1st test - Australia v British & Irish Lions

[General Melchett]

There's one man you're all missing from your leadership groups. He even takes low blow dark arts in his stride. Or maybe it was just a missed tackle.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

There's one man you're all missing from your leadership groups. He even takes low blow dark arts in his stride.

View attachment 24105

Fijian defence coach:

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Does anyone know who Tom Clarkson was called up as cover for? I haven't seen any reports saying either Furlong, Stuart or Bealham are injured.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Does anyone know who Tom Clarkson was called up as cover for? I haven't seen any reports saying either Furlong, Stuart or Bealham are injured.

No one, they're fleshing out the squad more so that the test players can be rested, that's why they've called up a full extra front row

 

[Welsh Exile]

With all due respect I would be better, I wouldn't pick a single Leinster player and tell them they're of a different standard, win a champions cup or else there's no Lions for you.

If anyone else with different loyalties to me took this approach there'd be uproar.

As only a former Leinster player now, Johnny Sexton would of course be captain, with Faz as vice-co-deputy-northern-captain.

Welsh Exile approves this message.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

No one, they're fleshing out the squad more so that the test players can be rested, that's why they've called up a full extra front row

Surely they knew this long before the tour started? If they felt they would need extra players why didn't they add them to the original squad? It doesn't make sense flying the extra players across the world at the last minute.

 

[General Melchett]

Surely they knew this long before the tour started? If they felt they would need extra players why didn't they add them to the original squad? It doesn't make sense flying the extra players across the world at the last minute.

Budget innit. Cost of hotel rooms etc. Do you know how much it costs to feed a prop? Plus it's a lot easier to share match minutes between 37 players than it is 44 or 45 who all think they deserve to play.

 

[big ginger 8]

Budget innit. Cost of hotel rooms etc. Do you know how much it costs to feed a prop? Plus it's a lot easier to share match minutes between 37 players than it is 44 or 45 who all think they deserve to play.

Keeps training more focused as well, less discontent from guys not getting reps. It's really only this one week where there's potential issues with gametime to important players.

 

[Which Tyler]

It's not like the 2005 lions, with 2 separate squads was a raging success story

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Surely they knew this long before the tour started? If they felt they would need extra players why didn't they add them to the original squad? It doesn't make sense flying the extra players across the world at the last minute.

Gotta keep the unions sweet, I guess - summer tours have ranking ramifications and they're already taking a whole lot of players away from their tests for a jolly,
Easier to keep the Unions on side with releasing their players if you say you'll take the minimum at first and then bulk up once summer tests are done

 

[General Melchett]

Keeps training more focused as well, less discontent from guys not getting reps. It's really only this one week where there's potential issues with gametime to important players.

Can't remember who said it but over three tests around 30-32 different players are likely to feature due to injuries, form, etc. and so while there will be disappointment for those who miss out on Saturday there is plenty of reason to stay hungry and focussed.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Can't remember who said it but over three tests around 30-32 different players are likely to feature due to injuries, form, etc. and so while there will be disappointment for those who miss out on Saturday there is plenty of reason to stay hungry and focussed.

Props have no problems staying hungry

 

[Groundhog]

Makes more sense for guys to be able to play their international fixtures then go cover for a week than having them carrying tackle bags for the duration of an already incredibly long tour. Anything that limits injury to players with already huge mileage on the clock I am all for, but to be fair I probably wouldn't have seen it that way in the past.

I get people not liking the Clarkson call up, there are some valid points against it and Heyes is probably the next man up on merit. I also really don't like the 'he knows the coach well' criteria for selection in a Lions tour either. However, and I've not seen it here to be fair, but the very original 'Who??/never heard of him' people on Social Media baffle me, you might recognise him from games he won against Scotland, England and Wales this year.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I get people not liking the Clarkson call up

Who's that, then?

 

[Saintjay]

Who? Clarkson the farming fella?

 

[Groundhog]

Who's that, then?

The funny Top Gear man who got fired for assaulting a producer and calling him a lazy Irish ****!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hansen confirmed out of the first test, Kinghorn likely out too

Marcus Smith is actually going to be 15 cover in a Lions test.
Truly God works in mysterious ways

 

[Welsh Exile]

Truly God works in mysterious ways

Alun Wyn Jones’ ways only seem mysterious to non believers.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Hansen confirmed out of the first test, Kinghorn likely out too

Marcus Smith is actually going to be 15 cover in a Lions test.
Truly God works in mysterious ways

Truly God is Australian.

 

[Which Tyler]

Truly God is Australian.

Given some of the stuff in the old testament - god really should be a convicted criminal - but I don't think the Hague were into sending people to Aus