay "and that what it means to be a Lion.."

[Bovidae]

The Lions will be disappointed they didn't capitalise on the 2-man advantage as they had try-scoring opportunities. Credit to the SA defence though.

Some players who might have been test starters didn't impress that much tonight.

[mantissanet]

Good game management last 10 for SA saw them through. Some good performers both sides but felt a lot being held back in set play moves? Nice run for both esp first half apart from scrums which looked lottery…

[Machpants]

Made me laugh

“Down at half time was tough ask. We were calm and executed most of what we wanted to do, but it’s a good hit out against a good side. This was something that we needed and it was massively physical.” (So called Captain Murray)

I agree this will be of greater benefit to their prep than previous games, but if that was an example of the Lions executing most of what they wanted to do, then I’d be very very worried. However, that was likely just a phrase to use in an interview wasn’t it?

Please tell me it was..

[Frye]

Neither team brought much else apart from bosh. Handling was truly dire at times. If these shadow teams were a preview than I can't say I'm excited for the test series, especially without crowds.