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The Lions tour is over and it encapsulated all that is good about rugby. There are a few things we can and can’t say after this tour.
We can say
A series of Test matches is the way forward. It’s going backwards to go forwards but multiple Tests against the same team over a three week period is great for rugby.
It’s how it used to be. Generally the June tour window has seen a different visiting Northern Hemisphere side playing the Wallabies each week.
The addition of midweek games gives the touring side more to play for too and extra revenue raising games for the states.
We can’t say
Rugby is back to its attacking best… yet. There were too many penalties and too many penalty shots.
It’s getting there though. Rugby lost its way for a while there, but the break down seems to be getting refereed a lot better and the players understand how to clear it better.
Some of the tries this series were magical.
We can say
Israel Folau is the real deal. I hope he stays in rugby. Him playing in front of 4000 spectators in an empty ANZ stadium for the Bulldogs is just a waste.
We can say
Anything Israel Folau can do, George North can carry on his shoulders. Strong and fast, his defence against Folau last night was outstanding.
We can’t say
Warren Gatland favouring Welsh players for the final Test was selection madness. All the changes fired, notably that of Jamie Roberts who came in for Brian O’Driscoll. Toby Faletau was immense, Alan Wyn-Jones took over where Sam Warburton left off.
We can say
The scrum is an important attacking and defensive tool. Furthering on from that, we can say Australia need a level of consistency in it’s scrummaging not yet there, sometimes good yet often times on roller skates.
We can say
Every team wishes they had Leigh Halfpenny. The same can be said of Will Genia, the two outstanding players of the series.
We can’t say
The Wallabies selections were right, personnel or positional. Jesse Mogg has to be in there somewhere, he was a rare bright spark in the third Test. Wycliff Palu had his best game in the third Test however due to lack of match preparation it took him two Tests to arrive at his best
We can say
Ben Mowen should be wearing gold for a long time to come. Lineout leader, strong with ball and in defence, this tour has been the making of the man.
We can’t say
James O’Connor is our best 10. He simply isn’t. His tactical kicking was not good enough. His game management was not good enough.
I can see Robbie Dean’s idea that he creates space either side of him when he takes it to the line, his try and Adam Ashley-Cooper’s try showed this, however two attacking moments in three Tests is not a good ratio.
We can say
Eating Burger King at 4am on a Wednesday actually is a great pre game preparation. We won that Test.
We can say
Thanks to the Lions supporters. From all reports (or lack of police reports), the British and Irish supporters were great craic, great singers and better drinkers. How rugby fans should be. The economy and the sport thank you.
We can’t say
“We’ll get em’ next year!” It will be 12 long years until the Lions are back on our shores.
Can George Smith pull off a miracle?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.