Close menu

Lions 2013: Ask Jeremy Guscott Lions special

By Jeremy GuscottLions legend

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Unioncomments178

Adam Ashley-Cooper scores the decisive try in Melbourne

Among the topics making the headlines this week are:

- Australia's dramatic series-levelling victory over the Lions in the second Test

- The kicking duel between Leigh Halfpenny and Christian Leali'ifano, and the Lions' lack of tries

- Australia captain James Horwill facing an International Rugby Board appeal over his clash with Alun Wyn Jones in Brisbane

- Lions captain Sam Warburton's injury worries after he was forced off in Melbourne

- George North's apology for making a gesture at Will Genia before scoring a try in the first Test

Jerry answers questions posted on the website at the start of every week - entries are now closed for this Q&A. Look for the Ask Guscott story next weekend to ask Jerry a question. not every question submitted can be used.

You can also follow Jerry on Twitter.external-link

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

178 comments

  • Comment posted by mattyharibo, at 15:01 29 Jun 2013

    Hi Jeremy,

    Something I've noticed in recent years in Test match rugby and again today was the advantage not really being an advantage. It used to be that advantage was only called over if you made some ground but now it seems to be called over even if a team has been driven back 20m- not really an advantage. Is this something you've noticed and do you think it's correct?

  • Comment posted by U13758055, at 20:08 29 Jun 2013

    Jerry, can you explain to me as a lowly Scotsman why I should support the Lions given the way our players have been treated on tour.
    I always dismissed the idea of garland having a problem with Scots but why would you not put grant on, why would you not have Gray on the bench or have players who can . Cover more than one position on the bench ( Maitland or Hogg)
    To me it has become a joke.

  • Comment posted by mg 21-12, at 18:47 29 Jun 2013

    Hi Jerry
    Warren Gatland keeps going on about game management but what are your views on his bench management? It is hard to remember a prop being under so much pressure in an international and playing 80min.
    Cheers
    Mark

  • Comment posted by Fortune, at 14:58 29 Jun 2013

    Hi Jeremy

    Do you feel threatened by the competition of Adam Jones Q&A column? Would you ever challenge him to a celebrity boxing match and if so who would win?

    I think he'd flatten you within 3 but if you could prolong the fight past the 4th round your superior speed and stamina could carry you through

  • Comment posted by JRM, at 11:31 30 Jun 2013

    146 johnlambiesdoos

    I would hope NO scots are supporting Oz - and where is your proof?
    I am Scottish and believe not bringing Grant on was a massive error - but would never support the opposition - this is the British and Irish lions - if there were 15 Englishmen in the team I would still support them. (Although I hope THAT never happens!)

  • Comment posted by cmar, at 23:41 29 Jun 2013

    Hi Jerry,
    Is everyone in the Lions camp deaf?
    Did anyone listen to Kurtley Beale's after match interview? I went something like "we won today because we kept ball in hand more than last week"
    So who tells our lads (no matter who has been SH) to kick away possession, even in attacking mode.
    Ridiculous, never kick deep to Australia, grubber through the flat line defence yes, chip yes, RUN YES

  • Comment posted by Solemntom, at 18:28 29 Jun 2013

    Also does it sadden you to see childish comments on these pages by people like landofhopeandglory? After 2 tests poised 1-1 we should now all be on the same page. It really makes me sad that people still feel the need to belittle players from other nations. Should the BBC stop comments? They can't be good for team moral.

  • Comment posted by Erchie, at 18:23 29 Jun 2013

    Jerry,as a scot it is obviously disappointed there are only 4 in the squad but of course im still backing the lions.just feel that they continuously get overlooked aka grant who never even came on today surprisingly and gray. hogg has not really had a fair crack at the whip either and i actually think they shld go for his attacking threat in 3rd test which we lacked particularly today.

  • Comment posted by U15421807, at 17:01 29 Jun 2013

    Would James Hook have made a difference?

    Ian Evans has played an 'unsung' role in the second-row for Wales, especially over the last 2 years. Should he have been the man to fill the place of O'Connell for the 1st test?

    Is Tipuric the unluckiest Lion?

  • Comment posted by Mr_Wood, at 13:05 30 Jun 2013

    152. Mannochmore99 . Come on, Hogg's brilliant and could give the Lions a much needed cutting edge coming off the bench. But Maitland is average, surely that's bias talking no?

  • Comment posted by U13932305, at 11:30 30 Jun 2013

    Hi Jerry - surely Halfpenny had to make the call that the final penalty was not within range? With Warburton off the pitch, and every viewer aware he didn't have the legs for the kick, surely Halfpenny should take some blame for not calling for a quick tap and go?

    Separately, what reasoning can you see for Gatland and Rowntree to leave Grant and Gray out of the starting line up?

  • Comment posted by FairPlay, at 10:14 30 Jun 2013

    Hi Jeremy. Do you think that Gatlands defensive tactics and not playing a gain line breaker cost the Lions a series win? Without either Tuilangi or Croft running through the Oz defence, the Lions were forced to play their rugby in front of the Aussies. These are the reasons the Irish got rid of him - with a weaker than usual Oz team, was he the right man for the job.

  • Comment posted by Fraser Posford, at 20:59 29 Jun 2013

    Hey Jerry,

    just a general concern about Ben Youngs. At scrum time, do you think he takes too long to put the ball in? He often refuses to put the ball straight in scrum and this allows the other team to get a nudge-on and his delay also winds up the referee I think as well as us supporters. Should he be replaced for Phillips or Murray for the final test? For me he's an impact player like Vunipola

  • Comment posted by Hopeful Scot, at 20:17 29 Jun 2013

    Hi Jeremy,

    How do you feel about the selection of Scottish players for the Lions tests so far? Personally, I feel a little disappointed that Ryan Grant didn't get a game today but not about other calls. Do you think any Scots will feature in the 23 for the final test and if so, who?

  • Comment posted by Integrity, at 19:36 29 Jun 2013

    Jerry, Gatland always struck me as a fair minded bloke and I'm sure he wouldn't dismiss one nation purely on principle. So what on earth is the justification for leaving Grant on the bench when (as widely predicted) Vunipola struggled at scrum time, and likewise Gray not included in the 23 when (as predicted) the Lions lacked ball carriers and lineout capability. Any ideas?

  • Comment posted by Bonnersdad, at 17:40 29 Jun 2013

    So near yet so far!
    I do start to wonder if Gatland has a thing about Scots. Vunipola was being pinged all over the place and the prop rated as the best in the Rabodirect league (Grant) was cooling his heels on the bench.....
    100% behind Lions but do wonder about Gray for Parling in 3rd test.

  • Comment posted by spurs_surfer, at 17:05 29 Jun 2013

    Are the Lions & ultimately Gatland choosing the wrong game plan & relying too much on halfpenny's kicking & the forward dominance which hasnt been displayed? They never looked like scoring a try, was the choice of Davies over Manu a mistake as the backs never made a dent in the Aussie line?

  • Comment posted by Dom, at 15:17 29 Jun 2013

    Centre pairing needs a change. What's your preferred pairing?

  • Comment posted by Cminor, at 14:07 29 Jun 2013

    Hi Jerry,
    The team from @1 is a wind-up; surely. Is Wade really up to starting the decisive 3rd test? I'd have thought he'd be 5th or 6th choice!

  • Comment posted by U12339634, at 12:33 30 Jun 2013

    Are Gatland, Rowntree and Farrell proving that McGeechan has been the best Lions coach due to his ability to look beyond the players he works with through the season and select the best team to win a Lions series.

    The decision to start Vunipola was questionable, but to keep him on for 80 was ridiculous, likewise Lydiate - great player, but not playing at the level of 12 months ago.

Top Stories