Southland 16 Lions 26

a game u can perceive from two angles: a superb performance from the Stags and a lacklustre performance from the Lions who were expected to have put 40 points plus on the Stags.. prob both.. not a particularly quality game but certainly exciting in the 2nd half when Southland kept themselves within touch of victory..

in the end 10 points flatters the Lions.. their backs again lacked cohesion.. the Welsh boys were superb.. Henson throughout the game and Shanklin went he came on definitely had a better fist of it than Ollie Smith.. these two have got to keep banging on the door like this to get into contention for the Wellington test.. dint really see much scrummaging but i think Southland coped p well.. prob looked a bit rattled.. they continue to make progress when it comes down to breakdowns and were p good there.. support play was p good as well.. their own lineouts were average but O'Callaghan was solid and stole some lineouts..


Southland should be proud.. no one really gave them a chance but i think 10 points prob doesn't really tell the story esp in the 2nd half.. and for the first time, a provincial side doesn't fade in the 2nd half.. despite having to use a bench that doesn't really say quality, they still kept the intensity.. all thanks to Jimmy Cowan and Richard Apanui who must have the biggest foot in the deep South.. Hale T-Pole was superb against the 6 Nations player of the tournament, Martyn Williams.. a try he'll prob remember for the rest of his career.. James Wilson looked great at the back.. Lotawa looked dangerous.. Dermody was superior over Hayes.. in fact, u can say Sheridan brought balance to the Lions scrum coz Southland was comfortably handling them at scrum time..


so we're halfway through the tour.. i feel the Lions are still not reaching their potential esp at the backs.. or perhaps they have, but just that that's it.. they just aren't runners in the mould of Umaga and Muliana.. it's like gruel v rogan josh.. they're still a team of forwards.. credit to them for getting involved in backplay but really u should leave that to the backs, and take care of the breakdowns.. i can see the pattern that SCW wants to adopt: fast passing, kicks over the top.. while the latter has worked v well, the backs just don't seem to have the hands for that sort of pass..not just the seconds but the first XV..

i think for the test match, we'll see emphasis on the forwards and them reaping the penalties for Jonny Wilkinson to kick.. if he plays.. it's a winning formula and that's why he has picked the team to do it.. whether it's outdated or we've got the team to match, that's why we've got to watch..


to the All Blacks XV just announced, well an All Blacks XV is never weak.. a very strong team from Woodcock to McDonald.. Meleamu gets the nod over Witcombe despite his comparative lack of scrummaging skill.. but he's got two p good scrummagers alongside him, and he's prob been working on that aspect of the game behind the scenes.. he's a darn good hooker let's not forget.. plus he's got experience, and Witcombe has less.. not a bad selection at all.. Mauger and Umaga is the midfield combo and to be fair, that's world class when u have the two.. ppl forget this is the combo that played and tore the French apart in Paris in November.. McDonald also gets in coz of his form.. no surprises there.. Howlett over Gear.. well Dougie found some form against Fiji and also to support Sivivatu.. he's a big game player Dougie when he gets the ball.. he scored two tries against Australia when the Bledisloe Cup was at stake two years ago.. yes he flaked horribly at the World Cup but really everyone else dint play well that dreadful night in Sydney..

obviously, experience is the word when the teams have been picked.. that's why Witcombe, Ryan, Smith, Nonu have prob missed out..impact's great too.. Lauaki is on the bench.. expect Ryan Jones to be the impact player at the loose.. Gibbes can also offer something at lock and blindside.. prob Nonu should have been on the bench coz he can impact at wing and midfield while Rico is a bit weak at midfield..

well just can't wait... exams over so just counting down to the test..