Rebels capitalise on Higginbotham red, Highlanders beat Blues in thriller

The just aren’t able to retain then because a) the union/game in the country isn’t as profitable, and b) because the team doesn’t quite have the same status.

Agree with your points, though would get you to note that it happened before the Dutch timber came to the land of growth. The previous years with Darry and Lord offered great promise first (not even on year with short locks after Whitelock and Retallick retired).

As you say Australia were dominating everything, I’m not sure Tupou helped the scrum but him and Will definitely helped with the psychological battle of a test, which is probably the most important thing.

And you’re right regarding selection, if its good enough for France, it’s good enough for Australia. Joe should simply select these players regardless of their club commitments, they can leave it to the clubs to rest the players adequately to replicate an off season when they return from international duty, during the club season.

1. Coughed up 3 pens

2. Won one scrum pen

3. 6 carries for 5 meters

4. Missed 2 tackles made 26. His only really “standout” stat, however, considering most tackles a prop makes are in tight, he should be missing very few, if any.

The only reason Furlong played in all 3 tests? TH position is the thinnest in the home nations. The best TH (Fagerson) getting injured was as a big loss to the Lions as losing Doris.

Plus his “contribution” in 2nd test, one daft pen when he got isolated, 3 tackles and then nearly getting isolated again (Morgan clean out) and almost costing Lions the game.

I honestly cannot recall a more overrated player (ok Owen Farrell comes close). Ryan is a milquetoast lock that if he weren’t playing for Leinster would likely be nowhere near the Irish squad, let alone Lions.