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Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium
Time: 09:35 CAT (SA, GMT+2)
I wouldn't be surprised to see a back three of Dagg, Smith and Naholo. Can even see Dagg starting at fullback just so we have another option there once Smith goes on his sabbatical. Alternatively, could see Havili given a role (perhaps on the bench though).
So many possibilities! Much prefer these kinds of tests where we see new players on the field than the Lions matches where it's all a bit ho hum.
i disagree profusely. lions were awesome and really gave it to the ABs. it taught us humility, that ABs arent all that. it also taught me that ABs dont have to win all the time for it to be exciting and enjoyable.PS; The Lions were rubbish.
i disagree profusely. lions were awesome and really gave it to the ABs. it taught us humility, that ABs arent all that. it also taught me that ABs dont have to win all the time for it to be exciting and enjoyable.
not only were the lions great the supporters reminded me and the rest of NZ what its really all about. i loved this tour. lions is all about a celebration of rugby
gatland is the man
You mean a "let's cause mayhem" attacking option? Cause that's what will happen on SaturdayDont throw it away on a harem scare-em attacking option.
I believe their biggest loss was Crotty. Ben Smith's injury was really detrimental to the All Black's game plan too but Crotty is oh so crucial in defense. He organizes the whole backline and directs it as if he were the conductor of an entire orchestra. Without him, the All Blacks' defense leaks from everywhere. A strange coincidence is that he was absent or got injured during every match the All Blacks or Crusaders lost or drew recently. His withdrawal last week also coincided with the moment the ABs began to concede points. Coincidence you say? I think not.The All Blacks were'nt bad at all.
The Lions defense was rock hard.
The single biggest problem for the Lions was they needed more time together to gel their attacking options from the backline.
Jonathan Davies was fantastic.
Maro Itoje was excellent.
The AB's had three main problems; Ben Smith, Dane Coles and Crotty. A 4th arguably being Sonny Bill.
Ifwe had the top side out it would have been different but it still would never have been a cake walk.
I'm not convinced that Gatland is one of the great attacking coaches.
But, he knows how to make a team hard to beat.
Part of some Kiwi's issues is that because the AB's do win a lot and sometimes convincingly, they perceive the AB's can win everything all the time and do it constantly with élan.
It's just not possible to keep that up and if it was it would become dull very quickly.
Think about our catchment area. We are dwarfed by England, even the saffers have nearly three times the choice and the Aussies have around twice as many players we even come in behind Japan.
Sooner or later the rugby world will catch up with us and overtake us.
We can't keep this kind of run going against these other power houses.