Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg Date: Wednesday, 3 June Kick-off: 1810 BST (1910 local time)
on Sky Sports 2
GOLDEN LIONS V's BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
Golden Lions 10
Tries: Frolick Cons: Pretorius Pens: Pretorius
British and Irish Lions 74
Tries: Roberts 2, O'Driscoll, Monye 2, Croft, Bowe 2, Hook, Ferris Cons: Jones 6, Hook 3 Pens: Jones 2
So did the Lions listen to Edwards and tighten up defense? Have the team start bonding and getting to know each other... well the performance against the Golden Lions has show us all. A superb performance by each man in a Lions jersey, provided a ruthless and Lions worthy performance, dominating position, and territory for the full 80 minutes in J'berg.
The forwards smashed and ripped up the Golden Lions up front, with the back line providing excellent football skills to put 10.. yes 10!! tries in.
We couldn't pick names out to mention who were stand out players to be honest, as every man performed to their best, a great team performance. Up front the front row had a stormer of a game, Tom Croft showing off his side step skills, cut throigh the Golden Lions a few times and deservidly scored.
The back line was full of stars on the night. Bowe was key in 3 of the first tries, before being rewarded with 2 of his own. O'Driscoll, as always impressed showing that he is on form and is not letting anyone take his test spot. Jamie Roberts had a solid performance, using his strength in defense and attack providing vital link up play between Jones and O'Driscoll.
At this moment, hard to tell who has got a test spot, but it s all looking very good... Well done Lions!
THE TEAMS
British & Irish Lions side:
R Kearney (Leinster and Ireland)
T Bowe (Ospreys and Ireland)
B O'Driscoll (Leinster and Ireland, captain)
J Roberts (Cardiff Blues and Wales)
U Monye (Harlequins and England)
S Jones (Scarlets and Wales)
M Phillips (Ospreys and Wales
; G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues and Wales)
L Mears (Bath and England)
P Vickery (Wasps and England)
N Hines (Perpignan and Scotland)
A-W Jones (Ospreys and Wales)
T Croft (Leicester and England)
D Wallace (Munster and Ireland)
J Heaslip (Leinster and Ireland).
Replacements: R Ford (Edinburgh and Scotland), E Murray (Northampton and Scotland), S Ferris (Ulster and Ireland), A Powell (Cardiff Blues and Wales), H Ellis (Leicester and England), J Hook (Ospreys and Wales), S Williams (Ospreys and Wales).
Golden Lions side:
L Ludik; M Killian
J Boshoff
D la Grange
D Noble
A Pretorius
J Vermaak
L Sephaka
W Wepener
G Muller
B Mockford
W Stoltz
C Grobbelaar
F van der Merwe
W Alberts.
Replacements: E Reynecke, J Van Rensburg, E Joubert, T Clever, C Jonck, W Venter, E Rose.
PRE MATCH REPORT
Now the other bits you want to know....
Shaun Edwards has given them a stern rollicking after the first game, saying the team need to tighten up their defence or they don't stand a chance against South Africa in any of the test matches. Conceding so many points in the first game was just acceptable for the Lions. 25 points against the defensive line is a poor show lads!
Edwards said in a press conference:
"A few South African people have asked what I do with the Lions," he added. "I said I am the defence coach and a few of them wished me good luck, adding that I might need it, which does add a little bit more motivation. "
"If you can't handle the pressure, you shouldn't put yourself up for the job. I am well aware of the expectation."
Common Lions... lets give the Spring Bok's something to worry about!!
