Lions 2017 [MOD WARNING IN OP]

Erik Shin

Buer wrote: »

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

I know!

snowflaker

Jump_In_Jack

A guess at Lions 15 to face Maoris, 15-1:
Watson, North, Payne, Henshaw, Daly, Farrell, Murray, Faletau, Warburton, O'Mahony, Itoje, Kruis, Sinkler, George, Vunipola,
Bench: Owens, Marler, Furlong, Laws, O'Brien, Webb, Sexton, Te'o

irishbucsfan

Team to play Highlanders:

Team: Payne; Nowell, Seymour; Joseph, Henshaw, Biggar; Webb; Marler, Best, Sinckler; Lawes, Henderson; Haskell, Warburton (captain), Stander

Payne at 15 is very interesting indeed.

Buer

Absolute stink of dirt tracker off that line up. Not a good sign for Stander.

Erik Shin

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Team to play Highlanders:



Payne at 15 is very interesting indeed.

If he was fit and firing on all cylinders I'd agree...but think he's in no man's land already along with Henshaw...I hope to be proven wrong

Burkie1203

Buer wrote: »

Absolute stink of dirt tracker off that line up. Not a good sign for Stander.

Haskell/POM/SoB will wear 6 with one of other 2 on bench with Warburton and Faletau at 7 and 8 IMO.

The real mccoy 91

Burkie1203 wrote:

Haskell/POM/SoB will wear 6 with one of other 2 on bench with Warburton and Faletau at 7 and 8 IMO.

Haskell won't be near the test squad he's bang out of form atm any news on moriarty? Interesting that he's not in the squad he could be in with a shout

Buer

I would say it's a straight call between POM and Moriarty now.

Stander hasn't been looked at really as a flanker so, combined with starting this one, it looks like he's on the outside.

sydthebeat

A brief run down in the Highlanders if anyone's interested.

First off, naholo released to play here is a big boost. It's in the back line that we pack the most punch. Sopoaga, fekitoa, naholo are all test capped players, and we have tevita li outside who some might remember from lighting up the 20s rwc in 14 and 15. Hemmington is no Aaron Smith but he's a decent scrummie who's orders will be get it away from contact ASAP. Bucky at 15 is a fan favourite and probably the least looking rugby player in the 46 for the game, but deadly and has a classic rugby brain. Walden at 12 would be generally second string and we're missing faddes (injury) and Thompson (Maori) .

Up from its a decent from 3 both starting and on the bench, pretty much a full strength 6 to pick from, Coleman being the only cap here. It's in the second row that we are most weakened. Ainley is a gnarly 35yo (think triggs) but he has relative newbie in hempo before him and dickson will be a debutant from the bench.
Franklin and wheeler would usually start here but are with the maoris.
In the back row we're OK, but nowhere near the calibre of what the lions have. Whitelock and Evans are decent pros and dillon hunt is an exciting new young talent at 7.

All in all I expect us to do some damage out wide. Targeting Newell, Seymour and Joseph.
However we will be under sever pressure at the line out. Ainley is the tallest at 6 5, but not exactly an acrobat. The scrum will be under pressure too but quick ball will be the order of the day to release those backs.

I expect a high scoring game. The lions could triple their try scoring stats here. However the Highlanders would probably be second only to the Canes in their ability to score from broken play and turnovers.

Hopefully it will be a dry track and a game where the lions are more expressive. If they want, they will be able to grind the Highlanders forwards all day.... Hopefully it won't come to that.

Lions by about 10
Sopoaga to school Biggar on how to run a back line.
Highlanders to score more tries but still lose.... And the barracuda to get a tasty try

Clareman

For the next game I think that team is the mid-weak team BUT I would say that the backrow is the most competitive part of the team so Stander playing with Warburton might be all about combinations.

On another note, isn't it great to not see any reports of people having to leave the tour, seemed to be in Australia that someone was going home after every game.

irishbucsfan

I think the back row and back 3 are guys who can get into the test side. Noone is standing out at 15. I think its significant that Seymour and Nowell are both playing across from their natural sides. Stander hasn't played great so far but I feel like they're trying to give him every chance to make the test 23, Warburton will make that side without too much hassle.

Clareman

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I think the back row and back 3 are guys who can get into the test side. Noone is standing out at 15. I think its significant that Seymour and Nowell are both playing across from their natural sides. Stander hasn't played great so far but I feel like they're trying to give him every chance to make the test 23, Warburton will make that side without too much hassle.

I think as well that it's all about people that can play in multiple positions so they can swop in and out as needed, I noticed Sexton and Farrell swopping between 10 and 12 a lot yesterday as well as the likes of PoM popping up all over the place.

swiwi_

sydthebeat wrote: »

A brief run down in the Highlanders if anyone's interested.

First off, naholo released to play here is a big boost. It's in the back line that we pack the most punch. Sopoaga, fekitoa, naholo are all test capped players, and we have tevita li outside who some might remember from lighting up the 20s rwc in 14 and 15. Hemmington is no Aaron Smith but he's a decent scrummie who's orders will be get it away from contact ASAP. Bucky at 15 is a fan favourite and probably the least looking rugby player in the 46 for the game, but deadly and has a classic rugby brain. Waldren at 12 would be generally second string and im surprised these no faddes or Thompson named.

Up from its a decent from 3 both starting and on the bench, pretty much a full strength 6 to pick from, Coleman being the only cap here. It's in the second row that we are most weakened. Ainley is a gnarly 35yo (think triggs) but he has relative newbie in hempo before him and dickson will be a debutant from the bench.
Franklin and wheeler would usually start here but are with the maoris.
In the back row we're OK, but nowhere near the calibre of what the lions have. Whitelock and Evans are decent pros and dillon hunt is an exciting new young talent at 7.

All in all I expect us to do some damage out wide. Targeting Newell, Seymour and Joseph.
However we will be under sever pressure at the line out. Ainley is the tallest at 6 5, but not exactly an acrobat. The scrum will be under pressure too but quick ball will be the order of the day to release those backs.

I expect a high scoring game. The lions could triple their try scoring stats here. However the Highlanders would probably be second only to the Canes in their ability to score from broken play and turnovers.

Hopefully it will be a dry track and a game where the lions are more expressive. If they want, they will be able to grind the Highlanders forwards all day.... Hopefully it won't come to that.

Lions by about 10
Sopoaga to school Biggar on how to run a back line.
Highlanders to score more tries but still lose.... And the barracuda to get a tasty try

Unavailable due to injury: Liam Squire, Matt Faddes

Unavailable due to All Blacks selection: Ben Smith, Aaron Smith

Unavailable due to NZ Maori selection: Elliot Dixon, Ash Dixon, Joe Wheeler, Rob Thompson, Tom Franklin

Don't think the Highlanders will get enough ball with their weakened pack myself. If they do the backline is handy although Thompson is a loss.

Lions by 10ish seems about right.

It was weird seeing Earls giving a masterclass last night while the lions outside backs have bumbled their way through the tour so far.

sydthebeat

swiwi_ wrote: »

Unavailable due to injury: Liam Squire, Matt Faddes

Unavailable due to All Blacks selection: Ben Smith, Aaron Smith

Unavailable due to NZ Maori selection: Elliot Dixon, Ash Dixon, Joe Wheeler, Rob Thompson, Tom Franklin

Don't think the Highlanders will get enough ball with their weakened pack myself. If they do the backline is handy although Thompson is a loss.

Lions by 10ish seems about right.

It was weird seeing Earls giving a masterclass last night while the lions outside backs have bumbled their way through the tour so far.

Naholo running down Seymour throat, and Li turning nowell is a mouthwatering prospect.... But yeah, if we can get the ball out quick enough.

Big opportunity for Rory to show off as the line out maul will be a big weapon and more often than not he will be at the back of it.

leakyboots

Where's all this about Stander hasnt played well... did he not top the charts for carries and tackles in one of his games? Bad spilled ball the other day alright but I don't think he's as out of contention as some on here think/hope

irishbucsfan

leakyboots wrote: »

Where's all this about Stander hasnt played well... did he not top the charts for carries and tackles in one of his games? Bad spilled ball the other day alright but I don't think he's as out of contention as some on here think/hope

There's no agenda against Stander, he just hasn't been as impressive as Faletau was and it'll be a struggle to get into the starting side as a flanker, especially with him starting at 8 this week.

swiwi_

On the NZ injury front, currently Dane Coles and Liam Squire are the only 2 players definitely ruled out of the first test. Kaino, Read, Crotty, Cruden, Scott Barrett all looking to be fit.

I hope both sides are at full strength, so far no major injuries for the Lions which is happy news.

Buer

leakyboots wrote:

Where's all this about Stander hasnt played well... did he not top the charts for carries and tackles in one of his games? Bad spilled ball the other day alright but I don't think he's as out of contention as some on here think/hope

I think you're looking to be offended. Nobody is hoping he doesn't make it. He has been decent but so have all the back row players.

People are basing their opinions on the fact that he's starting the midweek game. It's a bad indication. The line up is obviously made up largely of guys who won't be starting the test.

He might well feature. But the signs suggest he won't at this point.

Erik Shin

Clareman wrote: »

For the next game I think that team is the mid-weak team BUT I would say that the backrow is the most competitive part of the team so Stander playing with Warburton might be all about combinations.

On another note, isn't it great to not see any reports of people having to leave the tour, seemed to be in Australia that someone was going home after every game.

And reports this morning that Hogg may be in trouble with a broken cheekbone

STADEdeLUC

Jamie George was brilliant I thought. Should start the first test IMO and EJ should really be taking note of him over Hartley for ENG

The real mccoy 91

Hogg is going to see a specialist in the next few days I just read that moriarty is struggling with a back injury and can't do full training davies is fine after and yesterday and Murray dislocated a finger and will take it easy this week

Buer

The real mccoy 91 wrote:

Hogg is going to see a specialist in the next few days I just read that moriarty is struggling with a back injury and can't do full training davies is fine after and yesterday and Murray dislocated a finger and will take it easy this week

That's POM, Warburton and Faletau for the test side I reckon then with SOB at 20.

It was unusual to see Moriarty not involved in any capacity for three games in a row.

irishbucsfan

Buer wrote: »

That's POM, Warburton and Faletau for the test side I reckon then with SOB at 20.

It was unusual to see Moriarty not involved in any capacity for three games in a row.

I suggested POM would be a test starter before the tour began but I think it's still slightly early to tell.

I thought it'd be POM, Warburton, Stander but Faletau has almost certainly nailed down that 8 jersey I'd imagine. I think we could see Stander in the 20 jersey at least but he needs to perform this week.

awec

sydthebeat wrote: »

A brief run down in the Highlanders if anyone's interested.

First off, naholo released to play here is a big boost. It's in the back line that we pack the most punch. Sopoaga, fekitoa, naholo are all test capped players, and we have tevita li outside who some might remember from lighting up the 20s rwc in 14 and 15. Hemmington is no Aaron Smith but he's a decent scrummie who's orders will be get it away from contact ASAP. Bucky at 15 is a fan favourite and probably the least looking rugby player in the 46 for the game, but deadly and has a classic rugby brain. Walden at 12 would be generally second string and we're missing faddes (injury) and Thompson (Maori) .

Up from its a decent from 3 both starting and on the bench, pretty much a full strength 6 to pick from, Coleman being the only cap here. It's in the second row that we are most weakened. Ainley is a gnarly 35yo (think triggs) but he has relative newbie in hempo before him and dickson will be a debutant from the bench.
Franklin and wheeler would usually start here but are with the maoris.
In the back row we're OK, but nowhere near the calibre of what the lions have. Whitelock and Evans are decent pros and dillon hunt is an exciting new young talent at 7.

All in all I expect us to do some damage out wide. Targeting Newell, Seymour and Joseph.
However we will be under sever pressure at the line out. Ainley is the tallest at 6 5, but not exactly an acrobat. The scrum will be under pressure too but quick ball will be the order of the day to release those backs.

I expect a high scoring game. The lions could triple their try scoring stats here. However the Highlanders would probably be second only to the Canes in their ability to score from broken play and turnovers.

Hopefully it will be a dry track and a game where the lions are more expressive. If they want, they will be able to grind the Highlanders forwards all day.... Hopefully it won't come to that.

Lions by about 10
Sopoaga to school Biggar on how to run a back line.
Highlanders to score more tries but still lose.... And the barracuda to get a tasty try

Are you a kiwi? How many bloody kiwis do we have on this forum?

Burkie1203

leakyboots wrote: »

Where's all this about Stander hasnt played well... did he not top the charts for carries and tackles in one of his games? Bad spilled ball the other day alright but I don't think he's as out of contention as some on here think/hope

Go back a few months and there was calls for guys with similar stats playing backrow for ireland and there was calls for them to be dropped.

Stander has been ok, worked hard but thats not enough so far compared to others who have been better. Faletau is nailed on at 8 IMO barring injury. Warburton likewise at 7.

6 is a toss up. Moriarty injured doesnt help his cause. I think SoB might get the nod there ahead of PoM.

For Stander to get into test 23 he needs a huge performance this weekend.

awec

awec wrote: »

Are you a kiwi? How many bloody kiwis do we have on this forum?

How long have ye been in Ireland and are you now IQ...

Erik Shin

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Go back a few months and there was calls for guys with similar stats playing backrow for ireland and there was calls for them to be dropped.

Stander has been ok, worked hard but thats not enough so far compared to others who have been better. Faletau is nailed on at 8 IMO barring injury. Warburton likewise at 7.

6 is a toss up. Moriarty injured doesnt help his cause. I think SoB might get the nod there ahead of PoM.

For Stander to get into test 23 he needs a huge performance this weekend.

Stander is in the test 23...it's whether or not be starts is the question

sydthebeat

awec wrote: »

Are you a kiwi? How many bloody kiwis do we have on this forum?

No im an offaly man.

mfceiling

awec wrote: »

Are you a kiwi? How many bloody kiwis do we have on this forum?

You've just insulted a midlands buffalo!!