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The British and Irish Lions will remain more British than Irish. Just. The Irish coach from the north of England has chosen five opensiders…
It might work. Les Kiss will take the Wallaby tiller as an international head coach rookie at age 61 with a dozen or so…
Satirist Garrison Keillor began his show thus: “Welcome to Lake Wobegon, where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and…
World Rugby funds the global game with World Cup largesse. One beneficiary is Sevens. The arrangement has not worked for rugby, now losing 24…
Former Brumbies and Springbok coach Jake White mused at a Bulls press conference he plans for around 2.5 injuries per match. If accurate, and…
Brisbane beckons. Just as in 2013 the cemetery turned sports cauldron will welcome tourists and home fans to the fast track bermuda-rye speedway after…
Until the current occupant of the White House caused all the puppet nose timber to be depleted, the Washington Post used to score outlandish…
Joe Schmidt and Andy Farrell were watching very different rugby films this weekend. Super Rugby Pacific opened the floodgates; whilst the Six Nations tightened…
Having been proved right on the last two coach calls for Australia (hell no to Eddie Jones and yes to Joe Schmidt) before fashionable, allow…
Rugby has an attendance problem. We have plenty of critics, excuses, peeves, whines, and nostalgia. We need bums in seats, full price tickets bought…
The Test at Murrayfield shaped as a Scottish and Irish Lions backline trial even with Melbourne’s own Sione Tuipolotu out, with Ben White, Finn…
As Australian rugby waits for a coach to commit, the swelling on a star's knee to subside, and Super Rugby Pacific to begin in…
The main question is whether Ireland can go back-to-back-to-back? Will parity emerge? Or is France poised to take the crown they last held in…
Whilst cricket was ablaze over Virat Kohli’s gentle shoulder charge on his young fan Sam Konstas with ensuing demerit and modest fine, I invoked…
If this year were an imaginary World Cup, Australia would have qualified for rugby’s quarterfinals. Top eight again, and a difficult matchup for England…
When next you go to the pub to win the trivia competition, remember New Zealand’s fullback phenom Will Jordan has been selected for every…
As 2024 began, I wrote here: “The Wallabies have been stymied by seven cardinal rugby sins for a decade or more. A high penalty…
Dublin sits inside a comfortable northern peninsula and a rocky south coast. Norse and Norman invaders found it easier to arrive than leave. Rugby’s…
In the end, we are as it is told in the books. World Rugby’s rankings come in for stick but over the long run,…
Scotland would be full of people if the cold wet sand and lashing winds on the grey sea were a bit less wild and…
That’ll be wonderful! Beers on me
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
That’s a tasty matchup!
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
I see Itoje at 1.95 m as being a floater
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
Hahaha good forensics
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
Sounds lovely
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
Thanks!
Yes, I was looking for what Andy thinks the shape of the series will be
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
What’s your preferred 9-10 and 21/22?
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
If I were Lions coach, yes, Beirne to 6 where he is entirely comfortable. Interestingly, Itoje has played the most minutes at 6 in recent seasons. On my “pure” lock: Itoje isn’t sized liked a top Test lock.
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
I think so, too. Joe v Andy is a proper meta-narrative
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
Australia should do a real performance: lights out, then spotlights. Pumping music. Walkouts for each player. Dancers. Drama. Huge screen behind w highlights. Stars of music + film.
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
Yes, he and Itoje might’ve made lovely bromance
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
Some other article
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
Cheers
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
Seems like Harry is nailed on skipper.
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
The 9-10-15 game managers edge is a real issue: not clear who Wallaby 10 is, and the 9-10-15 options are not seasoned “game steerers.”
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
Versatility in the Lions backs; their pack is stacked with pace. Yes, they’ll have a solid scrum: three proper lines of props and they can take another swing prop. Late game scrums an issue for OZ. Lineout superiority not so clear (but SRP lineouts are a bit off) so that’s more my point. I’d start Beirne at 6. Andy may have it right.
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
What a beautiful “meditation” MZ. Elegiac. Every time the Lions tour, we are struck with how it may be the end. What a rich legacy: big moments. I was lucky enough to be at Loftus to see Morné Steyn convert ROG’s error into gold. This year: I’ll be in Brisbane and Melbourne. Maybe Sydney too. What drama awaits!
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
It’s almost here! I’ll be there! I want a famous Wallaby win!
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
Pollock is 20. It’s all gone his way. To this point. Of course it’s a risk. I’d take it/him. But the gamble is both: leaving Darge/Willis/Underhill behind AND maybe better to load up with locks.
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
Fair
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
🏉
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
Just sat down and started typing!
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
so happy for Tane
Super Rugby teams, round 13: Tane starts for Tahs and big guns return from injury, Hunter out for Reds, DMac back for Chiefs
Yes! I believe again!
Super Rugby teams, round 13: Tane starts for Tahs and big guns return from injury, Hunter out for Reds, DMac back for Chiefs
Depth is on the Lions’ side, as ever on a tour Down Under. Injuries (est. 1-4) in the first two Tests tend to hit one of the biggest guys. If it’s a Chessum-Ryan duo for example, that edge has evaporated.
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance