ooh, Smith doing Smith like stuff, buts mako thru a huge hole. Mako panics and offloads, lots of interpassing with young Marcus involved three times. Into touch, Lions get ball, and YEAH, Zander goes over.
Trying not to be too gloopy about Smith, but the Saffa commentators are. Lions scrum on their own 5 metre line, penalty, quick tap, Off Marcus goes with a swerve and a hitchkick, disappears of up the pitch, draws the last defender on halfway and passes to Zammo. Kicks the goal to maintain his 100 % kicking record.
Smith has lit the blue touch paper. Off he goes again, sidestepping and hitchkicking, drops the ball when tackled, but Stormers break back, kick it thru, and Sam Simmonds does a Smith impersonation.
Have to say, Thaum, I got a suspicion he may not be in the squad. He will start the 3rd I think if we lose the first two.
Just a word for Shalke Burger. I really like him as a pundit, which is funny, cos I absolutely hated him with a passion when he was playing. He comes across as a thoroughly nice, thoughtful chap.
General feeling on Scots’ chances of starting next week, based on what I’ve read and heard so far.
Sutherland – possibly behind Wynn Jones for starter, but I would say definitely on the bench.
Fagerson – sorry Zander, but you are number 3 at the moment.
Mish – starter for me. Don’t get me wrong, Curry is brilliant but I don’t think he’s done enough for a start (unless you read Kitson).
Price – seems to be by far the most dynamic of the 9s. I would start him.
Russell – just hope we see him at some point in the series.
Harris – from what I understand, competition for the number 13 spot is pretty tight (unless you read Ugo). I suspect he might be on the bench.
Van der Merwe – at least on the bench.
Hogg – starter.
Sean Fitzpatrick is the same here. As a player pretty much every Bok supporter wanted to deck him. As soon as he retired and became a pundit, every rugby supporter here wanted to play golf with him, drink with him and get his autograph. I did the first two purely by accident. Helluva character, great raconteur.
BB, I think either vdM starts or he isn’t in the 23 as he doesn’t cover any other positions. I think you are right about Zander, his form has been below par.
Harris is in a very competitive position, he could make the 23 as he covers wing and centre, it’s a really tough call.
Price lifts the whole pace of the team, I think the Lions have to not get battered up front and try to run around and through gaps, Price offers the best chance of doing that.
Sutherland is in a two-way race for the pine, that wouldn’t be my choice but I feel that is the case. Vunipola has redeemed himself in his last two outings, is it enough to push ahead of Sutherland? I don’t know.
I read on the Glasgow forum from a professional that the injury Finn has takes eight weeks or so, I don’t know what he is still doing there – either it’s not what they said it was or they are hoping for an AWJ-style miracle. Smith was ace today, I’d love for him to play a part in the tests, and then become England’s first choice.
Watson could start with Curry or one starting and one benching, either way I think they both have to be in the 23.
I’d have Hogg as test captain if AWJ and Murray aren’t on the field from the start.
I felt let down by Burger, I really liked him as a player and then he brought out la forchette in a game against the Lions.
I hate gougers, I’ve ranted enough about it on here and previous iterations of the board.
I really do find it hard to forgive, it’s one of the most cynical things you can do on a rugby pitch and to deliberately endanger someone’s sight in a fucking game of rugby – it makes my blood boil, I can feel myself getting angry now over it.
Fly by posting, in realisation of the fact that it was the last Lionz tour to SA that saw me (and I think several others) become regular posters on the mother of the mother ship.
Quite worried about this Lions teams prospects, so far (and also for the future of the Lions tours as we know them from the 80s onward, but thats another longer post)
Much discussion on selections, which is always part of the fun, and I will give my 2 penneth as well later.
However, this distracts, imho, from the greater issues. The Lions will not stand or fall on fine selection decisions of 1 high quality player over another. (Disappointingly, but not unusualy, these decisions often follow national lines, which isn’t the Lionz ethos. Not on here, I hasten to add, but on the old stomping ground, and on TV)
My concerns are:
1. breakdown. Despite selecting the best operators in Uk & Ire, the Lionz have come off a distinct second best in many games, including against some pretty average opposition. If this is not addressed at the team level, regardless of who is picked, it will lead to test losses.
2. Lineout. Has gone ok against provinces, but test will be a huge challenge. Not as big a worry as the breakdown, but a concern
3. Midfield. Has looked ponderous and clunky on attack and indecisive on defence. Lionz have been good on attack, but mostly through wings, or short passing around forwards/9. The midfield hasn’t functioned well. On defence, some are rushing, others drifting, and there have been overlaps that good backlines will exploit. SA were excellent in the 3/4 in the RWC with Willie used as a wide out playmaker. This needs addressed.
Elsewhere, the scrum has gone well, think we edge it in the tests. Ball carrying in the forwards, and short passing and offloading good. Back 3 superb on attack. Maul and goalline defence promising. Kicking from hand good. And excellent team spirit in what must be a very difficult tour.
Boks, of course, will have their own question marks, but I feel the Lionz have a lot to get right before 1st test if they are to be in with a shout
SH: Price. Been the best on tour by a mile. Davies on the bench, where he has been superb in bringing impact
FH: Biggar
Wings: Adams and Watson. Vd Merwe unlucky, but both these guys are better all rounders
Centres: a mess. No-one has stood out really. I think Gats goes Farrell 12 and one of Henshaw/Harris/Daly 13. I go Henshaw 12, Harris 13 and give them really simple roles, run straight, get up and out together in defence.
FB: Hogg (c )
Reserves: Farrell (assuming Russell is not fit). You don’t risk Smith yet, but he may play a part later on. Daly for versatility.
I think you cannot go 6-2 unless you start Farrell at 12, which for me, isn’t the way to go. So Conan misses out
Good morning Utna!
I like your team. I’d be very tempted to start with AWJ as he is heart and soul pf the forwards and his experience on the field will be essential given the chaos that will be the first half – Hogg will be too far away.
I would start Lawes at 6 – he’s no mug and a terrific chaser and line-out man. Watson definitely and Faletau but I’m really sorry not to have Curry as well – he’s very good in broken play.
I doubt Biggar will last 80 minutes in any game and midfield defence is a real worry so Harris is a must – I would start him and bench Daly for later in the game. Watson and Adams must play and I would start with a natural 12 so Henshaw it is. Hogg gets it over Williams (just) – he has huge heart, which is what this is all about really.
Get your reasoning for AWJ and, if he does start, I agree with Lawes to 6 and Beirne to bench (in that case, I would leave out Beard).
No SH on the bench in your team is a big risk!
Still think AWJ is too big a risk of reinjury and having to be an early replacement with all the disruption that would cause. Save him for the 2nd and 3rd matches imho
oh dear – the amateur that I am! – need a 9 on the bench – so bring in the Welshman and lose Henderson. Lawes and Beirne cover second row.
Not easy is it?
Strong sides you’re picking here! For me the 1st Test will be determined by whether the Boks can come out firing and score enough points to hang on in the second half, much like the ‘A’ side did, given the lack of match fitness still. To do that, they’ll need to play it tight and close to the fringes with judicial use of the boot. Pretty typical Bok rugby in other words. Unless Rassie does another WC Final and looks for space early on. If they go that route, it’ll have to be a 6-2 bench split for us to keep going in the second half.
My Bok side to do this looks as follows, no real surprises:
Kitshoff, Mbonambi and Malherbe as the starting from row, with Ox Nche, Marx and Vincent Koch off the pine.
Etzebeth and Mostert starting locks, with two of Lood de Jager, RG Snyman or Janse van Rensburg on the bench depending on the fitness of the first two.
Backrow is Kolisi as captain (assuming he’s over the Covid effects) PSdu Toit and probably Jasper Wiese. Still have no idea why Marcel Coetzee isn’t in the squad. Dan du Preez as utility back row. Or, one lock on the bench with du Toit covering there as well. That would allow two backrow options, with Kwagga Smith a bolter, or three backs.
Backs would be Faf and Pollard at 9-10 with H Jantjies and – horror of horrors – Morne Steyn as cover.
Centres pick themselves with de Allende and Am, Kriel on the bench if we go 5-3 split.
Back 3, Mapimpi, Kolbe and le Roux. Kriel can cover wing at a push.
Refit, second row is a potential disaster if Snyman and de Jager are ruled out of the series and one of the starting locks is injured; 8th man without Vermeulen is piss poor; if Pollard breaks we’re left with 10-man Steyn or Yips Jantjies; and if Willie goes wandering we’re stuffed in the last line of defence. Our side is on a knife-edge and undercooked. Ripe for the plucking by the might of the British Isles.
Or, we’ll pick up where left off from in 2019 and the two warm up games and tame the Lions like circus extras.
Big drama at the British GP as Verstappen touches Hamilton’s wheel, his own wheel flies off the car & he goes crashing into the barrier. Luckily he’s fine.
Yes, it looked to me like Verstappen swerved back in to hit Hamilton, but the mister (who, admittedly, knows more about these things) thinks it was Hamilton’s fault, as do the commentators.
Tom O’Connor RIP. He used to teach maths at the same school in Huyton by Dad got his first teaching job. At different times though, don’t think they ever met.
Back in the day – I worked on a Tyne Tees quiz called Crosswits – O’Connor was the host/quiz master. Nice guy – seemed to realise it was a cushy gig as opposed to teaching maths. As indeed did most the celebs on the show (Crosswits was 2 teams – punter and celeb playing a crossword based game)
Ovally Balls 
Marcus Smith looks like he’s enjoying himself
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ooh, Smith doing Smith like stuff, buts mako thru a huge hole. Mako panics and offloads, lots of interpassing with young Marcus involved three times. Into touch, Lions get ball, and YEAH, Zander goes over.
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Thinking I would start Smith at 10 now.
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Trying not to be too gloopy about Smith, but the Saffa commentators are. Lions scrum on their own 5 metre line, penalty, quick tap, Off Marcus goes with a swerve and a hitchkick, disappears of up the pitch, draws the last defender on halfway and passes to Zammo. Kicks the goal to maintain his 100 % kicking record.
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Smith has lit the blue touch paper. Off he goes again, sidestepping and hitchkicking, drops the ball when tackled, but Stormers break back, kick it thru, and Sam Simmonds does a Smith impersonation.
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Well, thats the 10 Shirt sorted then.
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Think Gats will start Biggar (experience) but put Smith on the bench.
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LCD is man of the match. He did look good, but Smith played safe and solid for 50 minutes, and then went off the scale for the last half hour.
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Hoggy does a lovely interview.
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Have to say, Thaum, I got a suspicion he may not be in the squad. He will start the 3rd I think if we lose the first two.
Just a word for Shalke Burger. I really like him as a pundit, which is funny, cos I absolutely hated him with a passion when he was playing. He comes across as a thoroughly nice, thoughtful chap.
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General feeling on Scots’ chances of starting next week, based on what I’ve read and heard so far.
Sutherland – possibly behind Wynn Jones for starter, but I would say definitely on the bench.
Fagerson – sorry Zander, but you are number 3 at the moment.
Mish – starter for me. Don’t get me wrong, Curry is brilliant but I don’t think he’s done enough for a start (unless you read Kitson).
Price – seems to be by far the most dynamic of the 9s. I would start him.
Russell – just hope we see him at some point in the series.
Harris – from what I understand, competition for the number 13 spot is pretty tight (unless you read Ugo). I suspect he might be on the bench.
Van der Merwe – at least on the bench.
Hogg – starter.
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bugger, bugger – had to go out at short notice (o.k. forgot an invite!)
Anyone know where I can re-view the match?
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Just a word for Shalke Burger.
Sean Fitzpatrick is the same here. As a player pretty much every Bok supporter wanted to deck him. As soon as he retired and became a pundit, every rugby supporter here wanted to play golf with him, drink with him and get his autograph. I did the first two purely by accident. Helluva character, great raconteur.
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I’ve also met Schalk and his one brother a couple of times on the family wine farm. Really great guys to sit and have a glass of red with.
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BB, I think either vdM starts or he isn’t in the 23 as he doesn’t cover any other positions. I think you are right about Zander, his form has been below par.
Harris is in a very competitive position, he could make the 23 as he covers wing and centre, it’s a really tough call.
Price lifts the whole pace of the team, I think the Lions have to not get battered up front and try to run around and through gaps, Price offers the best chance of doing that.
Sutherland is in a two-way race for the pine, that wouldn’t be my choice but I feel that is the case. Vunipola has redeemed himself in his last two outings, is it enough to push ahead of Sutherland? I don’t know.
I read on the Glasgow forum from a professional that the injury Finn has takes eight weeks or so, I don’t know what he is still doing there – either it’s not what they said it was or they are hoping for an AWJ-style miracle. Smith was ace today, I’d love for him to play a part in the tests, and then become England’s first choice.
Watson could start with Curry or one starting and one benching, either way I think they both have to be in the 23.
I’d have Hogg as test captain if AWJ and Murray aren’t on the field from the start.
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I felt let down by Burger, I really liked him as a player and then he brought out la forchette in a game against the Lions.
I hate gougers, I’ve ranted enough about it on here and previous iterations of the board.
I really do find it hard to forgive, it’s one of the most cynical things you can do on a rugby pitch and to deliberately endanger someone’s sight in a fucking game of rugby – it makes my blood boil, I can feel myself getting angry now over it.
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We were talking the other day (week?) about Mako putting kicks in – 3:17 and 5:45 in this video.
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Fly by posting, in realisation of the fact that it was the last Lionz tour to SA that saw me (and I think several others) become regular posters on the mother of the mother ship.
Quite worried about this Lions teams prospects, so far (and also for the future of the Lions tours as we know them from the 80s onward, but thats another longer post)
Much discussion on selections, which is always part of the fun, and I will give my 2 penneth as well later.
However, this distracts, imho, from the greater issues. The Lions will not stand or fall on fine selection decisions of 1 high quality player over another. (Disappointingly, but not unusualy, these decisions often follow national lines, which isn’t the Lionz ethos. Not on here, I hasten to add, but on the old stomping ground, and on TV)
My concerns are:
1. breakdown. Despite selecting the best operators in Uk & Ire, the Lionz have come off a distinct second best in many games, including against some pretty average opposition. If this is not addressed at the team level, regardless of who is picked, it will lead to test losses.
2. Lineout. Has gone ok against provinces, but test will be a huge challenge. Not as big a worry as the breakdown, but a concern
3. Midfield. Has looked ponderous and clunky on attack and indecisive on defence. Lionz have been good on attack, but mostly through wings, or short passing around forwards/9. The midfield hasn’t functioned well. On defence, some are rushing, others drifting, and there have been overlaps that good backlines will exploit. SA were excellent in the 3/4 in the RWC with Willie used as a wide out playmaker. This needs addressed.
Elsewhere, the scrum has gone well, think we edge it in the tests. Ball carrying in the forwards, and short passing and offloading good. Back 3 superb on attack. Maul and goalline defence promising. Kicking from hand good. And excellent team spirit in what must be a very difficult tour.
Boks, of course, will have their own question marks, but I feel the Lionz have a lot to get right before 1st test if they are to be in with a shout
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And so, onto selection. Which is just a bit of fun, as I dont think it matters too much who they pick, more on how they play.
Props: Jones and Furlong start, Sutherland and Sinckler bench.
Hooker: all have been good, but I think LCD start, George bench. Unluckly for Ken, but someone has to miss out.
Locks: Itoje and Lawes start. I wouldn’t risk AWJ in the 1st, but would pencil him in for the 2nd.
BR: Beirne, Watson definitely. Close call between Faletau and Conan, but I go with Faletau for experience.
Forward subs: Beard and Curry (plus maybe Conan if you want 6-2, which will depend on backline selection)
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SH: Price. Been the best on tour by a mile. Davies on the bench, where he has been superb in bringing impact
FH: Biggar
Wings: Adams and Watson. Vd Merwe unlucky, but both these guys are better all rounders
Centres: a mess. No-one has stood out really. I think Gats goes Farrell 12 and one of Henshaw/Harris/Daly 13. I go Henshaw 12, Harris 13 and give them really simple roles, run straight, get up and out together in defence.
FB: Hogg (c )
Reserves: Farrell (assuming Russell is not fit). You don’t risk Smith yet, but he may play a part later on. Daly for versatility.
I think you cannot go 6-2 unless you start Farrell at 12, which for me, isn’t the way to go. So Conan misses out
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Good morning Utna!
I like your team. I’d be very tempted to start with AWJ as he is heart and soul pf the forwards and his experience on the field will be essential given the chaos that will be the first half – Hogg will be too far away.
I would start Lawes at 6 – he’s no mug and a terrific chaser and line-out man. Watson definitely and Faletau but I’m really sorry not to have Curry as well – he’s very good in broken play.
I doubt Biggar will last 80 minutes in any game and midfield defence is a real worry so Harris is a must – I would start him and bench Daly for later in the game. Watson and Adams must play and I would start with a natural 12 so Henshaw it is. Hogg gets it over Williams (just) – he has huge heart, which is what this is all about really.
Jones, LC-D, Furlong
Itoje, AWJ
Lawes, Watson, Faletau
Price, Biggar
Henshaw, Harris
Adams, Watson, Hogg
George, Sutherland, Sinckler
Beard (blimey),
Beirne, Curry
Farrell, Daly
I think that gives cover in all positions, a top kicking 10 at all times and pace and skills off the bench.
you’re welcome
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A possible change is to leave out Beard and add Aki. VdM unlucky.
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Hello Slade,
Get your reasoning for AWJ and, if he does start, I agree with Lawes to 6 and Beirne to bench (in that case, I would leave out Beard).
No SH on the bench in your team is a big risk!
Still think AWJ is too big a risk of reinjury and having to be an early replacement with all the disruption that would cause. Save him for the 2nd and 3rd matches imho
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Bugger – I forgot Henderson, who I really rate – goes to bench instead of Beard.
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oh dear – the amateur that I am! – need a 9 on the bench – so bring in the Welshman and lose Henderson. Lawes and Beirne cover second row.
Not easy is it?
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If AWJ doesn’t start then bring in Henderson.
It’s GAts fault – too many 2nd rows in the squad.
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Good grief – forgot Navidi – bring him in for Faletau.
Goes and sits in cool corner……………………………………
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Strong sides you’re picking here! For me the 1st Test will be determined by whether the Boks can come out firing and score enough points to hang on in the second half, much like the ‘A’ side did, given the lack of match fitness still. To do that, they’ll need to play it tight and close to the fringes with judicial use of the boot. Pretty typical Bok rugby in other words. Unless Rassie does another WC Final and looks for space early on. If they go that route, it’ll have to be a 6-2 bench split for us to keep going in the second half.
My Bok side to do this looks as follows, no real surprises:
Kitshoff, Mbonambi and Malherbe as the starting from row, with Ox Nche, Marx and Vincent Koch off the pine.
Etzebeth and Mostert starting locks, with two of Lood de Jager, RG Snyman or Janse van Rensburg on the bench depending on the fitness of the first two.
Backrow is Kolisi as captain (assuming he’s over the Covid effects) PSdu Toit and probably Jasper Wiese. Still have no idea why Marcel Coetzee isn’t in the squad. Dan du Preez as utility back row. Or, one lock on the bench with du Toit covering there as well. That would allow two backrow options, with Kwagga Smith a bolter, or three backs.
Backs would be Faf and Pollard at 9-10 with H Jantjies and – horror of horrors – Morne Steyn as cover.
Centres pick themselves with de Allende and Am, Kriel on the bench if we go 5-3 split.
Back 3, Mapimpi, Kolbe and le Roux. Kriel can cover wing at a push.
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@Deebee – looks weak, gonna be a walkover.
*goes back to hiding behind the sofa*
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I wouldn’t have Lawes even on the bench.
AWJ & Hendo with Itoje on the bench, and Beirne, Watson and Faletau with Conan and/or Navidi on the bench.
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Refit, second row is a potential disaster if Snyman and de Jager are ruled out of the series and one of the starting locks is injured; 8th man without Vermeulen is piss poor; if Pollard breaks we’re left with 10-man Steyn or Yips Jantjies; and if Willie goes wandering we’re stuffed in the last line of defence. Our side is on a knife-edge and undercooked. Ripe for the plucking by the might of the British Isles.
Or, we’ll pick up where left off from in 2019 and the two warm up games and tame the Lions like circus extras.
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@Thauma………………………..you’re a naughty lady
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I do my best.
Even I couldn’t type ‘Murray to start’ with a straight face.
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Big drama at the British GP as Verstappen touches Hamilton’s wheel, his own wheel flies off the car & he goes crashing into the barrier. Luckily he’s fine.
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… on the first lap!
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Gonna be quite the decision for the stewards to make.
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Yes, it looked to me like Verstappen swerved back in to hit Hamilton, but the mister (who, admittedly, knows more about these things) thinks it was Hamilton’s fault, as do the commentators.
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Yeah, looked like Max drone into Hamilton, however Hamilton maybe shouldn’t have been there.
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If V. opened the door on the inside then H. has the right to go for it?
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@Slade – Lions match (1st half):
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2nd half:
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Hamilton gets a ten-second time penalty.
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On the replays there may be some mitigation for Verstappen ducking into it, but Hamilton went high. Straight red.
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Refit – great……………………..thankyou!
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Not sure how folk will be able to get this (I THINK it’s on Disney+ in the UK), but it looks amazing.
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Tom O’Connor RIP. He used to teach maths at the same school in Huyton by Dad got his first teaching job. At different times though, don’t think they ever met.
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Freeeeeedddoooommmmm!!!
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“Huyton by Dad”
Quaint Lancastrian place-name.
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Back in the day – I worked on a Tyne Tees quiz called Crosswits – O’Connor was the host/quiz master. Nice guy – seemed to realise it was a cushy gig as opposed to teaching maths. As indeed did most the celebs on the show (Crosswits was 2 teams – punter and celeb playing a crossword based game)
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