2021 British & Irish Lions tour to SA
-
@catogrande said in 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to SA:
@mikethesnow said in 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to SA:
@mn5 said in 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to SA:
@mikethesnow said in 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to SA:
@mikethesnow said in 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to SA:
Jones (Wales)
Owens (Wales)
Furlong (Ireland)
Henderson (Ireland)
Wyn Jones (Captain) (Wales)
Beirne (Ireland)
Watson (Scotland)
Faletau (Wales)
Murray (Ireland)
Sexton (Ireland)
Earls (Ireland)
Henshaw (Ireland)
North (Wales)
Rees- Zammitt (Wales)
Hogg (Scotland)That was my initial stab at a Test XV back on 20 March
Here are my current front runners after two matches
Jones (Wales)
Owens (Wales)
Furlong (Ireland)
Itoje (England)
Henderson (Ireland)
Beirne (Ireland)
Watson (Scotland)
Faletau (Wales)
Murray (Ireland, Capt.)
Biggar (Wales)
Adams (Wales)
Henshaw (Ireland)
Harris (Scotland)
Rees- Zammitt (Wales)
Hogg (Scotland)Is Harris really worthy of a test spot ? ( this is written by the ferns biggest fake Scotsman as well ). Surely Aki or Farrell play 12 with Henshaw at 13 ?
Farrell on the bench to cover 10, 12
Davies to cover 9
Liam Willaims to cover 11, 14, 15Harris' defensive role can't be underplayed. Individually he cuts down so much space. Collectively he's in charge of the defensive unit.
On attack he offers more than Aki IMHO. See his grubber to put LRZ in for example.
Prior to the tour he was very much Chris Who? However he really put his hand up v the Lions and for me is in the box seat for the 13, though early days yet. I also think 10 is still up for grabs, Biggar had a good game v Japan after a good 6N, Russell’s flakiness to me does not fit within a typical Gatland game plan and Farrell has not yet had a sniff, though you’d want him on the park.
Squidge raved over him, and he’s not Welsh, so must be decent
-
If the 1st Test was Saturday
Jones (Wales)
Owens (Wales)
Furlong (Ireland)
Itoje (England)
Henderson (Ireland)
Navidi (Wales)
Watson (Scotland)
Faletau (Wales)Murray (Ireland, Capt.)
Biggar (Wales)
Adams (Wales)
Henshaw (Ireland)
Harris (Scotland)
Rees- Zammitt (Wales)
Hogg (Scotland) -
-
From the Lions website -
The British & Irish Lions will play back-to-back matches against the Cell C Sharks to ensure the tourists can continue to prepare for the Test series against the Springboks later this month.SA Rugby and the Lions have agreed to replace the Vodacom Bulls with the Cell C Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday (kick-off 18h00 SAT, 17h00 BST), after the former was ruled out because of COVID-19 infections.
The Lions beat the Cell C Sharks 54-7 at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Wednesday in the second match of the Castle Lager Lions Series. The tourists had opened their account at the same venue with a 56-14 victory over the Sigma Lions on Saturday.
“The choice of the Cell C Sharks was dictated by the fact that they have been in a bubble, have returned negative tests throughout and were prepared to take on the fixture,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby.
“No other team in the country could meet those conditions right now – without going into a five-day lockdown. It is not an ideal situation, but COVID-19 has made sure that we do not live in an ideal world.”
The change has meant that the Cell C Sharks’ match against the Sigma Lions in the Carling Currie Cup on Saturday has been cancelled with a decision on the points allocation to be confirmed.
“We’re very grateful to the Sharks for agreeing to play us again this Saturday at Loftus Versfeld,” said Lions managing director Ben Calveley.
“We have further COVID-19 testing scheduled for today and tomorrow. The results of those tests will determine whether we will be able fulfil this fixture, but, as it stands, we are optimistic.
“We remain committed to the Tour in South Africa and determined to rise to the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
-
@daffy-jaffy said in 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to SA:
From the Lions website -
The British & Irish Lions will play back-to-back matches against the Cell C Sharks to ensure the tourists can continue to prepare for the Test series against the Springboks later this month.SA Rugby and the Lions have agreed to replace the Vodacom Bulls with the Cell C Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday (kick-off 18h00 SAT, 17h00 BST), after the former was ruled out because of COVID-19 infections.
The Lions beat the Cell C Sharks 54-7 at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Wednesday in the second match of the Castle Lager Lions Series. The tourists had opened their account at the same venue with a 56-14 victory over the Sigma Lions on Saturday.
“The choice of the Cell C Sharks was dictated by the fact that they have been in a bubble, have returned negative tests throughout and were prepared to take on the fixture,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby.
“No other team in the country could meet those conditions right now – without going into a five-day lockdown. It is not an ideal situation, but COVID-19 has made sure that we do not live in an ideal world.”
The change has meant that the Cell C Sharks’ match against the Sigma Lions in the Carling Currie Cup on Saturday has been cancelled with a decision on the points allocation to be confirmed.
“We’re very grateful to the Sharks for agreeing to play us again this Saturday at Loftus Versfeld,” said Lions managing director Ben Calveley.
“We have further COVID-19 testing scheduled for today and tomorrow. The results of those tests will determine whether we will be able fulfil this fixture, but, as it stands, we are optimistic.
“We remain committed to the Tour in South Africa and determined to rise to the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Given the situation, I wonder if they could expand the squad sizes to give more Lions players a run?
-
26 people have covid in the springbok camp, including 14 players
-
Why so many rugby professional players are not vaccinated ? This would have solved many problems IMO.
-
You can be vaccinated and have Covid.
In other news there's not too much second string about the SA 'A' team for Wednesday
To face:
*British and Irish Lions: Watson; Rees-Zammit, Harris, Aki, Adams; Biggar, Murray (capt); Jones, Owens, Sinckler, Itoje, Henderson, Navidi, Curry, Faletau.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Vunipola, Fagerson, Beard, Beirne, Simmonds, Davies, Daly.*
-
Should be a cracker
Could go either way, but momentum and match fitness is with the Lions.
Lions by 7-10
-
@margin_walker said in 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to SA:
You can be vaccinated and have Covid.
In other news there's not too much second string about the SA 'A' team for Wednesday
To face:
*British and Irish Lions: Watson; Rees-Zammit, Harris, Aki, Adams; Biggar, Murray (capt); Jones, Owens, Sinckler, Itoje, Henderson, Navidi, Curry, Faletau.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Vunipola, Fagerson, Beard, Beirne, Simmonds, Davies, Daly.*
First match together for Itoje and Henderson.
-
@pakman said in 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to SA:
@margin_walker said in 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to SA:
You can be vaccinated and have Covid.
In other news there's not too much second string about the SA 'A' team for Wednesday
To face:
*British and Irish Lions: Watson; Rees-Zammit, Harris, Aki, Adams; Biggar, Murray (capt); Jones, Owens, Sinckler, Itoje, Henderson, Navidi, Curry, Faletau.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Vunipola, Fagerson, Beard, Beirne, Simmonds, Davies, Daly.*
First match together for Itoje and Henderson.
Just keeping AWJ’s jersey warm by the looks of it
-
-
If Wyn Jones is fit then he's starting
Mako's best game in yonksOwens or LCD on a knife-edge
Furlong to start, Sinkler bench
Itoje and AWJ
Beard overtook Henderson for meCurry, Watson, Faletau
Beirne, Simmonds on benchDavies, Price
Murray was dreadfulFarrell was dreadful
Biggar if fitLRZ and Watson played well
But it could easily be VDM and AdamsAki was immense, could have played himself in
Harris got better as game went on
Henshaw in if fitHogg
-
@mikethesnow said in 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to SA:
If Wyn Jones is fit then he's starting
Mako's best game in yonksYes but not enough for Mako as yet. Let's hope Jones' shoulder is all good.
Owens or LCD on a knife-edge
I thought George played pretty well on his start which was very pleasing but he is still third in line. Though if you start with LCD I'd be tempted to have George on the bench for what he brings around the field later on. If Owens is starting though then definitely LCD on the bench.
Furlong to start, Sinkler bench
100%
Itoje and AWJ
Beard overtook Henderson for meBig call re A-WJ, huge respect for the guy and you'd want him there, but I'd like to see him get a game under his belt first. But if not him then who to partner Itoje could be any of the three. Lawes has played very well in his games.
Curry, Watson, Faletau
Beirne, Simmonds on benchHard to argue with that choice, Navidi could consider himself hard done by. Beirne could miss out on a bench spot to Lawes who can cover lock and 6. Would free up another place on the bench for a back (felt dirty saying that).
Davies, Price
Murray was dreadfulI'm really concerned about scrum half. All three have had some pretty dire moments. I'd actually say that Price has been the best by a smidgen but the other two have better pedigree.
Farrell was dreadful
Biggar if fitI don't really agree re Farrell. The charge down was pretty average but then he was on the end of Murray's "service". The kick that went too long was sooo close to being brilliant so I can forgive him. For me his worse blunder was not clearing out De Allende from his offside running line in front of Nkosi for the try. He was never going to catch Nkosi so he may have just as well tried to draw the ref's attention to the matter. It will be close between him and Biggar.
LRZ and Watson played well
But it could easily be VDM and AdamsI would go with the latter pairing. LRZ looks short of confidence to me and Watson is looking fragile.
Aki was immense, could have played himself in
Harris got better as game went on
Henshaw in if fitAki in at 12. 13 is a toss up. Earlier I would have said Harris had it in his pocket but that stray kick to Kolbe aside, Daly has looked a threat at 13, just don't let him anywhere near 15. Maybe Harris to start and Daly on the bench to cover centre and wing. Henshaw nowhere near selection other than on reputation. He's really not had much of a chance.
Hogg
Hard on Williams but yes.
-
Pretty happy from a South African perspective.
Physicality and defence will keep us in any game. Most of the players look sharpish considering the disruptions in the build up.
Tactically they showed fuckall, but that's to be expected in the context of the upcoming series - hopefully there is something held back for the test series.One concern relates to the form of the returning covid patients, Nkosi and Koch. Nkosi looked slooow on his run in and Koch is the first player to struggle with Vunipolo on this tour. Considering how important Malherbe, Mbonambi, De Jager, Kolisi, Pollard and Mapimpi are going to be for the test matches I really hope the after effects are not too serious.
As for the "debutant"- Dweba and Wiese were good and Janse van Rensburg looked fine(though I would have gone with Schickerling). I also think Willemse confirmed his selection as utility back with another strong performance off the bench as 12.
The only player to really stink was Elstadt with Nyakane struggling a bit in the scrums.
Injury wise Le Roux and Wiese have niggles which is a little worrying cause changes at 8 and 15 will be very disruptive to type of game the boks would want to play in the tests.
