Combined NSW-Queensland Country XV vs. British and Irish Lions (11/6/13)

[TRF_Cymro]

11th June, 19:30 (Local), 10:30 (UK, BST)
Ausgrid Stadium, Newcastle, Australia ​

 

[TRF_Cymro]

The British & Irish Lions today announced the team to play the Combined Country at Hunter Stadium in Newcastle on Tuesday.The fourth match of the tour will see 2009 centre pairing Brian O'Driscoll and Jamie Roberts re-united. They played four times during the tour to South Africa including the 1st​ and 2nd​ Tests.
O'Driscoll will captain the Lions for the second time on tour, while replacement props Alex Corbisiero and Ryan Grant will make their first Lions appearances after joining the squad on Saturday.
British & Irish Lions Tour Manager Andy Irvine said: "We are delighted to have kept our unbeaten record intact. We were pushed all the way by an extremely skillful and committed Reds team that played some brilliant intuitive rugby. However, I was incredibly proud of the way we responded and how we defended right to the bitter end. The win will be a tremendous boost to our confidence for the forthcoming Test series.

"There is no doubt that the Combined Country players match will regard the game as their cup final. But we are getting stronger each week, combinations are starting to take shape and we will be determined to head for Sydney with another sound win."
Head Coach Warren Gatland said: "The Reds game was always going to be a big challenge and I was delighted at the victory and the way we were tested. It was a very physical match as we knew it would be. We now move on to Newcastle and another challenge.
"This team to play Country includes three players - Richie Gray, Alex Cuthbert and Stuart Hogg - who are starting their second game in a row plus another George North who came off the bench early against the Reds. This is the nature of Lions tours as we adapt to injuries and playing twice a week."

British & Irish Lions versus Combined Country, June 11, Newcastle

15. Sean Maitland (Galsgow Warriors/Scotland)
14. Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland) Captain
12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
11. George North (Scarlets/Wales)
10. Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
9. Conor Murray (Munster/Ireland)
1. Alex Corbisiero (London Irish/England)
2. Richard Hibbard (Ospreys/Wales)
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers/England)
4. Richie Gray (Scotland)
5. Ian Evans (Ospreys/Wales)
6. Sean O'Brien (Leinster/Ireland)
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys/Wales)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland)

Replacements
16. Rory Best (Ulster/Ireland)
17. Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
18. Matt Stevens (Saracens/England)
19. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
20. Tangaki Taulupe Faletau (Dragons/Wales)
21. Mike Phillips (Bayonne/Wales)
22. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets/Wales)

23. Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues/Wales)

Lions Media.

 

[big ginger 8]

Very interesting selection Hogg the only "10" in the 23. Lovely backrow and centre combo. If it clicks it'll be beautiful. Kearney's not expected until the 'tahs gme but what's the point?

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

If Hogg gets injured or something I'm guessing Halfpenny will go to 10?
& apparently Tuilagi and Sexton should recover from their injury okay.
No Warburton? Expected him on the bench at least

EDIT: That backrow looks very tasty provided Heaslip played the way he did last time.

 

[big ginger 8]

Apparently Ian Costello tweeting Murray could go 10!

Really hope Best gets a go with PO'C before they discard him.

 

[TRF_melon]

I'm looking forward to this game, however unbeknownst to most, the combined NSW-Qld Country team has seen a departure from tradition.

This is not a traditional NSW/Qld Country team, rather an "Origin" based professionally chosen team. Of the 23 man team, 4 play for NSW Country, 5 for Qld Country, 10 have current Super Rugby contracts, and 4 play semi-professionally in Premier Rugby. See the team below.

Whilst I appreciate the need for a good hit out and the gap between elite professionals and amateur levels perhaps increasing, it is a shame. It's a true shame to see so many players who were genuinely excited to play against the Lions in what would have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most of them.

Regardless though, I'll be heading to Newcastle on Tuesday.

Forwards

[TABLE="class: grid, width: 500"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD][TABLE="class: wikitable"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Player
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[TD] Position[/TD]
[TD] Team[/TD]
[TD] Region[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][TABLE="class: wikitable"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]Tom Kearney
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[TD]Hooker[/TD]
[TD]Noosa Dolphins[/TD]
[TD]Qld Country[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Joshua Mann-Read[/TD]
[TD]Hooker[/TD]
[TD]Brumbies[/TD]
[TD]Super Rugby[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Rikki Abraham[/TD]
[TD]Prop[/TD]
[TD]Teachers West[/TD]
[TD]Qld Country[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Dylan Evans[/TD]
[TD]Prop[/TD]
[TD]Wanderers R.U.C.[/TD]
[TD]NSW Country[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Haydn Hirsimaki[/TD]
[TD]Prop[/TD]
[TD]S.C. Stingrays[/TD]
[TD]Qld Country[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tim Metcher[/TD]
[TD]Prop[/TD]
[TD]Southern Districts[/TD]
[TD]Premier Rugby[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Phoenix Battye[/TD]
[TD]Lock[/TD]
[TD]Force[/TD]
[TD]Super Rugby[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Blake Enever[/TD]
[TD]Lock[/TD]
[TD]Reds[/TD]
[TD]Super Rugby[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Richard Stanford[/TD]
[TD]Lock[/TD]
[TD]Eastern Suburbs[/TD]
[TD]Premier Rugby[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jarrad Butler[/TD]
[TD]Flanker[/TD]
[TD]Reds[/TD]
[TD]Super Rugby[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tim Davidson[/TD]
[TD]Flanker[/TD]
[TD]Rebels[/TD]
[TD]Super Rugby[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Trent Dyer[/TD]
[TD]Flanker[/TD]
[TD]Rebels[/TD]
[TD]Super Rugby[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Beau Robinson[/TD]
[TD]Flanker[/TD]
[TD]Reds[/TD]
[TD]Super Rugby[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

Backs

[TABLE="class: grid, width: 500"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD] Player[/TD]
[TD]Position [/TD]
[TD] Team[/TD]
[TD]Region[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Adam McCormack[/TD]
[TD]Scrum-half[/TD]
[TD]Hastings Valley[/TD]
[TD]NSW Country[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Michael Snowden[/TD]
[TD]Scrum-half[/TD]
[TD]Force[/TD]
[TD]Super Rugby[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Angus Roberts[/TD]
[TD]Fly-half[/TD]
[TD]Rebels[/TD]
[TD]Super Rugby[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Lewie Catt[/TD]
[TD]Centre[/TD]
[TD]Wanderers R.U.C.[/TD]
[TD]NSW Country[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Alex Gibbon[/TD]
[TD]Centre[/TD]
[TD]Southern Districts[/TD]
[TD]Premier Rugby[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Ben Greentree[/TD]
[TD]Centre[/TD]
[TD]The Cockatoos[/TD]
[TD]NSW Country[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tereta-Junior Siakisini[/TD]
[TD]Centre[/TD]
[TD]G.C. Breakers[/TD]
[TD]Qld Country[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Dale Ah-Wong[/TD]
[TD]Wing[/TD]
[TD]Barron-Trininty Bulls[/TD]
[TD]Qld Country[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tom Cox[/TD]
[TD]Wing[/TD]
[TD]Brumbies[/TD]
[TD]Super Rugby[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Nathan Trist[/TD]
[TD]Fullback[/TD]
[TD]Sydney University[/TD]
[TD]Premier Rugby[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

 

[nealn]

Really like the look of that back row and looking forward to seeing the Roberts and O'Driscoll pairing in the centres. Hope Corbisiero puts a good case forward for the test side too!

 

[lynam1104]

Interesting team the Back row and Centers excite me as I feel they are the form guys in their positions. I think the Hogg experiment will be ok considering what should be weak opposition.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Looking forward to seeing that backrow together - on paper it's my test backrow.
Should be a good game - as above, I hope Corbisiero has a good game.

Also: No more injuries please!
Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Tony Manx]

Very surprised that, given his lack of game time, Warburton is not figuring.. he needs all he can get!

Looks near enough the test scrum save for POC for Gray and Jones for Cole?

 

[ratsapprentice]

I'm guessing that Corbs and Grant are basically just gonna swap at half time.

 

[lynam1104]

I would think so, but Vunipola has been very good so far, still think his impact off the bench would be more beneficial.

 

[Rich Taff]

I may be going mad (it wouldn't be the first time), but I don't see a kicker in that starting 15. Does Hogg kick?

 

[lynam1104]

I may be going mad (it wouldn't be the first time), but I don't see a kicker in that starting 15. Does Hogg kick?

He has been for Glasgo recently.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

I may be going mad (it wouldn't be the first time), but I don't see a kicker in that starting 15. Does Hogg kick?

The only kick I've ever seen him do was against Ireland and it was a seriously long kick, straight down the middle just didn't quite get there.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, Hogg's a good goal kicker.
God knows what would happen if he went off...step up Dan Cole?

 

[big ginger 8]

Presume Murray would then kick. Kicked at u20's and AIL level, pity he didn't keep it up at senior level was good enough.

 

[Draggs]

Yeah, Hogg's a good goal kicker.
God knows what would happen if he went off...step up Dan Cole?

Halfpenny is on the bench...

 

[Thingimubob]

Gatland has said that either Halfpenny or Jon Davies would come on to play 10 if Hogg gets injured.

Quite like the look of the rest of the team, like the look of the backrow a lot, and good to see Roberts and O'Driscoll back together

 

[TommyVercetti]

Why not just start Farrell at 10? He still needs experience in that position as he'll be on the bench for the Tests so why not? Hogg isn't ever going to play there in a million years so it's pointless. Furthermore, playing him at 10 means Maitland goes to 15, when he really should be getting an opportunity to start at 14 and stake a claim for the shirt given Bowe's injury, particularly in the wake of Cuthbert's recent defensive frailties once again being exposed.