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Lions 2017 [MOD WARNING IN OP]

1…9091939596…150

Comments

  • #2762
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 12,548 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    irishbucsfan wrote: »
    Sean Fitzpatrick seems fairly convinced that Ken Owens will be starting hooker. But sure what would he know about playing hooker in New Zealand

    Always thought Fitzy was a wing.


  • #2763
    seanhynes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,513 ✭✭✭seanhynes


    He's very good at proving a point with his hand movement


  • #2764
    Erik Shin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,721 ✭✭✭Erik Shin


    He got disowned down south after that :D


  • #2765
    irishbucsfan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,978 ✭✭✭✭irishbucsfan


    Basil3 wrote: »
    Always thought Fitzy was a wing.

    You're mixing up the talented Fitzy on the panel with the kiwi


  • #2766
    Minderbinder
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,030 ✭✭✭Minderbinder


    Why does the Sky website say it's 23-9 to crusaders at HT? Have I missed something?


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  • #2767
    Erik Shin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,721 ✭✭✭Erik Shin


    Minderbinder wrote: »
    Why does the Sky website say it's 23-9 to crusaders at HT? Have I missed something?

    Mystic Meg is at it again


  • #2768
    Lucy8080
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,980 ✭✭✭Lucy8080


    Lions aren't even the favourites to win here, if any player is aware of that fact , it aught to be a sobering wake up call indicating the regard they are being held in at the moment.


  • #2769
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 20,606 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Hope Seanie has a big game. Hope the intensity is right and Lions get the win, looking forward to this!


  • #2770
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 12,548 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Obligatory walk onto the pitch via a bunch of port-a-loos.


  • #2771
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 13,822 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Sexton being flogged as badly as he was in at Racing


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  • #2772
    Nancy Narrow Self-expression
    Posts: 1,300 ✭✭✭ Nancy Narrow Self-expression


    Minderbinder wrote: »
    Why does the Sky website say it's 23-9 to crusaders at HT? Have I missed something?

    Cos it's fixed. All to lead the ABs into a false sense of security. Warren's master plan


  • #2773
    awec
    Administrators Posts: 55,263 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭awec


    Match thread http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=103761655#post103761655


  • #2774
    elefant
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,697 ✭✭✭elefant


    Why are they always carrying around that ridiculous stuffed toy?


  • #2775
    Erik Shin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,721 ✭✭✭Erik Shin


    Hope those horses didn't shat on the pitch....an auld celebratory "Ash Splash' could go very wrong for somebody


  • #2776
    Maisie Wailing Beagle
    Posts: 13,104 ✭✭✭✭ Maisie Wailing Beagle


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Sexton being flogged as badly as he was in at Racing

    Biggar failed his HIA, no choice but to bench Sexton.


  • #2777
    BBDBB
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,899 ✭✭✭✭BBDBB


    elefant wrote: »
    Why are they always carrying around that ridiculous stuffed toy?


    It's a traditional mascot, responsibility for it is given to the youngest member of the touring party


  • #2778
    Buer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,258 ✭✭✭✭Buer


    Big case for starting Laidlaw at 10 now for next match if Biggar isn't right. Can't risk Farrell and Sexton can't play 4 on the trot.


  • #2779
    irishbucsfan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,978 ✭✭✭✭irishbucsfan


    Buer wrote: »
    Big case for starting Laidlaw at 10 now for next match if Biggar isn't right. Can't risk Farrell and Sexton can't play 4 on the trot.

    Surely you're missing the very obvious option. Lions 10 Stuart Hogg


  • #2780
    Buer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,258 ✭✭✭✭Buer


    irishbucsfan wrote:
    Surely you're missing the very obvious option. Lions 10 Stuart Hogg

    Shut your dirty mouth.


  • #2781
    awec
    Administrators Posts: 55,263 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭awec


    What's the bigger game in the next week? The Hurricanes or the Maori?


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  • #2782
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 12,548 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    awec wrote: »
    What's the bigger game in the next week? The Hurricanes or the Maori?

    Highlanders.

    Canes are between 1st and 2nd test.


  • #2783
    awec
    Administrators Posts: 55,263 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭awec


    Basil3 wrote: »
    Highlanders.

    Canes are between 1st and 2nd test.

    Woops! :pac:


  • #2784
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 20,606 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Saw this on reddit about Rob Howley, gave me a good chuckle.

    w9a2w2mces2z.jpg


  • #2785
    Squidgy Black
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,746 ✭✭✭✭Squidgy Black


    awec wrote: »
    What's the bigger game in the next week? The Hurricanes or the Maori?

    Hurricanes between the two tests will be a weakened squad, they're looking at most of their starting back line being unavailable with TJ, Beauden, Saves, Laumape and Jordie being in the AB squad.


  • #2786
    Buer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,258 ✭✭✭✭Buer


    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.


  • #2787
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 12,548 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    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.

    How many games have they lost in NZ since 2010, where they've also failed to score a try?


  • #2788
    Buer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,258 ✭✭✭✭Buer


    I would imagine the 23 is rapidly taking shape at this point. If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say the following are in the 23 now:

    George, Owens (possibly a little harsh on Best who might well get a test appearance at some point)
    McGrath, Vunipola, Furlong, Sinckler (again, all the props have gone well)
    Kruis, AWJ, Itoje (I reckon that was picked before they left Europe)
    Faletau, Warburton
    Murray, Webb
    Farrell, Sexton,
    Te'o
    Williams, Watson
    Halfpenny

    That leaves the back row, centre and back three as places where I really don't know which way it will go. I wouldn't be surprised to see any two of SOB, POM, Stander and Moriarty in the test 23. Not sure Stander has done enough. I'd have had him starting two months ago but he has been a little subdued in NZ mixing the very good with some errors. Work rate alone is not enough at this level. I'd be tempted to start POM and bring SOB on after 50 minutes. It appears Itoje is there purely as a lock.

    In the centre it's completely open. Payne might well get the nod, I reckon. Farrell could still go to centre but will undoubtedly start. Davies might slot straight back in if he's cleared for the Maori game. Completely up in the air. I reckon Te'o will feature in some manner though, possibly in the 23 jersey.

    The outside backs are starting to take shape as much because some aren't playing well as hoped i.e. Nowell. I doubt Seymour is in the conversation either. North will probably feature but Daly will get another shot at staking a claim, I'm sure. I think the others are extremely likely.


  • #2789
    Buer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,258 ✭✭✭✭Buer


    Basil3 wrote: »
    How many games have they lost in NZ since 2010, where they've also failed to score a try?

    When proving a point, never ask a question you don't already know the answer to!

    You know the answer is zero, I'm sure. But the point stands, it's more important to shut NZ down than it is to carve them open. Give them a sniff and you'll lose. It has to be an 80 minute display and if the guard goes down, you concede.


  • #2790
    Squidgy Black
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,746 ✭✭✭✭Squidgy Black


    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.


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  • #2791
    .ak
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,308 ✭✭✭✭.ak


    Buer wrote: »
    I would imagine the 23 is rapidly taking shape at this point. If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say the following are in the 23 now:

    George, Owens (possibly a little harsh on Best who might well get a test appearance at some point)
    McGrath, Vunipola, Furlong, Sinckler (again, all the props have gone well)
    Kruis, AWJ, Itoje (I reckon that was picked before they left Europe)
    Faletau, Warburton
    Murray, Webb
    Farrell, Sexton,
    Te'o
    Williams, Watson
    Halfpenny

    That leaves the back row, centre and back three as places where I really don't know which way it will go. I wouldn't be surprised to see any two of SOB, POM, Stander and Moriarty in the test 23. Not sure Stander has done enough. I'd have had him starting two months ago but he has been a little subdued in NZ mixing the very good with some errors. Work rate alone is not enough at this level. I'd be tempted to start POM and bring SOB on after 50 minutes. It appears Itoje is there purely as a lock.

    In the centre it's completely open. Payne might well get the nod, I reckon. Farrell could still go to centre but will undoubtedly start. Davies might slot straight back in if he's cleared for the Maori game. Completely up in the air. I reckon Te'o will feature in some manner though, possibly in the 23 jersey.

    The outside backs are starting to take shape as much because some aren't playing well as hoped i.e. Nowell. I doubt Seymour is in the conversation either. North will probably feature but Daly will get another shot at staking a claim, I'm sure. I think the others are extremely likely.

    Pretty much agree with that bar Williams who hasn't gone well imo. Watson and Daly will be the wings, with Halfpenny at 15.

    If I was picking a team for the first test I'd go with:

    1. Vunipola
    2. George
    3. Furlong
    4. AWJ
    5. Itoje
    6. Moriarty
    7. SOB
    8. Faletau
    9. Murray
    10. Sexton
    11. Watson
    12. Farrell
    13. Davies or Payne
    14. Daly
    15. Halfpenny

    Bench:
    Owens, McGrath, Sinckler, Kruis, POM, Webb, T'eo, Williams

    Backrow is the biggest headache. I have a feeling Warburton won't be fit, or won't find form. Good case for POM to start, he's just an asset at set piece and his hands today were unbelievable. I also think Haskell has a lot to add. Faletau is the only nailed on starter for me - he's after hitting the form of his life I think. Maybe Billy would've struggled to get in on this side.


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