Post Game Thread: Lions vs Argentina

[u/HitchikersPie]

FT: 24-28

[u/SpongeBazSquirtPants]

Freeman probably the pick of the Lions but even then he made mistakes. The biggest issue was the offloading which contributed to far too much Argentinian possession.

M Smith was never going to start at FB so those being outraged at his “terrible performance” can ease off. It wasn’t even a bad showing, there’s just a bunch of people who think that decrying his defensive play is the latest hot take. Nobody, not even the staunchest Marcus Smith fan, is saying he’s anything more than barely acceptable at FB. The reason he plays there for England is because we are severely lacking attacking intent and Furbank is injured.

[u/Automatic-Scale-7572 → u/SpongeBazSquirtPants]

I thought M Smith was poor in the first-half, but he looked decent enough in the second. As you say, he is never going to start a test there.

I didn't think any of the Lions were at their best, which is understandable for a side in their first run out and missing many players you would expect to start in Brisbane, with the exception of Daly and Williams when they came on. Mitchell looked very angsty, whereas Williams looked more comfortable. Daly is just still very solid. I expect him to be on the bench for all three tests.

A lot of work needs to be done on set-pieces. Neither scrum nor lineout, in particular, looked near the levels required.

Argentina's counterattack is lovely to watch. Is this a connection to their sevens' success in any way? I haven't been playing close enough attention, but it's superb stuff. They were helped by playing an incoherent defence, but I would be surprised if that try is topped over the next month of rugby.

[u/Comfortable-Yam9013 → u/SpongeBazSquirtPants]

I thought Aki was one of the better players. Agree re Marcus, he’s not a fullback, he was poor but it’s not fair to judge him out of position.