v AB'S - First Test

[skidger]

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

Oh the pack could be a handful for you but i was thinking more of any dashing backs.

[Numbers]

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.

I think the back three picked has a good attacking edge, I would have still had North on the bench rather than Halfpenny as he surely offers better impact, other than that the lineup for this game seems like it's strong.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

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

They have, I have that from the horses mouth so to speak.

[Banquo]

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.

I think the back three picked has a good attacking edge, I would have still had North on the bench rather than Halfpenny as he surely offers better impact, other than that the lineup for this game seems like it's strong.

problem is that inside them they have the washing machine, boshing Ben and no-hands JD2! I'd have probably picked Sexton and JJ, but neither suit the game plan Gats is heading for, and I don't blame him for that.

[Son of Mathonwy]

I thought he'd find a place for Warburton and AWJ, somewhere. Thought Itoje was nailed on to start though.

Williams is a real shock, especially after Halfpenny's faultless kicking. Perhaps Gatland realises (at long last) that his plan doesn't allow much scope for the backs to make breaks unless it is via individual creativity, and Liam has bags of that. May need to do without him for 10 minutes though...

[ALunpg]

I thought he'd find a place for Warburton and AWJ, somewhere. Thought Itoje was nailed on to start though.

Williams is a real shock, especially after Halfpenny's faultless kicking. Perhaps Gatland realises (at long last) that his plan doesn't allow much scope for the backs to make breaks unless it is via individual creativity, and Liam has bags of that. May need to do without him for 10 minutes though...

I honestly think that Itoje deserved the start but understand that the wiley AB would have targeted him..by the time he comes on ...they will be not so concerned... his chance to shine and excel.
I am convinced he will start tests 2 and 3 once he has got this under his belt .
As for Halfpenny ..even after almost a day since the announcement ...the only thought is some sort of insurance...but don't ask me for what

[kk67]

[
Some alarming ages in there, seemingly a mix of the too old and too young.

It's so impressive the way that they build a team and have it continue.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Well we have a chance. I didn't expect that to be the case. Gatland hasn't completely fucked the selection. A team with Watson Williams and Daly in the back 3 could score tries. Rieko could have a nightmare under pressure. Farrell is going ok. The ABs midfield looks wrong. Coles isn't fit and so won't be skinning us on the outside. We've even won a cuple of matches in a row.

[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

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... three.html

'Lions can win the first test if they follow my masterplan' by SCW.

[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

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... three.html

'Lions can win the first test if they follow my masterplan' by SCW.

So....be confident, defend well and score more points than the oppo.

[kk67]

Well we have a chance. I didn't expect that to be the case. Gatland hasn't completely fucked the selection. A team with Watson Williams and Daly in the back 3 could score tries. Rieko could have a nightmare under pressure. Farrell is going ok. The ABs midfield looks wrong. Coles isn't fit and so won't be skinning us on the outside. We've even won a cuple of matches in a row.

It'll be a miracle if we beat them out wide. They're going to destroy us up the middle.

[Mellsblue]

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.

I think the back three picked has a good attacking edge, I would have still had North on the bench rather than Halfpenny as he surely offers better impact, other than that the lineup for this game seems like it's strong.

washing machine

Que?

[skidger]

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

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... three.html

'Lions can win the first test if they follow my masterplan' by SCW.

So....be confident, defend well and score more points than the oppo.

And don't let the Haka upset you. Its startling stuff from Clive.

[morepork]

Clives logic smells of stale cock cheese in a sweaty sauna.

[Banquo]

I think the back three picked has a good attacking edge, I would have still had North on the bench rather than Halfpenny as he surely offers better impact, other than that the lineup for this game seems like it's strong.

washing machine

Que?

It was a moniker bestowed on Murray'n'Faz by the Crusaders coach- something to do with kicking and territory. Made no sense really, hence it appealed to me

[Digby]

Ben Te'o to change his name to Calgon

[jared_7]

The weather is supposed to be dire, should help the Lions. Makes the selection of Reiko quite risky, he will get an aerial bombardment.

[canta_brian]

Anyone know enough about the Wales B Team (Wales minus Lions, still Wales, or Wales B) to know how good their 19-17 win over Samoa makes the All blacks 78 nil look?

[Digby]

The weather is supposed to be dire, should help the Lions. Makes the selection of Reiko quite risky, he will get an aerial bombardment.

It can't be worse than Christchurch in '05. And that showed up a gulf in skills and playing as a team/unit

[Timmyspicyman]

Anyone know enough about the Wales B Team (Wales minus Lions, still Wales, or Wales B) to know how good their 19-17 win over Samoa makes the All blacks 78 nil look?

Jamie Roberts was the only person in XV that would get near a full strength Wales. We also had Scott Baldwin and Scott Williams on the bench. Apart from that, that was probably the weakest Welsh team I've ever seen, and that includes teams which featured Haldane Luscombe and Craig Quinnell (not at the same time though). Also, I think it was pissing down.

Edit: Also this ...... http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... g-13228224

[Cameo]

The weather is supposed to be dire, should help the Lions. Makes the selection of Reiko quite risky, he will get an aerial bombardment.

Am I seeing a different forecast from everyone else? The one I have seen has it windy but dry come evening time

[Timmyspicyman]

The weather is supposed to be dire, should help the Lions. Makes the selection of Reiko quite risky, he will get an aerial bombardment.

Am I seeing a different forecast from everyone else? The one I have seen has it windy but dry come evening time

That seems to be what forecasts are saying. Very windy though. Gusts of up to 35mph. Could affect kicking quite a bit, which is more likely to hinder us than them

[canta_brian]

Anyone know enough about the Wales B Team (Wales minus Lions, still Wales, or Wales B) to know how good their 19-17 win over Samoa makes the All blacks 78 nil look?

Jamie Roberts was the only person in XV that would get near a full strength Wales. We also had Scott Baldwin and Scott Williams on the bench. Apart from that, that was probably the weakest Welsh team I've ever seen, and that includes teams which featured Haldane Luscombe and Craig Quinnell (not at the same time though). Also, I think it was pissing down.

Edit: Also this ...... http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... g-13228224

Cheers for that. Sounds like a nasty bug too. I don't fancy locking a scrum when the hooker has the shits.

[Timmyspicyman]

Anyone know enough about the Wales B Team (Wales minus Lions, still Wales, or Wales B) to know how good their 19-17 win over Samoa makes the All blacks 78 nil look?

Jamie Roberts was the only person in XV that would get near a full strength Wales. We also had Scott Baldwin and Scott Williams on the bench. Apart from that, that was probably the weakest Welsh team I've ever seen, and that includes teams which featured Haldane Luscombe and Craig Quinnell (not at the same time though). Also, I think it was pissing down.

Edit: Also this ...... http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... g-13228224

Cheers for that. Sounds like a nasty bug too. I don't fancy locking a scrum when the hooker has the shits.

I'd add to my post that a major part of that Welsh team was made up of people who aren't even first choice for their club team. Just for a bit of perspective....

[morepork]

Jamie Roberts was the only person in XV that would get near a full strength Wales. We also had Scott Baldwin and Scott Williams on the bench. Apart from that, that was probably the weakest Welsh team I've ever seen, and that includes teams which featured Haldane Luscombe and Craig Quinnell (not at the same time though). Also, I think it was pissing down.

Edit: Also this ...... http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... g-13228224

Cheers for that. Sounds like a nasty bug too. I don't fancy locking a scrum when the hooker has the shits.

I'd add to my post that a major part of that Welsh team was made up of people who aren't even first choice for their club team. Just for a bit of perspective....

Settle down man. Its not as if you playing Japan.