It’s the Chiefs’ turn to host the British and Irish Lions, as the tour hits its sixth match. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:35pm (AEST).
It’s the last chance for a few of the ‘mid weekers’ to impress Lions coach Warren Gatland and stake a claim for inclusion in the upcoming Test series.
For the Chiefs, it’s a grand opportunity to add to their list of international scalps after a tremendous win over Wales last season.
The Lions will certainly not want to go down to another Super Rugby franchise, having already dropped matches against the Blues and Highlanders. They have named a quality side on paper and, at first glance, should have too much in the tank for a Chiefs side, more notable for who is missing than who has been selected.
An experienced front five have been named, particularly in the front row, where the highlight will be the scrum contest between the up-and-coming Nepo Laulala and experienced Englishman Joe Marler.
Dominic Bird for the Chiefs has been in fine form this season and has an opportunity to show his wares as a fringe All Black against an international pairing.
The loose forward battle will also be intriguing with some youngsters for the Chiefs up against James Haskell and CJ Stander.
The Chiefs backline has plenty of excitement and flair, not to mention experience in the form of captain Stephen Donald at first five. If they get enough quality ball, they will cause some problems for the tourists.
But there is plenty of attacking ability in this Lions side, such as Liam Williams at fullback – perhaps a surprise non-performer so far on this tour, no doubt he will be looking to have a big game in Hamilton.
Prediction
Tonight is the night the ‘lesser lights’ in the Lions squad finally kick into gear, especially with the motivation of Test spots up for grabs.
Lions by 12.
Join us here on The Roar as we cover all the action live from 5:35pm (AEST) and don’t forget to use the comments section below with your thoughts on the match.
Mike
Roar Rookie
Sopoanga was rubbish in that game.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Finally got to see the game Diggeriwi... and did I see the Lions do an almighty ABs thingy with Jack Nowell scoring after an 80 metres counter-attack? Or did my eyes deceive me? ;)
Matt Porter
Roar Guru
Nice work Digger. Well this doozy of a 1st Test on Sat just got doozier. Will be fascinating to watch Lions attempt to apply the choke hold on ABs and the ABs attempt to wriggle out of it. How successfully either team is in achieving these objectives will go a long way to determine the Test. Lions big statements against virtually full strength Crusaders and Maori and now Chiefs, allbeit with 10 of their top liners out. Game massively on!
Coconut
Guest
This is probably going to sound like sour grapes, and perhaps it is, but there is something I find quite unattractive about the way the Lions play the game. Admittedly they have been a bit more enterprising on attack which is good to see, but the moaning and groaning about Kiwi teams 'blocking', all the while yelling over the top of the callers and disrupting lineouts does not make for very compelling viewing, nor is the standing offside for virtually the entire game. I do concede it is effective though, they have essentially strangled three very good Kiwi sides out of the game, and stifled any kind of attacking rugby. It seems to boil down to different philosophies in the overall approach to the game, one being a defense-first mindset, forcing other teams into errors and then kicking the resulting penalties; versus the idea of looking to attack at any given opportunity. I guess its what you're used to seeing, but I do find this approach fairly dire. Effective, but dire. Congrats to the Lions though, they fully deserve their wins, and it does set things very nicely for the first test - the contrast in philosophy is going to be one of the more striking aspects and ultimately which approach provides the greatest return.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes I enjoyed that, the Lions showed some very enterprising play and this is a kind of rugby we're just not used to seeing which is refreshing and a nice deviation from Super rugby. For me they still look a bit like non athletes that try really hard there's so little flair to them, but given the number of firstliners out and the quality of the Lions to date this is about what I expected, probably not as high a score as that. Be interesting to hear Tim Nainai Williams view as I believe the only player to play both the Lions and ABs in the last week or so.
Harry Jones
Expert
hahaha nicely played Poth Ale
Derm
Roar Guru
Hopefully, the New Zealand test team don't play this dour, defensive kicking game with cynical blocking and slowing down of the ball by the Super Rugby teams. The Lions should be allowed to score tries without the opposing team spoiling their chances by tackling, and getting in the way, and other stuff. 42-39 for Saturday with a last-minute drop goal to separate the sides - please.
Machpants
Roar Guru
That was some pretty dire rugby, by both sides. Hey ho, as Gatland says - only the tests matter. Can't wait for that!
Winston
Guest
I couldn't think of a better build up for the Lions. They are loookkng good. Could be a quite a competitive test series
Harry Jones
Expert
Debz That's actually true Drives me mad Touch judges need to police it
ClarkeG
Guest
....." ( though why the others can’t decide on a call prior to forming up I don’t know)" you said. Well yes however any team would expect to be able to leave their lineout call until as late as they choose without delaying the throw in of course.
Faith
Guest
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/93899312/bernard-foley-says-wallabies-can-overtake-all-blacks--just-not-yet What is it with Tahs and mouthing off?
James in NZ
Guest
Yeah you have to give credit to the Lions defense, the difference in the other games seems to have been the likes of SBW and Luatua then Sopoaga and Naholo. I can see the Lions trying to rattle the AB's with that in your face, rush defense give them no 'space. May have worked in 07', but we have leaders across the park now and have the patience to weather the storm while waiting for that moment to counter strike. Our forwards certainly will have their work cut out for them, wouldn't surprise me if its a real low scoring arm wrestle of a game with 1-2 tries each. Interesting to see what tricks Gats has up his sleeves. The Lions schedule looks to have warmed them up nicely.Both benches ought to be very strong too. Awesome tour, very enjoyable.
moaman
Guest
Groundhog Day. Good win from Lions first and foremost. And a clear pattern emerging. Happy to concede penalties on defence.Very good at stripping players who are going in one-handed with an eye out for an offload. Attack and wheel the scrums.Boot it downfield from resulting penalty.If in range go for pushover.If not box-kick.Chase hard and well. Disrupt opposition lineouts by yelling over their calls ( though why the others can't decide on a call prior to forming up I don't know) crowd their space and close the gap.Throw crookedly on your own throws because you know a 'slightly askew' throw is rarely policed. Ocasionally mount multiple-phase attacks.Run hard and straight, recycle, harder and straighter, and hope a gap eventually appears.(To be fair tonight they were a bit better in this aspect). Repeat. Super impressed with Rory Best post-game. Best attack the Lions have shown this tour. Some awful kicking from the Chiefs. Thought Chase Tiatia was outstanding on debut.Best Chiefs' back on the park.Beaver tried hard but couldn't control the game with the ball he was getting.Back to the drawing board for Rennie and co.
Digby
Roar Guru
The British and Irish Lions have recorded their fourth win of the tour, comfortably defeating the Chiefs in Hamilton by 34 points to 6 at FMG Stadium in front of over 29,000 fans. It was a clinical defensive effort from the Lions, halting any Chiefs momentum time and time again and as the pressure mounted, so did the scoreboard. The Lions went straight to work from the kick off, playing the percentages and capitalising on early Chiefs mistakes to work their way to a 6 to nil lead, thanks to two penalties from first five Dan Biggar despite suffering a yellow card to Joe Marler for a late hit with no arms on front row opposite, Nepo Laulala. Stephen Donald managed to pull three points back before more concerted pressure from the Lions saw winger Jack Nowell pick up from the base and dive over to score the first try for the Lions, duly converted by Biggar before Donald managed another three for the Chiefs on the stroke of halftime and a score line of 13 to 6 at oranges. It seemed a long way back for the Chiefs as the lions were starting to assert themselves at set piece and maul, and so it showed in the second half as the Lions scrum in particular started to dominate the Chiefs, earning several penalties to gain cheap field position and possession and concerted pressure earned a penalty try after several maul collapses and the Lions started to pull away. A further two tries were scored by the Lions, one a superb counter attack from a failed Chiefs lineout scored from 80m out, wonderfully finished by Jack Nowell before another, also from counter attack after a poor Chiefs kick, saw Jared Payne score on to round off the score and finish off the Chiefs. Thanks you for joining me here tonight and just four more sleeps until the first test! Cant wait!
Chinmay Hejmadi
Roar Guru
Very impressive but with a few caveats : this is the midweek team after all and the opposition was very depleted. Plus they'd have liked to score a few more maybe, still haven't gotten more than 40 points on tour in a match. They'd have liked to get this sort of cohesion a bit earlier in the tour but they'll take what they get. Pretty sure they're going to churn out proper Warrenball on Saturday - will be interesting to see how it pans out.
Chinmay Hejmadi
Roar Guru
Yep they pretty much were in control. They just don't have the attacking flair to polish them off. Could have gone in at 20-3 but the Chiefs sacked their lineout drive a metre from the line and then Biggar high tackled Sanders. Chiefs got out of jail.
Rick Page
Guest
You have to remember the last 2 mid week games are played by teams with 8 starters missing Highlanders and 10 for the Chiefs. Highlanders still managed the win and I thought the Chiefs would go better than that but these guys are getting strangled by the NH style, not adapting their play but trying to play super rugby, can’t blame them because that’s what they’re used to. Set piece as restart and kicking too deep from kick offs and general play, non contested, non tactical kicking. It’s disappointing the mistakes under pressure though, given how we pride ourselves on the kiwi high skill levels. They’re not staying composed because they arn’t used to the physicality of the forward battle and the blitz defence. In general so far, the Lions stultified game has been superior so has their muscle and they deserved their wins.
ajg
Guest
he didn't survive the cleanout
Alexander Clough
Roar Pro
I think they did as well as they were allowed to do. Don't need to win these games but execute the basics, run through the moves, and ultimately get through with no injuries.