The Lions.

[blackpoolhibs]

Very slow start in their first game, 24 minutes gone and lots of mistakes. 7-3 down.

[blackpoolhibs]

53 mins gone and at last we take the lead with a try and conversion. 13-7

[McD]

Very poor today, albeit with mitigating circumstances of only arriving 3 days ago (poor decision by the organisers?), first time on a pitch competitively together, and playing a group for most of whom this will be their biggest ever game with nothing to lose (they were also new to each other).

Also felt the ref was a bit off, usually like Angus Gardner but felt he was a bit inconsistent today.

a win is a win, but there's a few players probably already pushed themselves further from a test jersey.

[Sir David Gray]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Very poor today, albeit with mitigating circumstances of only arriving 3 days ago (poor decision by the organisers?), first time on a pitch competitively together, and playing a group for most of whom this will be their biggest ever game with nothing to lose (they were also new to each other).

Also felt the ref was a bit off, usually like Angus Gardner but felt he was a bit inconsistent today.

a win is a win, but there's a few players probably already pushed themselves further from a test jersey.

I could write everything that I know about rugby on the back of a post-it note but whoever decided that it was a good idea to travel from the UK to New Zealand 72 hours before playing a match needs their head examined.

Absolutely crazy decision.

[CropleyWasGod]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I could write everything that I know about rugby on the back of a post-it note but whoever decided that it was a good idea to travel from the UK to New Zealand 72 hours before playing a match needs their head examined.

Absolutely crazy decision.

It's all about money, of course.

Lions tours are much shorter than they used to be. The clubs don't want their precious assets away for too long, which is understandable.

Time was when the players took 6 weeks to get there by ship.

Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk

[Sylar]

We were poor today, but credit to the Barbarians - I thought they had a lot of pace, and some good handling - they were just outmuscled a little in the end and perhaps tired into the second half. Their multiple stops on the line before half-time was impressive, and I bet they'll be rueing their missed try opportunity mid-way through the first half!

Gatland's son had a cracking game for them - his kicking was spot on, putting the ball into all sorts of good positions. Was disappointed with Stuart Hogg today - a lot of handling errors. Even taking jetlag into account, that's fundamentals!

Hopefully a more cohesive performance on Wednesday morning!

[Danderhall Hibs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I could write everything that I know about rugby on the back of a post-it note but whoever decided that it was a good idea to travel from the UK to New Zealand 72 hours before playing a match needs their head examined.

Absolutely crazy decision.

The regular season only finished last weekend - the other option would've been for them to fly out in 2 groups rather than as a team.

[Sir David Gray]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

The regular season only finished last weekend - the other option would've been for them to fly out in 2 groups rather than as a team.

Or they could have started the tour a few days later. I just think that either way, going to the other side of the world 3 days before playing a match was a terrible move by those organising the tour.

[Fritz]

I think "disjointed" is the best you could say about that performance, that and the fact we won. 1st game on a Lions tour is often hard going but even allowing for that we were very poor.

[Nameless]

Not a great start, but the NZP Babas had a game plan and executed it well. The Blues should be a much easier prospect on Wednesday.

[HibernianJK]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Not a great start, but the NZP Babas had a game plan and executed it well. The Blues should be a much easier prospect on Wednesday.

Barbarians were meant to be far and away the easiest opposition faced on Tour. Made up of reserve/fringe Super Rugby players.

[Nameless]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Barbarians were meant to be far and away the easiest opposition faced on Tour. Made up of reserve/fringe Super Rugby players.

I know, but the extra days rest, more time for the squad to gel and no jetlag should see the lions put in a much better performance...I hope.

[JimBHibees]

Lions very poor today look like very little creativity in terms of scoring tries. Somebody like Russell should have gone in terms of breaking the lines very one dimensional.

[McD]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Lions very poor today look like very little creativity in terms of scoring tries. Somebody like Russell should have gone in terms of breaking the lines very one dimensional.

Absolutely. I thought he got shafted by the selectors, one of the form players of the 6 nations, but he's not Welsh of course

[Steve-O]

Can't see anything other than a Crusaders win on Saturday.

[weecounty hibby]

3-0 series win for ABs unfortunately. Poor selection of squad from Gatland and poor team selections will cost him in the tests. He picks players he knows and for him bigger seems to be better, that doesn't work against New Zealand.

[Sylar]

We've looked marginally better today, but still no penetration to actually get the ball over the line - it's like watching the Scotland teams of old so far this morning - all penalties.

It's better than it was on Wednesday, but I agree, the All Blacks will likely sweep us!

[hfc rd]

Done pretty good today against a very good Crusaders team however the All Blacks are going to be a different kettle of fish.

[McD]

Nasty looking Injury for Hogg, hopefully nothing serious

[cabbageandribs1875]

Hogg not available for next game due to injury today

[Mibbes Aye]

Very disciplined performance from the Lions, taking into account unplanned tactical changes like Hogg's withdrawal.

The Crusaders are probably the strongest opposition outside the Tests so it was important to win. It was a tactical win though, based on grinding out the penalties. I suspect that's Gatland's strategy for the Tests. The risk is that the ABs don't give away much and will capitalise on any opportunity on the loose. Saying that, we have the likes of North and a few others who can make and take chances at the drop of a hat.

Really looking forward to the First Test and hoping for no injuries against the Maoris

[blackpoolhibs]

Good start from the lions today, 3-0 up after 4 minutes of pressure from the kick off.

[Steve-O]

Easy win in the end. NZ media finally thinking they might actually have a decent challenge next week...

[hfc rd]

Russell & Dell called up to the squad

[ano hibby]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Russell & Dell called up to the squad

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/disgruntled-lions-fan-wrote-open-13209624.amp

Not many Lions fans who understand the history & traditions of the Lions will disagree with those sentiments. Cheapening of the jersey.

[nellio]

What gatland did with the Wales boys already in NZ was a disgrace. Lions is the pinnacle of your career. lad like Launchbury and Hartley must be livid. Rightly so.

[HibernianJK]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

What gatland did with the Wales boys already in NZ was a disgrace. Lions is the pinnacle of your career. lad like Launchbury and Hartley must be livid. Rightly so.

If I was either of the Gray brothers I'd be sick

[Danderhall Hibs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

What gatland did with the Wales boys already in NZ was a disgrace. Lions is the pinnacle of your career. lad like Launchbury and Hartley must be livid. Rightly so.

They didn't call any hookers up so Hartley can't complain. Launchbury though has every right to smack Gatland clean on the jaw next time he sees him.

From the 6 called up over the weekend there's only 2 that you can't grumble about (Russell and Davies).

[Sylar]

I sort of understand why he did it, but I equally see that it sullies the badge a little.

Both Wales and Scotland are undertaking summer tours in the same locale as the Lions, and their players are adjusted to the time zone already - quite why England elected to head off and play provincial games on the complete opposite side of the planet is beyond me...

I personally felt Russell and Davies should have been in the original squad anyway, as should Launchbury. However, to expect Launchbury to travel in from Argentina and contribute in a test game would be ambitious to say the least - not only is it a 13h flight, but NZ is 15 hours ahead of Argentina. It would take the lad a good few days to properly adjust.

[ano hibby]

Dominant performance last night.
Momentum building nicely into Saturday.
Plenty form options in the pack. Backs less so & lot will depend on Farells injury. Suspect he plays Farell & Sexton. North struggling for form but sure Garland will select him.