What a game!!!

Who doesn’t like rugby on a dry track? Warren Gatland said prior to kick off, Forsyth Barr is the fastest pitch in the game and both teams tried to make the most of the conditions. For the players, especially the lions, that must have been one of the most open and high tempo games they have been a part of.

Finally, my score prediction was close and bloody close at that. I said 25-22 to the Highlanders and was only two points out. I think both teams could have offered more in attack however, both stepped up defensively and tried to focus their pressure on the first-second five channel, forcing both teams to stick it on the toe more than most would like to see.

Pros and Cons, I think the Lions have shown they are up for the battle, more players are carrying harder and trying to hit angles the defence aren’t ready for. Most notable, Kyle Sinclair making a 30 yard break up the middle of the park before losing a bit of puff and forcing the pace out wide. After his three seconds of pretending to be a back, he should have resorted to tight five mentality and gone looking to run over the final defender. Also, they do have a back line that can break the line and get over the white wash. Lastly, Webb is pushing for a starting jersey. Even though Murray is currently the number one choice, I think Webb gives the Lions the go forward and is so sharp around the fringes he could possibly find the right gap during a test fixture.

Cons, after four games the one position I would not want to play in as a Lion would be the wing. In every fixture so far, our lions wingers have not being able to keep up with the Kiwi teams, Naholo made an absolute mug out of Seymour today, even though he scored a good try I wouldn’t want to see his one on one stats compared to his opposite man.

Next game, The Maori All Blacks. Twelve years ago, this was a pivotal game during the tour and one that the technically second-string squad won. To be fair though, New Zealand could have a third and fourth string squad which would still be competitive on the international stage. For the Lions, I think this will be the closest thing we will see for a test squad before the first test next week. The only player who may be rested would be Warburton, but in my opinion, he is not up to the task of playing against the All Blacks yet.

Without seeing the squads yet and without knowing the forecast it’s hard to make a fair score prediction. The Maori will obviously play an open and expansive brand of rugby but I think they will also pick a pack that will be able to go toe to toe with the lions eight. Lions should have the advantage at the line out but I think the Maori will be more competitive come scrum time. As for the backs, no matter who they choose, they will have too much fire power for the lions and if it is a dry track, they will have no chance what so ever.

My prediction is going to be Maori to win by 8 points. Let’s say 24-16 but if it’s wet maybe drop that by a couple points.

Hope you all have been enjoying the tour so far

John Mann Community and Rugby Development