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Lions V Oz: 1st test analysis and aftermath
So what an incredible first test. Maybe short on consistent high skill level, but amazing drama, top tries, injuries, citings, awful refereeing: it almost had it all
Lions were the better side for large portions of the game, but ref Pollock (should that be Pillock) showed a desperately poor understanding of the concept of defensive rucking. So many of the penalties given against the lions were because of his "interpretation" (i.e, basically not allowing the Lions to compete for the ball), yet allowing the Aussies to go off their feet at every ruck (including the one which led to the Oz first try, and one near the end of the first half which was a clear yellow card against Oz)
Folau looks to be the real deal (that 2nd try was incredible), Genia utterly superb, New cap at 6 Mowen had Phillips in his pocket
For the lions, North is the real deal, kicking the ball to him spells try. Sexton controlled the game brilliantly, Halfpenny won us the match, didn't make any mistakes, Youngs justified his selection superbly.
After the match, Lions lose Paul O'connell for the series with a broken arm, Corbisero for 2nd test with calf injury (likely), but have Bowe, Manu and Roberts back in contention
Oz have McCabe def out. Barnes, Ashley-Cooper, Lefiano and Ioane all struggling.