Hi all,
I watched the game on the weekend and throughly enjoyed it. Yes, it is a pity about O'Driscoll being injured and out for the tour. I agree it wasn't the smartest thing to be done by Keven and Tana (Tana should have apoligized or something similar) I think the UK press have taken it a bit far in saying that Umaga has no respect after incident. But I do belive there was no intent to injure. They should have got a warning.
During the actual game the All Blacks dominated every area of play especially the lineout which was great! O'Driscoll wouldn't have completely turned the game around.
I would love to read your views on the game

GO ALL BLACKS!!!!!!!

I’m not a rugby fan, and I’m not really bothered about how the results go either.
I did see the close-ups of the tackle though on Sky news, and if two players simultaneously lifting O´Driscolls legs and throwing him over was not intent, I don’t know, what would be considered as intent. It all looked pre-meditated to me.
Taking an influential player out of the game so early, is not really sport.

Hi frank thanks for taking the time to post,
I think they had intent to lift him up and drive him off the ruck but to hurt him I don't think so. What sports do you follow Frank?

Hi Andy,

I missed the game... and the 'Boks vs France game... thanks to SWMBO and that confounded "to-do list"... :-)

All I can say is that this tour has once again highlighted the huge gap between club/provincial rugby and rugby at a national level. The Lions have at best left a trail of devestation with the club games.... only to get thoroughly wallaped by the national team. This appears an all too common scenario internationally. I know Super-12 or Super-14 seeks to remedy this... but how much good has it really done? I can't speak for other countries, but in SA our top players are all burning out really early...

Just my most humble 2 cent...

Rudi

Soccer and Gaelic football. Have you seen any of the mixed-rules football? (Gaelic and Aussie rules)
I guess asneither country can play internationals, this is an alternative. Can be quite entertaining sometimes.

Frank yes I have seen the mixed games when they are telecast also Andy Phil and I where talking about the game and if ya don't let go of the ball -well you suffer the consequences and they could have rucked him to pieces as well
Ian

Frank. We get the odd game of Aussie rules over here and I really enjoy it. I have never sen Gaelic football but have it on my to-do list for when I am in England next year.

Rudi, I understand where you are coming from about the burn out. One good thing in NZ is alot of the top players aren't playing NPC as well as Super 12 and international level. Do top South African players play Currie cup as well as Super 12 and international?

Ian, Great to have some comment from across the ditch. Are you a ex kiwi too?(please don't be offended if your not) :-)

Andy,

Yeah, our guys play Vodacom cup, Curry cup, Super 12/14, as well all the internationals... so yeah... no wonder the guys are burning out at about 25...

Rudi

No andy a born and bred reds supportor and maroons but when you have a friend like Phil Walden who loves his footy you can't help but listen and learn and by the wat to be mistaken for a brother across the ditch is no dishonour and I have just come back from your lovely country and also would love to visit Rudi's as well

Rudi, I didn't realise how much rugby they play in South Africa that is a crazy amount!

Ian, is there anyway we can convert you to support the Black jersey? :-)

Andy,

I don't suppose I should mention that the very odd fella also plays a university game now and then...

We need to do something like NZ, but there is so much s**t with SARFU off the field, that they can't stop to think about the longevity of the players' careers...

Rudi

Might be something to do with who is spinning the media for the Lions, none other than Alistair Campbell...

http://www.2005lions.net/press_20050604_012.shtml

For a spin on his style

There was something in the paper this morning about his control-freakery, one of the players put in his column about going for a drink, only to find the copy coming back to him amended to say going for a stroll. Guess what the new euphemism in the Lions is for going for a pint?

Rudi, I think NZ has just about got the balance right, It is the players choice wether or not they play NPC so in the endit is their own fault if they burn out.

Hi David, I too noticed Alistar Campbell was doing their spin work. The New Zealand is taking everything the Lions say with a grain of salt.

Andy,

For our players to qualify for the national squad they (unofficially of course) have to be in a Super 12/14 squad... in order to do that they have to be in a provincial/curry cup/vodacom cup team... it's a vicious circle... and now with proposed Rainbow Cup with the northern hemisphere teams.... i thjink all we can expect is a weaker national team and a higher burnout rate...

Rudi

thats definatly different to here. It is becoming the norm now for players to come straight from Club teams into Super 12/14 and not play any NPC. Joe Rokocoko is an example. Those who don't make the national squad usually end up playing NPC though.