First Ozzie game I saw in a while was the Lions one this weekend. So don't know too much about the players...but when I heard the commentator says...."Harry Potter"...
So now we have Holly Davidson and Harry Potter.
Do these people hate their children?
So don't know too much about the players
Me neither, but I've seen some of them in last test season. Valetini was impressive, Skelton is huge. But the buzz on social media from Aussie supporters is that Gordon is about 4th choice scrumhalf if they had any say. Lynagh for me lacks any outstanding attributes that can elevate him out of journeyman status. Average pace, average kick, average decision making, average defense, average physique. He was brave last Saturday, but not efficient. I would have thrown the dice and gone for broke if I was Schmidt. Got Tate & Donaldson in, moved Suaalii to the wing, got a big 12 in with Ikitau to 13 where he plays most of his rugby.
If the Boy Magician had his wand with him on Saturday he could have made the ball bounce infield and got himself a try.
Not sure what to think about the Australia team….or the Lions, if I’m honest.
Not really inspired by either at the moment !
The FNP the other night I think provided a bit of a blueprint for beating the Lions: get stuck in up front. The Lions gave as good as they got but it meant they couldn't do as they pleased and didn't get quick ball. Aussies will have to get physical to have a chance. Aki or some other chunky fellow is probably going to run at Lynagh all night so they'll have to protect him better than in the first outing too. Lions should in all imagination have too much firepower though. We can only hope for a game that feels like the result is in doubt at least, not last weekend's which felt like a gimme from the start.
Geez Lynagh was shit - way out of his depth
I agree.
It’s been a strange tour so far
Yeah I can't believe they're giving him another go. Nothing about him even hints at test material.
It is a strange choice, Pakie.
Perhaps they’re hoping he miraculously changes into his Dad at some point soon !
I'm still pissed at dad knocking the Irish out of the '91 World Cup with that last minute try in the quarters. Ireland really got me rooting for them in that game :)
Oh that was a classic !
Not sure I appreciated Australia getting to the Final, mind you :(
Oh yes, they beat your lot after knocking over NZ didn't they? Bummer.
Oh yes they did :( They made poor Will Carling’s lip tremble. It was a sad moment for us all !
Terrible :)
Oh it was….you cheeky thing ! :)
Well I had to go revisit the '91 shenanigans now, Becs. The Irish weren't pretty but damn, they were up for it. What drama, little more composure and they had an upset for the ages. I'll check out Carling's quivering lip tomorrow :)
It was a fine match. I honestly thought Ireland had it and was hoping they did because we all knew we’d probably lose if Australia progressed to the Final.
Poor Will :(
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The tortoise Gordon and deer in the headlights Lynagh will run the show again, with Tate McDermott, who was a huge influence in sparking the Aussie comeback, yet again warming the bench. Valetini and Skelton is back, which may give the Aussies some grunt up front and perhaps some front foot ball to help the pivots, but I'm not too hopeful. Let's hope to see some fire in the bellies this time round at least.
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 David Porecki, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Carlo Tizzano, 22 Tate McDermott, 23 Ben Donaldson.