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Lions v All Blacks Third Test: Three things that will happen tonight and three that won't
By Jamie Wall
As we count down to kick off in the third and deciding test of the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand, let’s look at the things we can count on:
- There’s going to be a ton of kicking. Jordie Barrett is going to get a thorough testing out by Conor Murray, Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell. However, the battle for control of the airspace above Eden Park won’t just be restricted to the efforts of the Lions. Beauden Barrett has a distinct penchant for the attacking kick too, and will look to find his brother, Israel Dagg and Julian Savea across the field with his boot.
- The game will be won along the 15m lines. In the first test, the All Blacks used this area as their highway to victory. The interplay between the forwards and the backs was instrumental in the build up to Codie Taylor’s early try, which put the Lions immediately on the back foot. Conversely, the Lions have found their linebreaks out on the edges – Jonathan Davies has been cutting swathes down this channel all tour, plus it’s where Murray scored his crucial try last weekend.
- There will be howls of outrage from Lions fans whenever there is the slightest bit of foul play by the All Blacks, from All Black fans whenever there is the slightest bit of offside play by the Lions, and from everyone at how long it takes to get a round of beers at Eden Park.
And here’s three things that probably aren’t going to happen:
- Another red card. I mean, what are the chances? Besides, Discipline wouldn’t have just been drummed into the heads of the All Blacks this week - Mako Vunipola’s yellow card probably would’ve gone down in history as even worse than Sonny Bill’s red if the Lions had lost last week.
- That All Blacks fans will suddenly find voice and outpassion the tourists with singing, chanting and humorous banter.
- In the event of an All Black victory, bars in central Auckland will be left with surplus supplies of beer because the Lions fans will be too sad to drink.
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Latest Comments
Can we also show some love for Tane Edmed’s fantastic draw and pass? Put his body on the line and committed the defender before letting go of that pass. Flawless skill.
Go to commentsYou forget this is Rassie Erasmus who is still holding the Springbok keys. Even with Felix Jones orchestrating a really tight RWC SF last year. It still wasn't enough to get England past their particular Springbok Monkey in world cups. The reason is FJ was going off of what they did in 2019 not necessarily adapting to current Springboks. So yes, Australia can get passed England because let's be honest, England have a one track strategy, Springboks do not. Even with rush defense I wouldn't be surprised if Rassie continually tweaks it. Also bear in mind Rassie is happy to sacrifice a few mid year and inter World Cup matches to pin point how opposition plays and how to again tweak strategies to get his Springboks in peak performance for the next World Cup. As much as most teams like to win games in front of them and try to win everything, Rassie always makes sure to learn and train for the greatest showdown International Rugby has to offer. Tbh, most people remember World Cup wins and ignore intermediate losses as a result but will remember also WC losses, Ireland, even if they won games in the interim. So even if games are won against the Springboks, it's likely Rassie is just getting a feel for how opposition is moving and adapt accordingly…in time. For Rassie, a loss is never a loss because he uses it as a chance to learn and improve. Sometimes during a game, again like the England match in last year's Semi Final.
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