Crusaders vs B&I Lions
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@SimonAdd_2 said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
Noticeable point re: Lions selection - so far Gatland has been selecting and replacing his front rows as whole units.
Vunipola-George-Furlong
McGrath-Owens-Cole
Marler-Best-SinklerYes. Which smacks of Lancaster style subbing by numbers.
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@ACT-Crusader was more wondering about whether he or Goodhue could move to 12 instead of Havilli
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@MiketheSnow Saw somewhere Warburton is nursing an ankle injury.
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Seta has played 12, at some time I think. Seta/Goodhue could be proper worrying.
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@Wreck-Diver said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@Chris-B. @No-Quarter @SammyC You Sader fans are getting ahead of yourselves. You have to make the final first.
That was the point of the italicised "hopefully".
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Whoa whoa whoa, back the bus up, don't lump me in with those inbreds from down south. Back-to-back titles for the HURRICANES is what I'm talking about!
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@MiketheSnow said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@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.
How is Halfpenny tougher than Hogg exactly?
Surely his X factor trumps any claims the Welsh midget has. ...
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@MN5 said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@MiketheSnow said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@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.
How is Halfpenny tougher than Hogg exactly?
Surely his X factor trumps any claims the Welsh midget has. ...
Hogg's been more injured than Halfpenny this season
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@MiketheSnow said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@MN5 said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@MiketheSnow said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@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.
How is Halfpenny tougher than Hogg exactly?
Surely his X factor trumps any claims the Welsh midget has. ...
Hogg's been more injured than Halfpenny this season
He still won player of the 6N. Good effort for someone who was broken.
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@MN5 said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@MiketheSnow said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@MN5 said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@MiketheSnow said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@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.
How is Halfpenny tougher than Hogg exactly?
Surely his X factor trumps any claims the Welsh midget has. ...
Hogg's been more injured than Halfpenny this season
He still won player of the 6N. Good effort for someone who was broken.
Indeed. And as I already wrote earlier I'd take a fully fit Hogg over Halfpenny. I understand you're desperate to have Scottish involvement in the Test 23 but we're in agreeance
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This early in the tour and it's already gone flat. Gatland picking by numbers whilst he goes through the motions of giving every player a go, whilst inevitably moving towards the team he'd pretty much already selected pre-tour. Beginning to think he could have picked 6-8 wild cards/bolters and he might have had a better outcome.
Ah well. At least the June internationals start this weekend to provide some diversion from the horror show that's slowly but surely unfolding.
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@MiketheSnow said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@MN5 said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@MiketheSnow said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@MN5 said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@MiketheSnow said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@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.
How is Halfpenny tougher than Hogg exactly?
Surely his X factor trumps any claims the Welsh midget has. ...
Hogg's been more injured than Halfpenny this season
He still won player of the 6N. Good effort for someone who was broken.
Indeed. And as I already wrote earlier I'd take a fully fit Hogg over Halfpenny. I understand you're desperate to have Scottish involvement in the Test 23 but we're in agreeance
Pffft. The more Scots away from this tour the better
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@Pot-Hale said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
This early in the tour and it's already gone flat. Gatland picking by numbers whilst he goes through the motions of giving every player a go, whilst inevitably moving towards the team he'd pretty much already selected pre-tour. Beginning to think he could have picked 6-8 wild cards/bolters and he might have had a better outcome.
Ah well. At least the June internationals start this weekend to provide some diversion from the horror show that's slowly but surely unfolding.
jesus PH, this is a depressing post. Don't get too down yet! If this general malaise is setting in to the Lions supporters as a whole, i almost hope you win this weekend to get some life back in to you. The Blues thread was great fun,. It'll be much less fun if you blokes are on suicide watch.
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@gt12 said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
Seta has played 12, at some time I think. Seta/Goodhue could be proper worrying.
Nah just centre wing.
Havili's natural position is 2nd 5. Ha combo with Crotty at 13 last year was pretty good for the most part, although Havili faded in the latter few games and Crotty had some injuries.
Havili has been a major surprise at fullback and hopefully his confidence will remain high for the remainder of the season.
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@No-Quarter We can all tell you've got six fingers on each hand NQ!
While it would be entertaining in the short term if the Lions get beaten up by the Super sides, for the long term good of the Lions concept this will be much less good. They need to have some success or the golden goose may be cooked.
That said, I don't think Gatland is too far away from the truth comparing the full-strength Super sides to test sides.
There are eight All Blacks in the Crusaders starting XV and Goodhue and Mo'unga will both also surely be ABs by the end of the year.
Taufua and Havili could doubtless get test gigs for Pacific countries assuming they're eligible.
Hall (or more likely IMO Drummond) will be pushing Pulu and Weber for AB berths next year. Bridge isn't a bad bet as a future AB in the Corey Jane mold at some point....and so it goes.
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@Chris-B. jesus fuck. The Crusaders have a few months back at the top after some barren years, and suddenly it's 2002 all over again.
All that post said to me was "Mark Robinson, Sam Broomhall, Caleb Ralph"
I'm changing my allegiance, for the sake of everyone you yokels need putting back in your box. Lions by 10!
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@mariner4life said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
I'm changing my allegiance, for the sake of everyone you yokels need putting back in your box. Lions by 10!
That's the way we want it
Could never bring myself to cheer for the Chiefs, even if they were playing Australia
