The Silverfern B&I Lions...
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@antipodean said in The Silverfern B&I Lions...:
@Bones said in The Silverfern B&I Lions...:
Is Sexton really the best 10 available to them?
Surely it's George Ford who according to Eddie Jones could be better than Beaudy.
Nothing wrong with that surely? Both were blue-chip prospects from that 2011 JWC final (Ford at 10 for England, Barrett at 15 for NZ). 2 years ago I would have said that Ford actually looked the better bet to become a world-class fly-half, but Barrett has kicked on massively over the last year and Ford has gone through a rough patch of form. Ford's form seems to be picking up though, and they're both still young.
For the Lions, if Ford is able to put together a string of performances at the hop of his ability, then I'd say he offers more than Sexton. For now though, Sextons consistency and experience puts him in pole position.
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@SimonAdd_2 said in The Silverfern B&I Lions...:
@antipodean said in The Silverfern B&I Lions...:
@Bones said in The Silverfern B&I Lions...:
Is Sexton really the best 10 available to them?
Surely it's George Ford who according to Eddie Jones could be better than Beaudy.
Nothing wrong with that surely?
If it comes across as me suggesting Eddie's taking the piss, that's not my intent. I do think Ford on form is the best first five-eighth in the Home Nations. Eddie's got form picking talent, e.g. Giteau.
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Thanks @Margin_Walker
Only asked as I recall ge was awesome a few years back
I struggle to watch Super Rugby and NPC (and even non-AB Tests nowadays) so there's no way i can keep up with NH footy. So I rely on the opinion of those who do. Appreciate the help
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Hartley will get a ban sometime around Easter, thereby ruling him out.
It will be interesting to see how Gatland shoehorns a load of Welsh players into the team. I look forward to that PR job.
An interesting question for him to ponder, is will his reputation be better enhanced by (the best case scenario) losing competitively in this or by resurrecting Wales from what will be a crap 6N this year into a 2018 Grand Slam.
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Gatland will take the following into consideration, and not all have equal weighting
- Fitness
- Form
- Played for him in the past
- Played for the Lions
So by the time the selection comes round I'm guessing half the suggestions will be missing
From a Welsh perspective, if he continues his development then Moriarty wil be on the plane.
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@MiketheSnow Moriarty not a bad call Mike. I was impressed with him v Aussie earlier on. One of the few to really put his hand up. I was a bit peeved that he didn't get the call for England but then again 8s and 6s we have. An out and out 7 would be nice. Would you check Tipuric's England eligibility for me seeing as Gatland doesn't seem to rate him?
Whilst it's fun to speculate now the real decider will be 6N form and that is a whole different kettle of fish.
it will be even more fun speculating then and of course rubbishing Gatland's eventual squad choices until the boys get over to NZ when they stop being Taff, Sweaties, Paddies and Poms and are just Lions.
Well, for some anyway.
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@Billy-Tell said in The Silverfern B&I Lions...:
If you're going to do this probably you will need to start by watching the 6N as a minimum but probably the European rugby championship too. Watching NZ play Ireland twice and then chuck a few names just won't cut it.
While I agree to an extent I think you are going to learn more about how someone is going to go against the ABs next year in watching a two test series against the ABs this year - rather than beating up on Scotland and Italy on wet tracks etc.
@westcoastie said in The Silverfern B&I Lions...:
I reckon the Lions would do better if they picked a squad of 32. Spent some serious time bounding in camp, played a couple of games with their best XV and hit the AB's fresh.
We're always a bit dusty that first test.
Blues, Crusaders, Highlanders last fixture before Lions series is 3rd June. First test is 24 June. There is a very good chance they shoehorn a test in before hand against Fiji, Tonga etc or at the absolute least a possibles v probables.
You would think it would be all mapped out years in advance but in the last two world cup years and the last Grand Slam year they added extra tests during Super Rugby (Fiji @ Carisbrook in 2011, Samoa @ Apia in 2015, Samoa @ New Plymouth in 2008). I'm sure it'll happen again.
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@Catogrande said in The Silverfern B&I Lions...:
until the boys get over to NZ when they stop being Taff, Sweaties, Paddies and Poms and are just Lions.
Gatland may be good. But miracle worker?
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A selection panel chooses the Lions squad doesn't it? Gatland will have more influence once on tour but I don't think he will be Welsh-centric. He'll select the players that give him the best chance to win.
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We played Fiji on Friday 10 June 2005 prior to the Lions series starting on Saturday 25 June. I agree a decent game together beforehand for the ABs (not just a "game of three halves") is a must.
However, in 2005 the Lions played provincial sides plus the Maori. In 2017 they play mostly SR sides. The first test is June 24 and they play the Blues on Jun 7, Crusaders on Jun 10 and Highlanders on Jun 13. I think we were assured that ABs test players will play in their SR sides in the leadup to the first test (not sure if this means core ABs or just fringe ABs - and injury concerns will scupper these plans quick smart).
I'm pretty sure that means the Blues and Crusaders (at least) will have their ABs. This means that ABs preview game would have to be the week before the first test (while the Lions play the Maori).
