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B&I Lions 2017

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B&I Lions 2017
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  • F Offline
    F Offline
    Frye
    replied to Billy Tell on last edited by
    #184

    Dagg on the right wing and ALB at centre. Conservative option to start with. Without much lead in the combinations could be rusty and need to minimise errors against the Lions pressure brand of rugby.

    Can change it up for the 2nd test. It's a template which worked in 2005, would work again.

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  • CrucialC Offline
    CrucialC Offline
    Crucial
    wrote on last edited by
    #185

    We would want to present the Lions things they have not experienced before to throw them off their stride. This is where a player like NMS comes in. Evasion skills they have not had to defend against in the 6N. Dagg is great experience to have in the last half hour.

    Aren't we getting a bit cocky to play them with only our backline though?

    D 1 Reply Last reply
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  • TimT Away
    TimT Away
    Tim
    wrote on last edited by
    #186
    1. Perenara
    2. Barrett
    3. Savea
    4. SBW
    5. ALB
    6. Smith

    Good competition for that wing spot. Would like to see Rieko Ioane coming off the bench with a bit of space to target.

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  • StargazerS Offline
    StargazerS Offline
    Stargazer
    wrote on last edited by
    #187

    I find it premature to even consider SBW in the starting line-up. He hasn't played XVs for more than a year; in 2016, he has had two serious injuries (knee and ankle) that kept him from playing, and he is over 30 years old. He has never been the incumbent 12 either. Crotty to start at least the first Lions game.

    taniwharugbyT 1 Reply Last reply
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  • taniwharugbyT Offline
    taniwharugbyT Offline
    taniwharugby
    replied to Stargazer on last edited by
    #188

    @Stargazer while I dont think he is an automatic, the coaches have always given him a shot when hes been fit, so if fit, he will be in the mix, although likely a bench option, but who knows.

    Crotty-ALB would be the first option IMO

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  • D Offline
    D Offline
    Derm McCrum
    replied to Crucial on last edited by
    #189

    @Crucial said in B&I Lions 2017:

    We would want to present the Lions things they have not experienced before to throw them off their stride. This is where a player like NMS comes in. Evasion skills they have not had to defend against in the 6N. Dagg is great experience to have in the last half hour.

    Aren't we getting a bit cocky to play them with only our backline though?

    Can't resist this. Here's a few skills/list of things they have not experienced before:

    Entertainment skills - Not facing the haka - a nice pop song perhaps.... (see participation skills)
    Diplomatic skills - presenting the Lions captain with a clump of seaweed with instructions to throw it at the opposing team as a sign of friendship
    Strength & Conditioning Skills - Getting four players to lift a Lions player's legs off the ground - cannot be a centre - before the match starts
    Evasion skills - Being able to admit knowing the names of more than four players in the Lions squad
    Participation Skills - The crowd actually singing the national anthem as opposed to some pop singer in the middle of the pitch.

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  • KirwanK Offline
    KirwanK Offline
    Kirwan
    wrote on last edited by Kirwan
    #190

    alt text

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  • F Offline
    F Offline
    Frye
    wrote on last edited by
    #191

    The pack selects itself I guess but there are still a few ways the selectors can go.

    Who will fill the reserve lock role on the bench. Tuipulotu? Romano? Barrett? Bird?
    Or will they pick an extra loosie and get Kaino or Squire to cover?
    Only room for (at most) 2 of Cane, Savea and Todd. Who will miss out?
    Is there room for an experienced campaigner like Messam, who has been there and done that before?

    British scribes are saying the Lions will have an advantage in the front row, especially props. Guess we will find out, can't say I'm too distraught about our four front line guys, they have over 200 tests between them and plenty of big game experience. Franks might start the season slowly but he'll be hissing once the Poms hit the shores. Playing the Lions is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and without a tour to South Africa (and the decline of the Boks) this is as big as it gets for a prop.

    Billy TellB BovidaeB NepiaN D 4 Replies Last reply
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  • Billy TellB Offline
    Billy TellB Offline
    Billy Tell
    replied to Frye on last edited by
    #192

    @Frye said in B&I Lions 2017:

    The pack selects itself I guess but there are still a few ways the selectors can go.

    Who will fill the reserve lock role on the bench. Tuipulotu? Romano? Barrett? Bird?
    Or will they pick an extra loosie and get Kaino or Squire to cover?
    Only room for (at most) 2 of Cane, Savea and Todd. Who will miss out?
    Is there room for an experienced campaigner like Messam, who has been there and done that before?

    British scribes are saying the Lions will have an advantage in the front row, especially props. Guess we will find out, can't say I'm too distraught about our four front line guys, they have over 200 tests between them and plenty of big game experience. Franks might start the season slowly but he'll be hissing once the Poms hit the shores. Playing the Lions is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and without a tour to South Africa (and the decline of the Boks) this is as big as it gets for a prop.

    This goes without saying. With all our lolly pop Super Rugby we need the NH to show us how to do the setpiece. At least that's how it usually goes...

    I think they will have a good scrummaging pack, but our props will offer more around the field.

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  • BovidaeB Offline
    BovidaeB Offline
    Bovidae
    replied to Frye on last edited by
    #193

    @Frye said in B&I Lions 2017:

    Is there room for an experienced campaigner like Messam, who has been there and done that before?

    Funny you should say that, as I was thinking the same thing while at the game on Friday night. A long way to go yet but I'd trust Messam more than either Dixon or Squire.

    Also, I don't think the reserve hooker is decided yet as Harris comes back into the frame.

    CrucialC 1 Reply Last reply
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  • NepiaN Online
    NepiaN Online
    Nepia
    replied to Frye on last edited by
    #194

    @Frye said in B&I Lions 2017:

    The pack selects itself I guess but there are still a few ways the selectors can go.

    Who will fill the reserve lock role on the bench. Tuipulotu? Romano? Barrett? Bird?
    Or will they pick an extra loosie and get Kaino or Squire to cover?
    Only room for (at most) 2 of Cane, Savea and Todd. Who will miss out?
    Is there room for an experienced campaigner like Messam, who has been there and done that before?

    British scribes are saying the Lions will have an advantage in the front row, especially props. Guess we will find out, can't say I'm too distraught about our four front line guys, they have over 200 tests between them and plenty of big game experience. Franks might start the season slowly but he'll be hissing once the Poms hit the shores. Playing the Lions is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and without a tour to South Africa (and the decline of the Boks) this is as big as it gets for a prop.

    I think they'll definitely go for an actual lock ... playing loosies at lock took a reputation dent last year.

    gollumG 1 Reply Last reply
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  • CrucialC Offline
    CrucialC Offline
    Crucial
    replied to Bovidae on last edited by
    #195

    @Bovidae said in B&I Lions 2017:

    @Frye said in B&I Lions 2017:

    Is there room for an experienced campaigner like Messam, who has been there and done that before?

    Funny you should say that, as I was thinking the same thing while at the game on Friday night. A long way to go yet but I'd trust Messam more than either Dixon or Squire.

    Also, I don't think the reserve hooker is decided yet as Harris comes back into the frame.

    I'd trust Messam to cause a QC to have to get out of his rent boys bed to attend a 2am press conference

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  • D Offline
    D Offline
    Derm McCrum
    replied to Frye on last edited by
    #196

    @Frye said in B&I Lions 2017:

    The pack selects itself I guess but there are still a few ways the selectors can go.

    Who will fill the reserve lock role on the bench. Tuipulotu? Romano? Barrett? Bird?
    Or will they pick an extra loosie and get Kaino or Squire to cover?
    Only room for (at most) 2 of Cane, Savea and Todd. Who will miss out?
    Is there room for an experienced campaigner like Messam, who has been there and done that before?

    British scribes are saying the Lions will have an advantage in the front row, especially props. Guess we will find out, can't say I'm too distraught about our four front line guys, they have over 200 tests between them and plenty of big game experience. Franks might start the season slowly but he'll be hissing once the Poms hit the shores. Playing the Lions is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and without a tour to South Africa (and the decline of the Boks) this is as big as it gets for a prop.

    Poms??

    It is the British & Irish Lions don't forget or is every NH rugby player viewed by default as having a red rose tattooed on their arse from birth?

    taniwharugbyT F 2 Replies Last reply
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  • taniwharugbyT Offline
    taniwharugbyT Offline
    taniwharugby
    replied to Derm McCrum on last edited by
    #197

    @Pot-Hale we know being labeled English for the Irish, Welsh and Scots is worse than us being called Aussies, so yeah pretty much!

    D 1 Reply Last reply
    1
  • D Offline
    D Offline
    Derm McCrum
    replied to taniwharugby on last edited by
    #198

    @taniwharugby said in B&I Lions 2017:

    @Pot-Hale we know being labeled English for the Irish, Welsh and Scots is worse than us being called Aussies, so yeah pretty much!

    👍

    Maybe each of the Lions players should be handed a red rose on their arrival in June. That would be a nice gesture.....

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  • F Offline
    F Offline
    Frye
    replied to Derm McCrum on last edited by
    #199

    @Pot-Hale said in B&I Lions 2017:

    Poms??

    It is the British & Irish Lions don't forget or is every NH rugby player viewed by default as having a red rose tattooed on their arse from birth?

    When you all wear the same jersey you all get the same pejorative.

    If you've gotta a better one I'll use it.

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  • gollumG Offline
    gollumG Offline
    gollum
    replied to Nepia on last edited by
    #200

    @Nepia said in B&I Lions 2017:

    I think they'll definitely go for an actual lock ... playing loosies at lock took a reputation dent last year.

    I think the only reason they went with 2 loosies on the bench last year was the lack of an impact lock. Pat T fit & firing he gets it, if not then they'll go 2 loosies. Tho' I'd prefer neither of the loosies to be Squire or Dixon. In the WC we played 2 lossies but one was Vito who actually added something off the bench. And we got lucky with locking injuries.

    @Frye said in B&I Lions 2017:

    Only room for (at most) 2 of Cane, Savea and Todd. Who will miss out?

    Only room for Cane starting & then a bun fight for the pine rider, with Ardie probably winning it because of impact, but Todd starting if Cane gets crocked. Lets not start the year the same way we did last year with the farcical idea Cane is not one of the first 4 or 5 names written on the teamsheet. He's head & shoulders above every other 7 in NZ

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  • CrucialC Offline
    CrucialC Offline
    Crucial
    wrote on last edited by
    #201

    One thing will be certain and that is that barring an injury crisis this Lions visit will not be one for blooding anyone new to the setup. We have enough quality depth in every position not to have to look at bolters from Super Rugby.

    The hard part will be 'who to leave out' although I expect there will also be an extended training camp somewhere along the way for everyone that misses the cut to get the gameplan just in case they are needed.

    BovidaeB 1 Reply Last reply
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  • BovidaeB Offline
    BovidaeB Offline
    Bovidae
    replied to Crucial on last edited by
    #202

    @Crucial Henry made quite a few changes across the 3 tests in 2005, some of that was rotation in certain positions (TH prop, halfback and fullback) and then the mass changes in the 3rd test. I don't expect Hansen to do that but attrition will mean injuries occur in both squads.

    I am hoping that Hansen will release some players back to the Maori, Chiefs and Canes if they aren't in the likely AB 23 for tests 1 and 2. Speaking of which, a number of players will be elligible for both the Chiefs and Maori but probably won't be able to play in both games as they are only 3 days apart. One or both of those teams could be severely weakened. We should be trying to put the strongest teams on the field in each game.

    CrucialC Chris B.C UncoU 3 Replies Last reply
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  • CrucialC Offline
    CrucialC Offline
    Crucial
    replied to Bovidae on last edited by
    #203

    @Bovidae said in B&I Lions 2017:

    @Crucial Henry made quite a few changes across the 3 tests in 2005, some of that was rotation in certain positions (TH prop, halfback and fullback) and then the mass changes in the 3rd test. I don't expect Hansen to do that but attrition will mean injuries occur in both squads.

    I am hoping that Hansen will release some players back to the Maori, Chiefs and Canes if they aren't in the likely AB 23 for tests 1 and 2. Speaking of which, a number of players will be elligible for both the Chiefs and Maori but probably won't be able to play in both games as they are only 3 days apart. One or both of those teams could be severely weakened. We should be trying to put the strongest teams on the field in each game.

    Not saying there won't be changes, just that I don't expect any new players to be introduced from outside of the squads recently used and returning injuries

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