British & Irish Lions tour of NZ 2017

[Twizzle]

wasn't much of a spectacle, the poms really have mastered boring rugby over the years

McKenzie looked a bit out of place in a Maori team

 

[Meth]

Maori tight 5 was never going to compete. Hard to play on the back foot all night

 

[shiznit]

The teams for the first test have been named....

Lions:
15 - Liam Williams
14 - Anthony Watson
13 - Jonathan Davies
12 - Ben Te'o
11 - Elliot Daly
10 - Owen Farrell
9 - Conor Murray
8 - Taulupe Faletau
7 - Sean O'Brien
6 - Peter O'Mahony (c)
5 - George Kruis
4 - Alun Wyn Jones
3 - Tadhg Furlong
2 - Jamie George
1 - Mako Vunipola

Reserves: Ken Owens, Jack McGrath, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Sam Warburton, Rhys Webb, Johnny Sexton, Leigh Halfpenny

All Blacks:
15 - Ben Smith
14 - Israel Dagg
13 - Ryan Crotty
12 - Sonny Bill Williams
11 - Rieko Ioane
10 - Beauden Barrett
9 - Aaron Smith
8 - Kieran Read (c)
7 - Sam Cane
6 - Jerome Kaino
5 - Sam Whitelock
4 - Brodie Retallick
3 - Owen Franks
2 - Codie Taylor
1 - Joe Moody

Reserves: Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden/Lima Sopoaga, Anton Lienert-Brown

Source: http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/in...er-omahony-to-captain-lions-in-the-first-test

 

[shiznit]

I'm in a waiting room for the next 2hours so I've got plenty of time to give my Initial thoughts on the Lions.

I really like the team.

Te'o at 12 was a no brainier based on how he's gone in the tour so far...

George North passed up for Elliot Daily I think was a good selection... Daily's more likely to go in and look for work. And while North is a lump of a lad.... he's never really done anything vs NZ before because our wingers are usually just as big but probably have more in other areas to offer. Daily offers a different skillset and he's been excellent under the highball on the tour... which is looking like a key tactic for them.

Warburton on the bench is interesting... but understandable really when you look at it objectively. Sean O'Brien has almost been the best player on the entire tour and I think Warburton probably lacks the size to switch to the blindside and be effective against the All Blacks. It was only ever a tough decision because Warburton was the tour captain. Take the (c) away from Warburton and it's a no brainer IMO...

Owen Farrell & Conor Murray are definitely the best combo at this stage to take on the All Blacks.

I think picking Itoje on the bench is also a good idea... the REAL strength of this All Blacks team is its bench. While most sides usually suffer almost a drop in quality when the bench comes on... the All Blacks have such a competitive environment that when they call upon the subs the intensity doesn't drop but often actually increases significantly.

The beauty of a team like the Lions is that as they draw upon 4 nations they have the depth now to actually match the All Blacks in this department. So having guys like Itoje on the bench will actually play a massive part in deciding the entire series...

 

[shiznit]

On the All Blacks...

Once again I like the team.

The only big shock was Reiko Ioane for Julian Savea. Savea has been a great All Black... and really still is a high, high level winger... but he's been skiddish under the highball for periods in his career and it looks like that's the type of game the Lions intend on playing. Ioane is just a more sound option in that area but also dynamic in his own right. I think the selection is a horses for course type of pick... I could see Ioane do decent vs the Lions and then end up being dropped for Savea in the rugby championship.

Lienert-Brown was incredible unlucky to miss out on the starting centre spot but Crotty is really the incumbent and has more than earned the benefit of the doubt in this instance.

Aaron Smith ahead of TJ is probably more about what each provides the team. Smith is more steady and probably better to start with where TJ is more explosive and provides punch from the bench.

Everyone else makes sense... Read back now... probably abit underdone but with a guy like him you'll take underdone over most other players peak...

The key to the whole series as I said in the Lions part is the bench... the All Blacks have such a strong bench... Ardie Savea, TJ & Lienart-Brown add some serious punch and ability off the bench. The Lions need to somehow match that line up.

good luck...

 

[shiznit]

All Blacks vs Lions - First Test

First test tonight. Very strong looking lions team.

People are picking a close game but I get the feeling the All Blacks bench will pull away just after half time and then may even put a score on.

Looking forward to the SBW vs Te'o match up... Te'o has been really good on this tour... but SBW is an entirely different beat to anything he's faced in RU.

Which is funny to say considering they have matched up in the NRL a whole heap of times... but SBW is such a savvy second-five with his subtle changes in line as well as the massive improvement he's made at the breakdown where he now actively competes and actually even turns the ball over consistently. He's turned in to a genuine all round 12.

Hopefully I won't be too drunk when i get back from the pub after the game to post some reaction...

 

[Twizzle]

Lions did better than I thought they would they have a decent sized pack, All Blacks still just hitting their straps.

 

[RoosTah]

I thought 30-8 was a fair reflection of the match. It was good quality rugby all round, but the All Blacks always looked on top and more ruthless.

It's a bit of a worry for the Lions when you consider that the ABs tend to take a couple games before they really hit their stride and the Lions have had ample time to get their combinations going now

 

[southwalesrabbitoh]

Lions doesn't suit professional era, end the concept, waste of time, pollution and money.

 

[RoosTah]

Lions doesn't suit professional era, end the concept, waste of time, pollution and money.

Why? They love it in NZ and with the number of games on the tours it's not like they don't have a chance to gel

 

[King hit]

Lions won in Wellington at the death last night. Series goes to a decider.

 

[Parra]

Without SBW

 

[Pommy]

Lions won in Wellington at the death last night. Series goes to a decider.

Or not.

 

[Parra]

Lions should take that result. Just hung on.

 

[JJ]

Great line speed and harassment from Lions forced ABs into errors - we should have won, and of course the farcical refereeing at the end left everyone bemused - there was a penalty there, one way or the other, to award it and then effectively chicken out was lame (they decided Read didn't infringe so it's an AB penalty, simple - if they ruled Read infringed that is understandable too - but what happened was laughable)

 

[Iafeta]

Disgraceful refereeing stitch up.

Firstly, the Crockett penalty. Crockett tries rolling away but a Lions guy falls on him. The halfback starts slapping Crocketts shoulder and then deliberately throws the ball into him. It was cynical. If the Lions are happy to do that, they are themselves quite pathetic.

Then that penalty. You can only go to a TMO to check on potential foul play or if a try is scored. Neither occurred. The referee is not entitled to change his decision therefore.

Worse still, if he plays advantage, Anton Leinart Brown had taken the dropped ball and was a really good chance of going under the sticks.

 

[Twizzle]

This is a great result for the Lions, never thought they would even get close let alone win one. Haven't seen the game yet but will catch the replay.

I really like watching the ABs play, especially when it not against us, lol. The poms have always had the boring style of Rugby, never pretty to watch but it has worked for them over the years.

 

[iJehovah]

lets not forget the AB's have been together & training as a team since January, while the Lions get together a few weeks before the tour starts - bit hard to gel as a team when you have a few games and training sessions together before a test match, & it's made worse by the NH clubs not releasing players till the last minute

 

[Styles clash]

Lions doesn't suit professional era, end the concept, waste of time, pollution and money.

Too popular with Britain and Ireland's upper and aspirational classes. RA, NZR and SARU would be leaving money on the table.