Warren Gatland’s Lions are 1-0 up in the series and will look to keep the momentum in their favour with a win over Kurtley Beale’s Melbourne Rebels. Here is what the Lions have been up to over the last few days.
On the Lions’ menu
They face a Melbourne Rebels side that have struggled in the Super Rugby this season – winning four games from 15. They have been hampered by the loss of key players such as James O’Connor, Kurtley Beale and Cooper Vuna. Luke Burgess and Gareth Delve are the names of note in the starting XV today while Vuna is on the replacements bench.
The Lions are led by Dan Lydiate of Wales and feature four Irishman in their starting line-up. Rob Kearney will hope to play his way onto the Test bench with a positive outing at fullback while Conor Murray is eager to inject some life into his listing tour. Simon Zebo takes a break from singing No Diggity to start on the left wing and Sean O’Brien gets the nod at openside.
Quote from the camp
These opportunities are far and few beyond.”
- Utility back Sean Maitland struggles with his clichés
Paul O’Connell’s loss completes a bizarre 24-hour turnaround in the fortunes of the two sides. A day ago it seemed the Wallabies would lose their own inspirational second-rower, captain James Horwill after he was cited on a charge of stamping on Alun Wyn Jones.”
Breakfast with Lions: Sexton’s a Belieber while Hogg draws comfort in cake
THE PULSE HAS quietened somewhat after a nerve-shredding First Test in Brisbane at the weekend.
Warren Gatland’s Lions are 1-0 up in the series and will look to keep the momentum in their favour with a win over Kurtley Beale’s Melbourne Rebels. Here is what the Lions have been up to over the last few days.
On the Lions’ menu
They face a Melbourne Rebels side that have struggled in the Super Rugby this season – winning four games from 15. They have been hampered by the loss of key players such as James O’Connor, Kurtley Beale and Cooper Vuna. Luke Burgess and Gareth Delve are the names of note in the starting XV today while Vuna is on the replacements bench.
The Lions are led by Dan Lydiate of Wales and feature four Irishman in their starting line-up. Rob Kearney will hope to play his way onto the Test bench with a positive outing at fullback while Conor Murray is eager to inject some life into his listing tour. Simon Zebo takes a break from singing No Diggity to start on the left wing and Sean O’Brien gets the nod at openside.
Quote from the camp
- Utility back Sean Maitland struggles with his clichés
Pic of the Day
Alex Corbisiero, Sam Warburton and Jonathan Davies were not really taking their St Kilda’s beach recovery session seriously. (©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)
You’ve got to see this
Will Genia was so good [in attack] against the Lions the other day that Fox Sports Australia put this nifty ‘best of’ package together:
YouTube credit: FoxSportsAu
Tweet of the day
Lions No.8 and Ireland captain Jamie Heaslip took to Twitter to burn teammate Jonny Sexton, via an Instagram link:
(Credit: jamieheaslip)
What the Aussies say
- Wayne Smith sees a silver lining in The Australian
BIL watch
The Lions mascot made sure he was on the scene to make sure cake predators got in line before having a slice of Stuart Hogg’s 21st birthday gift.
Scottish lock Richie Gray lingers in the background (in the red hoodie) for a slice. (©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)
*TheScore.ie will be liveblogging all the Lions v Melbourne Rebels action live from 10am on Tuesday.
4 Irishmen in Lions team to face Melbourne Rebels
Injured Paul O’Connell ‘a massive loss’ to the Lions admits Rowntree
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belieber Brian O'Driscoll Lions Tour Jonny Sexton Lions 2013 Rugby Stuart Hogg Australia Melbourne Rebels