After some more time to think it over, I think we've been pretty poor for most of the 2 tests personally. We're actually very lucky to be 1-1 because if Leali'ifano hadn't been knocked out in the first minute he'd have been kicking and we'd probably have lost the 1st test.
Think we've got the edge in the forwards, but desparately need Corbisiero back and Warburton fit. There needs to be mass changes to the backline though for me. I'd even go as far as only keeping Halfpenny and North from last night's lineup. Aside from 2 good moments, one of them an individual moment of brilliance from a counter attack and not a team move, our backline has done absolutely nothing in 2 tests. Tuilagi must have been injured again to not be in that lineup. Him and Roberts are the only ones who could run at them and make a difference and they simply have to be in the side for the Lions to have any chance whatsoever next weekend for me.
O'Driscoll has all that experience and is a great leader and all that, but what has he actually provided on the pitch aside from giving away a load of penalties around the rucks? I'm not as knowledgeable about the game as some of you guys so fair enough if he has done good things that haven't been obvious to me. If fully fit, Roberts and Tuilagi at 12 and 13 could be the match winning partnership next week. As lowly as Farrell seems to be rated on here, he's been dreadfully unlucky not to come on off the bench because Sexton has been by far the worst back over the first 2 tests. Even worse than O'Connor has been for them IMO.
Do think we were a bit too conservative when we had the advantage early on. After those 2 mauls in a row were collapsed for penalties and they were warned the next one would be a sin bin I felt at the time we should have gone for a lineout and another rolling maul as another penalty and sin bin or even a penalty try were likely. Also agree they should have tried to get closer and play for another penalty or setup a drop goal because that was just too far for the kick. He missed the first one on the night from a slightly shorter distance and of course remember in the World Cup semi final he was just from a similar position to win the match. Thought at the time it was going to be won with a drop goal just like 1997.
