Good win by the non test mob, hope it creates some momentum for first test.

Doddie Weir has MND as well....shocking

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40340310

Just read that as well, so sad.

Not sure Gatland will like Marlers stupidity, wonder if he will start another game. Was lucky to not get a red. Reallt stupid.

Doddie Weir 🙁 awful news

Seems daft to go to all the trouble of calling up those mangy lions to sit on the bench and then not use them!

[i]Seems daft to go to all the trouble of calling up those mangy lions to sit on the bench and then not use them![/i]

Indeed apart from the odd one or two notable injured players sent home. The team that played today could be a nice back up bench.
We won't lose 3 players per test I hope.
Laws is a problem they have a duty of care over his head assessments one more head knock will see him parked up or it should for his safety. North is either keeping his powder dry or looking very normal I'm afraid he has lost his speed in international terms.

North is either keeping his powder dry or looking very normal I'm afraid he has lost his speed in international terms.

North is a strange one, by now he should have improved to being a truly world class wing and he is but only for about 3 games a season, the rest of the time he just seems to disappear. I'd have Daly and Watson on the wing. I dont think North has lost any pace, he just doesnt seem to gt involved. In the first game of the tour he played I watched him chase back in defence and he still looks quick for such a big bloke, not sure what it is though. If we can make sure the North who played v ireland in the six nations turns up he's one of the first on the team sheet, if the one thats been meandering round NZ is going to turn up then thanks but no thanks.

Marler the idiot

lovely

not sure what it is though

He's worn himself out making all those shaving foam adverts?

I don't think George's time at saints has done him any favours, nor the Welsh coaching team who tried (very publicly) to change his game. The bloke is a barnstormer who thrives out wide. Teams have been trying to make him "look for work" or play like a 3rd centre and it's just not him. A half decent pass with a bit of space and he's still as potent as he's ever been. If he's not going to get either then there may be better options.

Not to mention all the head injuries...

Team named tomorrow only questions seem to be is Faz fit and will he play 10 or 12. How plays 13 Davies or Joseph and will Gatland pick Warburton, not sure can justify dropping SOB or POM.

I would think if all are fit then it'll be Sexton, Teo, JD2 with Farrell and Warburton not starting but who knows

I think North is very deceptive. I don't really rate him and thought he did little in the 6 N however an analysis of the stats showed that actually he made a lot of yards ball in hand. He seems to do more than is obvious

I think norths last big head knock at Northampton has took an edge off his game somewhat the mans only a baggy sack of organs and blood after all. Fantastic player when he is on fire but I don't recall more that 6/7 try's this season.
Sexton is my surprise I really did think the opposition would have folded him in half it could be his last hurrah if he stays fit he deserves it.

So what's the prediction for how the allbacks will play?
Offside.(just)
Plenty of grubber kicks to run onto.
Big one for me is how they play the scrum the Lions will be up for it no doubt I can see the allbacks getting the ball out as soon as possible with little or no grunt from the pack.

Well if we are hoping to use the scrum as a means of attack, we may have a long wait for the ABs to drop the ball....

Cant see Wales winning this but nice to Elias getting picked over Baldwin and Ellis Jenkins starting again. 3,4,5 a major worry.

Wales team

Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues); Cory Allen (Ospreys), Tyler Morgan (Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins, capt), Steffan Evans (Scarlets); Sam Davies (Ospreys), Aled Davies (Scarlets); Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Dillon Lewis (Blues), Seb Davies (Blues), Rory Thornton (Ospreys), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Ellis Jenkins (Blues), Josh Navidi (Blues).

Replacements: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Rhodri Jones (Ospreys), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Thomas Young (Wasps), Tomos Williams (Blues), Owen Williams (Gloucester), Scott Williams (Scarlets).

Samoa team

D'Angelo Leuila; Alapati Leiua, Kieron Fonotia, Reynold Lee-Lo, David Lemi (capt); Tusi Pisi, Kahn Fotualii; Viliamu Afatia, Maatulimanu Leiataua, Paul Alo-Emile, Chris Vui, Faatiga Lemalu, Piula Faasalele, Galu Taufale, Fata Alafoti Faosiliva.

Replacements: Seilala Lam, Nephi Leatigaga, Bronson Fotualii-Tauakipulu, Faifili Levave, Vavae Tuilagi, Dwayne Polataivao, Henry Taefu, Tila Mealoi.

I don't really rate him and thought he did little in the 6 N

Is that because he's not Scottish?

however an analysis of the stats showed that actually he made a lot of yards ball in hand

Ooooo stats!!!
He made about 70m in one try!!!

Did Tipuric score a try yesterday?

Don't think so - but him & Nowell look very similar in their matching scrum caps! Nowell scored a backrow-esque try too just to confuse more

I think the thing with North is because he is so big everyone expects him to throw himself around. In reality he is an exceptional broken field runner, exceptional finisher, fast and extremely strong one on one and breaking tackles with half a gap. He can't kick, has ropey tackling and isn't really one for running clever lines out of nowhere. Basically he needs space and will be devastating but without it won't look like he does much.

but him & Nowell look very similar in their matching scrum caps! Nowell scored a backrow-esque try too just to confuse more

... and Tipuric is quicker just to confuse things even more 😉 😆

Thanks Dan it must of been that, went over from a maul.

Is that because he's not Scottish?

Or called Hamish Watson 😆

That's the one - dived over the top from 1m out - proper wingers try :D. Actually really pleased for Nowell. He had an awful start to the tour, so a bit of redemption yesterday.

The point I was making is for me in Norths case there was a difference in perception ( I thought him a big useless lump) and the reality ( what the stats said)

Ie for some reason to me ( and I think others) what he appears to do is less than what he actually does. He is a deceptive player perhaps?

When is the team announced?

When is the team announced?

Think it's tomorrow. The players find out today / tonight and we find out the day after (that's what they said on the radio coverage yesterday).

I thought it was tonight which is tomorrow for them!

Ta

Lions team to face New Zealand

Backs: Liam Williams (Wales); Anthony Watson (England), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Ben Te'o (England), Elliot Daly (England); Owen Farrell (England), Conor Murray (Ireland).

Forwards: Maka Vunipola (England), Jamie George (England), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland); Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), George Kruis (England); Peter O'Mahony (capt, Ireland), Sean O'Brien (Ireland), Taulupe Faletau (Wales)

Would rather have started with Itoje and had Lawes or Henderson on the bench, but I think he was committed to this choice when he played CL and IH for 80 minutes on Tuesday. Curious to see how the wingers stay warm outside of JD2 as well.

Lions replacements

Replacements: 16 Ken Owens (Wales), 17 Jack McGrath (Ireland), 18 Kyle Sinckler (England), 19 Maro Itoje (England), 20 Sam Warburton (Wales), 21 Rhys Webb (Wales), 22 Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), 23 Leigh Halfpenny (Wales).

Really??? A few odd ones there, 2/3 best second rows in the squad not starting 😯

Glad for POM who I think is great. I always imagine what his teachers must have thought when that face came into the classroom on the first day of term. Great player

No 1/2 p! Loopy Liam has looked very dangerous so that picks on form. No Warburton either so old cement head is showing a bit of flexibility. AWJ tho despite the good showing of the other locks. I suppose he has to play one of his favourites 😉

Agreed, POM is a great choice as skipper.

Surprised to see AWJ and Daly start.

Amazed that Halfpenny is on the bench. It doesn't look a bad team but they're up against...

New Zealand team: Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Samuel Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, Kieran Read (capt), Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Ben Smith.

Replacements: Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden/Lima Sopoaga, Anton Lienert-Brown.

Except for AWJ, that's the team I'd have picked. Rowntree must have done the selection 😉

Well wasnt expecting that.AWJ is very under rated here but I'd have picked Itoje every day of the week. I'd also have gone with sexton Faz and Joseph as mid field. Big game for Loopy Liam.

So bring it on!! Cant wait.

I am really pleased to see looppy Liam start over 1/2p - he really does look like a threat ball in hand. still a git tho 😉

I just dont get it. Gatland has never picked Liam over 1/2p and has always picked North..I guess its the welsh strength in depth... Cuthbert!!!!

I like the backline and the bench.

It may well all go tits up and most likely will but they will be giving it a ****ing good crack

Daly played nearly 80 min on Tuesday, AWJ came off the bench. I thought the whole point of the call-ups was to rest the test team?

Sinkler/Itoje/Warburton not a bad set of impact subs though. Was 1/2P only there as a kicker, so once Faz fit Liam got in?

Strange strange picks. No 1/2p ? My views on Farrell at 10 are well known here. He will not deliver fast flat ball, his kicking from hand is so-so for an international 10 too and the ABs will kill the Lions for that. I'll stick my neck out and say the Lions will be lucky to score a single try with Farrell at 10.

Daly played nearly 80 min on Tuesday

No he got subbed off after about 60. Gatland talks shit, get used to it he was obviously wanting to keep them guessing.

He will not deliver fast flat ball

And Sexton would? Faz has looked easily the best 10 and has been far better than the others at drawing in defenders and putting others in space.

And Sexton would? Faz has looked easily the best 10 and has been far better than the others at drawing in defenders and putting others in space.

Daly played nearly 80 min on Tuesday, AWJ came off the bench. I thought the whole point of the call-ups was to rest the test team?

Liam played the full 80 didnt he? Daly getting pulled early made me think he was in on the bench over Liam.

I fear we will be so completely outclassed that it will be unfair to put the blame on Farrell.

Ford should have been on the tour. Sexton was crocked and form was variable. Biggar frankly that was a strange pick. Gatland has painted himself into this corner with the tour party seelctions.

anagallis_arvensis - Member

He will not deliver fast flat ball

And Sexton would? Faz has looked easily the best 10 and has been far better than the others at drawing in defenders and putting others in space.

Generally Sexton is better however in the game I watched I thought Farrell played much flatter and better than I have ever seen him. He is still no Russell tho 😉

Much as I hate to say It I'd probably have picked Farrell who seems to be at the top of his (limited) game whereas Sexton looks to be just about coming into form from a low start. One thing I am really glad is that Farrell is not at 12 - a centre he is not.

I really like Biggar and altho I didn't see the chiefs game the press seemed to say Biggar was right on top of his game.

anagallis_arvensis - Member

I just dont get it. Gatland has never picked Liam over 1/2p and has always picked North.

I suspect someone locked Gatland in a cupboard and wrote the teamsheet

Disappointing to see no scots in there. Who would you have in TJ?

Much as I hate to say It I'd probably have picked Farrell who seems to be at the top of his (limited) game whereas Sexton looks to be just about coming into form from a low start. One thing I am really glad is that Farrell is not at 12 - a centre he is not.

If you need me, I'll be in here;
[img] [/img]

*Mutters*

Agreeing with TJ? Unclean! Unclean! Unclean! Out, out damned thought!

*/Mutters*

Actually feeling a little bit of positivity about Sat's game - may even splurge for PPV...

Only Seymour who is in the squad is a contender. That so and so Murray broke Hogg so his pals stood a chance the rotter. Laidlaw is not lions test material - certainly Webb is better (I'd have him over Murray but its close) and Dell is 3rd choice for Scotland and hardly lions material either.

Of course if the squad had been picked fairly ................... Ow AA - leave me alone let me just say ..........*muffled grumblings from behind a leek stuffed mouth*

I noted Daly removed after 60, but I saw him on the pitch again later - blood sub or HIA I guess.

happy with the team, even with my green tinged specs on Farrell deserves a chance at 10, amazing turn around for O'Mahony given he only played one full 6N game.

Backs: Liam Williams (Wales); Anthony Watson (England), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Ben Te'o (England), Elliot Daly (England); Owen Farrell (England), Conor Murray (Ireland).

Forwards: Maka Vunipola (England), Jamie George (England), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland); Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), George Kruis (England); Peter O'Mahony (capt, Ireland), Sean O'Brien (Ireland), Taulupe Faletau (Wales)

And just as I say it this gets tweeted;
[img] [/img]
Odds from march.

Really pleased for O'Mahony. Looked great on the tour so far, a real leader, it looked like he would miss out.

tjagain - Member
Really pleased for O'Mahony.

FFS, not again! My towel is still wet.

What's happened to Joseph?

Is that a euphemism CFH?

O'Mahony Has been great he deserves that. Feral Farrell getting the chance he deserves he needs to keep a cool head and not stick his nose in the forwards handbaging it's the only thing that might spoil his game.
The Allblack team is just dripping in quality and style.

And with 1/2p not playing means I don't have to fast forward the shuffle before the goal kicking!!!

And if anyone is feeling cheeky lions are 50/1 on for the white wash might be worth a £10 bet 😯

And with 1/2p not playing means I don't have to fast forward the shuffle before the goal kicking!!!

Are you thinking of Biggar?

****in welsh all look the same!

1/2p

Dan Bigger

On a more positive note relating to rugby players with illness - great to see Christian Lealiifano making a comeback for the Brumbies in a recent friendly.

Less than a year after being diagnosed with leukaemia and seven months after having had a bone marrow transplant he came on as sub against the Asia-Pacific Dragons and kicked 6 conversions.

Hopefully he'll play in the latter stages of Super Rugby if all goes well.

Thats brilliant!

Great start from Samoa, stadium bouncing, hits going in, wales playing shit!!!

Gutsy display by the welsh kids in awful conditions.

Good article about how rugby is helping in Argentina's prison system:

[url= http://www.rugby365.com/countries/argentina/79769-argentina-s-jailbirds-flock-to-rugby ]-argentina-s-jailbirds-flock-to-rugby[/url]

Sounds like a hard fought win for Wales, very happy with that.

So er, what has happened to Jonathan Joseph? Have I missed something, he appears not to be in any Lions team right now...

great to see Christian Lealiifano making a comeback for the Brumbies in a recent friendly.

Less than a year after being diagnosed with leukaemia and seven months after having had a bone marrow transplant he came on as sub against the Asia-Pacific Dragons and kicked 6 conversions.

Nice one namastebuzz. Great to hear.

So er, what has happened to Jonathan Joseph? Have I missed something, he appears not to be in any Lions team right now...o er, what has happened to Jonathan Joseph? Have I missed something, he appears not to be in any Lions team right now...

He seems to have fallen foul of Gatland's law: let's pick a slightly over the hill or not quite fit Welshmen over a better, younger player in good form.

Explains Jones, Davies, Halfpenny and Warburton....

As good as he is, he has hardly stood out on the tour so far

Well to be fair he hasn't had much chance to do so has he...

Katherine Jenkins,Bryn Terfel and the ex mrs henson, watch and learn from four Samoan blokes

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/four-samoan-men-sang-welsh-13230804#ICID=FB-Wales-main