Your 4 midfielders for the Lions
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I reckon Elliot has been the best hooker in NZ this year so far (given that Coles has been out injured for most of it)
The Chiefs scrum is a force with him the middle, he's an excellent lineout thrower and a big physical presence at maul time.
Been disappointed with Taylorr, thought he'd really kick on this year. Actually think Funnell has been better in limited minutes. Riccatelli was outplayed by Parsons last week. I suppose I'd have Coltman as 3rd best.
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@SammyC maybe I have never forgiven him for getting beaten by Gallen.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Your 4 midfielders for the Lions:
@SammyC maybe I have never forgiven him for getting beaten by Gallen.
Certainly dented his tough guy image
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@SammyC said in Your 4 midfielders for the Lions:
@Crazy-Horse said in Your 4 midfielders for the Lions:
@SammyC maybe I have never forgiven him for getting beaten by Gallen.
Certainly dented his tough guy image
Nah Gallen is as tough as they come anyway.
Shows the value of a karate black belt though. ie Zilch.
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The tight five is probably the place we can least afford injuries.
I think there's a step down to any of the second string and often another step down to the next guy (coming onto the bench).
A few UK scribes identifying Beauden's goal-kicking as a potential issue, which it likely will be if the Lions can stop us scoring tries.
I'm assuming Hansen will just roll the dice and hope he makes his kicks on the day(s). Alternatively, they could try to shoehorn DMac or Jordie into fullback or wing to give themselves a more reliable kicker. Not sure starting Cruden would give you a much more reliable kicker. Sopoaga probably is, but he's not close in ability to set things alight.
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@Chris-B. is Izzy back for the Lions? If so, throw him the ball as soon as he can start practicing.
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@taniwharugby He should be!
Given how competitive most of the backs spots are - everyone should be practicing!
Get into it, Sonny Bill!
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@taniwharugby said in Your 4 midfielders for the Lions:
@Chris-B. is Izzy back for the Lions? If so, throw him the ball as soon as he can start practicing.
From what I've heard, he is not too far away from returning. I guess we'll get an indication of how far he is when the Crusaders name their travelling squad to SA this weekend.
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Apparently he has a bruised rib. TJP kicked when Jordie went off the other week. Personally I think that if he's so injured that he can't kick goals, then he shouldn't be playing. As mentioned, goal kicking is his Kryptonite, or at least was last year, and he needs some serious practice. If these games devolve into an arm-wrestle then we'll be friar tucked if BB can't land his kicks. Starting DMac and JB is tempting, but neither have played in a test of this importance. Even these two have shockers with the boot sometimes.
Comparing other hookers to Coles is impossible. You just don't get hookers who can play like that. The guy is a freak.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Your 4 midfielders for the Lions:
Apparently he has a bruised rib. TJP kicked when Jordie went off the other week. Personally I think that if he's so injured that he can't kick goals, then he shouldn't be playing.
I agree. I would also think that such an injury would restrict you punting the ball but he's still doing that.
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I disagree with that view of he isn't fit to kick goals then he should play. There is a genuine kicker at fullback so if Beauden can run you play him.
Similar to the Cruden and DMac situation.
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I'm totally guessing here but maybe BB is 'changing his swing', working on a new routine to improve his %
It wouldn't have been lost on the coaches that when he nailed down the starting 10 role it opened a weak point around kicking. I just wonder if there is some work being done behind the scenes and the paint isn't quite dry on it yet.
He changed style last year to stabbing at the ball a bit more and keeping it low. It worked at times but didn't produce a high level of consistency.
The best option is to ensure that games don't come down to kicks, but they are still a great scoreboard option early in a game to accumulate and frustrate the opposition game plan.
