Blues v BI Lions
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@Billy-Tell said in Blues v BI Lions:
@Frye said in Blues v BI Lions:
@Catogrande said in Blues v BI Lions:
@Crucial No doubting that mate. I just don't think he is anywhere near the player he was and that this may be a tour too far for him.
Yeah agreed. I guess it's too early to write him off because the other candidates need to step up first, but at this stage Kruis + Itoje look like the obvious pairing.
The players really need to start grabbing test jersies though. Faletau is the sole Lion with his name inked in so far.
I think Owen Farrell is utterly nailed on. He has been in fantastic form lately, while Biggar and Sexton have fairly spluttered. I'd say the same for Liam Williams, and Jonathan Davies finished the season with a bang for Scarlets. Kruis has been playing very well, and made a difference off the bench too.
Farrell ought to be nailed on but I doubt he is. Sexton is held in very high regard, rightly so on rep but not so much on current form. I think there's a good chance he will be given every opportunity to show what he can do. Davies has played well recently and is in tune with Gatland's game plan. He would be a worthy contender but to me doesn't have that little bit extra, be it pace, spatial awareness or the feet to make his own space. Williams is a good call and can cover full back very well. Wing is a position where we have some depth though, North, Nowell, Watson. Seymour is no slouch either whilst Daly has done well there for England. I'd say the only one nailed on for a wing spot is North.
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Sexton was awful on Saturday, poor options and generally poor at executing the basics...certainly opened the door for someone else to stake a claim.
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There is just no way Sexton will start the first test unless he comes on in the second half in the Blues game and turns around a losing score. And then perform out of his socks against Crusaders assuming he even gets the bench.
The pressure is on Biggar as much if not more to get the bench spot. He has to deliver on Wednesday or I think his goose is cooked.
The Saturday possible lineup is looking interesting. The remaining players have to start so that means Murray, Davies, North, O'Brien. Warburton will get the 7 shirt, so that means 9, 6, 13 and a wing spot are filled.
It's Vunipola or McGrath for LooseHead - Mako to start on Sat.
Best on the bench for Wed means he won't be featuring for a third match in a row, so it's likely George and Owens, in that order.
Furlong and Cole for TH
Itoje starting on Wed - bench for Sat? AWJ to start with Kruis.
O'Brien, Warburton and Faletau for the backrow, unless Gatland pulls a surprise here.*Murray and Farrell at 9/10.
With Henshaw starting Wed, then Te'o gets the 12 shirt alongside Davies.
Williams, North and Watson/Hogg in the back three.*If O'Mahony only get two starts from the bench, he would look odd one out, so does Warburton move to bench?
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@Wurzel said in Blues v BI Lions:
Nanai trained with the All Blacks last year, now he can't get a look in from Tana. If I were a French/English clubs I'd sign him pronto as they have to the end of the year to 'capture' his nationality at just three years.
It will be really disappointing if he moves. What I'd like to see is one of the other Super Franchises snap him up: Chiefs are losing Lowe for example. He's genuine quality, and I have no idea how Collins keeps getting selected ahead of him. I can see a French club swooping for sure.
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@Billy-Tell You'd hope the All Blacks selectors are having a chat with him. Collins didn't train with the All Blacks...
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@antipodean said in Blues v BI Lions:
@Billy-Tell You'd hope the All Blacks selectors are having a chat with him. Collins didn't train with the All Blacks...
I'd happily take him at the Crusaders to replace the AB ineligible Ioane (and I can't remember if Macalai has already played for Fiji).
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@Billy-Tell what I have heard from my contact in the know,Namani is definitely a talent,but is not a talker from the back,which you really need..!
Micheal Collins is a very good organiser,and directs defenders not to mention has a very good kicking game.
In terms of ball in hand,speed and footwork,Nemani wins hands down..!,but you are right,the Blues need to be very careful could be another one they lose. -
@Steven-Harris said in Blues v BI Lions:
@Billy-Tell what I have heard from my contact in the know,Namani is definitely a talent,but is not a talker from the back,which you really need..!
Micheal Collins is a very good organiser,and directs defenders not to mention has a very good kicking game.
Duffie to fullback and Nanai to the wing.. Umaga should have tried it at some stage
I prefer Nanai on the wing
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I don't think Nanai is a lost cause just yet to the Blues - but it is extremely frustrating as a fan. I'm guessing this week Tana wants more experience/communication out in the middle with Perofeta being such a green horn at 10.
At the very least though I wish Tana would bite the bullet, chuck Faiane in to start in the midfield and then Nanai could be the 23 off the bench.
Here are some interesting quotes from a year ago.
**I've been told my kicking game needs to improve and high balls especially - getting my timing right," Nanai said. "And vision, seeing those miss-matches out on the edge. I'm just happy to get a chance - it doesn't matter where I play, fullback or wing. Tana has helped me a lot. He was a winger back in the day so he's taught me a lot."
Fullback has been a problem area for the Blues since Charles Piutau's shock deflection. But with continued investment in Nanai, they may have finally found their answer.
"He's probably been symptomatic of our season," Umaga said. "He's got all the talent and the potential to go as far as he wants to go. He's a natural player who has learnt a lot of things off the field about how to be a professional and he's made all those shifts for us. At the back end of the season he's been great for us and it goes to show the work he's put in**
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@Billy-Tell Macilai is not yet capped by Fiji, was in thier pre-training squad for the RWC...mind you, he just needs to get fit and fight back to the bench!
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@Duluth I think they really like Duffy on the wing because of his ability in the air,especially the contestable high box kicks,and defusing the same defensive kicks
I remember Nanai running around for the Barbarians against South Africa I think it was,Wil Greenwood the English centre was running water for the Baabaas,was also wired up for the audience,was highly impressed Nemani,described him as skinny kid,that could really play.
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@taniwharugby said in Blues v BI Lions:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11870675
How many hakas do we think the Lions will have faced by the time they fly home? 1 per member of the touring squad?
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@SimonAdd_2 said in Blues v BI Lions:
@taniwharugby said in Blues v BI Lions:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11870675
How many hakas do we think the Lions will have faced by the time they fly home? 1 per member of the touring squad?
Is the four tides a reference to the four unions in the Lions?
