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Your Lions Squad Based on this Season?
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<blockquote data-quote="FrankfurtRugbyWatcher4" data-source="post: 995033" data-attributes="member: 83480"><p>Yeah Beard. That is worth a look.</p><p></p><p>But first and foremost, I felt big relief that someone addressed and second-guessed the Lawes-Itoje question. This is very heartfelt for me. What a relief not to be the only one.</p><p></p><p>And it matters. Saw about ten Lions selection published in the last 12 months. Most had Ryan and Itoje among a couple of very few other fairly universal choices. The exception were a few who worked on the assumption that Alun Wyn Jones would be available. Then the choice is easy. But I do not assume that either.</p><p></p><p>Ryan is an obvious choice. But he is rather lightweight. That is a meaningful demand to whoever is joining him.</p><p></p><p>Itoje – Lawes, to me it is such an obvious choice.</p><p></p><p>Early in his pro career, Lawes was traumatized by the responsibility that comes with ball carrying. That definitely changed. But there is so much more to expected of a flanker, even at 6. Defending against backs, getting around the park to provide superior numbers and the battle of the breakdown.</p><p></p><p>At the highest level that is big hits, ok there might not be much between the two.</p><p></p><p>But the art is winning possession. That is a missing part in the skill profile of Henderson or Jonny Gray to be first choice in a Lions back row. But even more so in the case of Courtney Lawes.</p><p></p><p>It is not that easy for big men to emulate Pocock, McCaw, or Warburton in that respect. Few of that taller kind shine here. Such exeptions are Pieter Steph DuToit, Iturria, Beirne or … Itoje.</p><p></p><p>A first warning shot in the hapless 2005 tour to New Zealand was what was considered a mauling the Lions suffered in their defeat against the Maoris. They fielded the biggest front five they could. To no avail as the skillfull breakdown work of a lightweight Maori back row of Jonno Gibbes, Marty Holah, and Angus MacDonald was a lesson. Taught by a second XV of New Zealand to a side of the top internationals of the home nations.</p><p></p><p>I am only able to see one valid argument in favour for Lawes in the back row rather than Itjoje: He just does not have the engine like Itoje to do his work in the engine room. And still be energetic enough to meaningfully contribute in open play. For the Lions, priorities are different.</p><p></p><p>I meant to end by apologizing for bringing up the painful experience of 2005. But while I wrote, the breathtaking contribution of the previous post came in.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="FrankfurtRugbyWatcher4, post: 995033, member: 83480"] Yeah Beard. That is worth a look. But first and foremost, I felt big relief that someone addressed and second-guessed the Lawes-Itoje question. This is very heartfelt for me. What a relief not to be the only one. And it matters. Saw about ten Lions selection published in the last 12 months. Most had Ryan and Itoje among a couple of very few other fairly universal choices. The exception were a few who worked on the assumption that Alun Wyn Jones would be available. Then the choice is easy. But I do not assume that either. Ryan is an obvious choice. But he is rather lightweight. That is a meaningful demand to whoever is joining him. Itoje – Lawes, to me it is such an obvious choice. Early in his pro career, Lawes was traumatized by the responsibility that comes with ball carrying. That definitely changed. But there is so much more to expected of a flanker, even at 6. Defending against backs, getting around the park to provide superior numbers and the battle of the breakdown. At the highest level that is big hits, ok there might not be much between the two. But the art is winning possession. That is a missing part in the skill profile of Henderson or Jonny Gray to be first choice in a Lions back row. But even more so in the case of Courtney Lawes. It is not that easy for big men to emulate Pocock, McCaw, or Warburton in that respect. Few of that taller kind shine here. Such exeptions are Pieter Steph DuToit, Iturria, Beirne or … Itoje. A first warning shot in the hapless 2005 tour to New Zealand was what was considered a mauling the Lions suffered in their defeat against the Maoris. They fielded the biggest front five they could. To no avail as the skillfull breakdown work of a lightweight Maori back row of Jonno Gibbes, Marty Holah, and Angus MacDonald was a lesson. Taught by a second XV of New Zealand to a side of the top internationals of the home nations. I am only able to see one valid argument in favour for Lawes in the back row rather than Itjoje: He just does not have the engine like Itoje to do his work in the engine room. And still be energetic enough to meaningfully contribute in open play. For the Lions, priorities are different. I meant to end by apologizing for bringing up the painful experience of 2005. But while I wrote, the breathtaking contribution of the previous post came in. [/QUOTE]
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