Predict the result of the 2013 Lions Tour.

opinionatedfan

With the 37 man squad announced, I want to see what posters expect will happen down under this summer.

My prediction: Oz will win 2-1

simon0brien

opinionatedfan wrote: »

With the 37 man squad announced, I want to see what posters expect will happen down under this summer.

My prediction: Oz will win 2-1

Lions 3-0

GiftofGab

Wallabies 3-0

I think people are totally underestimating the Aussie team. All their players are hitting form in the Super XV and their backline is sensational. You also have to think that the Lions won't have very much time together to gel as a team compared to an international team.

I think it'll be close with the Australia winning the 1st game in Suncorp Stadium (which they have an amazing record at) and the Lions to closely snatch the remaining 2 games. The main thing that stands for the Lions is the depth in the squad. They can afford to have injuries without damaging their team too much.

JustinDee

Series Draw

2-1 Aussie

Karlpopper

It all comes down to that first game, it gives a big psychological advantage for the series. If the Aussies win, then they should easily win the series, maybe 2-1 as the Lions will probably win the last one. If the Lions can win the first game then they will win the series and they could win it 3-0. So how much of a team will we have by that first test, that's the big "test" for the coaching staff.
My prediction: 2-1 to the Aussies. I don't think the Lions will be a strong enough team to win the first game.

corny

Really depends on the team Gatland picks and how he wants them to play.

If we see a backline picked on size like Phillips, Farrell, North, Roberts, Davies and Cuthbert i'd fancy the Aussies.

If the likes of Youngs, BOD, Bowe, Sexton and Hogg are in there i'd favour the Lions.

Garseys

3-0 Lions. optimistic

tolosenc

Wallabies 3-0

Lions 2-1

Wallabies 3-0

do a public poll (should be able to add it now still)

Lions 2 - 1 Aus

desertcircus

Don't think we need to worry too much about the Lions gelling as a team; I think they have six games before the first Test to get used to playing together. Not to mention the likes of BOD and POC, who have unfinished Lions ambitions and know this is their last chance. 3-0 to the tourists.

[Jackass]

Wallabies 3-0

Lions 2 - 1

SebBerkovich

Wallabies 3-0

[Jackass] wrote: »

Lions 2 - 1

^

Mister Gooey

Who cares! It's a pure money making exercise.

jamiedav2011

Wallabies 3-0

Pretty much sure it'll end up 2-1 Lions if Gattie gets the team right.

P_1

Going to go for a 1-1 draw just to be different

andrewdcs

Wallabies 3-0

2 - 1 to the tourists, winning the first and third tests, third one with a last second BOD trademark line poach.

.ak

Deleted User wrote: »

do a public poll (should be able to add it now still)

Lions 2 - 1 Aus

Added poll.

urajoke

Series Draw

2-1 OZ

force eleven

Aussie win 3-0. They'll just see the Lions as a 37 man whinging pommy team, regardless of what we think and know. They'll be up for it big time. Its a once in a career event for the Southern Hemisphere players.

Coleridge

Series Draw

Went for Wallabies 2-1 but at this stage, too early to say.

I think we have a pretty good idea how the Lions will play based on the squad.

If the Wallabies pack secure enough ball, I can see them winning the first two tests comfortably with that backline. I think the Lions will then restore some pride in the 3rd.

bilston

Wallabies 3-0

I think the Lions will win 2-1, however I do have concerns over Wales's dreadful record against the Qantas Wallabies and if they dominate the team then that might be a problem.

thomond2006

Rory Best

Grimebox

Wallabies 3-0

I really am not rooting for the Lions as much as I thought I would anymore. The selection baffles me

Noffles

2-1 to the Lions would be my thoughts...

Roll on the build up!!!!!

toomevara

Wallabies 3-0

2-1 to the Lions, just. There's a bit of a sense abroad that the Aussies are the easiest meat of the SH teams at the minute. Just don't buy it. Beating the wallabies in their own back yard is going to be a massive task.This is going to be a really attritional tour with a proper old fashioned 'tour' feel. The dirt trackers are going to have it rough. The likes of the 'Tahs and the Reds are going to be difficult to beat and there'll be injuries, lots of injuries... Another interesting poll might be the results of the mid-week games...

trouttrout

Series Draw

Mister Gooey wrote: »

Who cares! It's a pure money making exercise.

Well lots of people really, it's hugely popular

And nearly every sporting event these days is a money making exercise

JustinDee

Series Draw

Mister Gooey wrote: »

Who cares! It's a pure money making exercise.

The players touring will not only care but benefit immensely from their tour experience with players from the other three nations. Will hardly make a dent in Australia with anyone bar Fairfax and Fox media outlets given the state of the sport there, but its still massive with British and Irish rugby fans.

It is a traditional tour. There aren't many traditions left in sport these days. This makes it worthwhile keeping an interest in, even if you like myself couldn't give a stuff who wins it. There's test rugby to enjoy.

rchendz92

Series Draw

2-1 Ozzies. Have no faith in a team captained by Warburton. It will be a Welsh dominated team and that will give the Australians confidence with recent history.

.ak

Mister Gooey wrote: »

Who cares! It's a pure money making exercise.

Everyone?

SebBerkovich

Wallabies 3-0

.ak wrote: »

Everyone?

Rory Best?

keano_afc

Wallabies 3-0

GiftofGab wrote: »

I think people are totally underestimating the Aussie team. All their players are hitting form in the Super XV and their backline is sensational. You also have to think that the Lions won't have very much time together to gel as a team compared to an international team.

I think it'll be close with the Australia winning the 1st game in Suncorp Stadium (which they have an amazing record at) and the Lions to closely snatch the remaining 2 games. The main thing that stands for the Lions is the depth in the squad. They can afford to have injuries without damaging their team too much.

Unless those injuries are at fly half.

Stev_o

Wallabies 3-0

2-1, gotta hammer these crims! In all seriousness though the Aussies management is in disarray lately, the team itself is extremely light in major places. I think the Lions can dominate set pieces, at least establish parity at the breakdown and then completely dominate midfield.

The big thing for me though is who the Aussies going with for their back 3. If they go Ioani, Folau and Mogg in any order id be worried as they ll kill us for bad kicking.

Swiwi

Series Draw

I reckon (& hope) it will come down to a decider. I'd pick Oz for Test 1, and Lions for Test 2, and then it's all fun & games. Either side wrapping it up after 2 matches makes for a somewhat more lame 3rd test, pride the main thing at stake in that case.

Swiwi

Series Draw

Stev_o wrote: »

2-1, gotta hammer these crims! In all seriousness though the Aussies management is in disarray lately, the team itself is extremely light in major places. I think the Lions can dominate set pieces, at least establish parity at the breakdown and then completely dominate midfield.

The big thing for me though is who the Aussies going with for their back 3. If they go Ioani, Folau and Mogg in any order id be worried as they ll kill us for bad kicking.

?

AAC is a very classy centre, and they will either have solid defensive or creative 12s. Midfield is not one spot I'd pick the Lions to crush the Aussies.

sydthebeat

Series Draw

I can't seem to settle on who will win, so my prediction at this stage is that there will be less than a 15 difference in margins over the three games.

Tox56

Swiwi wrote: »

?

AAC is a very classy centre, and they will either have solid defensive or creative 12s. Midfield is not one spot I'd pick the Lions to crush the Aussies.

Most important area though, Lions getting the advantage here would be huge. Seen a few ex-pros with a Roberts-Tuilagi or Roberts-Davies midfield, and I hope to god it doesn't come to that. Get BOD beside one of Roberts or Tuilagi, we'll need somreone with his experience/class/nous and (most importantly) distribution at 13. I have a nagging feeling that our advantage up front will be neglible and they will simply outclass us in the backs.

Glass Prison 1214

Series Draw

Not very confident after seeing the squad, Australia to win the first two tests and Lions to win the third.

Swiwi

Series Draw

Tox56 wrote: »

Most important area though, Lions getting the advantage here would be huge. Seen a few ex-pros with a Roberts-Tuilagi or Roberts-Davies midfield, and I hope to god it doesn't come to that. Get BOD beside one of Roberts or Tuilagi, we'll need somreone with his experience/class/nous and (most importantly) distribution at 13. I have a nagging feeling that our advantage up front will be neglible and they will simply outclass us in the backs.

IMO it's a no-brainer that Roberts-BOD are instilled provisionally as the starting centre pair given 2009, and Tualagi-Davies told to show in the warm-up matches why they should be preferred. I still find the mix of the backline weird - 3 outside centres and only 1 inside centre, only 2 flyhalves but 3 fullbacks + Maitland at a pinch. It doesn't take an expert to work out that the Lions are going to try using Roberts as a crash-ball, so if that fails, I wonder what plan B is - ?use Roberts as a decoy only. I don't think Aussie will select Cooper at 10, which limits the crash-ball to a certain extent.

irishgoldberg

Im feeling happy tonight so il go 2-1 lions.

Tox56

Swiwi wrote: »

IMO it's a no-brainer that Roberts-BOD are instilled provisionally as the starting centre pair given 2009, and Tualagi-Davies told to show in the warm-up matches why they should be preferred. I still find the mix of the backline weird - 3 outside centres and only 1 inside centre, only 2 flyhalves but 3 fullbacks + Maitland at a pinch. It doesn't take an expert to work out that the Lions are going to try using Roberts as a crash-ball, so if that fails, I wonder what plan B is - ?use Roberts as a decoy only. I don't think Aussie will select Cooper at 10, which limits the crash-ball to a certain extent.

I'm sure the infamous Sexton loop will see some exposure, although I can't see Roberts or Tuilagi having the deft handling required to execute the move from 12 as D'Arcy so often does... Would expect to see Sexton and BOD combining though, it's so simple but it works so well...

http://youtu.be/YsYcFuzE8_0?t=1m51s

WorldRugby99

aussies backline is a class above lions in my opinion-the skillsets,the slick moves,handling etc- genia,o connor,beale,ioane and add in possible new guys like folau,mogg and lealiifano its some amount of talent and if that lot are in form,can see them cutting lions apart a bit provided their pack can gain some kind of parity and give them ball. And i think many of their forwards are of better quality then people give them credit for. Hooper/Smith with pocock injured are great options and horwill is a terrific lock.even front row is improved. Lions are hoping to dominate up front and be more powerful and physical and then use roberts/north to get over the gainline.will it work though?

history tells us lions rarely win series and although this isnt a seriously good australia team,i dont think its a seriously good lions team either(how many lions would genuinely make a world XV(and please take the ingrained national bias away for a minute)?
like most series first test is so crucial
got to fancy aussies to nick it 2-1.

trouttrout

Series Draw

WorldRugby99 wrote: »

aussies backline is a class above lions in my opinion-the skillsets,the slick moves,handling etc- genia,o connor,beale,ioane and add in possible new guys like folau,mogg and lealiifano its some amount of talent and if that lot are in form,can see them cutting lions apart a bit provided their pack can gain some kind of parity and give them ball. And i think many of their forwards are of better quality then people give them credit for. Hooper/Smith with pocock injured are great options and horwill is a terrific lock.even front row is improved. Lions are hoping to dominate up front and be more powerful and physical and then use roberts/north to get over the gainline.will it work though?

history tells us lions rarely win series and although this isnt a seriously good australia team,i dont think its a seriously good lions team either(how many lions would genuinely make a world XV(and please take the ingrained national bias away for a minute)?
like most series first test is so crucial
got to fancy aussies to nick it 2-1.

It's annoying that you always feel the need to say something like this as if you're some sort of beacon of objectivity and we're nothing more than blinded by bias fools

Grimebox

Wallabies 3-0

In all honesty, which of the Lions would make the world XV?

BOD?
Cian Healy?
Tipuric?

trouttrout

Series Draw

Grimebox wrote: »

In all honesty, which of the Lions would make the world XV?

BOD?
Cian Healy?
Tipuric?

Not even disagreeing with that, just grates me

WorldRugby99

trouttrout wrote: »

It's annoying that you always feel the need to say something like this as if you're some sort of beacon of objectivity and we're nothing more than blinded by bias fools

well this forum is rather noted and recognized for the 'everyone irish is truly brilliant' not from every poster but by many. objectivity on the merits of many players hasnt always been there-just saying-feel free to disagree.

world XV
BOD? yeah maybe few years ago when he had pace
tipuric?couple of decent 6 nations game thats all. Likes of mccaw,pocock,dusautoir been doing it for far longer!early days just slightly
Healy? wouldnt have him ahead of domingo-domingo great in loose and great scrummager.
for me only probably adam jones would make a current world XV from lions squad.

Wallabies 3-0

Healy close
Jones there
POC close
SOB close

that's about it really.

I'm a massive Halfpenny fan but Dagg is just unreal.

Swiwi

Series Draw

Deleted User wrote: »

Healy close
Jones there
POC close
SOB close

that's about it really.

I'm a massive Halfpenny fan but Dagg is just unreal.

Healy & Jones are up there. POC on a very good day. Ditto for SOB. Possibly BOD, but his best days probably behind him. I like HP too, but I must say when Dagg is on form he is pretty incredible.

What about Aussie? Genia, best scrumhalf on the planet by a country mile. Horwill can be great, don't know about world XV, though. Maybe Digby. A lot of their other players are very good though - all of their 7s, JOC on his day, ditto for AAC etc.

Podge_irl

Don't think many Aussies would make it either though, so its irrelevant.

Swiwi

Series Draw

Podge_irl wrote: »

Don't think many Aussies would make it either though, so its irrelevant.

Yeah, their only nailed on world XV player is Genia. There's no doubt it should be a close series. I will be genuinely intrigued to see how the likes of Leliafano, Mogg, Folau go, they look good in the SXV, but that's not test match rugby. I also think the Aussie props have been going OK, so I'm not banking on Lions scrum domination, either.

matthew8

Series Draw

I'd put Genia and JOC in a world xv, and maybe Horwill and AAC.

Glass Prison 1214

Series Draw

I think someone needs to start a world XV thread for this debate.