v Blues

[Stom]

So, based on what we've seen, without the option of calling up replacements (or a new coach, sadly)
Who would be people's 23 for the next match if we weren't doing this strange “everyone starts” thing?

I think I'd be going for something like:

McGrath, George, Furlong
Lawes, Itoje,
Stander, Tipuric, Faletau
Murray, Farrell,
Williams, Te'o, Joseph, Watson, Hogg

Owens, Mako, Sinckler, Kruis, Moriarty, Webb, Sexton, Daly


But a lot of those choices don't fill me with happiness right now!

I would love to see:

Mako
George
Furlong
Itoje
Kruis
Stander
Warburton
Faletau
Murray
Farrell
North
Henshaw
Joseph
Daly
Hogg

Best, Marler, Sinckler, Henderson, Tipuric, Webb, Sexton, LWilliams

[MrK]

So, based on what we've seen, without the option of calling up replacements (or a new coach, sadly)
Who would be people's 23 for the next match if we weren't doing this strange “everyone starts” thing?

I think I'd be going for something like:

McGrath, George, Furlong
Lawes, Itoje,
Stander, Tipuric, Faletau
Murray, Farrell,
Williams, Te'o, Joseph, Watson, Hogg

Owens, Mako, Sinckler, Kruis, Moriarty, Webb, Sexton, Daly


But a lot of those choices don't fill me with happiness right now!

I would love to see:

Mako
George
Furlong
Itoje
Kruis
Stander
Warburton
Faletau
Murray
Farrell
North
Henshaw
Joseph
Daly
Hogg

Best, Marler, Sinckler, Henderson, Tipuric, Webb, Sexton, LWilliams

Mcgrath, Owens, Furlong
Itoje, Kruis
Stander, Warburton (Though Id pick Tipuric), Faletau
Murray, Farrell
Teo, Davies
North, Daly, Hogg.

B: George, Vunipola, Sinkler, Lawes, Tipuric/Obrien, Webb, Sexton, WIlliams

[Puja]

Why are people not going Warburton at 6 and Tipuric at 7? Seems like the obvious call to me.

Puja

[Numbers]

The only vaguely reassuring thing I can think of right now is that the person who is performing the absolute worst in what is so far a shower of shite is a Kiwi, so they aren't all brilliant.
Although they did have the sense to hand him a passport and let him go and coach elsewhere, so really the buggers got that right too.

Fucksocks.

Mate the team have been in the country for 1 week, the same amount of time the full squad have had together, I'm not sure what you are expecting really against a team who have been together all season long.

Despite those facts we almost won the match, I'm not bothered by the provincial games really although obviously it's good for confidence to win as many as possible, this is about the tests so we won't see anything like a full strength side until then. The squad will have had a decent amount of time together and be ripe for criticism if justified.

[Numbers]

Why are people not going Warburton at 6 and Tipuric at 7? Seems like the obvious call to me.

Puja

I think most likely due to Standers ball carrying, an area where we are somewhat underpowered.

[Puja]

Why are people not going Warburton at 6 and Tipuric at 7? Seems like the obvious call to me.

Puja

I think most likely due to Standers ball carrying, an area where we are somewhat underpowered.

With Mako, Itoje, Faletau, Furlong, etc is there a massive need for our 6 to be a big carrie... Sorry, just remembered who the coach is. Never mind, carry on.

Puja

[Numbers]

Why are people not going Warburton at 6 and Tipuric at 7? Seems like the obvious call to me.

Puja

I think most likely due to Standers ball carrying, an area where we are somewhat underpowered.

With Mako, Itoje, Faletau, Furlong, etc is there a massive need for our 6 to be a big carrie... Sorry, just remembered who the coach is. Never mind, carry on.

Puja

So which of those has provided big carries in the opening two games?

The two most effective carriers so far would be Moriarty and Stander who not on your list, also Mako is unlikely to start in the tests and is arguably the biggest carrier of those you listed.

[morepork]

Chaps....you aren't going to win by selecting players to run into people. Faletau is smart and skillful, Tipiruc can link....there are other playing options out there. and stop kicking it away.

[Numbers]

Chaps....you aren't going to win by selecting players to run into people. Faletau is smart and skillful, Tipiruc can link....there are other playing options out there. and stop kicking it away.

I very much doubt we'll win any of the tests, carriers are required if we are to get any front foot ball, it's not a case of running into players so much as winning the gainline or not getting smashed backwards.

[Puja]

I think most likely due to Standers ball carrying, an area where we are somewhat underpowered.

With Mako, Itoje, Faletau, Furlong, etc is there a massive need for our 6 to be a big carrie... Sorry, just remembered who the coach is. Never mind, carry on.

Puja

So which of those has provided big carries in the opening two games?

The two most effective carriers so far would be Moriarty and Stander who not on your list, also Mako is unlikely to start in the tests and is arguably the biggest carrier of those you listed.

Who are you having ahead of Mako, out of interest?

Puja

[Mr Mwenda]

So not worth hunting down a full match replay then?

[J Dory]

[cashead]

Just seen the highlights. Was that Halfpenny Ihaia embarrassed on the way to the line? Can't imagine Sexton or Biggar finishing that try. Lovely that was.

Which reminds me that quite a few people are way too fucking quick to forget just how sensational Ihaia West can be with ball in hand.

[fivepointer]

Pretty underwhelming. Too many mistakes, dull penalties, poor options and some players really looking off the pace. Its game 2, they've been in NZ a week. I wouldn't get too worried as there is obviously the capacity in the squad to play a whole lot better, but the turnaround needs to happen pretty sharpish.

[onlynameleft]

I watched the first two games in the Sports Plaza at Center Parcs. Was kinda thinking of staying here for a few weeks but to be honest can't see the Lions getting close to that simple heads up support play and accurate offloading for West's try so think we will head home Friday.

[QwentyJ]

Well done Blues!

If Gatland could send Seymour and Hogg over to the Scotland camp that would be just great.

Can they send Laidlaw too then.

Nah, I'll pass. Most Scots don't even want him in the 23 which says all you need to know about Gatland as a selector.

Fucks sake Greig, come on.

I would love to have Laidlaw in the Scottish 23. Maybe not the starting 9 at the moment on form but his playing days are not over yet.

[Stom]

Why are people not going Warburton at 6 and Tipuric at 7? Seems like the obvious call to me.

Puja

POWER!

No, seriously. I'd love to see a pure power carrying, ruck hitting pack, backed up with quick backs.

[jared_7]

So what do people reckon it is - really poor Lions or the standard of NZ Super rugby sides being high? Probably a bit of both?

Austin Healey has said Saracens would win by 30 against this Blues side, and the Guardian said all the home nations, individually, would beat them (which I assume includes Scotland?)

[skidger]

I think we all knew anyway but this game confirmed Bristol have made a cracking signing. Although he will have to get past the mighty Jordan Crane first. Sorry Jord.

[skidger]

So what do people reckon it is - really poor Lions or the standard of NZ Super rugby sides being high? Probably a bit of both?

Austin Healey has said Saracens would win by 30 against this Blues side, and the Guardian said all the home nations, individually, would beat them (which I assume includes Scotland?)

A bit of both. I think Saracens are far more likely to win by 3 points than 30 and that is Healey just being a prick as usual.

[Len]

Healey is a twat.

[Len]

I've always secretly thought Nowell was average, never voiced it because he has a bit of a fan club. I never thought he'd make the ABs squad if he were a kiwi. Now I'm not sure he'd make some of the NZ super rugby sides benches. Itoje needs to STFU at the linout. First five a real concern for the Lions. No real playmaker there.

Hopefully the Crusaders can show up on Saturday.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

So what do people reckon it is - really poor Lions or the standard of NZ Super rugby sides being high? Probably a bit of both?

Austin Healey has said Saracens would win by 30 against this Blues side, and the Guardian said all the home nations, individually, would beat them (which I assume includes Scotland?)

It's Gatland. The Lions players are very good but playing to Gatland's formula is a how-to manual of losing to the kiwi franchises. They are more than used to power, and the defensive line is designed to reform at such a high speed that even when it bends it very rarely breaks. Even good kicks can be run back for tries or at least serious field position. I cannot see how a Gatland team wins any of these games without the kiwis seriously fucking up and apparently picking a 20 year old newbie for his first start against the most famous touring side in the world isn't a big enough cock up.

Eta, clearly the guardian didn't see Wales getting their arses handed to them by a depleted chiefs team. FFS.

[jngf]

Why are people not going Warburton at 6 and Tipuric at 7? Seems like the obvious call to me.

Puja

Suspect it's because Warburton's arguably not as good or powerful a carrying 6 as Moriarty or Stander or for that matter Haskell.

Agree that Tipuric is the better 7 - I'd be happy with a 6 Moriarty/Stander 7 Tipuric 8 Faletau back row - but Gatland will stick with Warburton

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Why are people not going Warburton at 6 and Tipuric at 7? Seems like the obvious call to me.

Puja

Suspect it's because Warburton's arguably not as good or powerful a carrying 6 as Moriarty or Stander or for that matter Haskell.

He's absolutely bloody miles ahead of Haskell even in carrying as long as the criteria includes making something out of the carry.