Fully Armed and Operational Super Rugby Teams

[Lizard]

Oh, what have the Lions agreed to?

Not only have they signed up to play all five Super Rugby teams instead of the usual selection from 27 provinces, but at least the first three of those will be fully equipped with their All Blacks, instead of being depleted as you might expect.

http://es.pn/2bTs8Vt

So that's the 1st XVs of the Blues, Crusaders and Highlanders. And you'll have seen what the Chiefs 2nd XV did to the Welsh.

[Sandydragon]

Admittedly the Lions dirt tracker side will be stronger than the Welsh 2nd XV that embarrassed themselves against the Chiefs. However, they will certainly lose a few games along the way, in fact I'm not seeing any really easy ones, like you often have on these tours to enable the tourists to hit the ground running, although the Provincial Union Team might be a bit ad hoc (will it be the scratch team it sounds like?).

A risk for the All Blacks too mind, if players get injured along the way it will hurt them as well. But I think Hansen has probably decided that he doesn't want the Lions to gain any momentum and to make them fight in every game.

Its going to be interesting, but we always knew that it would be verging on mission impossible. If the Lions had a month or so to gel before flying out then I think it would be different. As it stands, they will still be finding their feet 3-4 games into the tour.

[Digby]

Good news if the the Lions will play strong teams on tour, we've had a few decades with far too many piss easy matches. If as a consequence the Lions take a hammering then so be it, better than the likes of the Manawatu game.

[morepork]

As long as young Beauden is kept out of midweek trench warfare, all is good.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Oh, what have the Lions agreed to?

Not only have they signed up to play all five Super Rugby teams instead of the usual selection from 27 provinces, but at least the first three of those will be fully equipped with their All Blacks, instead of being depleted as you might expect.

http://es.pn/2bTs8Vt

So that's the 1st XVs of the Blues, Crusaders and Highlanders. And you'll have seen what the Chiefs 2nd XV did to the Welsh.

Jesus feck. It's not just that they are better players it's that it gives the provinces a stable team to play us with.

Any news on which provincial side we're opening with? I'm currently fearing a whitewash.

[Lizard]

I believe it will be a Barbarians style selection of non-Super Rugby provincial players. So the nearest to cannon fodder you'll get.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

I believe it will be a Barbarians style selection of non-Super Rugby provincial players. So the nearest to cannon fodder you'll get.

Even though half our team won't be there we should win that. Maori should be near the shadow Test team so we should win that. As for the games against the franchises...

[Lizard]

If you don't easily account for the Provincial XV you might as well head straight back to the airport.

The Maori are harder to pick. In 2005 it really was a shadow test side - probably the strongest Maori team ever picked. Most had been or would be All Blacks (Carl Hayman, Carlos Spencer etc) and they won far more easily than the score suggested.

If they select like that again, the Maori should win. If we pick a more traditional non-All Black team, then who knows.

[cashead]

If you don't easily account for the Provincial XV you might as well head straight back to the airport.

The Maori are harder to pick. In 2005 it really was a shadow test side - probably the strongest Maori team ever picked. Most had been or would be All Blacks (Carl Hayman, Carlos Spencer etc) and they won far more easily than the score suggested.

If they select like that again, the Maori should win. If we pick a more traditional non-All Black team, then who knows.

I wouldn't be surprised if Hansen is asked to release some Maori All Blacks eligible players for that game, to be honest.

[Digby]

If you don't easily account for the Provincial XV you might as well head straight back to the airport.

The Maori are harder to pick. In 2005 it really was a shadow test side - probably the strongest Maori team ever picked. Most had been or would be All Blacks (Carl Hayman, Carlos Spencer etc) and they won far more easily than the score suggested.

If they select like that again, the Maori should win. If we pick a more traditional non-All Black team, then who knows.

The 2005 Maori team also had one of the more disturbing performances from the early version of Steve Walsh, no doubt he went on to recover himself and be a fine ref, but that was old school home team reffing. Mind the Lions also found themselves inspired in the land of wanting mobility in the pack to select a front row of Sheridan, Thompson and White, so they hardly contributed nothing to their own downfall, and Clive was very excited to be picking that many big men, very excited indeed.

[Lizard]

I was at the game, and the Maori certainly had the edge on mobility.

[Len]

The game roster looks like it was written by Steve Hansen himself.

[Cameo]

It'seems funny. Last tour the papers were saying everything was stacked against the lions as the warmup were too easy, now they are saying that everything is stacked against the lions as there are no easy games

[Eugene Wrayburn]

It'seems funny. Last tour the papers were saying everything was stacked against the lions as the warmup were too easy, now they are saying that everything is stacked against the lions as there are no easy games

There's no contradiction there if what you want is a mixture of confidence building easy games and system testing difficult matches. The virtue of the current schedule is that no one can sail into the Test side by virtue of a couple of outings against easy opposition and a cameo in a tricky match.

[morepork]

I very much look forward to the Lions moving crab wise across the width of the pitch for phase after phase, then kicking aimlessly to the opposition for so many games. Surely, surely, this will get through to Wawwen?

[Eugene Wrayburn]

I very much look forward to the Lions moving crab wise across the width of the pitch for phase after phase, then kicking aimlessly to the opposition for so many games. Surely, surely, this will get through to Wawwen?

I've decided to be optimistic. there were some signs during the Wales tour that he had begun to realise that actually the team needed to play a bit. If he does decide to play a bit I think we've go the players to do it. I don't think we can gel them in time to win a series (or even Test) against the ABs but there's considerable talent there.

[Cameo]

I very much look forward to the Lions moving crab wise across the width of the pitch for phase after phase, then kicking aimlessly to the opposition for so many games. Surely, surely, this will get through to Wawwen?

I've decided to be optimistic. there were some signs during the Wales tour that he had begun to realise that actually the team needed to play a bit. If he does decide to play a bit I think we've go the players to do it. I don't think we can gel them in time to win a series (or even Test) against the ABs but there's considerable talent there.

I'm with you on that. The All Blacks may still have better players but there are plenty of good lions players in all positions to take them on in an expansive game. Ten is the one position I'd be a bit concerned about but that might change by next summer

[kk67]

It'seems funny. Last tour the papers were saying everything was stacked against the lions as the warmup were too easy, now they are saying that everything is stacked against the lions as there are no easy games

There's no contradiction there if what you want is a mixture of confidence building easy games and system testing difficult matches. The virtue of the current schedule is that no one can sail into the Test side by virtue of a couple of outings against easy opposition and a cameo in a tricky match.

There's a bit of vom' in my throat as I type this,.... but England's renaissance is going to make this series blydi fascinating and as you say, the schedule is perfect.
My dilemma is that I either take the Murdoch shilling or I work nights.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

I very much look forward to the Lions moving crab wise across the width of the pitch for phase after phase, then kicking aimlessly to the opposition for so many games. Surely, surely, this will get through to Wawwen?

I've decided to be optimistic. there were some signs during the Wales tour that he had begun to realise that actually the team needed to play a bit. If he does decide to play a bit I think we've go the players to do it. I don't think we can gel them in time to win a series (or even Test) against the ABs but there's considerable talent there.

I'm with you on that. The All Blacks may still have better players but there are plenty of good lions players in all positions to take them on in an expansive game. Ten is the one position I'd be a bit concerned about but that might change by next summer

I'd be happy with a firing Sexton or Paddy Jackson frankly. I'm not sure Biggar remembers how to pass the ball and Farrell has never really known. Much as i like Ford as a rugby player I'm not sure we can afford to let a Savea run at him.

[BBD]

I'm happy enough with the options available at 10.
It's the scrum half where I think we will struggle to get the variety and accuracy to put pressure on NZ
Especially at pace

[morepork]

I'm happy enough with the options available at 10.
It's the scrum half where I think we will struggle to get the variety and accuracy to put pressure on NZ
Especially at pace

Totes. None of this half back staring at the ball for 20 seconds like a fat labrador before lobbing the ball at the No. 10s face won't really work.

[BBD]

If that happens I can already see the frustration of the forwards bullocking up into the 22 only for the indecision of the scrum half meaning the lions play right into the hands of the NZ organised and cutely cynical defence - turnover - the All Blacks then break and fun the length of the pitch with lions falling about in their wake

[morepork]

It means your kicking game will go to poose and you'll be playing in the wrong part of the field.

[BBD]

It means we will be all lateral effort for little incisive penetration and when we run out of options we will play a garryowen and concede possession.

[morepork]

It means we will be all lateral effort for little incisive penetration and when we run out of options we will play a garryowen and concede possession.

Hey presto, Gatball!