Crusaders vs B&I Lions
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@Stargazer True - but I saw Jason Ryan during the week saying this...
The Lions face the Blues at Eden Park on Wednesday prior to the match against seven-times Super Rugby champion Crusaders on Saturday, with coach Scott Robertson able to select his All Blacks for the game before they head into camp.
Robertson had said last week it was likely they would field as close as possible to a full-strength side at Rugby League Park, but Ryan said they would also keep an eye on their All Blacks' workload, especially captain Sam Whitelock.
"Sammy is like the rest of them, he has got a few niggles," Ryan said. "We have to be smart there, there is a bigger picture for the All Blacks. We don't want to flog them.
"Steve (Hansen) and the All Blacks coaches will want them fresh for the series, so we want to give everyone an opportunity in the 23 to play against the Lions."
Crotty to miss Crusaders game against Lions
Ryan Crotty will definitely miss the Crusaders' clash against the Lions this weekend but it remains too early to make a decision on his availability for the test series.
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@Chris-B. said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@Stargazer True - but I saw Jason Ryan during the week saying this...
"Sammy is like the rest of them, he has got a few niggles," Ryan said. "We have to be smart there, there is a bigger picture for the All Blacks. We don't want to flog them.
"Steve (Hansen) and the All Blacks coaches will want them fresh for the series, so we want to give everyone an opportunity in the 23 to play against the Lions."
That's interesting. I wonder if they decided that the best decision from a national perspective is to actually just keep the foot on the throat.
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at least that side rings closer to the truth about Gatlands comment about there being little difference between Super sides and the ABs.
So is Seta only seen as a wing now?
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@Frye Yeah- it will be interesting to see how much time these guys get vs the Lions - and vs Samoa for that matter.
It's hopefully going to be a busy few weeks for the Crusaders tight forwards - might look something like....
Lions, Samoa, Lions, Lions, Lions, Hurricanes, Highlanders, Chiefs, Lions
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@Chris-B. said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@Frye Yeah- it will be interesting to see how much time these guys get vs the Lions - and vs Samoa for that matter.
It's hopefully going to be a busy few weeks for the Crusaders tight forwards - might look something like....
Lions, Samoa, Lions, Lions, Lions, Hurricanes, Highlanders, Chiefs, Lions
Is that the sequel to Gary Freeman's book?
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Lions:
Stuart Hogg; George North, Jonathan Davies, Ben Te’o, Liam Williams; Owen Farrell, Conor Murray; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Tadhg Furlong; Alun Wyn Jones (C), George Kruis; Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien, Taulupe Faletau.Reps: Ken Owens, Jack McGrath, Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, CJ Stander, Rhys Webb, Jonathan Sexton, Anthony Watson.
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@Bovidae said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
Lions:
Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Tadhg Furlong; Alun Wyn Jones (C), George Kruis; Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien, Taulupe Faletau, Conor Murray, Owen Farrell, Liam Williams, Ben Te’o, Jonathan Davies, George North, Stuart HoggReps: Ken Owens, Jack McGrath, Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, CJ Stander, Rhys Webb, Jonathan Sexton, Anthony Watson.
Fixed it for those of us not stuck in the dark ages.
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Razor was on the News tonight expecting a shadow test team. How close do y'all think is?
Maybe nine of the starting XV would be in the test starting XV? Most of the bench would be somewhere in the match 23?
That's vaguely what I've gleaned on here. Otherwise I've got no idea.
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Good Lions side. This will be awesome, i hope I'm in front of it
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@Bovidae said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
Lions:
Stuart Hogg; George North, Jonathan Davies, Ben Te’o, Liam Williams; Owen Farrell, Conor Murray; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Tadhg Furlong; Alun Wyn Jones (C), George Kruis; Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien, Taulupe Faletau.Reps: Ken Owens, Jack McGrath, Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, CJ Stander, Rhys Webb, Jonathan Sexton, Anthony Watson.
Strong Lions side. If we can't turn over the Crusaders with this lot on show, then we can forget the tests.
Based on end of season performances and the first two matches i.e. FORM this is the 23 I would select for the 1st Test today.
1st Test Squad
Halfpenny, North, Davies, Te'o, Daly, Farrell, Webb
Vunipola, Owens, Furlong, Itoje, AWJ, O'Brien, Warburton (Capt.), FaletauMarler, George, McGrath, Cole, Kruis, Tipuric
Murray, Sexton, WatsonA lot of rugby between now and the 1st Test and expect players like Hogg, L Williams, Murray, and O'Mahony to show us why they should be in the 23
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@MiketheSnow A cunning plan to have an extra forward reserve?
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@Bovidae said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@MiketheSnow A cunning plan to have an extra forward reserve?
Ha ha. Ooooops
Perm 2 props from 3 -
@Frye said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@Chris-B. said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@Stargazer True - but I saw Jason Ryan during the week saying this...
"Sammy is like the rest of them, he has got a few niggles," Ryan said. "We have to be smart there, there is a bigger picture for the All Blacks. We don't want to flog them.
"Steve (Hansen) and the All Blacks coaches will want them fresh for the series, so we want to give everyone an opportunity in the 23 to play against the Lions."
That's interesting. I wonder if they decided that the best decision from a national perspective is to actually just keep the foot on the throat.
I think if that is the thinking it is definitely sound. If the Lions lose again the whole tour might implode with infighting and despair. Losing can create a vicious spiral, especially in a team that is not closely knit to begin with.
Besides, the All Black Crusaders can play 80 mins against the Lions and then take a rest (or play limited minutes) against Samoa.
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@MiketheSnow Hogg aside, is that the first choice backline? How about the wings?
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@Tim said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@MiketheSnow Hogg aside, is that the first choice backline? How about the wings?
Trying to guess what's going on in Gatland's mind, I think he believes that the backline selected for the Crusaders match is the shadow Test backline (including the subs).
I would rather see a full firing Hogg over Halfpenny but the reality is Halfpenny rarely has a howler, is one of the best kickers in the game, and despite his diminutive size is made of tougher stuff than Hogg. Hogg will be given every chance to stake his claim.
North is an out and out winger and proven Lions series winner. Had a good end to the domestic season. Can also slip into the centre if necessary.
It looks like it's a gunfight between L Williams and Watson for the other wing spot. Both players can cover full back. Yesterday's brain farts by Williams are not isolated incidents and for that reason I would have Daly in the mix to make it a three way fight. Daly can also play centre and fullback.
Gatland likes hard, straight running from his midfield and Te'o and Davies fit the bill.
That means Farrell shuffling in one to 10. But to be fair Sexton just isn't on form.
If the direct apporach isn't working, then on comes Sexton, Farrell to 12 and either Te'o or Davies off.
Murray is the incumbent at 9, but he'll have to improve on his end of season performances where he was largely annonymous.
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@MiketheSnow Good summation Mike. I am hoping against all hope that both Hogg and Murray come good - I'm more worried about Murray TBH as Halfpenny is, as you say a bloody good backup.
Williams is a funny one (and not just the way he walks). He runs some great lines and has a good eye for a break but to me he just does not instil the confidence that you get from a North or a Daly. I would like to see one creative or pacey centre at least but I'm resigned to the fact this is unlikely to occur. Biggest is best in Gatlandworld.
Back row will be interesting with the easier questions being who is not in contention rather than who is. I see Haskell and O'Mahoney as being the also rans here.
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@Chris-B. @No-Quarter @SammyC You Sader fans are getting ahead of yourselves. You have to make the final first.
