Lions Tour

joseywhales · 07-05-2021 3:33pm

In fairness to Bundee, last time we beat South Africa, he injured their prop in the first 30 seconds with a leg breaker, it really set the tone for the game...although that was about 4 years ago.

lawrencesummers · 07-05-2021 3:48pm

Maybe instead of playing Japan they should warm up with a game against the barbarians made of of just British and Irish players that were not picked.

That could get tasty.

Lost Ormond · 07-05-2021 3:53pm

lawrencesummers wrote: »

Maybe instead of playing Japan they should warm up with a game against the barbarians made of of just British and Irish players that were not picked.

That could get tasty.

And would be of little benefit to success of the tour/test series when you are simply playing another side of players just thrown together.
A game against Argentina/Japan/whoever.. will benefit Lions ahead of tour far more than that

TRC10 · 07-05-2021 3:58pm

Lost Ormond wrote: »

And would be of little benefit to success of the tour/test series when you are simply playing another side of players just thrown together.
A game against Argentina/Japan/whoever.. will benefit Lions ahead of tour far more than that

100% agree. They played the barbarians in 2013 and it was a total pisstake. Absolutely demolished them and probably learnt nothing. The game against Japan will be very beneficial.

Elliot Daly and Jared Payne both played for the Baa Baas that day too. I wonder how many other players have played for and against the Lions?

Quin_Dub · 07-05-2021 4:52pm

TRC10 wrote: »

100% agree. They played the barbarians in 2013 and it was a total pisstake. Absolutely demolished them and probably learnt nothing. The game against Japan will be very beneficial.

Elliot Daly and Jared Payne both played for the Baa Baas that day too. I wonder how many other players have played for and against the Lions?

Ricki Flutey was probably the main one , played against for NZ Maori and one of the regional teams back in 2005 and then after qualifying for England he played for the Lions later on

UAEguy2020 · 07-05-2021 5:23pm

lawrencesummers wrote: »

Simmons is playing worescter and Newcastle while Conan is playing dragons and Benetton.

Quelle problem?

Conan plays test rugby, Simmonds doesn’t... there’s the difference.

UAEguy2020 · 07-05-2021 5:25pm

aloooof wrote: »

What, 6-7 months ago?

I'm not making a case for his inclusion; just saying it's not a "mockery".

And Jersey Reds and Ealing Trailfinders is standard the Saracens lads play against regularly.

Ritchie is definitely one of a few who will feel unlucky, he had an excellent 6 Nations.

Will leave it there...

No because the Saracens lads play for England, I lost a lot of respect for Gatland after this selection of I’m honest, totally sold out to the media on this occasion.

UAEguy2020 · 07-05-2021 5:26pm

OldRio wrote: »

How did Exeter v Leinster go? Simmonds v Conan?

Also Conan played well against the potential European Champions last weekend.

Quelle problem?

In all fairness Jones doesn't pick Simmonds because Jones is a dick, simple as that. Both players deserve their place.

Tell us how Simmonds deserves his place, what quality does he posses that makes him such a must pick despite not playing test rugby?

UAEguy2020 · 07-05-2021 5:28pm

TRC10 wrote: »

15-Keenan
14-May
13-Ringrose/Slade
12-Davies/Tuilagi
11-Stockdale/Earls
10-Sexton/Ford
9-T.Williams
1-Healy/Marler
2-Kelleher/Herring
3-Sinckler
4-Gray
5-Ryan
6-Stander
7-Navidi/Underhill
8-Billy.V

I still don’t get how J.Davies is even in the conversation anymore, totally past it and being picked by people souley on reputation.

aloooof · 07-05-2021 5:28pm

UAEguy2020 wrote: »

No because the Saracens lads play for England, I lost a lot of respect for Gatland after this selection of I’m honest, totally sold out to the media on this occasion.

They played awfully for England during the 6 Nations, by any measure.

TRC10 · 07-05-2021 5:34pm

UAEguy2020 wrote: »

Tell us how Simmonds deserves his place, what quality does he posses that makes him such a must pick despite not playing test rugby?

Deserves his place because he was the European POTY in 2020 and best player in the prem by a country mile.

He doesn't play test rugby but that's not because he isn't good enough to.

Ask yourself this.

What enhances Gatland's reputation more?

Picking a player that the media are calling for.

Or winning a test series in South Africa.

It's the latter. So why would he do anything other than pick the best squad to win a test series? The notion that he's "selling out" is such nonsense

TRC10 · 07-05-2021 5:36pm

UAEguy2020 wrote: »

I still don’t get how J.Davies is even in the conversation anymore, totally past it and being picked by people souley on reputation.

Same thing was said about Sexton in 2017

Same thing was said about Alun Wyn Jones in January

Buer · 07-05-2021 5:45pm

Gatland has clearly gone with a very specific approach in mind. He's looked at how SA won the RWC and is planning to combat that with a few notable caveats where he's rolling the dice on different types of player in the likes of Watson or Simmonds who are both excellent open field players and would perform well in terms of being impact players.

He has gone with the biggest, most physical selection he can find. His tightheads are all 120kg+. His smallest hooker is 110kg. Wyn Jones is the smallest loosehead at 114kg. He hasn't picked a single blindside instead opting to go with locks who can play blindside in Lawes and Beirne. Curry is going to be his openside, I'd imagine at a tidy 110kg.

His back line is going to be a meaty, powerful back line too no doubt. Guys like Henshaw, VDM, Aki and Harris are all 100kg+. Murray and Biggar (most likely starters at this time) are big guys too for their positions.

He has a plan in mind and, given his past record, he has earned the right to give it a try. I've no issue with it, really.

partyguinness · 07-05-2021 6:10pm

Gatland knows what he is doing and he has picked the squad he feels will do the best job.

I don't believe in crying over perceived political slights. Sure we would all love to join in a mutual **** circle with at least 12 Irish players.

schmoo2k · 07-05-2021 6:11pm

Take or Leave it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9RAX2z0WXQ

But to be fair, he does can see the bigger picture way better than I can...

lawrencesummers · 07-05-2021 6:20pm

UAEguy2020 wrote: »

Tell us how Simmonds deserves his place, what quality does he posses that makes him such a must pick despite not playing test rugby?

Everyone else can see his ability, Why don’t you justify Eddie jones not picking him.

lawrencesummers · 07-05-2021 6:21pm

Lost Ormond wrote: »

And would be of little benefit to success of the tour/test series when you are simply playing another side of players just thrown together.
A game against Argentina/Japan/whoever.. will benefit Lions ahead of tour far more than that

I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I think there is some global reason a game against the Japan or Argentina teams might not go ahead...

pjohnson · 07-05-2021 6:23pm

lawrencesummers wrote: »

I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I think there is some global reason a game against the Japan or Argentina teams might not go ahead...

The weather right?

lawrencesummers · 07-05-2021 6:25pm

pjohnson wrote: »

The weather right?

No, it’s the lack of 5G I think.

aloooof · 07-05-2021 6:53pm

Not another feckin typhoon...

UAEguy2020 · 07-05-2021 7:05pm

aloooof wrote: »

They played awfully for England during the 6 Nations, by any measure.

Simmonds was pretty non existent aswell.

UAEguy2020 · 07-05-2021 7:07pm

TRC10 wrote: »

Deserves his place because he was the European POTY in 2020 and best player in the prem by a country mile.

He doesn't play test rugby but that's not because he isn't good enough to.

Ask yourself this.

What enhances Gatland's reputation more?

Picking a player that the media are calling for.

Or winning a test series in South Africa.

It's the latter. So why would he do anything other than pick the best squad to win a test series? The notion that he's "selling out" is such nonsense

Again, against the likes of Worcester and Newcastle...
Like I said, tell me what quality he posses that makes him a Lion? Because if he was as good as you are making out he would be a international player.

Well both, now that he’s picked Simmonds the British media will love him so he doesn’t need to pick him in the test team now.

UAEguy2020 · 07-05-2021 7:10pm

TRC10 wrote: »

Same thing was said about Sexton in 2017

Same thing was said about Alun Wyn Jones in January

It really wasn’t, Sexton when he did play in the 2017 6N you could see why he was the clear standout 10 for the lions and it took a loss against NZL for Gatland to wake up and see it himself.

AWJ had one bad season, Davies has been pretty ordinary for ages now.

The fact you have to use other players as an example rather than use examples of Davies in recent times that prove I might be wrong shows you are probably in agreement with me here.

Skyfloater · 07-05-2021 7:10pm

schmoo2k wrote: »

Take or Leave it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9RAX2z0WXQ

But to be fair, he does can see the bigger picture way better than I can...

Credit where it is due, Squidge is a far better analyst than most.

UAEguy2020 · 07-05-2021 7:12pm

lawrencesummers wrote: »

Everyone else can see his ability, Why don’t you justify Eddie jones not picking him.

What ability is it, What exactly does he do that makes him a must pick, you are the one who said he has ability but which ability is it? Answer the question please. Because he clearly isn’t good enough he’s just another premiership player totally overhyped by the British media because he impressed against some meh English teams.

OldRio · 07-05-2021 7:34pm

UAEguy2020 wrote: »

Tell us how Simmonds deserves his place, what quality does he posses that makes him such a must pick despite not playing test rugby?

Why should I waste my time to tell you anything. You obviously think you know everything. Life is far to short.

bennyl10 · 07-05-2021 7:37pm

UAEguy2020 wrote: »

Conan plays test rugby, Simmonds doesn’t... there’s the difference.

Conan hasnt played test rugby all that much more than Simmonds though?

Neither have been continuously selected by their coaches at that level

Quin_Dub · 07-05-2021 7:40pm

bennyl10 wrote: »

Conan hasnt played test rugby all that much more than Simmonds though?

Neither have been continuously selected by their coaches at that level

Not really - Conan has been selected fairly consistently barring injury.

When Fit , Conan has been getting selected.

Certainly since before the World Cup I don't think that there has been an extended period where Conan was available and playing that he wasn't making the squad.

Simmonds hasn't been anywhere near the England camp in over 3 years.

aloooof · 07-05-2021 7:45pm

I've had a think about it UAEguy, and on second thoughts I think you're right.

I think Warren Gatland, with...
20+ years coaching experience
3 Premiership titles
1 Heineken Cup
4 Six Nations Championships (3 of which Grand Slams)
2 RWC Semi-Finals appearances
A series win in Australia for the Lions
A series draw in NZ

... has decided now. Now is the time he must bow down to the media.

Interested Observer · 07-05-2021 7:55pm

Quin_Dub wrote: »

the squad.
Simmonds hasn't been anywhere near the England camp in over 3 years.

Because Eddie Jones. He's a quality player, and this is a ridiculous discussion.

Lions Tour

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