Warm Up Match 2: Blues v British & Irish Lions (Auckland)

[MikeTheNative]

My only concern, and this isn't about this game, but we really could've done with one of Ford, S Davies or Russell instead of Biggar as I feel they are better game changers. Same at SH, someone like G Davies or Care should've gone instead of Laidlaw. Gats picked mediocrity as backup..

Just want to agree with this statement. Gatland likes the predictable and not the maverick 9/10s that show flashes of brilliance at increased risk. I didn't want Laidlaw to go in the first place and after Youngs withdrawal would have taken Care.

 

[valley commando]

Perhaps Gatland has already decided that JD will take the 13 shirt and he doesn't want Daly outshining him. I was hoping to see Daly partner Henshaw for this one. It may also come down to the fact that 1/2P and Hogg will start most matches at 15 which means Payne will predominantly play as a 13 with Daly fighting it out with the wingers which is a bit unfortunate.

I was critical of Sexton on Saturday but he is still in contention for the test 23 and like the others who played on Saturday should be given another opportunity to shine. Having Biggar as the impact 10 off the bench for the tests is very concerning.

The way Fox has played the back end of the domestic season makes him the form 13 and whatever anybody says Gatland isn't stupid he will pick the test team on merit not on favoritism he is thank God not Clive Woodward

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

TBH i like JD, and i wouldn't be upset to see him V NZ.

I am hoping Liam Williams gets a run out at 15 with Nowell and Watson on the wings one game as i would like to see that as a back 3.

Can i think could well get a test bench spot IMO due to his talent, Kicking and versatility but i think in Gatlands game plan Daly is viewed mainly as a back 3 player.

 

[MikeTheNative]

I didn't have Jon Davies in my squad but he has impressed me with his form in Scarlets run to the ***le.

 

[MarkyH]

The 13 shirt is totally up for grabs. They are all as good as each other really, but all have slightly different styles. I really think its whoever shows up the best on tour which is how it should be !

 

[Nubiwan]

Yes you are right, there are too many Anti Welsh dudes on this forum, why on earth wouldn't he give the captaincy to a proven club captain rather than CJS who doesn't captain his club

Be damned if its an Englishman though...... You need 3 6N on the trot for that honour apparently

 

[Nubiwan]

I would disagree and say that at this stage of the tour this is a stronger side than Saturdays, my thoughts behind this are that the combinations through the spine are used to each other and we should see a bit more cohesion at 1/2 back, 2nd row and in the centre especially.

How can you call Biggar a weakness he'll be better than Sexton was on Saturday

"I" would be better than Sexton was Satdee.

 

[Nubiwan]

I don't think it matters who captains the side per se; it's more about quality of leadership on the pitch. I'm happy that Stander is playing and his style should mix it up a bit.

On the whole I'm quite positive about this lineup and looking forward to how the front five and midfield operate.

Captain of the midweek team in former lions tours was generally the death of any test start.

This series clearly different than anything we have seen in the past, as all the games are pretty friggin hard.

 

[Nubiwan]

I will give you a strong tip - if you are arguing about who should captain your squad and potential welsh bias then you are absolutely touring the wrong country. Kiwis are all about team first, player basics first. You are playing the weakest of all the Kiwi super rugby teams on wednesday and they will come at you like a freight train from hell.

Their only mission is to destroy you, to rip you apart and demoralize you. The fans will be baying for lion blood and truthfully be expecting a 20point+ victory. But keep talking about your Welsh Captain Bias! The game mentality between the hemispheres could not be further apart!

Yes- we never see New Zealanders discussing form of their payers on these forums. Huh!!!????

Freight trains from Hades aside, we are talking about 4 different nations being represented here by the Lions, so it has nowt to do with attitude to the game, and all to do with how good we think the squad has been picked, who is getting to play games, and who the coach seems to favour.

That, and a massive fear of being trolloped....

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

I can't see that Lions selection scoring more than 17 points. I'm not convinced by half backs, centres or fullback, with none of them showing particular form in recent months.

 

[Kiwi in Ireland]

Looking forward to seeing this second row/back row have a run out...
We know the Crusaders are full strength so looks like Farrell/Warbuton/Toby/North/Hogg/Watson will be saved for that game!

 

[The Jones Boy]

I'm still shocked at how much talent there is in the Lions squad that will not have had a run by the time they are 2 games in to the tour.
Gats still has a lot of talented players under the radar.

 

[MikeTheNative]

I'm a big fan of Webb, what let's his game down is giving penalties away for stupid things but he's a great scrum half who can really up the pace of a game. Biggar is solid but unspectacular 10. He will execute the game plan given to him well but will not be challenging the defence with his footwork or distribution skills. The pack looks good as long as Cole doesn't decide to dole penalties out for fun. It's a physical centre partnership, surprise , surprise but both Daly and Nowell can do some damage when given some ball. Halfpenny will be solid in defence and take his kicks while running headlong into the defence. Looking forward to see how Stander and Tirpruic play off each other, great combination of brute strength and great footwork in the back row.

 

[Kiwi in Ireland]

Gatland has stated that everyone will get a start in 1st 3 matches so by way of elimination the team for Crusaders would be something like
15-
14-L Williams
13-J Davies
12-
11-J North
10-O Farrell
9-C Murray
8-
7-S O,brien
6-P O,mahony
5-G Kruis
4-
3-T Furlong
2-R Best
1-
Obviously then with only 3 matches( Highlanders,Maori and Chiefs) before 1st test and realistically players in chiefs match (Tuesday before test) probably not in contention I think the Maori match will tell us a lot about selection for test and I do think Gatland is pointing his selections in a certain way to suit what he wants to pick for 1st test.

 

[Penne Rara]

lest the dung beetles of Mt Eden gnaw upon your twisted soul and Burnham wood cometh to Dunsinane...

Dost thou not meanest to say Dunedin?

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Gatland has stated that everyone will get a start in 1st 3 matches so by way of elimination the team for Crusaders would be something like
15-
14-L Williams
13-J Davies
12-
11-J North
10-O Farrell
9-C Murray
8-
7-S O,brien
6-P O,mahony
5-G Kruis
4-
3-T Furlong
2-R Best
1-
Obviously then with only 3 matches( Highlanders,Maori and Chiefs) before 1st test and realistically players in chiefs match (Tuesday before test) probably not in contention I think the Maori match will tell us a lot about selection for test and I do think Gatland is pointing his selections in a certain way to suit what he wants to pick for 1st test.

Mako at 1 can also be confirmed. Of those players there are still a few uncertainties - Williams at FB or wing? SOB maybe as an 8 with Faletau the only specialist and captain being a 7?

 

[Groundhog]

I will give you a strong tip - if you are arguing about who should captain your squad and potential welsh bias then you are absolutely touring the wrong country. Kiwis are all about team first, player basics first. You are playing the weakest of all the Kiwi super rugby teams on wednesday and they will come at you like a freight train from hell.

Their only mission is to destroy you, to rip you apart and demoralize you. The fans will be baying for lion blood and truthfully be expecting a 20point+ victory. But keep talking about your Welsh Captain Bias! The game mentality between the hemispheres could not be further apart!

A bit of pee slipped out there, but it was because I was laughing, not to much the freight train from hell. Our rugby posting attitude didn't really hurt our on field performances recently.
Really don't mind who the captain is. The 23 players named are what matters. Leaders will be leaders regardless and Owens will do a fine job. Stander would have too, but realistically I'd rather he just play his game, focus on being fully fit and finding form. I like that we've opted for known combinations in some spots. I agree with I think it was Sandwich who said it's a team picked to press in defence and tempo and set the Kiwi Franchises off what makes them great. We won't throw it wide from phase one, but the Blues should be ready for a team which is a bit more familiar with the men beside them and a focus on defense which rightly or wrongly you won't find in Super Rugby.
At least that's if we don't completely **** the bed again and play at a decent standard. Not saying we're sure to win or anything, but we should just based on the abilities of the players picked

 

[valley commando]

TBH i like JD, and i wouldn't be upset to see him V NZ.

I am hoping Liam Williams gets a run out at 15 with Nowell and Watson on the wings one game as i would like to see that as a back 3.

Can i think could well get a test bench spot IMO due to his talent, Kicking and versatility but i think in Gatlands game plan Daly is viewed mainly as a back 3 player.

Yes I'd like to see a back three of Williams, Nowell and either North or Watson, Id also like to see Ben T and JD in the centre

 

[munstermuffin]

How is this Lions tour not getting me excited.

 

[Kiwi in Ireland]

Mako at 1 can also be confirmed. Of those players there are still a few uncertainties - Williams at FB or wing? SOB maybe as an 8 with Faletau the only specialist and captain being a 7?

Yeah depends who he wants to use again, I think SOB is only 6/7 but could use Moriarty at 8 also where he did well in SN and will be interesting to see if he uses another FB option to Hogg and HP then Williams/Daly or Watson could play there