Lions 2017 [MOD WARNING IN OP]

Former Former

thomond2006 wrote: »

Please don't give that site any clicks.

The worst is that they've set up a 'Paul O'Connell' facebook page and you have to look very closely to realise it's a tribute site set up by these pillocks.

Considering it now has 40,000 likes, I'm guessing most people fall for it so there's probably a lot of people out there who think Paul O'Connell actually took to Facebook to complain about McFadden being called into camp.

It's an absolutely toxic website. Just really nasty.

thomond2006

Former Former wrote: »

The worst is that they've set up a 'Paul O'Connell' facebook page and you have to look very closely to realise it's a tribute site set up by these pillocks.

Considering it now has 40,000 likes, I'm guessing most people fall for it so there's probably a lot of people out there who think Paul O'Connell actually took to Facebook to complain about McFadden being called into camp.

It's an absolutely toxic website. Just really nasty.

There's a ROG one too. Exact same, just sharing every FB post by the main account.

It's vile.

swiwi_

A chance to mingle with the locals.

errlloyd

Boyle Sports have suspended better on the Warburton. He was 1/5 and demand wasn't drying up.

Buer

I think he's a fair enough call. He has the experience, is a Lions test winning captain already and was very good in the 6N. I wouldn't argue too much with his inclusion. He's way ahead with all of the bookies who are offering odds at the moment.

If he gets the gig, regardless of what Gatland says, it probably leaves only one spot in the back row. I'd put good money on Vunipola having 8 sewn up by the test series.

Buer

On another note, I see only 2 of 10 Lions matches are set to be played on the south island. Bit of a kick in the balls for them, no?

Surely the opening game against the Provincial Union Team could have been played somewhere on the south island rather than Whangerai such as Nelson?

bilston

Any chance Denny Solomona will come into contention now that he has comitted to England?

Probably not...but the Lions are probably lacking a bit on the wing. I haven't seen much of him myself but there seems to be a fair bit of hype about him. 10 tries in 11 games for Sale I believe.

Yeah_Right

Buer wrote: »

On another note, I see only 2 of 10 Lions matches are set to be played on the south island. Bit of a kick in the balls for them, no?

Surely the opening game against the Provincial Union Team could have been played somewhere on the south island rather than Whangerai such as Nelson?

The South Island is a horrible place. Looks pretty but it's it's full of backward, inbred, hillbillies.

irishman86

Elvisjuice wrote: »

http://rugbylad.com/wales-legend-stephen-jones-names-his-lions-2017-squad/


anyway Jones can be banned from the internet ?

Dave Kearney :pac::pac: I needed a nice laugh.

Buer

You gonna sit there and take that, swiwi?!

CatFromHue

Buer wrote: »

On another note, I see only 2 of 10 Lions matches are set to be played on the south island. Bit of a kick in the balls for them, no?

Surely the opening game against the Provincial Union Team could have been played somewhere on the south island rather than Whangerai such as Nelson?

I'm guessing the game is in Whangarei due to logistics. Considering how little training time the squad will have together I doubt the management would have wanted to land in Auckland or Chch and then have to travel again to Nelson only to travel to Auckland for the game against the Blues.

Just checked on the 05 tour and they only played 3 games in the South Island then too. A sat - wed - sat (Dunedin, Invercargill, and then the first test in Chch) situation and then back up North.

basillarkin

CatFromHue wrote: »

I'm guessing the game is in Whangarei due to logistics. Considering how little training time the squad will have together I doubt the management would have wanted to land in Auckland or Chch and then have to travel again to Nelson only to travel to Auckland for the game against the Blues.

Just checked on the 05 tour and they only played 3 games in the South Island then too. A sat - wed - sat (Dunedin, Invercargill, and then the first test in Chch) situation and then back up North.

Was there in 05 some trip despite the hammerings. Preferred the south Island to be honest, so jealous of the lads making the trip this time.

swiwi_

Buer wrote: »

You gonna sit there and take that, swiwi?!

No, I'm not. Yeah_Right = JAFA.

(and in any case, I have an out clause - born in Wellington...should have read the fine print, YR the sucker!).

Yeah_Right

swiwi_ wrote: »

No, I'm not. Yeah_Right = JAFA.

(and in any case, I have an out clause - born in Wellington...should have read the fine print, YR the sucker!).

I'll have you know I'm not Just Another ****ing Aucklander. I'm a special kind of Aucklander. I'm a Shore Boy

Wellingtonian... So the family moved to ChCh to expand the gene pool there

swiwi_

Yeah_Right wrote: »

I'll have you know I'm not Just Another ****ing Aucklander. I'm a special kind of Aucklander. I'm a Shore Boy

Wellingtonian... So the family moved to ChCh to expand the gene pool there

A shore boy? So South African then...?

To Chch via Dannevirke - now there is a town to avoid...

Bridge93

South Island is a nicer spot for a holiday and is scenically spectacular but theres not a whole lot there city-wise outside of Christchurch and Dunedin. Probably fair enough the majority of games are on the north island but maybe a test could've been played in Christchurch with a bit more fixture arrangement.
Only twigged the Maori game is in Rotorua. Really enjoyable place to spend a few days even if it does stink. New Zealand is a fantastic country, would love to be heading down. The two weeks I was there was never enough to fit it all in properly.

Yeah_Right

The stadiums in the South Island aren't big enough for a test unfortunately. Nelson would have been a good option for the opening match but as someone else pointed out, the logistics would have been an issue.

Former Former

Is the main stadium in Christchurch being rebuilt?

Yeah_Right

Former Former wrote: »

Is the main stadium in Christchurch being rebuilt?

I don't think so. I haven't heard anything about it if it is. No idea what they are doing with it.

swiwi_

Yeah_Right wrote: »

I don't think so. I haven't heard anything about it if it is. No idea what they are doing with it.

It's the only thing not going ahead at the moment. Very expensive to build a covered stadium for 30,000+ people. Taxpayers rebelling a bit.

wp_rathead

swiwi_ wrote: »

It's the only thing not going ahead at the moment. Very expensive to build a covered stadium for 30,000+ people. Taxpayers rebelling a bit.

Hmm, so little chance of a 10,000 covered stadium getting build in Galway so

swiwi_

wp_rathead wrote: »

Hmm, so little chance of a 10,000 covered stadium getting build in Galway so

Indeedy. I think Chch would like to emulate Dunedin, but with increased capacity, and that roof just bumps up the price substantially.

The Sportsground with a roof would be very cool...

Zzippy

I see PP have NZ -8 for the first test. That might entice a few early bets one way or the other...

Rightwing

Zzippy wrote: »

I see PP have NZ -8 for the first test. That might entice a few early bets one way or the other...

It started off @ -7, but really it's too early, injuries etc. Lions schedule will be tough down there, and those NZ boys will be pretty dirty.

FellasFellas

Biggar and Russell played themselves off the plane I think yesterday, on form now - Sexton, Farrell and Carbery should go as our 10's.

wp_rathead

FellasFellas wrote: »

Biggar and Russell played themselves off the plane I think yesterday, on form now - Sexton, Farrell and Carbery should go as our 10's.

Ah now, mind if I pull the breaks on this hype train?

wp_rathead

wp_rathead wrote: »

Ah now, mind if I pull the breaks on this hype train?

IT HAS NO BRAKESSSSS CHOOCHOO

Buer

They went with only two outhalves last time. They might just go with Farrell and Sexton again. An outside chance would be Greg Laidlaw who gives them that flexibility as someone who genuinely can cover 10 as opposed to the shambles that was Hogg playing outhalf for a game on the last tour.

Carbery is a hugely unlikely name to be called out on the 19th but stranger things have happened. I don't expect him to be named but I do think he's someone that could be called up as injury cover. Someone who can genuinely play 10 and 15 to a high standard would be a great boost.

The weekend was the last realistic opportunity for some people to stake their claims. The big winner to my mind was SOB from all those who aren't assured spots. He showed that he can still play that strong carrying game and looked a cut above guys like Haskell and Hughes who were starting for England. I think he might have really pushed himself back into the mix now.

irishbucsfan

They do always take a chungfla so maybe Carberry might be the big surprise.

Podge_irl

If there is any expectation of playing Sexton and Farrell at 10 and 12 then they will need to bring another outhalf I would have thought.