BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?)
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After three matches, taking into consideration form, fitness, fit for purpose and Gatland's tried & tested this is what I think the 1st Test 23 will look like
For the BIL
1 - Vunipola
2 - Owens
3 - Furlong
4 - Kruis
5 - AWJ
6 - O'Mahoney
7 - Warburton
8 - Faletau
9 - Murray
10 - Farrell
11 - Watson
12 - Te'o
13 - Davies
14 - North
15 - Halfpenny16 - George
17 - McGrath
18 - Cole
19 - Itoje
20 - Tipuric
21 - Webb
22 - Sexton
23 - Daly -
There is no way BB is not starting at 10 with Ben Smith at 15. Smith for the inevitable barrage of box kicks, BB to find a way through or round the rush defence.
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This is what I think they'll go with for test one:
1 Moody
2 Taylor
3 Franks
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock
6 Kaino
7 Cane
8 Read
9 A Smith
10 B Barrett
11 J Savea
12 Crotty
13 ALB
14 Dagg
15 B Smith
16 Harris
17 Crockett
18 Faumuina
19 Romano
20 A Savea
21 TJP
22 Cruden
23 SBWIf Crotty is injured, then SBW starts with Rieko on the bench.
A Smith and TJP could be either way but I think TJP offers more from the bench.
Romano can cover lock/6 with Ardie to provide the usual impact that he does.
Cruden/SBW combo for the final 20 with B Barrett dropping to 15 and B Smith to the right wing.
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bollocks, clicked on a Treason article...
headline:
Lions tour: All Blacks should be 'fearful' of Lions - upbeat British and Irish media
First line:
Jet lag seemed to have crippled the drowsy Lions, but now All Blacks coaches will have sleepless nights after watching the Crusaders lose 12-3 in Christchurch, according to British and Irish media.
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@No-Quarter Pretty close IMO. I've got Sonny-Bill locked in as a starter. I think he'll be paired with ALB due to Crotty being uncertain - but, I'm fairly sure they'd like to have all three in the match day 23.
Hansen's explanation of the midfield options and Laumape's selection (and Fekitoa's non-selection) seemed a bit convoluted - he seemed to be saying they needed Laumape as a 2nd five option, but then noted that all four of his midfielders could play 2nd five, but Crotty and ALB could also both play centre.
So, as a wildcard, I reckon Hansen might pull a swift one and pick SBW at 12, but actually play him at 13.
Taylor and Harris could swap and, as you say, A. Smith and TJP.
Dagg might be under an injury/form cloud, so we could see Rieko take his place or - as I suggested on another thread, Ben Smith move to the wing and Jordie start at fullback (which would be a big call).
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@Chris-B I'd be pretty surprised if Dagg is not picked, regardless of form. They'll want two proven fullbacks in the back three, and Dagg's boot will come in handy. As unpopular as that will be on here...
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@No-Quarter Yeah - I'm sure they'll be very keen to have Israel if he's fit. He was very good in the first half vs the Lions, but not in the second. Saw one of the English scribes referring to him as "an ailing Dagg", which reflects comments on here. If he's not 100% they can't afford to pick him - but pairing any two of Savea, Ioane, Naholo weakens the "two fullbacks" theory.
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Masterstroke from Gatland and Warburton, and showing why Warburton is the Tour Captain.
British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton admits he could miss out on the first Test against New Zealand.
The Wales open-side has recovered from an ankle injury to lead the side against the Highlanders on Tuesday.
But with fierce competition for places, Warburton says his current form has not yet secured a Test spot.
"If I play Tuesday and I still feel I'm a bit undercut, then I might not be ready for that first Test," said Warburton.
"Maybe that would be the situation, or maybe I could have a blinder on Tuesday and feel absolutely fine so we'll see how it goes really."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40242020
With the Test 23 starting to take shape, Warburton's anouncement / admission / kidology will keep the squad united with all feeling they have a shot at test selection if they play to their potential.
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@MiketheSnow I wasn't happy about Warburton being made tour captain when he was out injured as I felt this was Gatland painting himself into a corner (much the same as Woodward's over reliance on an injured Wilkinson in 2005). However great credit to Warburton in the way he is conducting himself. I hope he does gain sufficient fitness, he's a very good player and deserves his chance.
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@Bovidae said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
The Crusaders game has reinforced the need to have wingers who are safe under the high ball. That makes Dagg a certainty on the right wing.
Savea will likely be their target though.
Bring back CJ.
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No change to my 23 after tonight's match
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@MiketheSnow My general impression is that you're on the money.
Webb got a rattled a couple of times tonight and maybe Laidlaw will push him?
Warburton probably did enough to see off any pressure on his spot.
Left wing is a weakness - I haven't been that impressed with Watson, but I've not seen anyone better. I thought Joseph went well on attack - has he played wing at all?
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@Chris-B. said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
@MiketheSnow My general impression is that you're on the money.
Webb got a rattled a couple of times tonight and maybe Laidlaw will push him?
Warburton probably did enough to see off any pressure on his spot.
Left wing is a weakness - I haven't been that impressed with Watson, but I've not seen anyone better. I thought Joseph went well on attack - has he played wing at all?
Not sure. But Watson, Daly and Liam Williams offer more across the back three.
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@hydro11 said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
Naholo, Dagg and Ben Smith should definitely be the back three if all are fit.
Naholo made a big claim for the 11 jumper tonight, but my 23 above hasn't changed for test one. They'll be keen to have as much experience on the park as possible and Naholo is far from proven at test level (bear in my that was a weaker Lions team).
