LIONS versus wee highlanders

 ...Bean Brain if you have'nt noticed there is a midweek team and another totally different stronger team that plays on the weekends....the Maoris game will be epic as they face what is effectively the Lions test team...

Again!! They should have made Jones the Lions coach. I doubt they would have been giving away these victories to the provincial rugby sides. 

Congrats to the mighty Highlanders and their fans. They had 9 front line players who were not available and still they won it in Highlander fashion! Contrats!!

 Along comes ou JW, bettyer late than never JW ! Yes JW it was a good effort by the Highlanders. But you have to agree the Lions made too many silly errors and missed their chances.

 Can't scrum, can't run the ball, standing forever offside-->I mean one time the Highlanders half back passed from the base of the ruck and the Lions number 12/13 recieved the ball playing as 1st reciever for the Highlanders. it was the funniest thing ever.
Looks like this Lions Team are depending on cheating and bent NH REF 

 Classic win by the Highlanders, that really threw a spanner in the works for Gatland's fist pumping and table bashing after the Crusaders game. 
The Lions B team didn't handle the hectic pace,  once the Highlanders created room to breath with decoy runners the Highlanders opened up the field. The Highlanders left a few tries on the field but a win is a win in these contests. 
The AB Maori game will be very interesting, the Maori squad is one of the best Ive seen in years, the only thing stopping the Maori side from winning is discipline and getting their heads right for the game. The Maori's need to watch the Crusaders on "what not to do" they'll need to structure their attack correctly. The Maori's kicking game has to be way sharper than the mediocre plan of the Crusaders. The Maori AB backline looks lethal!! These guys wont need anywhere near  the room the Crusaders needed to get going and create holes in the Lions defence. But again, they have to keep cool and disciplined or they be penalised out of the contest. 

 The Highlanders would have definitely struggled with the ref the Crusaders had. PLUS one must kick all kickable penalties with the Lions and stay within the contest.

 Beeno, I live in the US now so the time difference means you will have to wait for my guidance. Please up your meds & all should be well... one has to remain optimistic
I may get up early for the test matches and perhaps the upcoming game Lions v Maoris.
We can see how important the Lions win over the Saders was. If not for this win most would have written the series off already. Lucky for the Lions that they imported that NH ref.
A very even Landers vs Lions game made for great interest. Both sides could have won it and Landers won showing their usual character, you can never write them off regardless of whose on the field.

 No doubt the Crusaders ref was unbelievable!! The French have it in for us,  we have to be smarter and be ready for anything. The best way to conquer that is to put the game into a beyond doubt situation, have to keep discipline, complete our phases with points of any kind.... But mostly tries would be a good thing.

 Congrats to the Highlanders and their fans. Some faces like thunder here at work today. .
Will have to get home to watch full replay but saw Naholo's try on highlights. Yeah good luck stopping hum from there Courtney.

 The ABs  will get a warm up test to get the ring rust out ,just hope there's no injuries .Commiserations to the Lions and their fan beandork ,must suck to lose to Kiwis all the time even when its someone elses team eh beandip ?All youve done is doubled your losing run and sad arsedness. Well done Landers !

 Player ratings. NZ Herald

Highlanders
15. Richard Buckman - 6
Couldn't stop Joseph try at short range. Might have bruised pectorals from a few fends, but remained persistent.

14. Waisake Naholo - 9
Strong in tackle whether attacking or defending. Looked involved throughout and worthy recipient of the first try.

13. Malakai Fekitoa - 7
Hell hath no fury like an All Black scorned. Fully involved and twinkle-toes on touchline. Missed Seymour intercept.

12. Teihorangi Walden - 7
Provided cohesion to Highlanders approach on a dry track. Sound chassis to their game plan on track.

11. Tevita Li - 7
Had a moment dancing up the field in first half. The man you need if Disco Inferno comes on the jukebox.

10. Lima Sopoaga - 6
Rogue cross-field boot resulted in Seymour intercept. Threw a wobbly pass in the 51st minute to see in-goal scramble.

9. Kayne Hammington - 7
Slick passing channelled the best of Aaron Smith. Has the makings of an excellent backline general with astute decisions.

8. Luke Whitelock - 8
Hunted like he was out tracking wild boar along back country ridges. His beaming pride at the finish was uplifting.

7. Dillon Hunt - 7
Won 23rd minute penalty locking up Stander in the ruck. Loose forward commitment unquestionable.

5. Jackson Hemopo - 6
Traipsed about before Warburton try, looking pooped. Scrummaging and tackling looked sound.

4. Alex Ainley - 6
Conceded lineout penalty towards end of first half but produced a couple of solid covering tackles in second half.

3. Siate Tokolahi - 6
Missed a Webb tackle around the edges as if he was candyfloss. Terrific drive position to create Coltman try.

2. Liam Coltman - 7
Try on back of solid drive. Worked well off shoulder of his chums in close support. Best Mel Gibson Braveheart look-a-like.

1. Daniel Lienert-Brown 6
Body position in the tackle struggled at times. More of a sledgehammer than a tomahawk. Scrum work looked resolute.

Reserves
16. Greg Pleasants-Tate - 7
17. Aki Seiuli - 7
18. Siosuia Halanukonuka - 7
19. Josh Dickson - 7
20. Jimmy Lentjes - 7
21. Josh Renton - N/A
22. Marty Banks - 7
23. Patrick Osborne - 6

Lions
15. Jared Payne - 5

Hunched shoulders like Quasimodo, reflecting the pressure weighing on him. Dropped Sinckler sitter blew potential try.

14. Jack Nowell - 6 
Showed graft on defence. No need to electrify the touchlines in his presence, but gave little away.

13. Jonathan Joseph - 8
Direct running secured 3rd Lions' try of the tour and had shoulders of steel on defence. Dropped last pass of the game cold.

12. Robbie Henshaw - 6
Positional play solid and couple of useful injections with ball in hand. Looks like he could go to another level.

11. Tommy Seymour - 7
Dabbed at the line like a rogue paintbrush on occasion, then executed the perfect intercept off Sopoaga's boot.

10. Dan Biggar - 7
Tarzan-like limbs to set up Joseph try. Kicking game was as cool as Dunedin. Kept general composure as pivot, but limped off.

9. Rhys Webb - 7
Passing gaffe prevented try-scoring opportunity early, but improved his game as match advanced with his anticipation.

8. CJ Stander - 5
Penalised a couple of times. Always seemed behind the play but nabbed an outstanding late turnover.

7. Sam Warburton - 7
Accepted the Claymore sword and bagpipes of welcome with aplomb in place of a haka. Busy game. Deserved his try.

6. James Haskell - 5
Late Lions call-up more of a wallflower than Venus flytrap at his former Dunedin home. Plenty of whooping chat.

5. Iain Henderson - 5
Useful with ball in hand helping create front foot ball for backs. Munched through opposition at rucks like Pacman.

4. Courtney Lawes - 4
Took brutal blow to the head attempting failed try-saving tackle of Naholo. Exited in haste. Will his tour be over?

3. Kyle Sinckler - 7
The Lions' Muhammad Ali in the manner he floats and stings for a man his size. Kiwis will warm to his skills by tour's end.

2. Rory Best - 7
Put in plenty of ruck and maul toil. Looks like he's enjoying immersing himself in the New Zealand game.

1. Joe Marler - 7
Robust in tight and loose. The Lions' Mr T looked like he would have fitted in seamlessly among The Zoo faithful.

Reserves
16. Ken Owens - N/A
17. Jack McGrath - N/A
18. Dan Cole - 5
19. Alun Wyn Jones - 7
20. Justin Tipuric - N/A
21. Greig Laidlaw - 7
22. Owen Farrell - N/A
23. Elliot Daly - 7

 Naholo really put up his hand for the ABs. 
Looks like Mozart may have got one right when it comes to Stander. Several other articles were pointing out his shortcomings also. O f the three staring loose forwards only Warburton got a decent rating.
The Lions front row were well assessed as were the backs.