Lions XXII for the 3rd test vs South Africa

thomond2006

The latest news is Phil Vickery is struggling with a sore throat which could open the door for the Bull!

:):)

Leslie91

thomond2006 wrote: »

The latest news is Phil Vickery is struggling with a sore throat which could open the door for the Bull!

:):)

Can't believe they are looking at bringing Phil Vickery back, jeeeeeeeeeeeez.

connundrum

Leslie91 wrote: »

Can't believe they are looking at bringing Phil Vickery back, jeeeeeeeeeeeez.

I heard that last night on Off The Ball, couldn't believe it tbh.

Next thing Geech will have Shane Williams starting at full back or something :rolleyes:

Amabokke

In fairness I think the Lions have a serious issue with prop, if both Vickery and Bully boy are injured then scrums will be uncontested again. Vickery knows what is expected after the first demolishing so will learn from that.

Leslie91

Here's my guess.....

15 Kearney 14 Bowe (if injured then Monye) 13 Earls (I pray) 12 Roberts (if injured D'Arcy) 11 Fitzgerald 10 Jones 9 Phillips 1 Sheridan 2 Rees 3 Vickery (they should give Bull a go) 4 Shaw 5 POC 6 Croft 7 Wallace 8 Heaslip

Leslie91

Amabokke wrote: »

In fairness I think the Lions have a serious issue with prop, if both Vickery and Bully boy are injured then scrums will be uncontested again. Vickery knows what is expected after the first demolishing so will learn from that.

Bully boy?, to whom do u refer?.

Adam Jones?, surely not?.

spear thrower

I thought Roberts was fooked has he recover from his dodgy wrist?..

funky penguin

Leslie91 wrote: »

Bully boy?, to whom do u refer?.

Adam Jones?, surely not?.

John Hayes

thomond2006

I think Earls may get the nod at 13.

With BOD unfortunately injured, Earls remains the only out and out outside centre in the squad (Flutey and D'Arcy are both ICs).

Stealdo

thomond2006 wrote: »

I think Earls may get the nod at 13.

With BOD unfortunately injured, Earls remains the only out and out outside centre in the squad (Flutey and D'Arcy are both ICs).

An out and out outside centre who also plays, 11, 12, 14 and 15?

I do know what you mean though....there isn't another player who you'd play there without being concerned about them playing out of position. Bowe is a possibility, depends on how Earls' performance since that first day has redeemed him with the mgt.

sslazio11

Rumour doing the rounds on a few forums this morning that this is the starting XV:

Kearney, Williams, Flutey, Bowe, Monye, Jones, Phillips

Sheridan, Rees, Vickery, O'Connell, Shaw, Worsley, Williams, Heaslip

...If that is the line-up, we're f**ked. That backline looks dreadful. Bowe to the centre? Flutey, Williams and Monye to start? Please god let it be just a rumour.

premierstone

Stealdo wrote: »

An out and out outside centre who also plays, 11, 12, 14 and 15?

I do know what you mean though....there isn't another player who you'd play there without being concerned about them playing out of position. Bowe is a possibility, depends on how Earls' performance since that first day has redeemed him with the mgt.

It would be a fantastic oppurtunity for Earls because if there is any weakness (apart from discipline) iin the SA team it is that there centres are woefully out of form.

Leslie91

sslazio11 wrote: »

Rumour doing the rounds on a few forums this morning that this is the starting XV:

Kearney, Williams, Flutey, Bowe, Monye, Jones, Phillips

Sheridan, Rees, Vickery, O'Connell, Shaw, Worsley, Williams, Heaslip

...If that is the line-up, we're f**ked. That backline looks dreadful. Bowe to the centre? Flutey, Williams and Monye to start? Please god let it be just a rumour.

I'm with u on that one, that hopefully it is pure BS. It makes no sense to take a winger playing well, move him to centre and replace him with a winger playing poorly when there are better centres available eg. D'Arcy for one. I'd b v surprised at Worsley too, he has had a poor tour and no way does he deserve to get in ahead of Croft.

Dub973

thomond2006 wrote: »

The latest news is Phil Vickery is struggling with a sore throat which could open the door for the Bull!

:):)

surely you can't like this idea! The munster men have cost the lions this tour already. E.g that fool ogara!

Amabokke

premierstone wrote: »

It would be a fantastic oppurtunity for Earls because if there is any weakness (apart from discipline) iin the SA team it is that there centres are woefully out of form.

Maybe in the first test but in the second test their defence was solid and had a good few attacks.

sslazio11

Leslie91 wrote: »

I'm with u on that one, that hopefully it is pure BS. It makes no sense to take a winger playing well, move him to centre and replace him with a winger playing poorly when there are better centres available eg. D'Arcy for one. I'd b v surprised at Worsley too, he has had a poor tour and no way does he deserve to get in ahead of Croft.

I can actually see the sense in playing Worsley. If you're going to play to play Martyn Williams, no way can you play Croft, they'd be smashed at the breakdown because they're both light. Worsley will at least get stuck in at the rucks and tackle all day, that's not Croft's game. Not criticising him, he's a fine player, but he's not the man for a bruisers battle on the floor.

_blank_

Dub973 Banned - 2 Weeks

If anyone reacts to the trolling, it will be a Two Month ban.

spoon

I ammumse the team is announced today and 12.30? I haven't been able to find any mention of when it's being announced.

Amabokke

sslazio11 wrote: »

I can actually see the sense in playing Worsley. If you're going to play to play Martyn Williams, no way can you play Croft, they'd be smashed at the breakdown because they're both light. Worsley will at least get stuck in at the rucks and tackle all day, that's not Croft's game. Not criticising him, he's a fine player, but he's not the man for a bruisers battle on the floor.

TBH, even though the Lions did not do too well at the breakdown area this does not seem an area that cost them the games. So, I'd go for Williams and Croft, Williams for the breakdown and Croft for the ball carrying.

Brussouw will probably start and I believe is shorteness is a huge benefit for bending the back and clear the ball out.

Last week we saw the Lions scored out wide and I believe they need to tackle that area again. Their line-outs will have to improve though.

partyguinness

TBH I do think the Lions cld get an awful hammering on Saturday...mentally they must be shattered and I can only imagine they just want to get home at this stage..

redmca

Boks have chosen a weakened team, so any Lions win will be devalued ....

http://www.skysports.com/lions-09/story/0,25921,16057_5411609,00.html

Can't blame them I suppose with the Tri-nations coming up

chupacabra

redmca wrote: »

Boks have chosen a weakened team, so any Lions win will be devalued ....

http://www.skysports.com/lions-09/story/0,25921,16057_5411609,00.html

Can't blame them I suppose with the Tri-nations coming up

Hah? You call that a weakened team? I call that an improvement in certain areas (Fly half, Full back, Centers, No 8. and Open Side Flanker) Only weakness i see is Chiliboy Ralapelle at hooker, a political selection if ive ever seen one.

Amabokke

redmca wrote: »

Boks have chosen a weakened team, so any Lions win will be devalued ....

http://www.skysports.com/lions-09/story/0,25921,16057_5411609,00.html

Can't blame them I suppose with the Tri-nations coming up

That's not a weak team mate, in fact very good team and difference is they will be hungry to play against the Lions.

subfreq

God I hope the Lions are mentally up for this because that Bok team could rip them open. It's a real chance for a few of them to grab a tri-nations place. Steyn in particular should thrive.

jfitz92

sslazio11 wrote: »

Rumour doing the rounds on a few forums this morning that this is the starting XV:

Kearney, Williams, Flutey, Bowe, Monye, Jones, Phillips

Sheridan, Rees, Vickery, O'Connell, Shaw, Worsley, Williams, Heaslip

...If that is the line-up, we're f**ked. That backline looks dreadful. Bowe to the centre? Flutey, Williams and Monye to start? Please god let it be just a rumour.

That can't be right, or at least I hope not..
What has Fitzgerald done to warrant being dropped?

spank_inferno

It could be a case that he hasnt done enough to warrant a place rather than having done anything 'wrong'.

.... anyway, time shall tell. I'm just hoping for no 3-0 whitewash

sslazio11

My worst fears confirmed on the Lions website:

http://www.lionsrugby.com/news/8398.php

Oh dear.

budhabob

whitewash it is.

Wobs

sslazio11 wrote: »

Rumour doing the rounds on a few forums this morning that this is the starting XV:

Kearney, Williams, Flutey, Bowe, Monye, Jones, Phillips

Sheridan, Rees, Vickery, O'Connell, Shaw, Worsley, Williams, Heaslip

...If that is the line-up, we're f**ked. That backline looks dreadful. Bowe to the centre? Flutey, Williams and Monye to start? Please god let it be just a rumour.

Unfortunately this is the team!!! It's up on the www.lionsrugby.com

Also no place on the bench for any of the Irish lads, except the Bull.

Stev_o

Springboks

South Africa: Kirchner (Bulls); Ndungane (Sharks), Fourie (Lions), Olivier (Bulls), Nokwe (Cheetahs); M Steyn (Bulls), Du Preez (Bulls); Mtawarira (Sharks), Ralepelle (Bulls), Smit (Sharks), Muller (Sharks), Matfield (Bulls), Brussow (Cheetahs), Smith (Cheetahs), Kankowski (Sharks).
Replacements: B du Plessis (Sharks), Steenkamp (Bulls), Carstens (Sharks), Sykes (Sharks), Spies (Bulls), R Pienaar (Sharks), F Steyn (Sharks).

Some people here are complete defeatists, come on lads get behind the team.

Personally i think the Boks team is very beatable.

sslazio11

Wobs wrote: »

Unfortunately this is the team!!! It's up on the www.lionsrugby.com

Also no place on the bench for any of the Irish lads, except the Bull.

David Wallace is on the bench as well.

British & Irish Lions (vs South Africa, 3rd Test)

15 Rob Kearney (Leinster / Ireland)
14 Ugo Monye (Harlequins / England)
13 Tommy Bowe (Ospreys / Ireland)
12 Riki Flutey (London Wasps / England)
11 Shane Williams (Ospreys / Wales)
10 Stephen Jones (Scarlets / Wales)
9 Mike Phillips (Ospreys / Wales)

8 Jamie Heaslip (Leinster / Ireland)
7 Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues / Wales)
6 Joe Worsley (London Wasps / England)
5 Paul O’Connell (Munster / Ireland, Captain)
4 Simon Shaw (London Wasps / England)
3 Phil Vickery (London Wasps / England)
2 Matthew Rees (Scarlets / Wales)
1 Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks / England)

Replacements

16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh / Scotland)
17 John Hayes (Munster / Ireland)
18 Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys / Wales)
19 David Wallace (Munster / Ireland)
20 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers / England)
21 Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers / England)
22 James Hook (Ospreys / Wales)

TarfHead

sslazio11 wrote: »

Rumour doing the rounds on a few forums this morning that this is the starting XV:

Kearney, Williams, Flutey, Bowe, Monye, Jones, Phillips

Sheridan, Rees, Vickery, O'Connell, Shaw, Worsley, Williams, Heaslip

...If that is the line-up, we're f**ked. That backline looks dreadful. Bowe to the centre? Flutey, Williams and Monye to start? Please god let it be just a rumour.

Evidently a good rumour

So McGeechan would prefer to play Bowe out of position, than forgive D'Arcy for his third test decision in 2005 :rolleyes: ?

That team is a joke - McGeechan is diminshed in my eyes.

Could have been worse - could have played Powell :eek:

stephen_n

Des wrote: »

Dub973 Banned - 2 Weeks

If anyone reacts to the trolling, it will be a Two Month ban.

Just a quick question regarding posts like that, can they be actually removed completely to avoid anyone reacting to them?

Wobs

Sorry sslazio, so he is missed that:D

chupacabra

Oh my god what a disgrace. Why the hell does Williams get yet ANOTHER chance? And Fitz dropped from the entire 22... Worsley at 6 is a disaster waiting to happen, Brussow will have a field day.

spoon

sslazio11 wrote: »

My worst fears confirmed on the Lions website:

http://www.lionsrugby.com/news/8398.php

Oh dear.

That team is going to be hammered. The back line is all over the place. How Williams is making a starting 15 ahead of Fitz is beyond me. Has flutey done anything to warrent a test spot? They're playing Bowe in the center and he has just recovered from an elbow injury, and there is no cover for him on the bench. Crazy selections all round, we'll be trashed. Any threat we had in the backs has gone.

stephen_n

sslazio11 wrote: »

David Wallace is on the bench as well.

British & Irish Lions (vs South Africa, 3rd Test)

15 Rob Kearney (Leinster / Ireland)
14 Ugo Monye (Harlequins / England)
13 Tommy Bowe (Ospreys / Ireland)
12 Riki Flutey (London Wasps / England)
11 Shane Williams (Ospreys / Wales)
10 Stephen Jones (Scarlets / Wales)
9 Mike Phillips (Ospreys / Wales)

8 Jamie Heaslip (Leinster / Ireland)
7 Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues / Wales)
6 Joe Worsley (London Wasps / England)
5 Paul O’Connell (Munster / Ireland, Captain)
4 Simon Shaw (London Wasps / England)
3 Phil Vickery (London Wasps / England)
2 Matthew Rees (Scarlets / Wales)
1 Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks / England)

Replacements

16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh / Scotland)
17 John Hayes (Munster / Ireland)
18 Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys / Wales)
19 David Wallace (Munster / Ireland)
20 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers / England)
21 Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers / England)
22 James Hook (Ospreys / Wales)

No cover outside ten? I know hook can play at centre but this means no F/B cover surely Fitz or Earls should be on the bench. We are going to get walloped with that team!

Stev_o

TarfHead wrote: »

Evidently a good rumour

So McGeechan would prefer to play Bowe out of position, than forgive D'Arcy for his third test decision in 2005 :rolleyes: ?

That team is a joke - McGeechan is diminshed in my eyes.

Could have been worse - could have played Powell :eek:

Bowe's played at 13 for the Ospreys this season so it was more likely he would get the nod over D'Arcy who honestly hasn't been playing great this tour so far. Mind you either has Flutey due to his knee injury but he's a Wasp and clearly Geech knows what he is capable of. Politics i guess but meh.

The only argument i can see for supporters is the inclusion of Shane Williams. I think their down to flogging his bare bones trying to get something out of him.

@Stephen Hook covers 10,12,15

sslazio11

Wobs wrote: »

Sorry sslazio, so he is missed that:D

I wouldn't blame you if you were blinded by the awfulness of that backline. What have Monye and Shane Williams done to merit selection? Why Bowe to centre, and Flutey beside him? Gah. Can't see them winning the game with that lineup.

_blank_

stephen_n wrote: »

Just a quick question regarding posts like that, can they be actually removed completely to avoid anyone reacting to them?

It's being left there as an example. If people can't control themselves after a clear warning, I'm not to blame.

Any more discussion of moderation can go in the Feedback thread, or to PMs, thanks.

redmca

Daft threequarter line ... Bowe has been out and out the best WING, as for Williams .... I can hear McGeechan singing to himself "I believe in miracles", well no one else does.
Fitz has to feel hard done by, Earls to a lesser extent, Darcy less again, and ROG not at all.

Poncherello

tour is over who gives a ****
Nearly puked in my cornflakes reading Times this morning, Lions jersey me hole !
Hopefully the irish lads dont get injured

Amabokke

In fairness that is not a weak Lions team. I hope for a 3-0 series but anyone suggest 3-0 whitewash because of this team should re-think.

I believe the reason why he went for Bowe over Darcy is because both Darcy and Flutey are small and short centres. Fourie is big enough centre so you need a physical presence in mid-field. Bowe won't dissapoint and will take his chances.

Poncherello

only thing of interest will be the first scrum, turn on the ladies tennis final after that

Amabokke

Poncherello wrote: »

tour is over who gives a ****
Nearly puked in my cornflakes reading Times this morning, Lions jersey me hole !
Hopefully the irish lads dont get injured

A lot of true Lions supporters still care. If Lions had won one of the two tests so far people wouldn't bash the Lions jersey.

bleg

horrible horrible, unbalanced team.

Poncherello

im not bashing it just sick of hearing about it now that they have lost - all they are doing is trying to keep the brand alive

chupacabra

Amabokke wrote: »

In fairness that is not a weak Lions team. I hope for a 3-0 series but anyone suggest 3-0 whitewash because of this team should re-think.

I believe the reason why he went for Bowe over Darcy is because both Darcy and Flutey are small and short centres. Fourie is big enough centre so you need a physical presence in mid-field. Bowe won't dissapoint and will take his chances.

I agree, im loving the selection of Bowe at center. He has been very good with the Ospreys in that position this season. But im not even sure if Flutey is even 100% fit yet and i have no problem putting my house on Fourie and Olivier absolutley raping the lions mid field on saturday. These guys will have been desperate to play since the start of the tour and are playing for Tri-nations test places.

nerophis

TarfHead wrote: »

Could have been worse - could have played Powell :eek:

+1:D

nerophis

Riki Flutey has done nothing worth talking about on the tour, Earls should feel hard done by, a few bumps on the road but overall has played well and looked dangerous occasionally.

Shane Williams- OMG- Does Geech have that weird underwear poster he did during the six nations up on his wall or something? The Maor Uisce have done more on this tour than Williams. form vs. REPUTATION. FitzGerald has been robbed

Worsley has looked almost as utterly brainless as Powell

Vickery- did Geech not see what the Beast did to him?! Round Two.

Even a weakened Boks are going to run rings around this disjointed selection- the only good thing is that there is going to be a lot fewer Irish involved to take the blame for what I predict will be the highest score put on the Lions.

thomond2006

BACKS

Back Three
Rob Kearney the only choice for FB after a stellar peformance last week.
The wingers, well, Monye comes in on the right wing as Bowe is moved to the centre.
Unbelievably, Williams is given another chance ahead of Luke Fitzgerald. That is just mindboggling. It looks like Geech has done a "Sir Clive" and picked on reputation. We now have 2 wingers that cannot finish. What has Fitzgerald done to deserve this?

Centres
I really thought Earls may have got a shot at 13. However, Geech has opted for a positional change and has put Tommy Bowe at 13 instead. Bowe has played OC for the Ospreys this season and done well imo.
I'm disappointed with the selection of Flutey. Through injury and form, he has not produced the goods on this tour. I think his refusal to play in 2005 means Gordon D'Arcy will be a mere spectator.

Half-Backs
No argument here. I thought Jones was fantastic in the 2nd test, landing all his kicks and controlling the game well. After his costly gaffe last week, ROG will never have started a Lions test match. That's a shame.
In the case of the scrum half, well to be honest Mike Phillips is the best of a bad bunch and there was never going to be a change.

FORWARDS

Front Row
Sheridan was the only choice to replace Jenkins so no surprises there. I think he deserves a chance in the test match arena.
Matthew Rees stays, again the best of a poor bunch. How costly was the loss of Flannery/no call up for Best?
Phil Vickery comes in for Adam Jones. I think he will be very motivated after being embarrassed by the "Beast" in Durban.

Second Row
Correct choices here: POC and Simon Shaw.

Back Row
Heaslip was always going to start again ahead of Powell but I've been disappointed by Heaslip's performances so far. It won't get any easier being up against Kankowski.
Williams comes in for Wallace at openside. I think that's tough on Wallace, who has had a decent series so far.
"Tree Cutter" Worsley come in for Croft. I think that's tough on Croft to be honest. I don't think Worsley offers a lot going forward.

REPLACEMENTS

I'm absolutely delighted for John Hayes, a true legend of Irish rugby. Hopefully, he will come on and get a deserved test cap. :)

Surely Mears ahead of Ford who hasn't looked interested all tour?

Donncha O'Callaghan should be ahead of AW Jones imo.

Croft and Wallace should be in the first XV.

Ellis, well you can't pick Blair.

Hook on the bench is the nail in the head for ROG.

I don't get why Geech has gone 5 - 2 on the bench. Earls should have been there imo.