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?
How about "You've got 20 players on the pitch and those 5 are offside"
But they didn't; five of them hadn't been noted by the fourth official. 😀
Bringing on subs without permission? Or just rule 1 "cos I said so!"
I guess Jaco decided that the sub wearing blue with a grey bib over the top was enough for him to not be recognised as a member of the passer's team!
Still shouldnt be on the pitch, whats the betting he was calling for "his mate" to pass him the ball too?!
Rumour has it that Jamie Roberts is going with the Lions? WTF? How is his form good enough to justify that or is of confirming that Warrenball is alive and well?
Lots of gossip and guessing on the back pages today
The Times are calling it. They say Dylan Hartley will be the third successive England captain to be overlooked by the Lions, with Sam Warburton skipper and Jack Nowell in line for a surprise call-up
Further reports of only one Scotchish player on the boat.....
What times it announced? Might avoid this place for a while!!!
Nowel is hardly a shock call is it?
12:00 bst I think
Nowellsy only if he ups his game from the other week!
Would prefer Roberts to Teo. Massive experience, knows what Lions tours are all about and a real leader, would be a very good dirt tracker.
Warrenball is their best hope as its simple and the team can gel. Developing an allcourt running game would take too long to get right and the allblacks would be better at it anyway!
.I just think Ford will just end up as a speed bump for the dirt trackers, Biggar would be better at that imo
Biggar's not quick enough to be a speed bump. 🙂
Was that before or after he "passed" the HIA? Hasnt played since.
The more people speculate on the team on here; the more I realise just how weak this squad is going to be. The only place we are especially strong is second row; but Whitelock and Retallick aren't exactly poor for the AB's. We do also have a potential world class 8 in BV, but again Reid isn't really going to be too worried is he? Then we get to relative merits of our back line and it just gets frightening.
Would prefer Roberts to Teo. Massive experience, knows what Lions tours are all about and a real leader, would be a very good dirt tracker.
And very predictable, offers little than a 20m run.
I realise just how weak this squad is going to be.
I'm the same!
The Lions will get dicked. The tour schedule is compressed and they're playing the best team in the world who's domestic sids are rather good too.
I think we all know its going to be 0-3
Warbs is captain
Leaked photo would seem to confirm this
Would prefer Roberts to Teo. Massive experience, knows what Lions tours are all about and a real leader, would be a very good dirt tracker.
And isn't a mercenary thug who'd rather be playing for the opposition.
Teo has insufficient experience to go on a Lions tour. Should not even be considered.
Warbs is captain
Been known for an age hasnt it. Betting was halted on it weeks ago.
JJ in
Payne
Teo
Henderson
Just irish players then??
Dan Biggar, Elliot Daly, Jonathan Davies, Owen Farrell, Leigh Halfpenny, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart Hogg, Jonathan Joseph, Conor Murray, George North, Jack Nowell, Jared Payne, Jonathan Sexton, Tommy Seymour, Ben Te'o, Anthony Watson, Rhys Webb, Liam Williams, Ben Youngs
Oh dear...
Forwards:
Rory Best (Ireland), Dan Cole (England), Taulupe Faletau (Wales), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Jamie George (England), Iain Henderson (Ireland), Maro Itoje (England), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), George Kruis (England), Courtney Lawes (England), Joe Marler (England), Jack McGrath (Ireland), Ross Moriarty (Wales), Sean O'Brien (Ireland), Peter O'Mahony (Ireland), Ken Owens (Wales), Kyle Sinckler (England), CJ Stander (Ireland), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Billy Vunipola (England), Mako Vunipola (England), Sam Warburton (Wales)
12 Welsh, 16 English, 11 Irish and 2 Scots - making 41 in total if I can add up. Big squad
Bit too many green machine players in there for my liking - I'd like to see it reduced by, let me see, around eleven.
No Launchbury???
I'm not sure who I'd leave out for them, but Robshaw & Haskell very unlucky not to tour.
Moriarty is lucky but he was bloody good in the six nations to be fair. He's on the up too.
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Is the squad going to be trimmed or are they taking that many because they know the chiefs and hurricanes will be going out with strict instructions to injure any players the ab's think might get into the test team:).
