At last a proper edge-of-the-seat test match, albeit one that owed much to an awful first thirty minutes from the Lions. And at the end we had a nice controversy which illustrated much that can go wrong with the current application of the laws. The Lions scored the try that their persistence merited, only for the Australian captain to lobby the (almost but not quite overwhelmed) Italian referee about the estimable Jac Morgan's actions at the final ruck. Here's the truth - rugby is a rough old game and we cannot allow it to be completely emasculated. Justice was served and the try stood. Cue more and more Aussie whinging. Excellent. What everyone should be concentrating on was the theatrical dive taken by the Australian hooker in an attempt to buy the penalty. Sod that for a game of soldiers.
And now a lesson from the Pig's personal history. I was taught tackling technique by Ray 'Taff' John at the age of eleven. No teacher/coach can give you the courage needed to apply those techniques but the bare bones of the method will stand you in good stead. Tackling techniques in the face of a massive physical assault (as Australia predictably brought to the match) are a sturdy resource. The Lions abandoned such techniques and slavishly attempted to 'win the collisions'. They missed scores of tackles. Anyway, all is well that ends well.
One other mention of Taff John (still with us and a great man) - he also taught me French and to this day when I attempt (as I do only in extremis) to speak that language, I do so in a Neath accent. Bonjour, bore da.
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