Lions 2013 Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

WorldRugby99 · 02-07-2013 09:16PM

Hard to believe manu tuilagi may not end up being involved in any of the 3 tests.Of course at his age he has more tours left him in.But for me he has more x factor and is more likely to make something happen in midfield than any of the other centres.If that is the team-got to say i fancy australia to win particularly after last week. Hibbards throwing hasnt been too great,evans has had some poor games this tour,phillips was dreadful last time out and roberts wasnt too hot before his injury and lydiate offers little besides tackling at 6-gatland will get a lot of criticism if his welsh players dont perform come saturday having backed them ahead of everyone else.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 02-07-2013 09:17PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Why the sudden attack on McGahan?

Obviously don't realise he's a defense coach, and on the basis of this tour, a damn good one

thomond2006 · 02-07-2013 09:17PM

If Phillips starts and Murray is dropped from the 23..... grrrr

Swiwi. · 02-07-2013 09:18PM

Rightwing wrote: »

I read somewhere the aussies calling Parling the 12 yr old with a beard, harsh, but a good laugh all the same. The lions are missing a few hard men in that pack, particularly with POC gone.

The problem with the Lions pack is that too many players excel at one thing and are not so flash at others. The most obvious example being Adam Jones, who can scrum and absolutely nothing else. He's kind of like the kid in class who ate all the pies.

Swiwi. · 02-07-2013 09:20PM

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Obviously don't realise he's a defense coach, and on the basis of this tour, a damn good one

Because the Lions have really tested him out...

I agree, the Wallabies defence has been very good, the 2 tries in test 1 excepted, but you could hardly blame the 2nd, with BOD running a legal but sly bit of blocking, and Hooper at 12.

jamiedav2011 · 02-07-2013 09:26PM

Le vieux renard wrote: »

The problem with the Lions pack is that too many players excel at one thing and are not so flash at others. The most obvious example being Adam Jones, who can scrum and absolutely nothing else. He's kind of like the kid in class who ate all the pies.

A TH who can hold a scrum steady, hit a few rucks and set up the ball is one of the most coveted assets in any team.

Jones does all of those things, and the first one to a more than competent level.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 02-07-2013 09:29PM

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

A TH who can hold a scrum steady, hit a few rucks and set up the ball is one of the most coveted assets in any team.

Jones does all of those things, and the first one to a more than competent level.

compare Jones's work in the loose to Coles though, Jones is very immobile

Swiwi. · 02-07-2013 09:29PM

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

A TH who can hold a scrum steady, hit a few rucks and set up the ball is one of the most coveted assets in any team.

Jones does all of those things, and the first one to a more than competent level.

He flops onto rucks from what I've seen.

.ak · 02-07-2013 09:33PM

WorldRugby99 wrote: »

Hard to believe manu tuilagi may not end up being involved in any of the 3 tests.Of course at his age he has more tours left him in.But for me he has more x factor and is more likely to make something happen in midfield than any of the other centres.If that is the team-got to say i fancy australia to win particularly after last week. Hibbards throwing hasnt been too great,evans has had some poor games this tour,phillips was dreadful last time out and roberts wasnt too hot before his injury and lydiate offers little besides tackling at 6-gatland will get a lot of criticism if his welsh players dont perform come saturday having backed them ahead of everyone else.

He really should've started the 2nd test. I don't care he wasn't training with the main camp. It was the perfect game to get him involved, especially the way Gatland utilizes his 12. He's a crashball master, and extremely difficult to put down. Playing inside of BOD could've been the making of him, as it was for Roberts.

jamiedav2011 · 02-07-2013 09:39PM

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

compare Jones's work in the loose to Coles though, Jones is very immobile

Again though, a TH that can't scrum (not saying Cole can't but he's not in AJ's league) isn't worth a fiddlers fcuk.

Mike Ross or Tony Buckley?

Grandpa Hassan · 02-07-2013 09:42PM

.ak wrote: »

He really should've started the 2nd test. I don't care he wasn't training with the main camp. It was the perfect game to get him involved, especially the way Gatland utilizes his 12. He's a crashball master, and extremely difficult to put down. Playing inside of BOD could've been the making of him, as it was for Roberts.

Agree completely. Will be really disappointing if he does not feature. I know it's easy in a winning team, but him and BOD really seemed to hit it off from both a playing and a personal perspective. Will he a great shame to not see then playing together again

Lelantos · 02-07-2013 09:42PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Why the sudden attack on McGahan?

Long week of bashing everything else, I suppose some think it's his turn. But, imo, he's done a fine job with the Aussies,

Swiwi. · 02-07-2013 09:42PM

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Again though, a TH that can't scrum (not saying Cole can't but he's not in AJ's league) isn't worth a fiddlers fcuk.

Mike Ross or Tony Buckley?

Yeah, I agree a THs first job is to scrum, and if he cant do that, not eligible for selection. Ditto for hookers and throwing, hence why Best should have his work cut out to represent Ireland again with his current form. But take John Afoa for example who can scrum and offers way more round the pitch than AJ.

jamiedav2011 · 02-07-2013 09:48PM

Le vieux renard wrote: »

Yeah, I agree a THs first job is to scrum, and if he cant do that, not eligible for selection. Ditto for hookers and throwing, hence why Best should have his work cut out to represent Ireland again with his current form. But take John Afoa for example who can scrum and offers way more round the pitch than AJ.

Yes, but John Afoa isn't eligible for the Lions, and is in a severe minority in world rugby (maybe Woodcock, Zhirkashvilli and Du Plessis?) so it's a moot point.

He's, rightly, the cornerstone of the Lions scrum, and as we saw in HK and glimpses in first two tests, can be very destructive also.

Him and Healy would have been a perfect test 1+3.

Swiwi. · 02-07-2013 09:55PM

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Yes, but John Afoa isn't eligible for the Lions, and is in a severe minority in world rugby (maybe Woodcock, Zhirkashvilli and Du Plessis?) so it's a moot point.

He's, rightly, the cornerstone of the Lions scrum, and as we saw in HK and glimpses in first two tests, can be very destructive also.

Him and Healy would have been a perfect test 1+3.

I dont dispute he's the best TH on offer to the Lions, but it doesn't remove the fact (for me at least) that he's not much cop outside the scrum. If only him & Cole could be melded into 1, you'd have a world class TH. Woodcock's a terrible TH by the way

(not bad at LH, though)

02-07-2013 09:59PM

Am I spending too much time on here or am I literally reading the same discussions unfold in the same fashion over and over again.

Swiwi. · 02-07-2013 10:03PM

19543261 wrote: »

Am I spending too much time on here or am I literally reading the same discussions unfold in the same fashion over and over again.

Probably both.

Buer · 02-07-2013 10:03PM

Gone are the days of blokes who are simply scrummagers. AJ was not simply a scrummager a few years back but has slipped. He was actually not a great scrummager at all when he came on the scene. Merely fulfilling the central function of your position is no longer good enough. Guys like Ross or Mas would struggle if they came into the game now. Julian White would be told to hit the road. Even as it stands, Ross couldn't get much of a look in when he came back to Ireland until he improved his fitness hugely and was able to get through a game where he could make anything up to a dozen tackles.

If Dan Cole had put in solid - strong scrummaging performances in the build up games, I think he'd have deserved the jersey over Jones. Unfortunately, I think the coaching team's mind was 80% made up before they left Heathrow. Cole had one shot to put in a big showing, against the WF and he didn't do enough to force himself into the coach's plans.

Swiwi. · 02-07-2013 10:11PM

Buer wrote: »

Gone are the days of blokes who are simply scrummagers. AJ was not simply a scrummager a few years back but has slipped. He was actually not a great scrummager at all when he came on the scene. Merely fulfilling the central function of your position is no longer good enough. Guys like Ross or Mas would struggle if they came into the game now. Julian White would be told to hit the road. Even as it stands, Ross couldn't get much of a look in when he came back to Ireland until he improved his fitness hugely and was able to get through a game where he could make anything up to a dozen tackles.

If Dan Cole had put in solid - strong scrummaging performances in the build up games, I think he'd have deserved the jersey over Jones. Unfortunately, I think the coaching team's mind was 80% made up before they left Heathrow. Cole had one shot to put in a big showing, against the WF and he didn't do enough to force himself into the coach's plans.

Cole's slippery slope started in Twickenham last year where the Aussies went quite well. I don't think there are a lot of excellent all-round THs in world rugby at the moment.

WorldRugby99 · 02-07-2013 10:22PM

Dan Cole had an exceptional 2012-but hes hasnt hit the heights this year at scrum time,although strangely when hes been playing for leicester the leicester scrum has still been very good.I think part of it is the players around you making a strong unit-with england this year-corbisiero has been out injured and marler/vunipola are young developing props,not yet really good scrummagers,youngs is a small dynamic hooker around the park but not as strong as hartley at scrum time,and 2 fairly lightweight locks-parling and launchbury behind him.

I think adam jones is rightly ahead of cole on this tour but agree it is a shame cole has not been at his best,as around the park he offers that bit more,something sadly jones no longer does. with Ross,murray,stevens and jones unlikely on next tour-cole may well get his chance next time.

what puzzles me is the fact that all the fans and media are talking about how we need our best scrummaging props,that its so important to our tactics and how we want forward dominace yet the 3 props taken initially-healy,jenkins and vunipola were not renowned scrummagers and likes of corbisiero,sherdian and paul james were left behind? did gats get initial call wrong-surely sheridan and corbs should have been picked with healy?

LorMal · 02-07-2013 10:28PM

19543261 wrote: »

Am I spending too much time on here or am I literally reading the same discussions unfold in the same fashion over and over again.

Here's a new one. One of the comments below Demented Moles most recent blog post makes the point that the Lions is supposed to be a reflection of a more corinthian amateur era. It therefore should be about the pleasure of playing rugby - it should be expressive and expansive. It should not be a Sky Hype-a-thon 'win at all costs' borefest. I agree.
With this in mind - here is my selection for Saturday

01. Vinipola - great in open play
02 Best - sound lad - not a great thrower - could do with a lift to his confidence
03 Grant - Poor old Scotland - whats the lions about if its not having representation from each country?
04 Grey - Big wooley head on him - easy to see when watching in the bar
05 Alun WJ - Mighty man all round
06 SOB - Run the fu##kers over
07 Croft - clever player - bit of class
08 Faletau - at least has a go
09 Philips - can be great if let off the leash
10 Hogg - that will send them homewards to think again
11 North - has to be
12 Tuilagi (see SOB)
13 BOD - only if he begins to play with a smile on his face again
14 Maitland (See 03)
15 Zebo (bit of craic)

Bet they would win!!

I have been drinking a LOT of coffee tonight

The Aussie · 02-07-2013 10:29PM

19543261 wrote: »

Am I spending too much time on here or am I literally reading the same discussions unfold in the same fashion over and over again.

If you actually change a few words like Lions and Ireland, Gatland with Kidney you could have the last 6 Nations mega thread. :pac:

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 02-07-2013 10:32PM

LorMal wrote: »

Here's a new one. One of the comments below Demented Moles most recent blog post makes the point that the Lions is supposed to be a reflection of a more corinthian amateur era. It therefore should be about the pleasure of playing rugby - it should be expressive and expansive. It should not be a Sky Hype-a-thon 'win at all costs' borefest. I agree.
With this in mind - here is my selection for Saturday

01. Vinipola - great in open play
02 Best - sound lad - not a great thrower - could do with a lift to his confidence
03 Grant - Poor old Scotland - whats the lions about if its not having representation from each country?
04 Grey - Big wooley head on him - easy to see when watching in the bar
05 Alun WJ - Mighty man all round
06 SOB - Run the fu##kers over
07 Croft - clever player - bit of class
08 Faletau - at least has a go
09 Philips - can be great if let off the leash
10 Hogg - that will send them homewards to think again
11 North - has to be
12 Tuilagi (see SOB)
13 BOD - only if he begins to play with a smile on his face again
14 Maitland (See 03)
15 Zebo (bit of craic)

Bet they would win!!

I have been drinking a LOT of coffee tonight

Just coffee?

irishbucsfan · 02-07-2013 10:33PM

LorMal wrote: »

04 Grey - Big wooley head on him - easy to see when watching in the bar

LorMal · 02-07-2013 10:34PM

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Just coffee?

that and the pills yeah

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 02-07-2013 10:39PM

LorMal wrote: »

Here's a new one. One of the comments below Demented Moles most recent blog post makes the point that the Lions is supposed to be a reflection of a more corinthian amateur era. It therefore should be about the pleasure of playing rugby - it should be expressive and expansive. It should not be a Sky Hype-a-thon 'win at all costs' borefest. I agree.
With this in mind - here is my selection for Saturday

01. Vinipola - great in open play
02 Best - sound lad - not a great thrower - could do with a lift to his confidence
03 Grant - Poor old Scotland - whats the lions about if its not having representation from each country?
04 Grey - Big wooley head on him - easy to see when watching in the bar
05 Alun WJ - Mighty man all round
06 SOB - Run the fu##kers over
07 Croft - clever player - bit of class
08 Faletau - at least has a go
09 Philips - can be great if let off the leash
10 Hogg - that will send them homewards to think again
11 North - has to be
12 Tuilagi (see SOB)
13 BOD - only if he begins to play with a smile on his face again
14 Maitland (See 03)
15 Zebo (bit of craic)

Bet they would win!!

I have been drinking a LOT of coffee tonight

LorMal wrote: »

that and the pills yeah

Ok well a few things about your team!

Grant isn't a TH

Croft isn't a seven

Hogg looked good playing at 10 against semi pros, but against a S15 team he was atrocious. He would not be able for a test level game at 10

Best, while I'm a big fan, is a complete liability at the moment

Also, I agree with your premise about playing attractive rugby, but Phillips at 9 won't allow this

Quint2010 · 02-07-2013 10:41PM

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Ok well a few things about your team!

Grant isn't a TH

Croft isn't a seven

Hogg looked good playing at 10 against semi pros, but against a S15 team he was atrocious. He would not be able for a test level game at 10

Best, while I'm a big fan, is a complete liability at the moment

Also, I agree with your premise about playing attractive rugby, but Phillips at 9 won't allow this

I think he was joking...:rolleyes:

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 02-07-2013 10:42PM

Quint2010 wrote: »

I think he was joking...:rolleyes:

Was he? ah ****, it appears he probably was! Apologies, watching telly and only glanced at the team rather than the reasons!

irishbucsfan · 02-07-2013 10:42PM

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Was he?

Of course he was!

rok · 02-07-2013 10:44PM

LorMal wrote: »

Here's a new one. One of the comments below Demented Moles most recent blog post makes the point that the Lions is supposed to be a reflection of a more corinthian amateur era. It therefore should be about the pleasure of playing rugby - it should be expressive and expansive. It should not be a Sky Hype-a-thon 'win at all costs' borefest. I agree.
With this in mind - here is my selection for Saturday

01. Vinipola - great in open play
02 Best - sound lad - not a great thrower - could do with a lift to his confidence
03 Grant - Poor old Scotland - whats the lions about if its not having representation from each country?
04 Grey - Big wooley head on him - easy to see when watching in the bar
05 Alun WJ - Mighty man all round
06 SOB - Run the fu##kers over
07 Croft - clever player - bit of class
08 Faletau - at least has a go
09 Philips - can be great if let off the leash
10 Hogg - that will send them homewards to think again
11 North - has to be
12 Tuilagi (see SOB)
13 BOD - only if he begins to play with a smile on his face again
14 Maitland (See 03)
15 Zebo (bit of craic)

Bet they would win!!

I have been drinking a LOT of coffee tonight

10 Hogg - that will send them homewards to think again
....
15 Zebo (bit of craic)

Class

Lions 2013 Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

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