2019 Test Triple Header: Teams and Game Day

[The Greenhouse]

Maori welcome to the teams has commenced. The top tiers of the North and South stands have not been put on sale, and the remaining seating is fairly sparsely filled. There are probably more Tongan supporters in the stands right now than New Zealand supporters.

[The Greenhouse]

Now the teams walk out, Great Britain first, now the Kiwis led out by Adam Blair in his 50th Test, accompanied by his children.

The national anthems... first God save the Queen. And now God defend New Zealand. And the haka, led by Benji Marshall.



Lions kick off, we are underway in the Test.

[greeneyed]

Absolutely terrible crowd 15 minutes out from New Zealand’s home Test.

As I mentioned above, poorly planned match weekend.

There’s no clash with union though... Who knows what’s gone wrong... but from the Nines to today... it’s been pretty disappointing in terms of crowds.

[The Greenhouse]

6th min Kieran Foran goes off with a dislocated shoulder. Won't be back by the looks.

[The Greenhouse]

8th min PENALTY GOAL NEW ZEALAND to Jamayne Isaako.

New Zealand 2-0

[The Greenhouse]

17th min PENALTY GOAL GREAT BRITAIN to Gareth Widdop, penalty drawn by Whitehead from virtually in front.

New Zealand 2
Great Britain 2

[greeneyed]

Both teams playing VERY conservative football. Not much intensity.

[Toviii]

Wayne Bennett is killing test football. This is so bland

[The Greenhouse]

30th min Still 2-2, Great Britain have probably had most of the possession and territory... but they don't really look like scoring when they are in the red zone. Their attack is one dimensional. Hastings has been poor.

[The Greenhouse]

35th min Hastings throws a hospital pass to Whitehead, first error for Great Britain. They've been at 100 per cent completion rate, but they have shown absolutely nothing in attack.

[The Greenhouse]

38th min Kiwis attack in the red zone, the Kiwis chant comes out, first sign of life from the crowd... and Hughes throws the ball away to Ryan Hall.

[edwahu]

Strange tactics today.

[The Greenhouse]

40th min Great Britain die with the ball... again... just metres from the try line on the last tackle. Manu breaks away... passes to Marshall... but it all breaks down for the Kiwis.

New Zealand 2
Great Britain 2

HALF TIME

[The Greenhouse]

New Zealand kick off to start the second half.

[greeneyed]

Wayne Bennett is killing test football. This is so bland

Looks like he’s trying to bore New Zealand to death.

[The Greenhouse]

44th min Great Britain die with the ball again on the last tackle, a little more than 10m out from the try line. It has happened over and over in this match.

[The Greenhouse]

Hardaker offers absolutely nothing in attack.

[edwahu]

Madge is the only coach as boring as Bennett. Combine them and this is what you get.

[The Greenhouse]

49th min TRY NEW ZEALAND to Jamayne Isaako, set up by a brilliant run and pass from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Finally, there is a spark of brilliance in the match! Isaako can't convert his own try from out wide.

New Zealand 6
Great Britain 2

[edwahu]

I like hearing the bunker

[The Greenhouse]

52nd min Looked like a Kiwis try, but Nikora knocked on chasing a Benji Marshall kick ahead. That's a let off for Great Britain.

[The Greenhouse]

55th min Harawira-Naera goes over the line, but he didn't ground it according to the referee. The bunker thinks it is down.

TRY NEW ZEALAND to Corey Harawira-Naera. The crowd has really built... but they are all Tongan supporters, with both ends of the field covered in red. Isaako converts from in front.

New Zealand 12
Great Britain 2

[greeneyed]

The Kiwis deserve to win... because they’ve at least played some footy! The Lions have been dreadful.

[greeneyed]

The referee, by the way, has been awful... in terms of slow play the balls. The wrestling has been allowed to go on forever.

[edwahu]

Pretty sure Tapine threw a punch there.

[The Greenhouse]

60th min Joe Tapine tackled James Graham slightly late... nothing in terms of foul play. And there's a huge dust up as a result. Joe Tapine has thrown a punch... maybe Graham too. They get off with just a warning by the looks! Penalty to Great Britain.

[Raider47]

Classic Tapine. Should be binned for that.

[The Greenhouse]

61st min Now it is one again! John Bateman right in the middle of it! Roger Tuivasa-Sheck takes on Bateman. Penalty to Great Britain. Has enlivened the game at least! Kiwis hold them out, very good set of six in defence.

[Raider47]

Raiders boys are angry

[Raider47]

These British halves couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery.

[Roger Kenworthy]

Tapine has got to be the dumbest player going around.

[Raider47]

Hodgson hooked too

[BJ]

Absolutely terrible crowd 15 minutes out from New Zealand’s home Test.

As I mentioned above, poorly planned match weekend.

There’s no clash with union though... Who knows what’s gone wrong... but from the Nines to today... it’s been pretty disappointing in terms of crowds.

You are aware of the World Cup final? I know you are, but next weekend would have ensured more NZ pacific island awareness and focus.

[The Greenhouse]

69th min TRY GREAT BRITAIN to Daryl Clark. Walmsley is stripped by Nikora, play on... Clark picks it up cleanly and it just grazes the grass in the in goal. Gareth Widdop converts. The Lions are back in the game.

New Zealand 12
Great Britain 8

[BJ]

That try for Great Britain showed a bit of grass falling off the ball and the try correctly awarded.

Unlike Junior Paulo at the Raiders when he had a try taken off him even though grass was falling off the ball.