Crusaders vs B&I Lions
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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
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@SammyC there is so much hate in your soul. Being a Crusaders supporter is like carrying The One Ring, just corrupts you.
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@mariner4life You know I'm right!
To be fair, I don't expect Bedwell-Curtis to play international rugby, but he's playing only because Read isn't.
We're still ravaged by injuries to Kieran, S. Barrett and Digby Ioane - and Pete Samu - someone was suggesting he play for Australia!
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@Chris-B. said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
To be fair, I don't expect Bedwell-Curtis to play international rugby
deep down, you kinda do. We all know it
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@mariner4life In my mind, he's still from Manawatu...got to give him time, but for now he's no Sam Broomhall!
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@mariner4life said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@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.
Ah no - I'm not at that point. 😊 I'm working Saturday so will miss the morning game, but some of the other tests should be good to watch.
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To be fair, that initial post was more aimed at the NH posters.
Thing is - you can do the same thing for the Chiefs. At full strength, you guys are going to be putting out at least a dozen players with test caps - and then a handful of others like Lowe, who would get a test gig for many countries.
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@mariner4life said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@SammyC there is so much hate in your soul. Being a Crusaders supporter is like carrying The One Ring, just corrupts you.
One Ring? Make that 7....
Getting fired up for this one. I think it's going to be close.
I was thinking that Dagg at fullback will be important as it will allow him to come into the attacking line as a second playmaker when the Lions limit space and try and put pressure on Richie.
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@No-Quarter sorry No Quarter I didn't realise you were a civilised man please except my apologies for implying you come from 6 finger country.
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That's a pretty impressive Lions 23 there and on paper stronger in several places. 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, most of the bench.
However it doesnt have a lot of combinations and timing yet so not as string as it looks.
It will be the toughest pack the saders have faced this year and so the backs wont have the full armchair ride they have been enjoying ... armchair lite maybe.
I'd certainly feel happier with Read or Douglas as an addition in the mix.
Havilli at 12 is a clear move to stop Teo getting any momentum in my view, he has one job and that is to stop teo giving the lions any go-forward.
Cant wait. -
This is kind of weird , am supporting the nz sides ,
but kind of willing the lions on a bit here as well , not so sure I want them going into that first test like a train wreck
I believe the maoris will win next week so a loss here could be dire
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@kiwiinmelb I was saying the same thing to mates last night. For the sake of the Lions tour, the Crusaders should take one for the team.
Either way, I expect some fireworks tonight.
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Lions need to start scoring some points!
2 tries in 2 games, sure they are still finding thier combos, but 2 tries in 160 minutes is a bit of a worry.
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@kiwiinmelb said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
I believe the maoris will win next week so a loss here could be dire
On paper I'm not sure the Maori are a better team, once continuity is factored I'm sure of it.
I'm interested to hear from Crusaders fans though - would a loss today end the winning streak in your mind?
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@rotated Yeah - Crusader's continuity makes them significantly more likely than the Maori to win, in my eyes. Plus the Lions should be getting better with every game (assuming the wheels don't fall off). Betfair, at least, agrees with us.
Our winning streak will surely end if we lose - but, not our Super rugby winning streak. To finesse the point you're getting at. If we were to lose to the Lions but win the rest of our Super games, I'd talk about a record (Super) winning streak, but not an unbeaten season.
Edit: actually I probably would talk about an unbeaten Super season.
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@rotated said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@kiwiinmelb said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
I believe the maoris will win next week so a loss here could be dire
On paper I'm not sure the Maori are a better team, once continuity is factored I'm sure of it.
I'm interested to hear from Crusaders fans though - would a loss today end the winning streak in your mind?
Maori sides traditionally play with a lot of pride and determination against touring sides .
I'm factoring that into the equation ,pride in the jumper , I think they will be ready to run through brick walls and the lions could have one eye on the following week.
