An interesting result in Christchurch with the Lions confounding all the overly confident Kiwi fans who thought the Crusaders were going to thrash the northerners.
Instead it was a clear points victory to Lions coach Warren Gatland over his local counterpart Scott Robertson.
The confused fans must be asking themselves what happened.
For many, the referee ‘happened’ as they just could not understand the calls from the French whistler who picked up on things like the scrum infringements, hands on the ground in the rucks and the general offside play.
It’s a pity the same referee wasn’t there for the Chiefs and Highlanders matches against the most favoured team in Super Rugby, or there could have been very different results.
But that’s water under the bridge.
What really happened was that the Lions did what few teams have managed this year. They put the Crusaders under pressure and, because they are not used to being under pressure, they made mistakes.
Therein lies the basis for any rugby match. Figure out ways to put the opposition under pressure and see how well they handle it.
‘Not good enough’, was the answer for the Crusaders tonight.
The basis for the win was what most Kiwis would recognise as ugly rugby, dominating the set piece, winning the collisions, and kicking, kicking, kicking.
It was not the prettiest, but it was effective.
Is that all they’ve got? I think they are still holding back, knowing that it is in the first Test where they’ll have to unleash all their weapons – or it will be adios amigo.
On the selection side, the Lions have got some interesting questions to answer.
Did the best ball-playing loose-head prop in the world, Mako Vunipola, do enough in the scrum to secure his Test place?
Did Tagh Furlong play his way out?
Has Taulupe Faletau got enough mongrel to really bother the All Blacks?
Has someone, who has mongrel to spare, Sean O’Brien, played his way into the Test team? Did Anthony Watson do the same at fullback?
And what to do in the backs with Jonathon Sexton and Owen Farrell? That to me is an easy one with Farrell needing to be the sole boss as Sexton’s need to share the limelight could put the great one off. Sexton was noticeably better with Farrell’s calming influence.
As for the All Blacks, you would think they will not be overly worried – not yet anyway.
First they would like to see how the strong Lions’ defence plays against an All Blacks team that will get much more possession than the Crusaders did tonight.
Plus they will be interested to see how the red jerseys go against the likes of Ben Smith, Julian Savea and the Barrett brothers.
If the visitors should pass that Test too, then, and only then, maybe, the Kiwi fans will start to worry.
Just a little bit.
double agent
Guest
Agree. Wallabies have often dominated territory and possession and never look like winning.
piru
Roar Rookie
It's a start - I mean it's only four letters, he got 25% of the word wrong.
Jacko
Guest
Piru at least he got your name right this time...Must of sobered up
piru
Roar Rookie
That must be why they've all jumped in to support you is it Paul? See yourself out will you, there's a good chap.
Paul
Guest
Piru, Everyone else knows what point i`m making, that`s why we don't ask you too many complex questions..
piru
Roar Rookie
4 countries with a combined population base of over 100 miillon only beat a country of 4 million 66 million Even when you think you're being clever you get it wrong I have no idea what kind of point you think you're making, I can barely make sense of your rubbish to be honest.
Paul
Guest
Piwu why are you repeating what I just told you?? Hasn't it sunk in yet ? Repeat after me , " If ye haven't finished ya meat, ye cant have ne pudding " .Now keep reciting those lines until I work out a cure for you. Anyway, so now it`s suits your narrative ? The Lions can come over now because they lost last night to the ......Drum roll..................... ( The Highlanders ). .haha.. You`re a glass half full , glass half empty sort a chap aren't ya Piwu... And if they beat the AB`S will you say. " 4 countries with a combined population base of over 100 miillon only beat a country of 4 million ". Give it up man..
Scrumma
Guest
Besides that red been a clown, the crusaders missed Crotty's rugby brain like the good ole chip kick and seta should've been at centre, but the brother didn't help their cause with plenty of inaccuracies and a cocky captain who didn't respect the lions and taken the 3 points at goal on offer, they were just as bad as mr ref.
piru
Roar Rookie
I should have thought my point was obvious, but given the childishness of your comment perhaps not. I was not born yesterday. As this comment was made yesterday I should have though that was obvious too. The Lions have been around since 1888... ok. Congrats on that too I suppose .If you don`t want the Lions coming and beating your provinces.Good. Let them forfeit New Zealand every 12 years. You know the funniest thing about this comment is that it was made after the loss to the Highlanders. Is there no TV in the Dunedin drunk tank?
Marto
Guest
Jemainok ^ You`re*
Paul
Guest
Piwu , hey Piwu @ ^ And your point is ?? Were you born yesterday ? The Lions have been around since 1888. Stop your moanin Piwu .If you don`t want the Lions coming and beating your provinces.Good. Let them forfeit New Zealand every 12 years.
Link
Guest
Yeah DANE COLES is MUD.Don`t need him.He only runs out in the backs anyway.We need a tough Hooker in tight not an extra winger.ABS are better without him to be fair.
ClarkeG
Guest
Interesting theory you have there Jemain.
kiwineil
Guest
As a Kiwi in Oz ... First off, I picked the Lions to win. They are working out their cohesion, and will improve through the tour. Second , winning "ugly" is still winning, And boy did they win ugly. Smart enuff not to play Kiwiball and lose, they played Warrenball and won. Fair play to them. Third, the ref. I didn't understand the constany pinging of the dominant scrum either. But he must have had a reason, and you'd kind of hope an all AB front row, plus Sam Whitelock, would have worked out what he wanted, and amended there approach accordingly. Bit worrying that they didnt. Four, how to beat a Kiwi side? same as beating any team .. pressure the 9/10 and mistakes will come. Whether you then want to counterattack, or play field position, you will get more opportunities to implement your game plan if you pressure the opposition ball carriers, and the Lions did this well. Five, I think there is a clear disparity between the weekend and mid week Lion teams Six, the Test series is well and truly alive !
Quin
Guest
Missing 10 players and their coach may we add. The lions haven't made much of the loss, but that has to hurt their egos when they take that into consideration. On paper the Highlanders were even weaker than the Blues...
Quin
Guest
Exactly that is a fair point and I did make note of this before the Lions vs Crusaders that the Lions had no choice but to bring their A game and they did , they also brought their shadow test squad they had to to save face. The Crusaders had a solid squad but let's get real here they did not of 23 internationals as the Lions did, also whilst a Lions win would have been great, the Super Rugby title is of far more importance.
Quin
Guest
They are not provincial teams, they are regional teams whom represent a number of provincial unions. Why do so many here at the Roar struggle to comprehend that? The Highlanders represent Southland and Otago they are NOT Otago! The Crusaders represent Tasman and Canterbury they are NOT Canterbury! The Hurricanes represent Hawkes Bay, Wellington and Manawatu they are NOT Wellington! The Chiefs represent Taranaki, Waikato, Counties Maukau and Bay of Plenty they are not Waikato The Blues represent Auckland and Northland they are not Auckland All the above also include the Heartland provinces, so please learn the difference between a province and a regional / franchise team.
Venski
Roar Rookie
Hi there McChook, Tend to agree with the majority opinion that it's hugely unlikely that the Lions will win the series but I do believe they can if the stars align, they get no more significant injuries etc. If they do, it'll be based on what Eddie Jones did with England to Australia last year. Dominate up front, natch, kick very well, chase even better and be real killers at putting points on the board when on offer. Simple really. hehe.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Except officially they weren't favourites...
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Now that is funny...