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Re: B&I Lions v Western Force
Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2025 10:39 am
by Mr Mwenda
Had the Aussie commentary on the Swedish channel. Was pretty decent as they were all on the "sell the occasion" setting so just embracing positives for both teams. Lots of switching between people but easy enough to ignore which is my preference with any commentary.
Re: B&I Lions v Western Force
Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2025 10:56 am
by Cameo
Which Tyler wrote: ↑Sun Jun 29, 2025 9:08 am
My current test team at this point.
1. Genge
2. Sheehan
3. Stuart
4. Itoje
5. McCarthy
6. TBC (Morgan/Curry)
7. Van Der Flier
8. Conan
09. Williams (if fit)
10. Russell
11. Freeman
12. Tuipulotu
13. TBC (Jones/Ringrose)
14. Lowe
15. Kinghorn
Beyond the TBCs, Stuart, Williams and Lowe are only pencilled in, not inked.
I would guess that wouldn't be too far ofd, but think Lowe is probably the more firmly in winger. Think VDM and Freeman have a big fight coming. Porter also did well yesterday so may have a shout, and we are yet to see Keenan.
Someone mentioned Tuipulotu looking unfit. Definitely looked like he was blowing the last 15 mins. Still managed to burst into life when the ball came near, but wonder if it is just taking a while to get match fitness back. He wasn't the only one though so wouldn't be shocked if there was another reason that we don't know about.
Re: B&I Lions v Western Force
Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2025 11:34 am
by Mikey Brown
Which Tyler wrote: ↑Sat Jun 28, 2025 6:02 pm
Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Sat Jun 28, 2025 5:52 pm
Russell has pretty much only played in teams requiring him to be wildly ambitious in attack to make up for a lack of forward dominance.
Not sure that's been true since 2018, or if it was true even then
Racing certainly had some big names in the forward pack but were generally pretty erratic. I think we saw some similar reactions to Finn playing there as with Bath now - but not to the same degree - of people being shocked he can actually control a game with his kicking or sit back and direct those around him.
Obviously he’s grown as a player in that time too, but the threat of flinging it wide and creating chaos with the risky plays is still a key part of his game.
Re: B&I Lions v Western Force
Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2025 1:47 pm
by Galfon
From Beeb article:
"Our former Aussie at No 14, Mack Hansen," the announcer declared on Saturday in front of a record Force crowd of more than 46,000.
''Another Aussie at No 12, Sione Tuipulotu. At No 11, the Kiwi now Irishman James Lowe, and at prop, the former SA schoolboy now Scotsman, Pierre Schoeman."
Mind-boggling rather than -gaming, tbf
Re: B&I Lions v Western Force
Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2025 2:57 pm
by Banquo
Cameo wrote: ↑Sun Jun 29, 2025 10:56 am
Which Tyler wrote: ↑Sun Jun 29, 2025 9:08 am
My current test team at this point.
1. Genge
2. Sheehan
3. Stuart
4. Itoje
5. McCarthy
6. TBC (Morgan/Curry)
7. Van Der Flier
8. Conan
09. Williams (if fit)
10. Russell
11. Freeman
12. Tuipulotu
13. TBC (Jones/Ringrose)
14. Lowe
15. Kinghorn
Beyond the TBCs, Stuart, Williams and Lowe are only pencilled in, not inked.
I would guess that wouldn't be too far ofd, but think Lowe is probably the more firmly in winger. Think VDM and Freeman have a big fight coming. Porter also did well yesterday so may have a shout, and we are yet to see Keenan.
Someone mentioned Tuipulotu looking unfit. Definitely looked like he was blowing the last 15 mins. Still managed to burst into life when the ball came near, but wonder if it is just taking a while to get match fitness back. He wasn't the only one though so wouldn't be shocked if there was another reason that we don't know about.
Freeman mostly plays on the right and Lowe always on the left so I'd think that'd be the other way round, and Lowe is scrapping with VDM and Freeman with Hansen.
Re: B&I Lions v Western Force
Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2025 8:20 pm
by Cameo
Galfon wrote: ↑Sun Jun 29, 2025 1:47 pm
From Beeb article:
"Our former Aussie at No 14, Mack Hansen," the announcer declared on Saturday in front of a record Force crowd of more than 46,000.
''Another Aussie at No 12, Sione Tuipulotu. At No 11, the Kiwi now Irishman James Lowe, and at prop, the former SA schoolboy now Scotsman, Pierre Schoeman."
Mind-boggling rather than -gaming, tbf
I see the Guardian is getting all wound up by this too. Relax, it's a gentle windup, and not exactly innaccurate.
Re: B&I Lions v Western Force
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2025 8:04 am
by Big D
Banquo wrote: ↑Sun Jun 29, 2025 2:57 pm
Cameo wrote: ↑Sun Jun 29, 2025 10:56 am
Which Tyler wrote: ↑Sun Jun 29, 2025 9:08 am
My current test team at this point.
1. Genge
2. Sheehan
3. Stuart
4. Itoje
5. McCarthy
6. TBC (Morgan/Curry)
7. Van Der Flier
8. Conan
09. Williams (if fit)
10. Russell
11. Freeman
12. Tuipulotu
13. TBC (Jones/Ringrose)
14. Lowe
15. Kinghorn
Beyond the TBCs, Stuart, Williams and Lowe are only pencilled in, not inked.
I would guess that wouldn't be too far ofd, but think Lowe is probably the more firmly in winger. Think VDM and Freeman have a big fight coming. Porter also did well yesterday so may have a shout, and we are yet to see Keenan.
Someone mentioned Tuipulotu looking unfit. Definitely looked like he was blowing the last 15 mins. Still managed to burst into life when the ball came near, but wonder if it is just taking a while to get match fitness back. He wasn't the only one though so wouldn't be shocked if there was another reason that we don't know about.
Freeman mostly plays on the right and Lowe always on the left so I'd think that'd be the other way round, and Lowe is scrapping with VDM and Freeman with Hansen.
Wouldn't rule out Kinghorn as a test starter on the.wing is Keenan and him show form.
Re: B&I Lions v Western Force
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2025 11:22 am
by BaldiePete
Big D wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 8:04 am
Banquo wrote: ↑Sun Jun 29, 2025 2:57 pm
Cameo wrote: ↑Sun Jun 29, 2025 10:56 am
I would guess that wouldn't be too far ofd, but think Lowe is probably the more firmly in winger. Think VDM and Freeman have a big fight coming. Porter also did well yesterday so may have a shout, and we are yet to see Keenan.
Someone mentioned Tuipulotu looking unfit. Definitely looked like he was blowing the last 15 mins. Still managed to burst into life when the ball came near, but wonder if it is just taking a while to get match fitness back. He wasn't the only one though so wouldn't be shocked if there was another reason that we don't know about.
Freeman mostly plays on the right and Lowe always on the left so I'd think that'd be the other way round, and Lowe is scrapping with VDM and Freeman with Hansen.
Wouldn't rule out Kinghorn as a test starter on the.wing is Keenan and him show form.
Kinghorn plays most of his games for Toulouse on the left wing unless Ramos isn’t playing (or is at 10) in which case he moves to full back. At the start of his international career most of his caps were on the wing.
Re: B&I Lions v Western Force
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2025 12:12 pm
by Banquo
BaldiePete wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 11:22 am
Big D wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 8:04 am
Banquo wrote: ↑Sun Jun 29, 2025 2:57 pm
Freeman mostly plays on the right and Lowe always on the left so I'd think that'd be the other way round, and Lowe is scrapping with VDM and Freeman with Hansen.
Wouldn't rule out Kinghorn as a test starter on the.wing is Keenan and him show form.
Kinghorn plays most of his games for Toulouse on the left wing unless Ramos isn’t playing (or is at 10) in which case he moves to full back. At the start of his international career most of his caps were on the wing.
Is he quicker than Lowe/VDM ?
Re: B&I Lions v Western Force
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2025 12:18 pm
by Mikey Brown
Quicker than Lowe. Not as fast as VDM but a hell of a lot more agile.
Maybe provides a useful middle ground option between the two.
Re: B&I Lions v Western Force
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2025 1:00 pm
by BaldiePete
Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 12:12 pm
BaldiePete wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 11:22 am
Big D wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 8:04 am
Wouldn't rule out Kinghorn as a test starter on the.wing is Keenan and him show form.
Kinghorn plays most of his games for Toulouse on the left wing unless Ramos isn’t playing (or is at 10) in which case he moves to full back. At the start of his international career most of his caps were on the wing.
Is he quicker than Lowe/VDM ?
He can shift pretty quickly.
https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxe-wcBumsqF ... cfZEbn0_Yn
Re: B&I Lions v Western Force
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2025 2:29 pm
by Banquo
BaldiePete wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 1:00 pm
Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 12:12 pm
BaldiePete wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 11:22 am
Kinghorn plays most of his games for Toulouse on the left wing unless Ramos isn’t playing (or is at 10) in which case he moves to full back. At the start of his international career most of his caps were on the wing.
Is he quicker than Lowe/VDM ?
He can shift pretty quickly.
https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxe-wcBumsqF ... cfZEbn0_Yn
good option, imo the possible weakness in the lions is pace in the backline.
Re: B&I Lions v Western Force
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2025 6:32 am
by Big D
Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 12:12 pm
BaldiePete wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 11:22 am
Big D wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 8:04 am
Wouldn't rule out Kinghorn as a test starter on the.wing is Keenan and him show form.
Kinghorn plays most of his games for Toulouse on the left wing unless Ramos isn’t playing (or is at 10) in which case he moves to full back. At the start of his international career most of his caps were on the wing.
Is he quicker than Lowe/VDM ?
He is quick. One of those players that looks like he is gliding but is actually flying along.
Re: B&I Lions v Western Force
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2025 6:33 am
by Big D
Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 2:29 pm
good option, imo the possible weakness in the lions is pace in the backline.
That's one of the reasons i prefer Jones over Ringrose at centre, although recognise Ringrose has a lot of positives too.