Free Lions Betting Tips & Preview – Australia V’s British and Irish Lions- The Second Test

June 28, 2013 Thatsbettingtips Staff

“Here we go again sports fans, its crunch time in the 2013 British Lions test series, but where do we start!? I think last weekend would be the most obvious place, with the Lions securing a test victory by 23 points to 21, and what a game it was. Perhaps the game didn’t deliver in the classic sense; there were plenty of errors from both sides and with the “interesting” interpretations of the law by NZ referee Chris Pollock it sometimes frustrated. That said, the game also provided us with 4 fantastic tries which would have lit up any stadium on the planet. Israel Folau showed that his selection for the test side with so few games of union was no fluke, with two supremely athletic efforts and then there was George North! Some players are born to deliver on the biggest stage of all and it appears that the Welsh giant is one of those, his solo effort was a thing of beauty and will surely going down in history of one of the great Lions tries, the Australians will be trying to avoid any loose kicking in the second test. The test finished as they always seem to, with genuine drama, Kurtley Beale missing a last minute penalty which would have won the game for his team when he slipped over on the greasy turf. The relief amongst the Lions players and supporters was palpable, they will not want to leave it that late this weekend. I mentioned in last weeks article that Beale may have some significant impact on the game, unfortunately it was for the wrong reasons and I really felt for him as a player.

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Onto the second test then. Many would have expected Gatland to stick with the winning team again this weekend, but he’s once again shown he’s not afraid to make the big decisions. Gatland is ruthless when it comes to selection (anyone remember 13 Ospreys starting for Wales?!) and he’s wielded the axe again with 5 changes being made. Some of the changes were forced on Gatland through injury with Geoff Parling and Mako Vinipola coming in for Paul O’Connell and Alex Corbisiero. The others show Gatland’s huge desire to win at all costs. Mike Philips, a Gatland stalwart has been dropped from the squad altogether with Ben Youngs starting and Connor Murray benching. Alex Cuthbert a try scorer last weekend, is now on the bench for Tommy Bowe and Dan Lydiate comes in for Tom Croft.

I think the most interesting selection is that of Dan Lydiate, the blindside played himself into the test side in Tuesday’s 35-0 win with a huge performance. The amount of tackles (15) made almost defied belief and he combined that with a big effort at the breakdown, some sterling work at the lineout and even managed to deliver a try scoring pass to Sean O’Brien, who also makes the bench this weekend. I think Lydiate’s inclusion shows that the Lions do not want to be bossed in and around the tackle area and breakdown again as they appeared to be on occasion last week. Having him in the side will also enable Warburton to concentrate on his primary job this time around as Lydiate makes the tackles, Warburton will be there over the ball attempting the jackal. It should be another fascinating contest with Hooper from Australia.

In the backs, Tommy Bowe is brought in after being given the chance to recover from the broken bone in his hand. Bowe has been brought in for one reason, he’s a game breaker, but one with a difference he’s also big in defence which is an area in which Cuthbert sometimes struggles. I am certainly tipping him to get on the scoresheet again this weekend.

O’Driscoll and Davies continue their partnership in the centre, and one would hope that there will be more fluidity there this week having been given more time in training to gel. O’Driscoll is one to watch out for this weekend, he is desperate to get a Lions series win under his belt and will do pretty much anything (within the law) to secure it. Don’t be surprised to see him getting in amongst the tries as well.

Leigh Halfpenny will once again provide points from the boot, and the Australians will be wary of not giving away penalties within his vast kicking range.

In terms of the result, I think we are looking at another very, very close game which could go either way. For some reason, I find myself thinking that this series may yet be taken to the third test, but then my heart has always ruled my head so it’s the Lions by 10 for me with O’Driscoll, Bowe and North getting on the scoresheet. An interesting outside bet would be Sam Warburton, freed of the shackles of having to tackle everything he may yet get on the scoresheet should the tight five pull a dominant performance out of the bag.

Recommendations–

Lions to win by 6-10 points @ 9/2

George North- Anytime Try Scorer @ 2/1

Brian O'Driscoll- Anytime Try Scorer @ 5/2

Tommy Bowe- Anytime Try Scorer @ 11/4

Sam Warburton- Anytime Try Scorer @ 10/1

Good Luck!

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