The Lions came into New Zealand without a roar and more like a cat sound.
Slowly their power emerged after the Crusaders game, but then it dimmed again after the Highlanders. It then came back against the Maori and they showed how threatening they can be. Their simple game plan dulled the Maori, and their spirits it seemed.
The Lions have awoken and now believe. One can feel the momentum. Even Warren Gatland had some new confidence, and gave a few digs at Steve Hansen – silly though, no need to poke the beast, the challenge is hard enough as it is.
The Super teams have shown the Lions strengths and weaknesses. Though we are now realising the Lions play two different teams, and their number one side is far superior to their mid-week team.
The All Blacks have only played once; they have shown very little for the opposition. The rust took only 25 minutes to disappear and then it was outright pure, rugby attack. I think all the Lions learned from this were the All Blacks can be lethal from anywhere on the park, and the Lions must try and suffocate them, and play strong, structured rugby.
That would probably work against most teams in the world, but with the All Blacks at home, some imagination and flair is needed to unlock their mysterious brilliance.
The French referees won’t help the All Blacks, but Steve Hansen has been diplomatic and open to adapt to the changes required. Hansen has accepted, not denied. He has been at one with the controversy and has played it the best he can, and he will adapt.
You could say Hansen has played this part the opposite way to how Michael Cheika would. It’s when the pressure is on that Cheika’s dysfunctional fighting manner comes out. The All Blacks later in the year will show where Cheika is at.
The Lions blueprint is there to be seen. They have structure, tight play, immaculate kicking, military like with a defence that is fast and tight. Their line speed in defence is incredibly fast and it shuts down the attack immediately. But tiredness and relentless pressure with variables in attack can unlock the Lions speed in defence. The All Blacks know what is coming and they will be prepared.
I think Hansen will note how the Samoans’ line speed slowed near the end, and the All Blacks were allowed to apply their attacking magic, and they did. Their attack flooded Samoa, and Samoa had no answer.
The Lions won’t tire as much at the end like Samoa, but they will tire, and Hansen will make sure it happens. Hansen knows the All Blacks have to empty the tank and play with precision in the final 20. If the All Blacks can continue to attack, and at speed, the Lions line speed will slow down and give the All Blacks opportunities.
(AAP Image/ David Rowland)
The All Blacks will lift the tempo in the last quarter, and it will be interesting to see how the Lions react.
Once the game becomes open and relaxed then the All Blacks will become potent; they are then allowed to fully express themselves. And it’s often a brief moment or a three-minute spell during the game where the structure loosens, and then bang, the All Blacks strike. The All Blacks can untangle the Lions defence well before the last quarter.
The All Blacks blueprint is like a lethal machine. They do the core basics exceptionally well so the backs can strike and cause damage, and the forwards too. They are linked and it’s done with precision. They want an open game. They have sublime attacking intricacies within their simple game plan that is meticulous.
Floyd Mayweather as a boxer had a defensive code that no one could break. The All Blacks have an attacking code that no one can break – not at home, they haven’t lost since 2009. They haven’t lost at Eden Park since 1994. Can the Lions break it? We will see. It’s the ultimate test, though I believe the All Blacks will be the winners.
It’s time for the All Blacks to break the Lions spirit and show their class, and allow their blueprint to dominate. The Lions players do seem like nice guys, but rugby in Aotearoa is a battlefield, and it’s something they’re going to find out. The Lions bullied the Maori, and now the spirit of the nation waits for the Garden of Eden to allow justice, and then it will be.
The All Blacks need this; to take them to even higher grounds. The cauldron waits…
All Blacks by 13
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Haha well said, Tim and really awesome points. The All Blacks have been together for so long and have won those huge pressure games, and now they just form together, everytime and so fast. The Samoa game was so impressive and achieved everything the All Blacks needed. This will be the hardest game of the year. And I just know Hansen will unravel a plan, and see things a bit better than us ;)
Jokerman
Roar Guru
I agree, Sheriff I'm getting the feeling Gatland believes he can - strangle the All Blacks for 80, and I doubt Lions will produce something different. It's worked so far so they will go deeper into the same stuff - Gateball. The All Blacks will eventually tear them apart. Just the settling in period where the Lions could be close. The Lions could get lucky with a one off try, or not, but consistently scoring tries I do not see.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Current TAB odds...NZ 3-0... 1.52. Lions 2-1... 7.00. Not quite locked in?
Steve Wright
Guest
Rather strange it struck me, Neutral view, the inconsistencies between the allocation of guru title on you, (presumably because somebody thinks you know something of the game), the tenor of your comments re the teams, and your betting preference. Care to comment on who seems to have got something wrong?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Well maybe that was a little terse, it just looked like one of those why can't AB fans be as humble as the ABs speeches. Lions facing the Chiefs now and hopefully the Chiefs follow the same pattern and win. They should front up physically enough. Go Beaver! Go Chiefs!
taylorman
Roar Guru
Have to agree. This story has Hansens smile beaming all over this series?
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Cool - I'll see how it goes. I always wanted a half-wolf, so I could start off with a stray cat. The cat is actually quite psychic (truely, really, think about her and she turns up), she may just hone my psychic skills. 13 it is for the All Blacks! Probably a really close first half and the All Blacks will strike just on half time.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes so do I. I never thought they'd win, though I didn't think it would be that bad, but for me all it did was highlight what you don't see on paper. Two teams, the Maori and All Blacks, all very talented players but the gulf between the two, the sheer number of tests and experience of the ABs in the international arena compared to the few amongst the Maori. Huge difference.
stainlesssteve
Guest
i'm predicting another come from behind American victory For the sake of maximising advertising revenue Those boats run scores of computer-driven adjustments, and can be hacked The whole thing is scripted
stainlesssteve
Guest
we got a cat a couple of years ago from the SPCA. She was half wild, and has adjusted beautifully to the job of owning and controlling us. Unlike the dogs, she more than earns her keep.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Well with Hansen stepping down in 2019 it's actually possible that he won't lose again. It's not likely but it's also not out of the question. The other point you make about those kiwis on here predicting a 3-0 series win and that for some reason that is inflammatory and no I don't necessarily agree that they don't need to perform at a higher level than ever before. You do realise that that 3-0 is actually the favourite score amongst every single bookie and odds maker on the planet don't you? Last time I looked anyway. Your pick of 2-1 is by far the outside pick of anyone I've seen on the ROAR..no one has picked 3-0 to the Lions, you are the only one who's picked 2-1, and your suggesting AB fans are a being inflammatory for going with what the professionals are willing to pay money for. We fans choose it with our hearts, the bookies choose it with their minds and wallets, and oddly, we both think the same thing, making your picks the inflammatory outlier. How about some humility on that count?
Cuw
Guest
Warren Gatland's former Waikato team-mates recall how he devised their famous 1993 win over the Lions http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-4619454/How-Warren-Gatland-devised-Lions-1993-downfall-Waikato.html
Cuw
Guest
there is talk that POM may be the captain for first test. :) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-4619212/Peter-O-Mahony-tipped-lead-Lions-Test.html
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Of course the players and coaches can't talk like fans and armchair pundits, and if you were not so fast to reply, you would see that I have already acknowledge that in a reply J-man. And I am well aware of how the AB's camp talks about opponents both before and after games. But I thought that you - who seem to follow the AB's ultra close - could see, hear and realize that there is a difference in how they talk about opponents. It is all in the details. As much as he gave props ahead to Samoa and say it will be tough Test, he does not say that Samoa is possibly one of the best teams to come to NZ for a long long time. My opinion is that Hansen is in the business of Test rugby, and losing is part of the game. Yes, he does not lose often, but it has happened and it will happen again. And I seriously believe that Hansen is well aware of that losing this series is something that can happen. If he did not think that, and did all in his powers to prevent it, he would be the wrong man and the wrong job.
WEST
Roar Guru
A lot of articles being written lately about what the Lions will do and how they can beat the All Blacks. Now Gats is saying Hansen is worried and Hansen is saying this and that. The media drives majority of this banter, the players don't give a rip about any of this garbage. Anyway, a lot has been said about the Lions and how well they're playing and how they dominated two teams since arriving. The Line-speed !! Oh! The Line speed how are the All Blacks going to handle this super natural line speed. The All Blacks have played a few games with a lot of pressure before, hate to say it but this is nothing new to Hansen or the All Blacks, not sure if anyone has noticed or may have forgotten but the AB's aren't sluggish on defence either. The Lions haven't faced anything close to what the All Blacks will bring, whats coming on Saturday is something entirely different and on a new level. The Lions haven't seen anything yet, this is the All Blacks at home. Gatland has never beaten the All Blacks, the Wales 2016 tour for Gatland was a disaster!! Telling Hansen he's worried is a hilarious, then criticising NZ tactics is another joke. The Lions think they're prepared playing against SR teams and a pitiful display by the Maori ABs... unfortunately this wont be enough to prepare them for the All Blacks.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Ooh, 16-12, first test 1977. Batty!
taylorman
Roar Guru
Oh dear, looks like kiwis will be shouting again?
taylorman
Roar Guru
That is common neutral. What the ABs say publicly is a different matter to what theyre fans say. Thats always bern the case. They always play up the challenge of the other side because to says things in the same vain as say ido would be absurd. Hansen says every year that whoever is touring is going to be tough. That way he gives nothing away, nothing the opposition or media can use. I say every year theyre going to win 3-0 in the june series and every time since they started they have. But my comments dont matter. They dont give the opposition any ammo cos fans views are all over the place. That doesnt mean that hansens confidence is any less than mine. In fact its far greater than mine. You dont really think that after 45 straight home wins hes really thinking they could lose? For one he cant afford to. Hes not in the business of losing. What he says and what he thinks are two very different things.
Northkiwi
Guest
Th weather for the 1st test looks like it will be OK, with rain in the morning easing to showers, and strong SE winds easing in the afternoon. So it will be a bit greasy underfoot, and a dry ball is unlikely. Advantage Lions. But will the Lions pack gain any set piece advantage? I don't think so, I think the ABs scrum will hold their own, and as the game goes on, will gain ascendancy, which will be a psychological blow for the Lions. But the Lions will win some penalties and will be able to execute their kick chase game, and thus will place the AB's under pressure. I would not be surprised if Lions lead by 6 points at half time. Something like 9 to 3. Maybe it will be like the 2nd test in 83, when Knight, Ashworth and esp Loveridge and co ground out a 9-3 win in a Wellington gale. It might swing on a yellow card. Willing to bet there will be cards in the game, and it will be a lottery who gets them, and this could well be decisive. Final score ABs 16 Lions 12.
jemainok
Guest
Neutral my name is Jemain Okinga drop the Inga the winger and your left with JemainOK. On what people say, there are enough level headed kiwi's to even out those views if you look carefully. I actually liked the ref against the Crusaders for the fact it has given the AB coaching staff time to prepare for French reffing and how they interpret the game, and what might be required to prepare for a different interpretation than SH teams might be used too. I just thought it was only his lack of communication that made it hard for the teams, But he showed on Saturday when he communicates the teams will react and adapt to his rulings, but he is calm and methodical and I think he has a big future as a ref. All the rest is just background noise Neutral the AB's won't care if it rains or is dry they are adept at both. And they would have noticed what happened in the MAB game, if they drop high ball and don't get parity in the forwards it will be a hard slog. I would suggest you worry less about the comments and media and get ready for some quality rugby. And the Lions should play the rugby that gives them the best opportunity to win imo.