Powell is a liability

[Paudy]

Agreed on Sheridan lads, saw his face in the game a lot at stoppages too and he didn't look like a man that had put himself through too much bother. Looks like Sheridan, Ford, Worsely (how can he get any worse!) and Powell are gona be a long way away from the 22 now, the Cheetahs try was all Powell's fault.

But speaking of horrendous performers, WAYNE BARNES. Holy sh!t, can he not see Russow's greasy fingers all over that ball all day on the deck, he also was pretty harsh on the Lions at the breakdown a number of times, most notably when Worsel;y was penalised from not rolling away when the man he had tackled was literally on top of him!! That said, Worsely vs Rossouw is where the game should have been won and lost, the kicking consistency of Hook ended up being the clincher.

Looks like Byrne is fairly well set, somewhat weak tackle for their try and spilled catch aside, Williams and Halfpenny are surely gone though along with Hook, Earls to a lesser extent, thought Fitz was the best back.

[gizmo82]

does this boy know the word off load!

[keith6]

feel really sorry for best he would walk into the test 22 now if not start he must be sick watching ford

[tones]

And you thought this all up by yourself????
Brilliant Sherlock. He's a 1 trick pony and thats bnot how to beat the boks, Worsely as someone said is not a 7, got in on 1 game. POC cannot captain at this level as well.

[fourthirtythree]

Interesting to see how different people saw the match: it'd be a great experiment to organise 15 of the forum members to 'player-cam' a Lions player each for the Sharks game and really examine how each individual performs.

I would never have noticed Sheridan's being off the pace if LeRouxIsPhat hadn't mentioned it: you're sometimes not aware when specific players aren't putting it in as you're too caught up in the match. You can tell when there's no-one at a ruck, and you [eh, I mean I] just generally start shouting, "Where the f*ck is the support? WHERE THE F*CK IS THE SUPPORT?"

Is anybody on for doing that? Could make for an interesting analysis of the game.

Interesting idea hugonaut. For example I saw other people complimenting Luke here, I only saw from the last 10 mins of the first half on and I thought he barely touched the ball. But I wasn't "following" him as such, rather the play so it's quite possible the poster here was correct and he wasn't running around barely in the game.

I like the idea of harvesting the collective power of the internet to come up with a better idea of players' contribution than we get from normal media coverage.

[ceemec]

To be honest I thought Luke was poor. It was unfair to throw him in at 12 and his lack of games there showed up. In the second half there was a 2min spell where he shot up out of the line and missed his man, missed a tackle in the next phase or two and then came straight into a breakdown from the side where the ref could have given a penalty against several players.

[Vamos los azules]

Hope Luke gets a chance to play on the wing to show what he can do there. It was his first Lions match, he's been ill/injured since arriving in SA and was thrown in to a position he hasn't been playing. I think Shane Williams has proved he isn't coming back to form any time soon so Geechs needs to look at the alternatives.

Would also be nice to see Darce and BOD start Wednesday's match in the centre together to see if Darce can challenge Roberts for the 12 jersey. Anyone know how Flutey's injury is as to whether he's fit yet?

[shezba]

Hope Luke gets a chance to play on the wing to show what he can do there. It was his first Lions match, he's been ill/injured since arriving in SA and was thrown in to a position he hasn't been playing. I think Shane Williams has proved he isn't coming back to form any time soon so Geechs needs to look at the alternatives.

It would be a real shame if Luke didn't get a good chance on the wing because of the injuries and because of somebody's (Gatland's) determination to let Williams away with all sorts of bad play. I thought that Luke really struggled at 12.

On a brighter note and back on topic, Jamie must be pleased with his situation - the experiment of putting Wallace at 8 didn't work well and Powell is still a one trick player. The chances of an all Irish backrow are getting higher. If Jamie is at 8 and Wallace at 7 then they'll need a tough player like Ferris at 6. Croft at 6 would make each backrower a bit too similar. The same would go if Williams is at 7.

[RoboProp]

Powell, Ellis and Worsley should be nowhere near the Test XV. Luke is not an inside centre. I think his place is among the back three. Ferris really worked himself into the match day XV. He has really progressed as a player this year.

[Terraceman]

On a brighter note and back on topic, Jamie must be pleased with his situation - the experiment of putting Wallace at 8 didn't work well and Powell is still a one trick player.

But worryingly from a lions perspective Heaslip has found himself an almost certain Lions starter without having to raise his game a level. Like many other positions the competition isn't there. Although admittedly Jamie was always in pole position for the no.8 jersey in the first test.

[ronk]

On a brighter note and back on topic, Jamie must be pleased with his situation - the experiment of putting Wallace at 8 didn't work well and Powell is still a one trick player.

But worryingly from a lions perspective Heaslip has found himself an almost certain Lions starter without having to raise his game a level. Like many other positions the competition isn't there. Although admittedly Jamie was always in pole position for the no.8 jersey in the first test.

But Jamie has raised his game. It's been on absolutely top form for the last few months. I've always been a fan of his but he's been even better than I expected. He's genuinely one of the elite 8s at the moment.

[RoboProp]

On a brighter note and back on topic, Jamie must be pleased with his situation - the experiment of putting Wallace at 8 didn't work well and Powell is still a one trick player.

But worryingly from a lions perspective Heaslip has found himself an almost certain Lions starter without having to raise his game a level. Like many other positions the competition isn't there. Although admittedly Jamie was always in pole position for the no.8 jersey in the first test.

But Jamie has raised his game. It's been on absolutely top form for the last few months. I've always been a fan of his but he's been even better than I expected. He's genuinely one of the elite 8s at the moment.

Agree with your last sentence Ronk. While watching Powell attempt to attack off the base of the scrum yesterday I kept thinking to myself "You're no Jamie". He really is in a different league at the moment. His work rate in the last five mins of the Heinken Cup final was astounding.

[Terraceman]

On a brighter note and back on topic, Jamie must be pleased with his situation - the experiment of putting Wallace at 8 didn't work well and Powell is still a one trick player.

But worryingly from a lions perspective Heaslip has found himself an almost certain Lions starter without having to raise his game a level. Like many other positions the competition isn't there. Although admittedly Jamie was always in pole position for the no.8 jersey in the first test.

But Jamie has raised his game. It's been on absolutely top form for the last few months. I've always been a fan of his but he's been even better than I expected. He's genuinely one of the elite 8s at the moment.

Wouldn't argue with you, my only concern is that in the event of an injury the cover is not good enough. No one has really challenged Jamie for the position.

Taking only 2 regular no.8's (one who doesn't start regularly for his club never mind his country ) could easily come to be a major problem for the lions. While Wallace has played no.8 regularly for Munster this season he is clearly more effective at openside.

[Oldschool]

To be honest I thought Luke was poor. It was unfair to throw him in at 12 and his lack of games there showed up. In the second half there was a 2min spell where he shot up out of the line and missed his man, missed a tackle in the next phase or two and then came straight into a breakdown from the side where the ref could have given a penalty against several players.

A mate suggested that the selection of Luke at 12 was done to set him for not being in the running for a test wing position.
(Well that backfired too, because neither of the welsh wings looked up to it)
Paranoia I know, but what the f^ck was he picked at first centre for, unless they were stuck for an inside centre.
In which case play Lee Byrne there and Luke at FB, then they might learn something.
Luke is BOD's replacement into the future and if he was being played in the centre, it should have been at outside centre.
For this tour, the back three will come from Byrne, Kearney, Monya, Luke and the Irish Hairspray Tommy and not in any particular order from those 5.
Early days yet but on the basis of those who've eliminated themselves or not been given a chance then:-
The likely test 22 at present is IMHO:-

Byrne
Tommy
BOD
Roberts (D'Arcy if given another game or two)
Monya
Jones
Phillips (Not convinced, but nothing else on offer)
Gethin,
Lee Mears
Ewun
Jones
POC
Ferris
Wallace
Heaslip

Bench
Sheridan
Toss a coin for Hooker - The better lineout thrower.
Shaw maybe (The Scot's not far behind, but suffers from indiscipline)
Croft - A very, very good option to have on the bench.
The Leicester Scrum Half
Hook
D'Arcy (If not selected in the 15)
Kearney (If D'Arcy is selected in the 15)

The Irish back row were the outstanding back row unit in the 6N and so far still look
the best option.

[ronk]

To be honest I thought Luke was poor. It was unfair to throw him in at 12 and his lack of games there showed up. In the second half there was a 2min spell where he shot up out of the line and missed his man, missed a tackle in the next phase or two and then came straight into a breakdown from the side where the ref could have given a penalty against several players.

A mate suggested that the selection of Luke at 12 was done to set him for not being in the running for a test wing position.
(Well that backfired too, because neither of the welsh wings looked up to it)
Paranoia I know, but what the f^ck was he picked at first centre for, unless they were stuck for an inside centre.
In which case play Lee Byrne there and Luke at FB, then they might learn something.
Luke is BOD's replacement into the future and if he was being played in the centre, it should have been at outside centre.
For this tour, the back three will come from Byrne, Kearney, Monya, Luke and the Irish Hairspray Tommy and not in any particular order from those 5.
Early days yet but on the basis of those who've eliminated themselves or not been given a chance then:-
The likely test 22 at present is IMHO:-

Byrne
Tommy
BOD
Roberts (D'Arcy if given another game or two)
Monya
Jones
Phillips (Not convinced, but nothing else on offer)
Gethin,
Lee Mears
Ewun
Jones
POC
Ferris
Wallace
Heaslip

Bench
Sheridan
Toss a coin for Hooker - The better lineout thrower.
Shaw maybe (The Scot's not far behind, but suffers from indiscipline)
Croft - A very, very good option to have on the bench.
The Leicester Scrum Half
Hook
D'Arcy (If not selected in the 15)
Kearney (If D'Arcy is selected in the 15)

The Irish back row were the outstanding back row unit in the 6N and so far still look
the best option.

Only 7 subs allowed. Lose D'Arcy or Kearney

I'm not that convinced by Monye actually. Don't understand the raving about him in some quarters.

I see the total opposite of the thing with Luke. He stood up well, he worked hard and did eveything asked of him. He's not a serious contender for the test 12 jersey but with Flutey injured and D'Arcy only just called up it was worth having a go to see what he was like as matchday cover. He's boosted his chances of making the test XXII, not necessarily as a sub. Where it becomes important is if O'Gara/Jones really dip in form then Hook might make the bench due to his utility back ability. Hook kicked well but it was probably a tactical game designed for O'Gara's game management expertise.

[ronk]

http://www.scrum.com/lionstour/rugby/match/28100.html

I was just checking out the stats for the game. Broussouw's tackle count is only 20 but still impressive. I can see a NH club going after him. We don't need a 7, shame, they're so rare.

Powell carried an astonishing 18 times but didn't beat a defender. Also, restricted himself to making 2 tackles. I'm not used to watching a team attack so one dimensionally. 17 carries between the front row players but not a single pass. 2 defenders beaten and no turnovers.

No wonder it was such a dull match.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

http://www.scrum.com/lionstour/rugby/match/28100.html

I was just checking out the stats for the game. Broussouw's tackle count is only 20 but still impressive. I can see a NH club going after him. We don't need a 7, shame, they're so rare.

Powell carried an astonishing 18 times but didn't beat a defender. Also, restricted himself to making 2 tackles. I'm not used to watching a team attack so one dimensionally. 17 carries between the front row players but not a single pass. 2 defenders beaten and no turnovers.

No wonder it was such a dull match.

Powell's tackle count is astonishing!

I don't see why people have doubts about Monye.I've heard a few people say they aren't convinced but why? Same goes for Armitage.

[tackle-bag]

http://www.scrum.com/lionstour/rugby/match/28100.html

I was just checking out the stats for the game. Broussouw's tackle count is only 20 but still impressive. I can see a NH club going after him. We don't need a 7, shame, they're so rare.

Powell carried an astonishing 18 times but didn't beat a defender. Also, restricted himself to making 2 tackles. I'm not used to watching a team attack so one dimensionally. 17 carries between the front row players but not a single pass. 2 defenders beaten and no turnovers.

No wonder it was such a dull match.

Powell's tackle count is astonishing!

I don't see why people have doubts about Monye.I've heard a few people say they aren't convinced but why? Same goes for Armitage.

Monye is flakey in the tackle at times and doesn't have much of a kicking game. I suspect that if Luke gets a proper run on the wing he will snatch the number 11 shirt. He might not be quite as fast as Monye but he brings so much more to the party in terms of kicking and defensive work. Williams has effectively played his way out of the Test side in his two games to date.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Tackle-Bag i'd have Luke over Monye too but i actually think his kicking is decent (it used to be awful but has improved a lot imo) and I think he's a strong tackler as well tbh.

[ronk]

Tackle-Bag i'd have Luke over Monye too but i actually think his kicking is decent (it used to be awful but has improved a lot imo) and I think he's a strong tackler as well tbh.

It's one of the funny thing about him. Some people rave about him, some think he's a donkey.

The truth lies somewhere in between (as usual). He's certainly outstanding in some aspects of his game and has improved other areas, like kicking, where he had been weaker.

He's a good player who deserves to be on the tour. I think Fitz is a better option. There are several reasons for that. I like wingers who can play fullback. When the aerial ping-pong starts these guys come into their own. Specialist wingers still have a role to play but in unstructured play the guys with the all round game are worth so much more.

That's what Luke brings. He does everything a wing should but he also does everything else. He flies into rucks, steals ball on the deck or rushes back into the defensive line as necessary. Monye got away with some major errors against Golden Lions. He threw an intercept that was dropped. He didn't link all that well with the players around him in broken play. It's weird at times watching him play, he doesn't look comfortable on the pitch. Like someone who's big, fast and tough can manage on a rugby pitch without really understanding the game. You just need wingers to get more involved in the game than he sometimes does.