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Indeed, but his work rate always gets cited as a reason he isn't going further. I think the Eng/ B&I Lions coaches take the good stuff for granted and focus on him trundling back in to the line a heck of a lot more
Id like roko to tour. The man is a machine.
When he's got the ball.
Watch him off the ball, especially when he's got to chase back......
Oh but jeez when he has the ball.......
I think we need to consider the opposition wings when choosing our own too. Milner-scudder will make mincemeat out of big wings.
I think we need to consider the opposition wings when choosing our own too
Oh dear - I hope not!
Milner-Skudder looked super sharp when he came back but then picked up a minor injury. The Bus has been in explosive form right from the start of the season - usually he's a bit slow to get off the mark.
Matt Duffie of the Blues has been exceptional. He's come from the NRL and is tall and skinny(ish) but is a brilliant all-round footballer who always seems to take the right option and has elusive pace too. George Bridge of the Crusaders has also looked pretty good.
The ABs will probably go with Smith and Dagg at 14/15 and then one of the above (or Naholo) at 11 but they've also got McKenzie and Jordie Barrett in the mix too.
Luckily, forwards win matches......
Whoever the Lions pick they must be fast. Naholo can look ordinary in defence if under pressure as can Savea, Smith is pure class though. Last summer v wales they played one test with both savea and Naholo and looked a bit dodgy out wide. Bought in Dagg and put Smith to 14 and looked a lot better balanced.
Bought in Dagg and put Smith to 14 and looked a lot better balanced.
Yeah, you're right, they did.
Hansen likes to go with one "power" wing - Savea/Naholo - and one "skills" wing - Dagg/Milner-Skudder/Smith. Duffie would fit into the latter category too.
I also read of the idea that Cruden could start at 10 as he offers more control and using Beauden Barrett at 15 but they really have an embarrassment of riches.
Smith is the worlds best 15 imo. Crazy that they play him at 14 so much.
Look at the first try here. Both wings exposed..they wont make that mistake twice. Looking at the highlights of all 3 tests though Wales were in the first two until 50 mins. So I reckon the Lions do have a real chance...just dont watch the third!!
On reflection I can't help thinking that the Lions selection is a bit arbitrary. Whoever we pick, they're going to murder us aren't they?
I think they will win but Wales were in the first few tests up to 50-60mins the Lions should be a hell of a lot stronger. Whens the squad announced?
Smith is the worlds best 15 imo.
Agreed but Dagg is probably the 2nd best although he's looked like one of the world's best 14s too.
Whens the squad announced?
I think it's the 19th?
To a certain degree how we play is probably more important than who is selected. The best chance was to catch the ABs cold in the first test and scrape a win from one of the next two but they've, rather unsportingly, decided to organise a warm up game with Samoa.
Lose the first test and NO-ONE is gonna win two out of two to take a series in NZ.
To a certain degree how we play is probably more important than who is selected
I think the game plan will be very like Englands try to win the gainline up front and play efficiently in the backs by taking chances, if we are going nowhere with shit ball hoof it long...simple really
Corey Jane in the post match interview this morning after his comeback for the Hurricanes:
"When did rugby get so fast?"
Blues at Ulster..odd decision from the ref, pen try for collapsing maul. Bins blue 3, watches replay and changes mind, blue 3 didnt do it, cannot find anyone else to bin but pen try stands anyway!!!
Hovis hobbles off.
Didnt look too bad...dead leg. He was playing well. Good game.
Strange decision alright. Entertaining game but we could have been doing with the win.
That chap Le Lo or whatever he's called scored a couple of nice ones
Yeah, LeeLo and Halaholo are great with the ball not so good in defence. Rhun Williams and the two young props did well. Matt Morgan is still shit.
Brian Moore heart attack, hopes he gets better if only for his demolition on twitter of Piers Morgan.
Thats shit, I like him the English ****er, hope he gets better soon.
🙁
Healing vibes
Just watching Osprey's self-destructive end-off-season....Leinster hooker just side-stepped Dan Biggar and ran 25m to score
Double post howler
Good result for Leinster. 🙂
I thought Chiefs Bristol would be an easy win but its to close to call 😐
edit: we won but that was a close call
edit: we won but that was a close cal
How did the orange god go....making a late run for a lions place 😆
19 points, and had a good game by all accounts. 2 losing pts isn't enough, we should have won that.
A try, pens and conversions but no drop goals, lazy bastard obviously wasnt trying, I bet he just jogged about looking bored as normal!!!
skill
Wonder what Dan Biggar's admission that he can't really remember the last 10 minutes of that match will do for HIA assessment protocols.
The magic arm guard strikes again!
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http://rugbylad.com/watch-mike-phillips-had-some-harsh-words-to-describe-ben-teo-tonight/
I agree with Mike.
unfortunately, as a wuss, so do I.
He really shouldnt be allowed to wear that thing.
Some great rugby on BT highlights this weekend though.
Brizz/Chiefs were good, but Saints/Wasps was excellent.
Surely England could put up with Wade's defensive game just to have the little rocket in the line-up?! 😀
Got to agree about Wade
speaking of speed, nowelsy looked decidedly tardy yesterday.
unfortunately, as a wuss, so do I.
He really shouldnt be allowed to wear that thing.
It's not so much the wearing, but the way it is used. He clearly targets people with it. Now, if if was protection for a damaged arm (which was broken, I agree) surely you wouldn't use that protection as an impact impact weapon. So, two things,
1 - his use of it should be a penalty
2 - is it checked before a game, like studs?
Either way, it's dirty.
Can o' worms flashy, we would then have to check line out jumpers padding on their thighs, that wouldn't be on; would it?
Phillips is spot on
Not sure anyone's deliberately smashing people with that though, Ducky.
It is tricky, I agree, as more 'padding' creeps in to the game but this on looks pretty clear. It's clearly not there for protection (why lead with an injured arm?) and isn't for lifters to grip (thigh strapping). So, what is it for?
The padding is to protect his arm, no wonder he needs its as he always is leading with it. Phillips is spot in..dirty ****ing **** of a player!
It's not like anybody doesn't know he is a cheap shot delivering bushwacker. I don't know how he gets away with it. A review of Friday's shot after spikey went into rage mode would have got him a red. "Check for suspected foul play as we continue please." Instead he warned Phillips he was watching him.
Spikey was obviously so upset he's only gone and retired!
Kelly Brown, too.
Poor guy clearly has League and Union specific arm problems. Worst of all though I reckon he'd fit in with a STW meet
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Great result for Edinburgh......
😀
Spreys hammered though, so I should probably shut up.
I think you'll find the Ospreys result was due to a conspiracy that probably originated in Ireland.
#ItsAllThePro12sFault
The Ospreys are pretty poor The Blues are a much better side at the moment.
Yes went very wrong at Judgement day, which apart from the result seems to be an ongoing success for the WRU.
The Ospreys whhels have really come off...poor coaching team doesnt help.
In other new the torygraph reckon Sinkler, The Magic Armband and Henderson will be in Lions squad.
CFH - you cad!
So 37 man squad? Soon the frothing can commence.
Hogg
Loopy Liam
Payne
North
Watson
Seymour
Henshaw
Daly
Joseph
Farrel
Sexton
Russel
Biggar
Murray
Webb
Youngs
Mako
Mcgrath
Healey
Best
Owens
Hartley
Cole
1/8 mile
Sinkler (apparently)
Launchbury
Itoje
Kruis
Jonnie Gray
AWJ
Warburton
Tipuric
Stander
POM
Billy V
Not Toby
With Gavin Henson on standby.
Not too bad, but not quite there.
2 full backs is plenty so no Mr Payne.
Maitland is a better finisher and defender than Seymour, the small difference in their general attacking play matters for Scotland but is irrelevant against the kiwis.
Centres OK (Mark Bennett is injured), would love to see Ringrose in but we need some beef.
10s, Ford instead of Biggar. The pack should put him on the front foot and he gets the backs going well, he was a big part of England's 18 on the trot. Biggar sits far too deep and looks like a numpty (which he isn't) when the coaches tell him to take it to the line.
9s, would love to see Ali Price instead of Youngs, his delivery is less toe-touching/reach for the sky. It won't happen though.
Hookers. Jamie George is the best hooker in the Northern hemisphere. Best is a good player but can not hit the back of a lineout on more than an occasional basis. Won't happen again but Tommy Taylor of Wasps is a better performer than Hartley at club level.
Locks, Henderson in place of Gray. More mobile and can pass off both hands. If Ryan was picked ahead of AWJ I would be surprised but would not complain.
Flankers, Hamish Watson and SOB in and Tipuric and Stander (oo controversial) out. Stander was great against the Italians but just an OK ball carrier against all of the others in the 6N.
8s Toby in.
Henson and Ashton can swap stories in the bell-end club.
POM for skipper.
When I said Not Toby I meant Talupe!! Maitland is a fair call as are most others but Watson and SOB are nowhere near as good as Tips and Stander. Could drop Biggar and put in another centre seeing as I put Faz with the centres..dont rate Ford. Chose Payne as an extra 15 as put Liam at 15. Players like Liam, Faz and Daly give some opportunity for being creative. Maitland is a decent 15 too.
Yes, sorry I meant Talupe. SOB in place of Stander as he can play right across the back row. If you want a power game Billy V at 6 and Talupe at 8. Antony Watson is another wing/fullback.
Think you are a bit harsh with Ford, I rate him highly despite being on the end of Ben Youngs's passing. Try to imagine any of the other top 10s dealing with similar rubbish, it may change your view if you can stop laughing long enough. It always reminds me of kids doing the Hokey Kokey.
I just think Ford will just end up as a speed bump for the dirt trackers, Biggar would be better at that imo.
Surely we can expect to see Hook in the midweek sides as Gatland loves to see him take a pasting 🙂
Lions?
Full-backs: L Halfpenny, Liam Williams, S Hogg
Wings: G North, Tommy Seymour, Anthony Watson, Elliot Daly
Centres: Robbie Henshaw, Jonathan Davies, Jonathan Joseph, Ben Te'o
Fly-halves: J Sexton, O Farrell, George Ford
Scrum-halves: Connor Murray, Rhys Webb, B Youngs
Props: Jack Mcgrath, Cian Healy, M Vunipola, Tadgh Furlong, Dan Cole, Kyle Sinkler
Hookers: Dylan Hartley, Ken Owens, Jamie George.
Locks: Maro Itoje, AW Jones, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury
Back row: CJ Stander, T Faletau, Peter O'Mahony, Billy Vunipola, S O'Brien, J Tipuric, S Warburton (capt).
English - 16
Welsh - 10
Irish - 9
Scottish - 2
Seems harsh to have only 2 scots considering they beat both the irish and welsh but its hard to see what others would be there. Jonny Gray looks knackered and not at his best. Dunbar and Watson would be the other two with a look in. I wouldn't take Russell. The smashings by England and Sarries did not help their cause
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39624348
HTF is AWJ a certainty? Of all of the 2nd row names being banded about, he's the worst of the lot! I'd take 4 of the english, at least 1 of the irish and 2 of the scots over him!
HTF would Ryan tour over Henderson?
If Hartley is doing line out duty it makes sense to have English locks I will be surprised if launchbury stays at home.
For all this talk of lock forwards - I think Lawes has been England's best 2nd row this season so he'd be unlucky to miss out.
Does anybody reckon there'll be any bolters?
Wing seems to be a position where nobody has really put their hand up and been consistently excellent. Solomona perhaps?
Looking at the ABs likely squad- we have the edge at 1-3 and maybe 6-8. Parity at 4-5 but with more depth. 9-10 the ABs have it. 11-15 not even close. Goal kicking is our only big advantage.
On the padding thing - none of it should be allowed except scrum caps (for forwards) to stop their ears being squished.
Padding for injuries - bollox. You're either fit to play without any padding or you're not.
Headguards? Amateur boxing proved they did more harm than good and got rid of them.
Hogg
Halfpee
Watson
Daly
Nowell
Maitland
Solomona
Joseph
O'Teo
JDavies
Dunbar
Farrell
Ford
Russell
Care
Youngs
Webb
Mako
Marler
Genge
Hartley
George
Owens
Cole
Francis
Sinckler
Launchburry
Lawes
Itoje
Kruis
Gray
Vunipola
Hughes
Faletau
Warburton
T Young
Haskell
Robshaw
🙄
Faletau??
Press seem to say no Joseph, Ford or Launchberry. As per Australian tour I could see Gatland taking Sexton (first choice starter) with Farrell cover for 10 and 12 in order to have more cover elsewhere. More risky this time as Sexton fairly broken and NZ will give him a pummeling he may not even make the first test.
Watched sarries saints last night enjoyed the game but what the he'll is wrong with Billy V? He came on with 20 to go and acted like a knob.
Cole
Francis
Sinckler
Care to explain your thinking here??!!??
loum - is that the England squad for Argentina? If so, you seem to have picked a few Celts by mistake......
Billy?
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Note the tablecloth covering what we might presume was a trouser accident.
🙂
He is not on the pop again is he 😯
Lions tour to New Zealand - fixtures
June 3 - Provincial Union Team, Whangarei
June 7 - Blues, Auckland
June 10 - Crusaders, Christchurch
June 13 - Highlanders, Dunedin
June 17 - Maori All Blacks, Rotorua
June 20 - Chiefs, Hamilton
June 24 - All Blacks, Auckland
June 27 - Hurricanes, Wellington
July 1 - All Blacks, Wellington
July 8 - All Blacks, Auckland
What do we think then... Lions will be lucky to win 3 out of those 10 games?
Hartley didn't have a bad game at the weekend at all. The Saints bench played a big part in their downfall, whereas Sarries bench had a positive impact although I agree that Billy was a chopper when he came on.
If the press rumours are true, not taking Launchberry seems pretty harsh because he does so much well and often lasts a full 80. Not surprised that Ford won't be going; he's a defensive weakness and his goal kicking is a liability.
I feel sorry for the players who do go because the tour schedule is bloody intense.
The mid week games will be a lot tougher than the last tour to nz as playing the full super dooper 14 teams.
It would be a travesty if Te'o were to tour when so many other talented players are not so lucky (just IMO)
Teo isnt very good
Thought launchBury would have been first name on test team for the ballast of him he has a high work rate a good reader aswell, bizarre if he doesn't go.
How thd hell was this allowed? Duckman to the forum.please. surely thats a pen against the team with the reserves on the pitch..
Haha that's brilliant! Subs shouldn't be there for sure and it was worth a pen. Can't think what covers that situation though...I would have to go with "I'm the ref so it's a penalty."
Subs shouldn't be there for sure and it was worth a pen. Can't think what covers that situation though...I would have to go with "I'm the ref so it's a penalty."
AKA Norling's Law.
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You would be surprised how often it works. Contrary to the spirit of the game innit?