Lions v Royal XV 30/5/09 Match Thoughts
By Lions Eye
May 30 2009
British and Irish Lions captain paul OConnell (centre right) leads his team out for the tunnel for the first Lions match of the Tour. Royal XV v British & Irish Lions - 30/5/09 -Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace Rustenburg. Match Thoughts.........
May 30 2009
British and Irish Lions captain paul OConnell (centre right) leads his team out for the tunnel for the first Lions match of the Tour. Royal XV v British & Irish Lions - 30/5/09 -Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace Rustenburg. Match Thoughts.........
Royal
XV v British & Irish Lions - 30/5/09 - South Africa Tour
Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace Rustenburg
Match Thoughts
Rugby-Royal Highveld XV 25 v British & Irish Lions 37
Many were expecting a thumping win by the Lions against the Royal XV but it did not happen, we wanted them to Roar but we got a Meeow!
The Springboks will not lose any sleep tonight over that performance, in fact the final score line flatters the Lions.
The first half was sloppy, full of unforced errors and a very nervy sceptical, the atmosphere was a bit low also due to the Bulls playing Waikato Chiefs in the Super 14 Final being played just down the road, so the stadium was half empty all around a bit of a let down for Lions fans watching back home.
Couple of players stood out by far the best player was Lee Byrne, he looked happy and comfortable at test level, safe under the high ball, kicking and attacking well, scoring a great individual try definitely, should be knocking on the door for a Test starting place.
British and Irish Lions Lee Byrne (right) in action during the Tour match at Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, Phokeng - All Photos by Empics
Also Jamie Roberts very dangerous on attack, straight running and strong defence, topped off with good overall kicking skills. Flutey looked sharp when he replaced the woeful Earls.
British and Irish Lions Jamie Roberts powers past a tackle from Royal Highveld XVs Sarel Pretorius
Lots more work to do for the Lions but a win is a win and they will take confidence in coming back to take the match.
McGeehan's view of it all ........
"There were a lot of errors in the first half which stopped us getting some fluency," said McGeechan. "But in the second half we got stronger.
"I was very pleased with a lot of the forward play. We've just got to be a little bit more patient, but it was a good start considering it was our first game.
"We made a lot of unforced errors when we were in possession, which you would expect to come out of our game the longer we are together.
"You've got to give players time and you have to realise how big an occasion it is when you put a Lions shirt on for the first time."
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Lions v Royal XV 30/5/09 Match Thoughts
Posted by: Lions 2009 (IP Logged)
Date: 30/05/2009 18:33
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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Re: Lions v Royal XV 30/5/09 Match Thoughts
Posted by: Celtic Warrior (IP Logged)
Date: 31/05/2009 07:31
My thoughts?
Unprintable on a family site like this!
Disinterested since 2006.
Unprintable on a family site like this!
Disinterested since 2006.
Re: Lions v Royal XV 30/5/09 Match Thoughts
Posted by: P G Tips (IP Logged)
Date: 31/05/2009 17:02
The Lions have been warned: do not rely on the referee to control events at the breakdown - take charge at the contact area, or lose posession & the match!
Play tight, not loose in the early stages to establish dominance, then open up when the opposition are jaded.
PG
Play tight, not loose in the early stages to establish dominance, then open up when the opposition are jaded.
PG
Re: Lions v Royal XV 30/5/09 Match Thoughts
Posted by: Rarua (IP Logged)
Date: 01/06/2009 05:50
Without a considerable improvement the Lions can expect to win far fewer than they lose.
Re: Lions v Royal XV 30/5/09 Match Thoughts
Posted by: clutch (IP Logged)
Date: 01/06/2009 11:14
They will improve. As it stands Englands 36-0(ish) loss is starting to look like a good result!
The issue with the Lions is the second string looks poor.
The issue with the Lions is the second string looks poor.
Re: Lions v Royal XV 30/5/09 Match Thoughts
Posted by: PoyntonShark (IP Logged)
Date: 02/06/2009 01:49
Here's hoping the short prep time at altitude was big factor. I'm not quite sure how altitude can really affect baisc skills though, which were clearly lacking early on, and helped us butcher 3 or 4 try scoring chances in second half too.
The South African commentators were making much of the altitude thing though, claiming not just breathing that is affected, apparently 'everything just feels different'.
Guess we find out soon, as an excuse it is less valid for next game, and completely expired by next weekend.
We are the angry mob. We read the papers every day. We like who we like, we hate who we hate, but we're also easily swayed.
The South African commentators were making much of the altitude thing though, claiming not just breathing that is affected, apparently 'everything just feels different'.
Guess we find out soon, as an excuse it is less valid for next game, and completely expired by next weekend.
We are the angry mob. We read the papers every day. We like who we like, we hate who we hate, but we're also easily swayed.
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