Lions 2017 [MOD WARNING IN OP]

I watched the last 25 minutes or so off the French Top 14 final, and having Poite as a ref for the 3rd test is a big bonus for the Lions: in-game, Poite lets the ball sit at the back of stationary scrum, he doesn't call "use it" at the back of a ruck, and he waits a good bit before saying "use it once" at the maul. He also loves a scrum penalty. Pre-eminent posters such as Buer (who is also an American football fan) found the game enthralling, but the game seemed to me to revolve around set-piece, penalties, injuries, goalkicks, and TMO reviews, and I found it quite static. French rugby often reminds me of the best of Springbok 10-man rugby. In any case, if the Lions want to slow the game down, Poite is their man.

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Probably still not enough... :rolleyes:

And another to conclude that Henshaw is a 12.

In fairness Henshaw is Gatlands wet dream of a 12
Doesn't mean he isn't a cracking 13

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Probably still not enough... :rolleyes:

And another to conclude that Henshaw is a 12.

Nobody that I know of has ever said that Henshaw can't play 12. Feel free to go find a quote saying otherwise though.

That he's a better 13 is a fairly widely held opinion.

Surprised Murray hasn't been involved in either opening game.

Gatland is starting to show his hand, I reckon. He's spoken about wanting each player to get a run in the first three games to stake a claim but it's no coincidence that a number of likely test players are being held back until the first really big examination against the Crusaders.

I expect to see something along the lines of:

Vunipola, George, Furlong, Kruis, AWJ, POM, Warburton, Faletau, Murray, Farrell, Watson, Te'o, Davies, North, Williams.

Owens, McGrath, Sinckler, Itoje, SOB/Moriarty, Webb, Sexton, Hogg.

That's not to say the above is what he sees as his best side, currently. It is about 10-12 of them, I reckon though.

It's hard to know what he'll do with the back row. If SOB is fit, he will feature in some manner but I'd say he's likely to be No. 20 for this game. Gatland will want Warburton to get another game under his belt and gain more fitness. I wouldn't rule out Ross Moriarty being involved again, possibly at 8 or from the bench. Nor would I rule out Itoje getting some game time at 6 in this match; I expect him to be on the bench. I think Lawes and Henderson are going to be the midweek options. Early to call that but it's the impression I'm getting already.

Inside centre is really going to be the curious one. I think Te'o might get the nod again but I think we'll see Farrell move to 12 for half an hour also to play outside Sexton. If Sexton goes poorly tomorrow night again though, I think Biggar will be given that role.

If Ken Owens comes through the Blues game, he's still my tip to be first choice but I think he needs game time as soon as possible hence Gatland not wanting to wait until Saturday for him. Being named captain for tomorrow shows a strong vote of confidence in him too.

I do think some of the more established players will get more of a chance to redeem themselves in the next few games. Gatland knows that someone like Sexton on form is a big boost to the team. Similarly, I think Hogg will get a spot on the bench ahead of Seymour despite the latter being far better against the Barbarian side. I'm reminded of Shane Williams having a brutal 2009 Lions tour but the coaches playing him in 5 of the 6 games prior to the test series, desperately hoping he'd find form.

errlloyd wrote: »

Sister has tickets to the first and third test - she lives in Auckland. I can probably get the time off work. What does boards say? Throw caution, accept we will lose but get out there anyway.

Get on that plane now

dregin wrote: »

Any plans made for watching the test games? Are any pubs gonna be serving? I don't know any early houses that have sky sports.

a now tv sports pass, a borrowed projector and opening a pub in my house is my plan for the tests at the minute

swiwi_ wrote: »

I watched the last 25 minutes or so off the French Top 14 final, and having Poite as a ref for the 3rd test is a big bonus for the Lions: in-game, Poite lets the ball sit at the back of stationary scrum, he doesn't call "use it" at the back of a ruck, and he waits a good bit before saying "use it once" at the maul. He also loves a scrum penalty. Pre-eminent posters such as Buer (who is also an American football fan) found the game enthralling, but the game seemed to me to revolve around set-piece, penalties, injuries, goalkicks, and TMO reviews, and I found it quite static. French rugby often reminds me of the best of Springbok 10-man rugby. In any case, if the Lions want to slow the game down, Poite is their man.

He loves a scrum penalty, but there is no rhyme or reason to how he awards them.

molloyjh wrote: »

Team go forward, team get ball.

That would suggest a level of predictability I have never noticed in his interpretations.

So, aside from the result, a big talking point has to be Payne's fitness. He has struggled badly with injury for months now and appears to have suffered a knock to the calf that was giving him grief already.

Hopefully he can be managed through it. I get the impression that Gatland has it as a straight call between himself and Davies for the 13 jersey.

I suppose the other significant injury concern is Dan Biggar. He failed his HIA and suffered a concussion only recently so has to be a doubt for the next couple of weeks. If he can't play for 2 weeks (at a complete guess), they'll call up someone because there's no way they're going to have Farrell and Sexton playing every single game.

I would imagine there's a good chance of a replacement now. Russell, Ford and Jackson all have to be sitting by their phones at this point.