Fortnum & Mason biscuits were flown in specially.
In all seriousness, if that was a citing (and I'm not necessarily saying it [i]wasn't[/i]) then there should have been a few dozen more from that game.
In all seriousness, if that was a citing (and I'm not necessarily saying it wasn't) then there should have been a few dozen more from that game.
All tour, not just that game. See also the shoulder on 1/2p in the Maori game etc.
So predictions for third test?
Should be another great game hopefully.
I think that we'll see Mako and McGrath swapped, and no other changes. (Maybe Lawes for AWJ?)
Think NZ will do it, I reckon close game, with a trademark 15 minutes of rugby by NZ in the second half that is just a level above anything else in the world.
I didn't realise that Itoje was calling the line outs yesterday. Jeez, what a rise to Rugby Superstardom - International player probably first on the England team sheet, Lion and only 22yo.
England & Lions captaincy in 4 years after the RWC maybe?
Think NZ will do it, I reckon close game, with a trademark 15 minutes of rugby by NZ in the second half that is just a level above anything else in the world.
I'd agree. They'll go down as a good Lions team that beat the Kiwis at home nevertheless, and a lot of lessons learned / experience will be brought back onto the NH international fold. The players in this Lions team and their coaches will benefit.
England & Lions captaincy in 4 years after the RWC maybe?
He'll be England captain sooner than that, but agree on a future Lions captain.
I think that we'll see Mako and McGrath swapped, and no other changes. (Maybe Lawes for AWJ
AWJ will start I reckon. Not sure about Vunipola. Usually Gatland would drop him and look for a reaction when he comes back in but its the last game and he is a step up from other options in the loose so he might be kept.
Potentially I guess a_a.....going back a few pages to 'players from other nations that you're been impressed by' Williams and Falatau for me (Always been a massive SOB fan)....and looking closer to home, Mako has been probably the most frustrating home nations player for me, I still think that when it all clicks in a game for him he's one of the best props in the world (in terms of all round ability rather than as a pure scrummer) he just seems to be quite inconsistent still. I think that I prefer him as an impact sub.
Another thought......Lions 2021, on paper quite a few of the test team on this tour should be there which bodes well. All of the front row, Itoje, Kruis, Launchbury in the second row. Back row will possibly all be different....hopefully Billy V will be fit next time! Half backs, Farrell (whom will captain the lions next time imo) Rhys Webb, Connor Murray. Then in the backs most of the touring squad will still be prime age!
I wonder whether Mako is missing Billy - they are very close.
Itoje is unbelievable. There's just something about the lad, nothing flashy, head down grafter. Should be easy to do your homework and nullify him, yet somehow he's always ahead of the game. And his win record is bloody amazing!
He reminds me of a Martin Johnson, when he's a couple Of years older and has filled out (!) he'll be world class. Just a shame he plays for safacens...!
We're going to do them. Or get a complete thrashing. One or the other.
There's just something about the lad, nothing flashy, head down grafter. Should be easy to do your homework and nullify him, yet somehow he's always ahead of the game. And his win record is bloody amazing!
He reminds me of [s]a Martin Johnson[/s]Richard Hill
FTFY.
He's not as invisible as Hill was!
Valid!
Richard was totally under the radar, unless you were watching him.
However, the work rate, the positional play, very similar!
I thing Kruis is more Hill-esque. You don't notice him so much but when you watch him you see the work he gets through. Itoge is unique, a_a nailed it a few pages ago remarking on his athleticism. He seems to have a very complete game and move so quick for someone his size. He has a little way to go though, he needs a bit more hair on his chin (if you know what I mean) so that he doesn't get intimidated by the Etzebeths of the game. Mind you, at his age, nobody messed with MJ. Horrible man!
This Lions tour will throw up some questions for Wales too. Will Liam play 15 ahead of 1/2p, is Warburton now or 6 with Tips 7 or will Moriarty play 6 with Warburton 7? Can we find a 12 who can pass and keep Davies supplied with the ball in space?
Also for England, will your captain get picked? Is Nowel worth a run at 15?
I guess the question re Hartley is how much he is valued as captain because supposedly he's been great at talking to players etc. Will Jones look at Farrell or Itoje for captain? If George now starts, I think that's largely the end of Hartley's England career because as he's shown for Northampton, he doesn't do well benched and seems to do silly things.
For Wales, surely it's got to be hard to look past Williams as FB, especially if they want to look at a more attacking game. Halfpenny has been a great servant to Welsh rugby, but he doesn't offer the same threat going forward.
As for the Lions, I expect the to loose the next test because the AB's seem to be different animals following a loss. They'll ramp up the physicality and push the laws of the game a bit further than usual. Plus the Lions really really need to work on discipline. Mako should probably drop to the bench because he's not been up to his usual standards and may offer more in the loose after 60. Can't see too many changes being made.
For Wales, surely it's got to be hard to look past Williams as FB, especially if they want to look at a more attacking game. Halfpenny has been a great servant to Welsh rugby, but he doesn't offer the same threat going forward.
True but who plays wing if Liam moves to 15, we are not well blessed with depth.
True but who plays wing if Liam moves to 15, we are not well blessed with depth.
Cuthbert. Obvs. 😆
Sanjay is pretty useful and we could do with two of him 😕 You could always stick 1/2p on the wing as they have done a few times but he is still a bit wasted/ limited in attack, though his kicking game out wide would be a million times better than the Welsh lumps North and the Donkey Gatland would probably love to pick if on form. It would be a real shame if he didn't get a spot as he has been the form player for Wales for a good while before this season and his points of the boot have been invaluable, especially come 6N. Can't see Biggar being so reliable kicking the points even though he has come on a heck of a lot. There aren't many/ any other choices as Wales don't have a luxery of choice, if the one dude who is half decent is half fit then they play regardless 😳
It would be a real shame if he didn't get a spot as he has been the form player for Wales
Its more a question of where not if.
Can't see Biggar being so reliable kicking the points
Then you havent watched him much, I couldnt understand why 1/2p was kicking during the six nations.
I think Hartley will still start for England if he is in the team. If Jones is going to use both hookers then it makes sense to have George on the pitch when there is more space. If the bench were seen as replacements it would probably be the other way round. Nowell could be an option at full back, he used to play there for the under 20s with Watson on the wing.
Would Keelan Giles be a possible winger for Wales ? Also what about Scott Williams at 12, only this time tell him to play his natural game rather than do a weak impersonation of Dr Roberts.
Scott Williams and Davies just doesnt work, too similar. Williams isnt a great passer. I'd like to see Patchel tried at 12.
Keelan Giles is still too small, Stef Evans could do a job though.
Would seem odd that a test Lions hooker cant make the team over Hartley who is a good international hooker but no more.
a_a, I think that George is England's 1st choice hooker it's just that they want him on the pitch during the later stages of the game and they want to use both hookers rather than run him into the ground.
Has Evans played centre for the Scarlets ? If you want to lose some sleep what about Cuthbert on the wing with Biggar at 12 and Davies at 10. Gatland may be acquiring a taste for this arrangement even if the players are not particularly suited to it. Tips may have more chance of being selected on the wing than at 7 though, at least when Moriarty is fit.
Has Evans played centre for the Scarlets
No, has played 15 though.
No idea how Davies is above Patch in the pecking order.
Biggar at 12 and Davies at 10.
As long as Biggar works on his tackling, then yes please!
Would give two kickers in Davies/Biggar, as well as flexibility of replacements, as Davies can go back to 15, and Biggar up to 10. Tidy darts, bach!
Watched plenty of Biggar and he has really come on in all areas. In the international game he won't trouble the likes of a fit 1/2p or Farrell for reliability I don't think. Doesn't quite have the same range of some of the best either so stats may look better but kicks completed are not as challenging as the other two I suspect. Last 6N was an anomaly for 1/2p
Totally agree on S Williams and JD2. Fine together at Pro12 level but no more. Patchell at 12 is intriguing but would be found out defensively. If he and Biggar were to play together then I'd want the flatter, more creative 10 actually at 10 but I think Biggar at 12 as someone mentioned would be a disaster. Following the England/ Lions model is fine but I feel Farrell is annoyingly talented far beyond what the Welsh boys are capable of. Better to having the sniping 9/ deep 10 combo and let Webb run the creative stuff keeping defences honest than try to change Biggar/ shoehorn in another 10 to play beside him IMO
Oh and I'm not sure if this was already posed but front row communication is a wonderful thing
In the international game he won't trouble the likes of a fit 1/2p or Farrell for reliability I don't think.
Go watch the last world cup!! Biggar is an amazing kicker, maybe not 1/2p's range but just as accurate, every bit as good as Faz at kicking.
Oh and I'm not sure if this was already posed but front row communication is a wonderful thing
We need a gif of awj slapping Itojes ass in the second trst!!
So where to watch the final game if you are in Chicago?
If you can't find a bar, and have an android phone, try the mobdro app. I imagine there'll be no shortage of Irish pubs showing the game though.
[b]New Zealand team to face Lions:[/b] Jordie Barrett; Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, Kieran Read.[b]Replacements:[/b] Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden, Malakai Fekitoa.
At least the Barrett parents don't have to ferry their kids to different games this weekend 😉 🙂 Interesting team and it will be very interesting to see how the relative newbies fare if on the back foot. Hell of a pack though as ever
Pete,
Timmy O'Toole's. 622 N Fairbanks. Good wings, too.
If not, try The Kerryman, on N Clark. Bit smarter.
http://www.pleasanthousepub.com - The local Welsh society meet here apparent, but I've never been.
What's happened to Dane Coles?
Injured before tour started.
Ah, missed that, ta.
Lions unchanged. Comment on the Beeb that first time ever no Scot in any of the tests. Shame.
More of a shame as they are playing so well.
What shame? The team should be the picked on talent and fit. Nationality should have no bearing on it. There was only one Scot in line for a place in the test team and he sadly was injured in a freak way. End of story. No room for tokens in top level test rugby. It's irrelevant.
I can agree with that and still think it a shame that one of the nations has not been represented in the tests.
Nel had he been fit all season could have been i with a shout too.
I think it's grat that Scotland as A TEAM are resurgent - makes it a better 6N championship as a trip to M'field is a real challenge not just a waste of a marketing budget and some unnecessary fireworks. But in that strenght - being a team not stand out individuals - lies the reasons. No shame in it just yin and yang....
It's a shame because it reduces interest in the lions as a whole. Note I'm not saying WG has much option, Hogg would have been nailed on to start.
Really? Haven't seen any lack of interest in this tour. In fact, seems quite the opposite as it should be. The best players in BI&I playing the best team in the world.
