The Lions

Bunna Wrote:From what I have read, the Lions best chance of winning was the first game which is at sea-level, the other games are at high altitude which makes it harder for them (physically) to win.

That was the thinking going into the First Test.
The First half was dreadful but the Lions still looked dangerous when they attacked.In the First half we still created a couple of chances and missed 2 kicks. If Ian McGeechan can work his magic so we get a decent scrum/linout ball/breakdown ball and improve discipline then I think we may still have a chance
The Boks may be worried(hopefully) how the Lions came back at them.

There's no doubt the altitude will help the Boks but it's not an insurmountable problem. I always felt today was our best chance but the way the last twenty minutes went I'm a lot more optimistic about next week than previously.

Second Test tomorrow and the Lions have rung the changes. Hopefully the impact Rees and Jones made in the front row wasn't purely down to the Boks tiring and they can solidify the scrum. I've never been a big fan of Simon Shaw but Geech knows a lot more about rugby than me! Kearney won't weaken the side and at the start of the tour Fitzgerald would have been my pick instead of Monye.
The fly in the Lions ointment is the return of Schalk Burger. He is a genius at the breakdown and I can see our backs having less ball to play with than last week - we must take our chances.
My head says a Boks series clincher but my heart is always optomistic so I'll go for a Lions win by 5 points to set up a decider next week.

That was bloody cruel way to lose a match
Still not convinced about the Boks last try

Balls, balls and balls! As much as you can say rugby is about 22 players it was the identity of those who went off that killed us. 4 of the most important players in the side gone and we lost all momentum. I think it probably was a try there certainly wasn't any evidence to disallow it and you have to give the benefit to the attacking side.
One thing I will say about the ref was why have a referee for such a huge game who neither side can easily understand. You've got British players and Boks who speak either English or Afrikaans and you pick a Frenchman whose English is poor. The IRB do this constantly and they need to sort it out.

My God I'm so fucking proud of that side. A magnificent performance and a great effort on the tour. 5 minutes more in the First Test, 5 fewer in the Second (and a ref with some balls) and the series could easily have been won. Well done lads.