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.........
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.
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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Unprintable on a family site like this!
Disinterested since 2006.
Play tight, not loose in the early stages to establish dominance, then open up when the opposition are jaded.
PG
The issue with the Lions is the second string looks poor.
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.
Unhappiness, where's when I was young
And we didn't give a damn
'Cause we were raised
To see life as a fun and take it if we can