All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2
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@jegga Reason snr was a actually a pretty good rugby columnist many years back but slowly, over a few years he seemed to write more and more embittered stuff that evolved into complete bollocks by the end. I was at a sportsman lunch with the main speaker being Gordon Brown and was lucky enough to sit next to him. We chatted about how Reason snr had seemingly lost the plot and GB hinted at some occurrence that had soured rugby for Reason. He would not say anything more but had an amused smile the whole time.
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@Tim said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
Some good analysis from Eddie O'Sullivan:
The Rugby Show: Eddie O'Sullivan looks ahead to the Lions' second test against the All Blacks
Eddie O’Sullivan was one of the coaches the last time the Lions toured New Zealand, in 2005.
More holes than a string vest
'Conor Murray is the best 9 in the world' - Eddie O'Behave
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In the last few minutes All Blacks facebook page posted a 1 min clip/interview of Waisake Naholo training this week now it has immediately been taken down. It looked exactly the type of video that they release when they announce the team and focus on new starters.
So i'd say Naholo is starting right wing.
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@gt12 said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
They should get Cory Jane in there training the bomb squad.
If Naholo stays safe under the high ball AND doesn't take someone out in the air, I won't throw something through my tv screen.
I would be very surprised if CJ isn't hanging around offering advice without even being asked
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Frankly I wouldn't be averse to CJ getting a start ...
... love CJ
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
Which would mean Barrett stays at 10 and Dagg moves to 15.
And Cruden and who else on the bench ?
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@kiwiinmelb Laumape for midfield cover.
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
In the last few minutes All Blacks facebook page posted a 1 min clip/interview of Waisake Naholo training this week now it has immediately been taken down. It looked exactly the type of video that they release when they announce the team and focus on new starters.
So i'd say Naholo is starting right wing.
They did that type of video last week for Reiko .
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@gt12 said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
They should get Cory Jane in there training the bomb squad.
If Naholo stays safe under the high ball AND doesn't take someone out in the air, I won't throw something through my tv screen.
I think the bomb squad is fine. The guy that was dropping ball last week isn't playing this weekend....
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After reading and hearing a lot of the post test and post midweek game media in the UK a couple of things puzzle me.
First is the adamant suggestion that Itoje will bring more grunt and steel to the Lions pack. The guy is a ruck leaner with an eye for an opportunity. It's like the Tuqiri syndrome all over again. Remember when everytime he got the ball the comms would cream themselves as he beat tackle after tackle while crabbing across the field being very ineffective? Itoje is like that. Has a couple of big noticable moments but is otherwise a passenger.
The other thing is Liam Williams. Yes, he started off a very good try that derserved a bit of hyperbole, but his net effect on the scoreboard was -2 wasn't it? I can't see the ABs giving him the same opportunity again but I can see him giving them one like he did with Rieko's try. I'm guessing his net contribution will be at least -7 this time around. -
@Crucial said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
After reading and hearing a lot of the post test and post midweek game media in the UK a couple of things puzzle me.
First is the adamant suggestion that Itoje will bring more grunt and steel to the Lions pack. The guy is a ruck leaner with an eye for an opportunity. It's like the Tuqiri syndrome all over again.To me it looked more like Cribb Disorder, but the two are similar - hard to tell.
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@rotated @Crucial I've heard more that he will bring some dynamism to the pack and I think that's a fair assessment. He is not though, the archetypal grunting lock, more like a hybrid 6/lock. He does bring turnover capability, more dynamic tackling, wider defence capability and line out steals. Whether this is a good trade off for the lack of ruck hitting and a lesser powered scrum is still be be decided.
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When's the team named please?
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Kristian Dacey has spoken and has been very positive about his experience
Kristian Dacey: The abuse, my first day and an invaluable experience
Dacey was one of the four Welshmen who were called up by the Lions by never saw a minute of action
The best thing any of the Welsh players can do is experience different coaching and training environments. Will only make them better players.
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@Catogrande I think he's a better impact player at this stage and given the other lock options in the squad. After his outing on Tuesday, I'd be looking at Henderson to start. Reminded me of James Ryan the way he moved ball in hand.
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@Catogrande said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
@rotated @Crucial I've heard more that he will bring some dynamism to the pack and I think that's a fair assessment. He is not though, the archetypal grunting lock, more like a hybrid 6/lock. He does bring turnover capability, more dynamic tackling, wider defence capability and line out steals. Whether this is a good trade off for the lack of ruck hitting and a lesser powered scrum is still be be decided.
I take your point but what is needed is someone to stop the ABs getting a roll on (stopping the rush defence) and do the hard work in tight.
TBF Itoje did bring a bit of that last week, but from the bench where he had sat winding himself up. Unless there is a strategy to tell him to go hard for 40 and then get replaced I can't see how starting him is the best option. Even then he is more effective in the latter stages so having Lawes and Kruis start with Itoje coming on later would seem the best plan to me. -
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
@Catogrande I think he's a better impact player at this stage and given the other lock options in the squad. After his outing on Tuesday, I'd be looking at Henderson to start. Reminded me of James Ryan the way he moved ball in hand.
Henderson has been great and the type that the AB coaches would love to have in their squad. That said I really doubt gatland will use him. He seemed to have made up his mind it was all Hendersons fault against the Canes and will want to punish him.
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@Crucial said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #2:
@Catogrande I think he's a better impact player at this stage and given the other lock options in the squad. After his outing on Tuesday, I'd be looking at Henderson to start. Reminded me of James Ryan the way he moved ball in hand.
Henderson has been great and the type that the AB coaches would love to have in their squad. That said I really doubt gatland will use him. He seemed to have made up his mind it was all Hendersons fault against the Canes and will want to punish him.
If not selected I think it'll be more a case of him having done a 70 minute shift, not slapping him on the wrists.
