Lions 2017 [MOD WARNING IN OP]

swiwi_

I'm still marvelling at Murray's box-kicking. Could land the ball on a 5c piece I reckon. An absolute weapon.

irishbucsfan

I'll be absolutely shocked if Daly is in the test team. There's been no indication that's likely so far. He's the 3rd most likely English winger.

.ak

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I'll be absolutely shocked if Daly is in the test team. There's been no indication that's likely so far. He's the 3rd most likely English winger.

TBH the only two back three players that have shown any sort of endeavour, skill or work rate have been Watson and Daly. Williams is struggling to find form, North looked like a disinterested donkey today, Seymour completely failed to impress - who else is there?

The fact Daly has a massive boot, great under high ball, a huge skill set and can play 13 makes him a likely starter for me.

.ak

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

I don't think it's even a complaint about them having to play intricate attacking rugby, it's about playing any kind of attacking rugby.

Ireland did beat NZ off of forwards ball and set pieces, but the lions haven't been able to convert any type of attacking moves at all so far. 2 tries in 3 games.

You don't have to put up huge numbers against the All Blacks, but you definitely need to convert the chances you get because this kind of tight margin rugby the Lions have played so far means one or two lapses could but the ABs well ahead.

The Lions are playing attacking rugby, if you have the ball and you're trying to find the try line by definition you're attacking. That's not the issue, the intent or the plan is not the issue. The issue is the execution and awareness. But that should lie with Howley - the backs are lost at sea at times, over running everything, passing to touch, not calling overlaps etc., etc. This is basic stuff. The lads don't want to play up the jumper rugby, it's just happening because it appears the prep work hasn't been done effectively.

Buer

irishbucsfan wrote:

I'll be absolutely shocked if Daly is in the test team. There's been no indication that's likely so far. He's the 3rd most likely English winger.

Dunno about third most likely but can't see him in the 23 at all. I get the impression that himself, Nowell, Seymour and Joseph are nailed on dirt trackers already.

irishbucsfan

.ak wrote: »

TBH the only two back three players that have shown any sort of endeavour, skill or work rate have been Watson and Daly. Williams is struggling to find form, North looked like a disinterested donkey today, Seymour completely failed to impress - who else is there?

The fact Daly has a massive boot, great under high ball, a huge skill set and can play 13 makes him a likely starter for me.

There's Jack Nowell. Which is why I said Daly is the 3rd most likely English winger.

But you're overrating his skillset and defensive ability a fair amount I think. His size as well is a weakness in this side.

irishbucsfan

Buer wrote: »

Dunno about third most likely but can't see him in the 23 at all. I get the impression that himself, Nowell, Seymour and Joseph are nailed on dirt trackers already.

I wouldn't be as surprised if Nowell or Seymour were in that 14 jersey, because they're a bit more accomplished defensively. But yes, I think it'll be Watson there and Williams or North on the other wing.

.ak

irishbucsfan wrote: »

There's Jack Nowell. Which is why I said Daly is the 3rd most likely English winger.

But you're overrating his skillset and defensive ability a fair amount I think. His size as well is a weakness in this side.

Nowell played himself out of contention.

Anyway, opinions and all that, let's wait and see... right now I can't see the two favourites starting; Williams and North... playing like drains. North especially, musn't be fit. Was a passenger today.

irishbucsfan

.ak wrote: »

Nowell played himself out of contention.

Anyway, opinions and all that, let's wait and see... right now I can't see the two favourites starting; Williams and North... playing like drains. North especially, musn't be fit. Was a passenger today.

These guys haven't been brought across the globe to be completely dismissed after one game. If that was possible Sexton would be on ice. There's a game on Wednesday and another Saturday, I'd imagine we'll see Nowell and Seymour there. North and Williams will be close to the test team even if they don't play again before it, purely due to their talent levels.

swiwi_

Buer wrote: »

Just on the criticism of the poor attacking and lack of back line ability, yup, not a lot to shout about there but Ireland have proven that you don't need it to beat NZ. We won in Chicago without a huge amount on invention. We scored tries off set piece plays and direct rugby.

People can say that you won't beat NZ with penalties but you don't necessarily win it by playing intricate attacking rugby either. You win it by dominating them physically and, most difficult, shutting them down as much as possible.

NZ have only failed to in 9 games since 2010. In 3 of those games, the opposition didn't score a try. Much more importantly, they held NZ to a single try between the 3 matches combined. If the Lions can shut NZ down and get their line speed and tackling right, they're in with a very slight chance of winning a test.

Traditionally, SA have been the team who have given NZ the most difficulty and beaten them more than any other. They haven't done that with attacking rugby. Brutal to watch but I don't think Gatland is going to be too worried about no tries today. It was far, far more important that a very potent Crusaders attack came away with 3 points in 80 minutes.

This is definitely the way to beat nz. But the lions will need to convert 1 or 2 opportunities out wide to beat the ABs.

The Crusaders 8,9,10,12 were pretty woeful today and in theory nz should be better there.

From what I've seen so far

Vunipola
George
Furlong
Kruis
Itoje (but it will be AWJ)
?
? (but will be Warburton)
Faletau
Murray
Farrell
North
Teo
Davies
Williams (or Watson)
Halfpenny (or Williams)

I'd say only backrow and back three up for dibs.

AbusesToilets

I'm curious if Gatland will give Payne a run out at 15. Haven't been impressed with any of the lads who've played so far. Shocking to say it, but a fit Kearney would probably make hay in this team.

PhlegmyMoses

Thought Teo had a shocker today.

Dont think it looks great for a large Irish contingency for the test side either, which is bizarre considering the players who will likely miss out.

Erik Shin

AbusesToilets wrote: »

I'm curious if Gatland will give Payne a run out at 15. Haven't been impressed with any of the lads who've played so far. Shocking to say it, but a fit Kearney would probably make hay in this team.

I genuinely think Zebo is the big loss here as far as Irish players are concerned

Shane732

Looking at people's squad do people think Sexton is likely to get a start? Today was a better game but he doesn't look anywhere near as composed as Farrell.

Zebo is missed.

P.Walnuts

Shane732 wrote: »

Looking at people's squad do people think Sexton is likely to get a start? Today was a better game but he doesn't look anywhere near as composed as Farrell.

Zebo is missed.

He's really not tbh

All My Stars Aligned

My biggest fear before the tour was the impact it would have on next season for the provinces with all the talk of the Kiwi's targeting players in the warm up games. So far the games seem to have been played in as physical yet very sporting way. Fair dues to the Kiwis for their approach so far. As far as I can tell the Lions have had no serious injuries so far.

As for the Irish lad's, I won't be surprised if only two start the first test, Furlong & Murray with only another three making the bench (Sexton. McGrath and either SOB or POM).

TomsOnTheRoof

P.Walnuts wrote: »

He's really not tbh

In fairness, like him or loathe him you get the feeling that had he been playing today or last Wednesday then we would have done a lot better under the high ball.

swiwi_

Talking to a Japanese rugby fan following the game, I mentioned the Lions were continuing on their peripatetic ways with a trip to Dunedin. Taken aback, he asked me after today's game how I could suggest the Lions weren't playing well...

Peregrine

https://www.facebook.com/BritishandIrishLions/videos/1336292439759427/
I don't know why Rowntree doesn't get asked to do more press conferences!

All My Stars Aligned

All My Stars Aligned wrote: »

My biggest fear before the tour was the impact it would have on next season for the provinces with all the talk of the Kiwi's targeting players in the warm up games. So far the games seem to have been played in as physical yet very sporting way. Fair dues to the Kiwis for their approach so far. As far as I can tell the Lions have had no serious injuries so far.

As for the Irish lad's, I won't be surprised if only two start the first test, Furlong & Murray with only another three making the bench (Sexton. McGrath and either SOB or POM).

Looked a bit tired today. He's had a long season and played a serious amount of rugby.

awec

Shane732 wrote: »

Looking at people's squad do people think Sexton is likely to get a start? Today was a better game but he doesn't look anywhere near as composed as Farrell.

Zebo is missed.

I think Sexton was good today, night and day difference between today and his previous two performances.

But Farrell was better. The Lions looked really good with Murray and Farrell at 9 and 10 at the start of the match.

Farrell is definitely going to be in the starting 15, whether or not Sexton starts depends on where Gatland prefers to start Farrell.

All My Stars Aligned

Deleted User wrote: »

Looked a bit tired today. He's had a long season and played a serious amount of rugby.

I'd agree but I still think he'll make the first test 15.

Dog Botherer

An in-form Zebo would definitely be in with a shout of starting a test, only Watson has shown any form out of any of the back 3 players so far. Plus, Zebo can fill that second playmaker role that the Lions desperately seem to need.

All hypothetical of course.

irishman86

P.Walnuts wrote: »

He's really not tbh

Because the other wingers have been totes amazing :rolleyes:

molloyjh

Peregrine wrote: »

https://www.facebook.com/BritishandIrishLions/videos/1336292439759427/
I don't know why Rowntree doesn't get asked to do more press conferences!

That's excellent.

jacothelad

Peregrine wrote: »

https://www.facebook.com/BritishandIrishLions/videos/1336292439759427/
I don't know why Rowntree doesn't get asked to do more press conferences!

I think it's because they would have to pixilate him out in case children saw him.........:D

Buer

TomsOnTheRoof wrote: »

In fairness, like him or loathe him you get the feeling that had he been playing today or last Wednesday then we would have done a lot better under the high ball.

A kick chase seems to be the order of the day for Gatland and, in that regard, I think Earls has a far stronger case to be miffed than Zebo. Particularly given he had the better season by a bit, for me.

Buer

Just saw Hogg's face. Got some shiner off that elbow. Murray will owe him a pint!

Erik Shin

P.Walnuts wrote: »

He's really not tbh

He is...he's fckin gas crack....he could do one of the mime videos with George North doing Paddy Jackson's bit

Buer

Erik Shin wrote: »

George North doing Paddy Jackson's bit

I never imagined it could be more awkward than seeing a wee pasty ginger doing that but you proved me wrong.