All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1
-
Rieko wow. Even I wasnt expecting that. I do think the Lions Maori game would have done him a world of good. Much better preparation for this game than Savea who only started to look half decent against a shot Samoan side in the second half.
ALB unlucky but glad he is at least on the bench.
Scott Barrett may not have the power of Romano but his lineout ability is very important off the pine (obviously along with his skillset).
-
Vunipola, George, Furlong
AWJ, Kruis
O'Mahoney, Faletau, O'BrienMurray, Farrell
Daly, Te'o, Davies, Watson
WilliamsBig call on AWJ, the (correct) non-starting of Warburton, the (correct) non-selection of North, Williams
-
Halfpenny on the bench is quizzical.
Not expecting Farrell to last, so need a kicker?
-
What's up with Joseph?
-
Re AWJ instead of Itoje, Itoje definitely has more impact off the bench. But if you're playing the ABs I think you play all your trumps from the off. I like AWJ, but I think Gatland has got this one wrong. I'll be delighted to be wrong.
-
Not too much to complain about in that squad. Ever so slightly contentious for me is the AWJ/Itoje situation and Halfpenny on the bench.
The lock issue for me is that I think Itoje is now offering more but against that I'd rather have itoje coming on for a tired AWJ or an injured Kruis than the other way round. So hard on itoje but it's a 50/50 call. As for Halfpenny, he has done little wrong but if you have Williams at full back presumably for his attacking intent and you have Farrell as a place kicker, I'd rather have some midfield cover.
But on the whole a pretty good squad.
-
@Catogrande Pleased for Daly, quality will out. Any injuries in midfield I think you'll see him move in, Williams to wing, Halfpenny to FB. That sort of "one replacement =3 changes in the backline" smacks of Lancaster, and it never worked well.
-
-
Am curious about how many tests has Farrell started at 10.
Itoje on the bench makes sense so he can get all excited when he comes on and shout a lot.
Williams better be bow-legged good. Glad Daly got a starting role. He looks like he might make a difference. Is he facing the Reiko guy?
Should be a good match.
-
@Pot-Hale
Farrell has 24 of his 44 test starts at 10
However, 16 of his 17 test starts since the RWC have been at 12. That said, he still plays fly half successfully week in week out for Sarries.
-
@Stargazer said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:
Poor Scotland.
Naa its good. Means i can support the ABs 100% and not hope a token Scot goes ok
-
@MN5 said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:
@Stargazer said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:
Poor Scotland.
Naa its good. Means i can support the ABs 100% and not hope a token Scot goes ok
With the emphasis on token
-
In conversation with my cousin he presented
"Interesting that one-third of the starting 15 were not first choice in their starting positions for their respective countries in the 6N....Williams, Te'o, Farrell, George, O'Mahony."
-
@Bovidae said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:
I thought that Ioane's performance for the Maori might have cost him a possible start. I'm looking forward to seeing him with ball in hand.
So much for the pro-Welsh bias in the Lions XV.
I assume it was pre planned, and Rieko's performance in a bumbling Maori team and Julian's fine second half in the opposed training run didn't change things.
I'm happy to see they've taken the chance!
Tough on ALB to miss out but I assume it was the same, Crotty and SBW were always going to start together if fit.
-
I'm a fan of Crotty, but not at 13 and not in place of ALB.
Hope this works out.
Great stuff for Ioane. Deserves his selection.
-
@Rancid-Schnitzel I'm not a fan of Crotty, but I think he'll go fine, he's become a consistent player. But, I'd have picked ALB personally. Handy guy to have on the bench.
