v AB'S - First Test

[skidger]

Has winning cup winning coach and well known shy person SCW given his blessing to the Lions 23 yet?

[Buggaluggs]

Has winning cup winning coach and well known shy person SCW given his blessing to the Lions 23 yet?

Alastair Campbell has called a press conference, so..

[morepork]

Thanks to the mania of the press, its now a proper tour. That Lions pack is gonna be hard to break down. Time for Reid to have a big game. The loss to Ireland has probably dictated some Tic Tacs for fat Steve. Dagg will kick a lot to keep the evil Lions pack from winning penalties too close to the sticks I'd imagine. I feel in my water a big SBW contribution too.

[morepork]

I think it's Hansen's usual loyalty in giving a former incumbent first shot once he's fit and back in the squad. Given the likely approach of the Lions' midfield, defensive considerations probably played a part,too.

Either way, not a bad problem to have.


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I guess, but ALB is no defensive slouch. I guess he and SBW are both kind of playmakers, though very different. Wasn't ALB incumbing before SBW?

incumbing.

Remind me to use that more in conversation.

[p/d]

Has winning cup winning coach and well known shy person SCW given his blessing to the Lions 23 yet?

He'll be disappointed Farrell isn't wearing the 10 and 12 shirts

[skidger]

Has winning cup winning coach and well known shy person SCW given his blessing to the Lions 23 yet?

He'll be disappointed Farrell isn't wearing the 10 and 12 shirts

He really is that good. Clive should talk him up more.

[Lizard]

I think it's Hansen's usual loyalty in giving a former incumbent first shot once he's fit and back in the squad. Given the likely approach of the Lions' midfield, defensive considerations probably played a part,too.

Either way, not a bad problem to have.


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I guess, but ALB is no defensive slouch. I guess he and SBW are both kind of playmakers, though very different. Wasn't ALB incumbing before SBW?

Sonny Bill debuted in 2010. ALB in 2016. At RWC2015, SBW was the preferred mid-field reserve behind Nonu/Smith. He had 19 starts in the mid-field 2010-2015, the most other than Nonu/Smith (next was Fekitoa with 7). He then specialized in 7s to get to the 2016 Olympics where he got injured.
He has only returned to the test side this season. Since Nonu and Smith retired post-RWC2015, the starters have been (in order):
Crotty/Fekitoa x2
Crotty/Moala
Crotty/Fekitoa
Fekitoa/ALB
Crotty/Fekitoa x2
Crotty/ALB x3
Crotty/Moala
Fekitoa/ALB x2
Crotty/ALB
ALB/SBW

So maybe it's more accurate to say SBW was the "incumbent-in-waiting" before 7s/injury took him out of the squad giving ALB a chance (which he has taken with both hands, both feet, his teeth and clenched elbow).

[Lizard]

Hang on a minute - does this mean Julian Savea is released for the Hurricanes?

[zer0]

Hopefully. A Hurricanes outfit with he Fifita, Laumape and J.Barrett would be a much more entertaining prospect.

[Banquo]

I think it's Hansen's usual loyalty in giving a former incumbent first shot once he's fit and back in the squad. Given the likely approach of the Lions' midfield, defensive considerations probably played a part,too.

Either way, not a bad problem to have.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I guess, but ALB is no defensive slouch. I guess he and SBW are both kind of playmakers, though very different. Wasn't ALB incumbing before SBW?

incumbing.

Remind me to use that more in conversation.

shorthand, like Len

[Banquo]

I think it's Hansen's usual loyalty in giving a former incumbent first shot once he's fit and back in the squad. Given the likely approach of the Lions' midfield, defensive considerations probably played a part,too.

Either way, not a bad problem to have.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I guess, but ALB is no defensive slouch. I guess he and SBW are both kind of playmakers, though very different. Wasn't ALB incumbing before SBW?

Sonny Bill debuted in 2010. ALB in 2016. At RWC2015, SBW was the preferred mid-field reserve behind Nonu/Smith. He had 19 starts in the mid-field 2010-2015, the most other than Nonu/Smith (next was Fekitoa with 7). He then specialized in 7s to get to the 2016 Olympics where he got injured.
He has only returned to the test side this season. Since Nonu and Smith retired post-RWC2015, the starters have been (in order):
Crotty/Fekitoa x2
Crotty/Moala
Crotty/Fekitoa
Fekitoa/ALB
Crotty/Fekitoa x2
Crotty/ALB x3
Crotty/Moala
Fekitoa/ALB x2
Crotty/ALB
ALB/SBW

So maybe it's more accurate to say SBW was the "incumbent-in-waiting" before 7s/injury took him out of the squad giving ALB a chance (which he has taken with both hands, both feet, his teeth and clenched elbow).

well, I am better informed, if none the wiser...
(I meant ALB was in place before SBW's 'comeback', I know he became an AB later than SBW originally- and you have confirmed this)

[Digby]

1. Joe Moody (25)
2. Codie Taylor (16)
3. Owen Franks (91)
4. Brodie Retallick (61)
5. Samuel Whitelock (85)
6. Jerome Kaino (78)
7. Sam Cane (41)
8. Kieran Read (97)
9. Aaron Smith (59)
10. Beauden Barrett (50)
11. Rieko Ioane (2)
12. Sonny Bill Williams (34)
13. Ryan Crotty (26)
14. Israel Dagg (62)
15. Ben Smith (61)

Some alarming ages in there, seemingly a mix of the too old and too young. And like the Lions happy to pick a player with concussion issues.

Wondering in advance if Cane and Crotty are really the best choices available, they're not bad players, just not the superstars one comes to expect of NZ, and also wondering if Ioane named to start is what did for North's chances of being picked as the big buy to tackle the fat lad on the wing.

[Banquo]

1. Joe Moody (25)
2. Codie Taylor (16)
3. Owen Franks (91)
4. Brodie Retallick (61)
5. Samuel Whitelock (85)
6. Jerome Kaino (78)
7. Sam Cane (41)
8. Kieran Read (97)
9. Aaron Smith (59)
10. Beauden Barrett (50)
11. Rieko Ioane (2)
12. Sonny Bill Williams (34)
13. Ryan Crotty (26)
14. Israel Dagg (62)
15. Ben Smith (61)

Some alarming ages in there, seemingly a mix of the too old and too young. And like the Lions happy to pick a player with concussion issues.

Wondering in advance if Cane and Crotty are really the best choices available, they're not bad players, just not the superstars one comes to expect of NZ, and also wondering if Ioane named to start is what did for North's chances of being picked as the big buy to tackle the fat lad on the wing.

who is the concussion man?

[Digby]

1. Joe Moody (25)
2. Codie Taylor (16)
3. Owen Franks (91)
4. Brodie Retallick (61)
5. Samuel Whitelock (85)
6. Jerome Kaino (78)
7. Sam Cane (41)
8. Kieran Read (97)
9. Aaron Smith (59)
10. Beauden Barrett (50)
11. Rieko Ioane (2)
12. Sonny Bill Williams (34)
13. Ryan Crotty (26)
14. Israel Dagg (62)
15. Ben Smith (61)

Some alarming ages in there, seemingly a mix of the too old and too young. And like the Lions happy to pick a player with concussion issues.

Wondering in advance if Cane and Crotty are really the best choices available, they're not bad players, just not the superstars one comes to expect of NZ, and also wondering if Ioane named to start is what did for North's chances of being picked as the big buy to tackle the fat lad on the wing.

who is the concussion man?

Where it says Codie Taylor I managed to read that as Dane Coles.

[Banquo]

Some alarming ages in there, seemingly a mix of the too old and too young. And like the Lions happy to pick a player with concussion issues.

Wondering in advance if Cane and Crotty are really the best choices available, they're not bad players, just not the superstars one comes to expect of NZ, and also wondering if Ioane named to start is what did for North's chances of being picked as the big buy to tackle the fat lad on the wing.

who is the concussion man?

Where it says Codie Taylor I managed to read that as Dane Coles.

I did wonder

[Doorzetbornandbred]

First bit of handbags, any predictions?

[Lizard]

First time the Lions front row goes backwards. It happens every match.

[Which Tyler]

First bit of handbags, any predictions?

Itoje during the warm-up

[Banquo]

First bit of handbags, any predictions?

Itoje during the warm-up

lol, yes I do worry what will happen when he comes off the bench; from being relatively docile- Eddie's worry iirc- he's become over fired up when starting, so god knows what happens when that is all pent up.

[Lizard]

Cruden confirmed on the bench over Sopoaga

[ad_tigger]

First time the Lions front row goes backwards. It happens every match.

To be fair we haven't got a single guy who's clearly the best player in the team so the chances of it being just after he's cynically taken out of the series is reduced somewhat.

[skidger]

First time the Lions front row goes backwards. It happens every match.

To be fair we haven't got a single guy who's clearly the best player in the team so the chances of it being just after he's cynically taken out of the series is reduced somewhat.

Agreed. None of the Lions are worth spear tackling and taking him out of the series so you don't have to face him again.

[Lizard]

First time the Lions front row goes backwards. It happens every match.

To be fair we haven't got a single guy who's clearly the best player in the team so the chances of it being just after he's cynically taken out of the series is reduced somewhat.

So Gatland has learned something, then.

Actually, that could be why he's not even put his tour captain on the park - keeps him out of the firing line.

[skidger]

Not sure who could possibly scare the All Blacks. Teo if he is up for it and making dents maybe. One of the back three if they get going? But certainly no superstar and hopefully one will emerge.

[Lizard]

After the Crusaders game, I hope the All Blacks have been worried enough about your front row to figure out how to do better.