Lions V ES

ch2008

British & Irish Lions ( v Emerging Springboks)
15. Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland)
14. Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales)
13. Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England)
12. Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster/Ireland)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster/Ireland)
10. Ronan O’Gara (Munster/Ireland, Captain)
9. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England)
8. Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
7. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
6. Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England)
5. Nathan Hines (Perpignan/Scotland)
4. Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster/Ireland)
3. John Hayes (Munster/Ireland)
2. Ross Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland)
1. Tim Payne (London Wasps/England)
Replacements
16. Lee Mears (Bath/England)
17. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England)
18. Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England)
19. David Wallace (Munster/Ireland)
20. Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland)
21. James Hook (Ospreys/Wales)
22. Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England)

Bad news for Fitz? Good news for Kearney?

Chucky the tree

How is it bad news for Fitz? Kearney had 60 minutes to prove what he can do on saturday and Fitz had no time. Fitz has to put in a good performance to get his spot in the test. I wouldn't say it good news for Kearney either really, I think it will come down to byrne's fitness. They can't play kearney for 60 minutes Saturday/60/Tuesday and then expect him to go 90 minutes on Saturday if Byrne isn't fit.

subfreq

Looks like they are holding Shaw back for the test. I was interested to see if Hines played or not.

ROG must be disappointed but I didn't expect them to drop Jones for the second test.

ch2008

Chucky the tree wrote: »

How is it bad news for Fitz? Kearney had 60 minutes to prove what he can do on saturday and Fitz had no time. Fitz has to put in a good performance to get his spot in the test. I wouldn't say it good news for Kearney either really, I think it will come down to byrne's fitness. They can't play kearney for 60 minutes Saturday/60/Tuesday and then expect him to go 90 minutes on Saturday if Byrne isn't fit.

Eh, Kearney isnt in the squad for Tuesday so wont play 60mins

Chucky the tree

ch2008 wrote: »

Eh, Kearney isnt in the squad for Tuesday so wont play 60mins

I know, and that's why I said they can't expect to play 60 minutes saturday, 60minutes on tuesday and then another 90 minutes on saturday so that's why he isn't in the squad.

Crash

Thats his point - you couldnt expect Kearney to play 60 minutes on Saturday, turn around and be in this squad, and then potentially play on next Saturday.

edit: Jinx.

GymJim

Chucky the tree wrote: »

I know, and that's why I said they can't expect to play 60 minutes saturday, 60minutes on tuesday and then another 90 minutes on saturday so that's why he isn't in the squad.

Wow the altitude must be something else if it adds 10 mins to the game

RuggieBear

most Tests are at least 90mins if you don't stop the clock

ch2008

I would see it that nobody starting tomorrow will start on Saturday. Kearney's being rested whic means he's playing Saturday on the wing ahead of Fitz and Monye (who I'd imagine will take the bench now)

Chucky the tree

ch2008 wrote: »

I would see it that nobody starting tomorrow will start on Saturday. Kearney's being rested whic means he's playing Saturday on the wing ahead of Fitz and Monye (who I'd imagine will take the bench now)

I don't think byrne will be fit personally. For some to have an reoccourance of an old injury is unlikely to be able to shake it off within a week.

Stealdo

ch2008 wrote: »

I would see it that nobody starting tomorrow will start on Saturday. Kearney's being rested whic means he's playing Saturday on the wing ahead of Fitz and Monye (who I'd imagine will take the bench now)

Not sure about this, it's a Tuesday - Saturday turn around which is very tight but not impossible Monye did it last week. Anyone still on with 65 on the clock is another story.

oh - and 4th Irish player to captain the Lions on tour. Not bad going for a team that was devoid of leaders 12 months ago.

Stev_o

When is the ES squad announced.

Aidric

subfreq wrote: »

ROG must be disappointed but I didn't expect them to drop Jones for the second test.

I fully expected them to drop Jones for the second test. If O Gara has a stormer tomorrow it will be hard to ignore him for a starting berth.

subfreq

I just can't see ROG recovering and playing again at altitude in 3 days.

In fact if Hook proves his fitness I think ROG will lose his seat on the bench. It's not what I would do but it's what I think the Lions coaches will opt for.

I am disappointed that Hines or DOC didn't get a chance to start the second test. Botha was laughing his head off through out the first half he was so relaxed. Absolutely no pressure on him. I have a fear that if they do give Shaw a go it could just be Vickery MKII. An old warrior who doesn't cut it.

Stealdo

Stev_o wrote: »

When is the ES squad announced.

Already....from PR

15 Zane Kirchner (Blue Bulls)
14 Luzuko Vulindlu (The Sharks)
13 Deon van Rensburg (Leopards)
12 Morgan Newman (Western Province)
11 Bjorn Basson (Griquas)
10 Earl Rose (Golden Lions)
9 Jano Vermaak (Golden Lions)
8 Duane Vermeulen (Western Province)
7 Jean Deysel (Sharks)
6 Dewald Potgieter (c) (Blue Bulls)
5 Wilhelm Steenkamp (Blue Bulls)
4 Steven Sykes (Sharks)
3 Werner Kruger (Blue Bulls)
2 Bandise Maku (Blue Bulls)
1 Wian du Preez (Free State Cheetahs)

16 Tiaan Liebenberg (Western Province)
17 Pat Cilliers (Sharks)
18 Franco van der Merwe (Golden Lions)
19 Jacques Botes (Sharks)
20 Heini Adams (Blue Bulls)
21 Willem de Waal (Western Province)
22 Danwel Demas (Free State Cheetahs)

Leslie91

What about this scenario/possibility?....... They are giving Rog and Luke a bit of a run 2moro nite (60 mins max) so they both will be game sharp saturday. S Jones to the bench saturday.

Same might go for DO'C.

Size=everything

Leslie91 wrote: »

What about this scenario/possibility?....... They are giving Rog and Luke a bit of a run 2moro nite (60 mins max) so they both will be game sharp saturday. S Jones to the bench saturday.

Same might go for DO'C.

I'd hope that is the case but doubt that it is. I reckon If Byrnes fit they're going to start Kearney on the wing and if Byrnes not then Kearney will slot to Full back with Moyne taking up wing again.

Aidric

Size=everything wrote: »

I'd hope that is the case but doubt that it is. I reckon If Byrnes fit they're going to start Kearney on the wing and if Byrnes not then Kearney will slot to Full back with Moyne taking up wing again.

I doubt that will happen actually. After Monye's howlers in the first test only a clown would put him back in for Saturdays crunch game. I'd start Kearney @ FB and put Fitzgerald on the wing.

dreamer_ire

Leslie91 wrote: »

What about this scenario/possibility?....... They are giving Rog and Luke a bit of a run 2moro nite (60 mins max) so they both will be game sharp saturday. S Jones to the bench saturday.

Same might go for DO'C.

I'm an optomist so I'm thinking along the same lines as you. I think this means Kearney will be starting at FB. I also think this is Fitz's chance... interesting that he's 11 and Williams is 14 so Williams is the one out of position tomorrow. Gives Fitz every chance to make his claim for starting the second test. He was never gonna be a shoe-in so I think this is good news for him. I also think ROG is being given a chance to show whether or not he's better than Jones. His kicking needs to be perfect and his distribution probably even better.

I also think McGeechan is deciding between Donners and Hines... and is maybe having a look at Earls for the bench as the utility back if Kearney is to start. I think we'll see an all Welsh front row for next Saturday judging by the look of this side. Can't decide what it means for Wally with Williams starting... starting on Saturday or on the bench, could go either way.

Best result - Kearney at FB, Fitz at 11, ROG at 10, Donners at 4, Wally at 7 with Earls making the bench.

More realistic result - Kearney at FB with Fitz, ROG, Donners and Wally making up a mainly Irish bench

shanagarry

Just saw the Cape Town forecast for tomorrow - gale force winds and heavy rain - so tomorrow will be a rather dour affair I imagine.

Four-Percent

dreamer_ire wrote: »

Best result - Kearney at FB, Fitz at 11, ROG at 10, Donners at 4, Wally at 7 with Earls making the bench.

More realistic result - Kearney at FB with Fitz, ROG, Donners and Wally making up a mainly Irish bench

What? The best result is a Lions victory in all remaining matches - however many irish players are playing is irrelevant.

Depp

I am liking the look of this squad.
Are the Emerging Springboks Like south africa A?

dreamer_ire

Four-Percent wrote: »

What? The best result is a Lions victory in all remaining matches - however many irish players are playing is irrelevant.

I was replying to the question posed by Leslie91 on Irish representation in the match tomorrow. Naturally the best result is a Lions victory... you should read the whole post, and the one I was responding to.

This isn't directed at you four percent, but the number of people who are jumping on others in here at the moment is just crazy.... and the arguments it starts will do the forum no good whatsoever.

Four-Percent

dreamer_ire wrote: »

I was replying to the question posed by Leslie91 on Irish representation in the match tomorrow. Naturally the best result is a Lions victory... you should read the whole post, and the one I was responding to.

This isn't directed at you four percent, but the number of people who are jumping on others in here at the moment is just crazy.... and the arguments it starts will do the forum no good whatsoever.

Fair enough, I did read the post but I mistook what you meant.Apologies.

Crash

They're Springbok A's with a caveat, no player can be previously capped.

Depp

fair enuff i sppose

alastair_doom

Is pretty damn impressive that ROG will be the 4th Irish man to start a match this tour as captain.

anonymous_joe

alastair_doom wrote: »

Is pretty damn impressive that ROG will be the 4th Irish man to start a match this tour as captain.

Amazing really.

Then again, how many of those out there strike you as captains?

chupacabra

We could lose this game quite easily tomorrow. Emerging Boks are a superb side.

Hugh_C

GymJim wrote: »

Wow the altitude must be something else if it adds 10 mins to the game

I know it's in jest, but altitude is a consideration. I spent a few days in Addis Ababa and found the hotel stairs tough, I also had to dance the Fallaí Luimní (long story) at altitude and it damn nearly killed me.

anonymous_joe

Hugh_C wrote: »

I know it's in jest, but altitude is a consideration. I spent a few days in Addis Ababa and found the hotel stairs tough, I also had to dance the Fallaí Luimní (long story) at altitude and it damn nearly killed me.

True that, but only the Bulls players and the Cheetahs will be used to it...

thomond2006

lions -6 in PP.

btw this thread should be locked, we have match thread now.