2nd Test today. Expect the Boks to come out all guns blazing. Could get very rough early on. Hopefully Lions can settle into the game. No doubt it'll be pure Gatland rugby if it does go their way but can't argue his record to date. Cheslin Kolbe worth tuning into watch alone
Too slow to make changes and tactically outwitted by SA although the high tackle by the SA wing could easily have been a red.
Well into 3rd test and easily the worse tour I've watched. Officials front and centre of everything. Gatland rugby in full flow. Horrible to watch. The Boks well off their own standards.
I like rugby and woujd usually love the Lions tour but that was just awful from end to end. If that's where the sport is heading I'd lose interest altogether. Like two Mourinhos constantly playing each other
For anyone looking for tickets to the All Blacks game keep an eye on ticketmaster....tickets have been dropping all day.
Cracking result at the bed pan this eve. Played some great rugby with serious intensity. NZ hadn't a sniff of the game and still they were in it till the final few minutes which just shows their quality even on bad days . Great to see Farrell go with an expansive style that the players are clearly enjoying. Hopefully take it into Argies game next.
In fairness you won't beat the all blacks without scoring tries. And to do that against y'all blacks you have to play very expansively and with great intensity
Haven't watched rugby in years so I wasn't aware of the eligibility rules that allow a player to represent a country that he has played rugby in for a number of years. Bit of a mad rule imo. How do fans feel about non-Irish playing for the national team and keeping Irish players out?
They've actually extended it now I think its out to 7 years. Personally I don't mind it, I don't think its been over used here compared to some other countries.
In a different sport. Eoin Morgan is an obvious example. If a player like James Lowe is prepared to reinvent his career by moving from his native country and waits for his eligibility then I have no problem. New Zealand have probably been the team that have poached more players from other nations than most, Fiji and Tonga being the obvious examples. I thought it was five years but I may be mistaken, or was that just a proposal.
I think international sport should come down to whether you qualify for citinzenship or not. If you do I've no problem with anybody turning out for any country but once you play in a senior international that should be it....no changing.