If I were the ARU I'd be more worried about the crowd.
Craig Gower was in the Italian XV along with the equally Italian sounding Kaine Robertson, who scored the visitors' only try and Luke McLean, who kicked the solitary penalty for the visitors.

we are no hope for world cup

You've only just realised?
How good is that young lad? Is he good enough to play league or just another Matt Giteau?

Can anyone see the Lions beating the Boks next week?

Not while I've a hole in my ärse.

Allez France.

Anyone think think that Tommy Bowe would make a good RL player. Big, quick and aggressive and i bet he can kick.

no in a nut shell, cant see us getting enough of the 50 -50 balls to create too much, saying that though i will be hoping i am wrong and that we smash the bok

One chance - it absolutely tips it down and turns the game into a scrappy, forward dominated affair. If the Lions can play it tight and get Roberts over the gain line off first phase ball they have a chance.

If it's a dry track, the athleticism of the Boks will make them too dangerous with ball in hand and they'll rack up 25-30 points.

Wasn't that the case vs Western Province? Wasn't like the lions ran away with that one.

If the Lions are to have any hope they need to win the first test. The 2nd and 3rd are at altitude and I fear they're going to get hidings in them.

Ugo Monye is rugby union's version of Francis Meli / Lucas Onyango / Msili Manu / Dwain Chamers.

Tuesday - Lions beat S Kings 20 - 8 but were pretty woeful, and got a taste of things to come physically.

I agree also the first test is our best chance as they might be rusty after no warm up game

British and Irish Lions team to play South Africa in the first Test in Durban on Saturday:

L Byrne (Wales and Ospreys); T Bowe (Ireland and Ospreys), B O'Driscoll (Ireland and Leinster), J Roberts (Wales and Cardiff Blues), U Monye (England and Harlequins); S Jones (Wales and Scarlets), M Phillips (Wales and Ospreys); G Jenkins (Wales and Cardiff Blues), L Mears (England and Bath), P Vickery (England and Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales and Ospreys), P O'Connell (Ireland and Munster, capt), T Croft (England and Leicester), D Wallace (Ireland and Munster), J Heaslip (Ireland and Leinster).

Replacements: M Rees (Wales and Scarlets), A Jones (Wales and Ospreys), D O'Callaghan (Ireland and Munster), M Williams (Wales and Cardiff Blues), H Ellis(England and Leicester), R O'Gara (Ireland and Munster), R Kearney (Ireland and Leinster).

Surprised Sheridan isnt in there.

Good side though, apart from Monye.

Going round to a mates this afternoon with about 20 others to watch the Lions v Springboks (plus regulation beers).

Everytime someone gathers the bal in open play nd then kicks it 50 yards, about half of them turn around and say 'go on, say it'.

Its great, no pies though.

Bad idea talking about union on a league forum.....

Get your mates to watch AFL, pretty much the same game.

Kick-off 14.00

Yeh, not particularly exciting is it.

wallaby's winning vs italy spagetti munchers

only a few from england

Lions try goes to VR, disallowed.

SA 7-0 Lions

South Africa 19-7 British & Irish Lions [i(36th Minute)[/i

Half-Time Subs Needed IMO:

Stephen Jones - Ronan O'Gara
Phil Vickery - Adam Jones

Not a good first half at all.

Bit weird considering in RL i'd have expected Monye's effort to be given a try. Benefit of doubt lad..

I still find it weird that a big hit is frowned upon.

Still think the lions can do it, but i'd get Jones and Vickery off too.

The Scrummaging & Line Outs have been dire so far taking nothing away from how good South Africa have been in that department but when the Lions have had ball in hand the have looked dangerous and i think O'Gara, Roberts & O'Driscoll can make a more effective 2nd Half, Also Stephen Jones missed penalties haven't helped us either...