B&I Lions 2017
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Yeah it's very difficult gelling a Lions squad and team. Often with rugby it is the whole rather than the sum of the parts that is the thing. Add to that the setting aside of ancient rivalries and nationalistic pride and you have quite a problem.
Whilst England have ben the most successful over the last year and a bit, I feel that they are very much an example of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. Yeah we do have some stand out players but not that many. Take Mike Brown, who has been and ever present has rarely let us down (albeit his game is seemingly going backwards atm) but no-one has mentioned him as a Lions contender and I would agree with that - also I don't see him as being a "good" tourist. Too much Mr Angry.
Ireland and Wales will both have a significant number of players going and hopefully Scotland will have decent representation as well, although injuries may scotch that (pun intended).
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@Stargazer said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Pot-Hale said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in B&I Lions 2017:
Is Van der Flier not in the mix? I'll be more than happy if they leave him at home.
He doesn't sound very British so unlikely to travel.
Besides, kiwis would probably protest at yet another Saffa being included in the squad....
😏
Not a Saffa, but Irish with Dutch ancestry. His paternal grandparents moved from the Netherlands to Ireland in the 1950s.
Yes I know this.
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@Pot-Hale Fairly mediocre bait, but you got a bite nonetheless. Good skills man.
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@Crucial said in B&I Lions 2017:
What's the reluctance to play VdF?
He looks like he brings an element of dynamics that should be encouragedGood question. I think his injury absence has removed him from people's thinking but he's a genuine 7 and for a young Irish player has accomplished a lot. Given the comparative backrow depth for the Lions he may not make it. Instead he'll have to rip it up in USA and Japan during the summer, although Dan Leavy is gunning for him.
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@Stargazer No I mean an official one. That has a Lions crest but fake NZ logos.
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All Blacks to play warm-up match ahead of British & Irish Lions series
New Zealand Rugby boss Steve Tew has confirmed the All Blacks will play at least one match before this year's Test series against the British & Irish Lions. The multi-nation Test team will take on the world champions in three Tests in June and July, as well as seven other matches against Super Rugby clubs, the Maori All Blacks and a provincial Barbarians outfit. It will be the first time the Lions have toured New Zealand since 2005. Tew confirmed on Thursday that the All Blacks, who have not played together since November last year, would have a chance to shake out the cobwebs before their first Test in Auckland on June 24. The union was yet to decide if that match would be against a Test side, such as a Pacific Islands nation, or a Kiwi selection. An internal All Blacks vs All Blacks match, with extra players called in to make up the numbers, may also be on the cards. "We know they'll always have some form of hit-out at some stage when we get into these short lead-ups," Tew said. "We're still giving it a little thought and the coaches have reflected on that over the past few weeks."The All Blacks have also previously taken part in friendly "game of three halves" tournaments with two provincial Kiwi outfits. Last year's game was held in Pukekohe with Counties Manukau and Northland.
All Blacks set for warm-up ahead of Lions
New Zealand Rugby boss Steve Tew has confirmed the All Blacks will play at least one match before this year's Test series against the British & Irish Lions.
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@Chris-B. I'd rather watch paint dry ...
I think we should extend the invite to Georgia. That would be a classic c**t move after the way they were just told to f off from 6N. Probably piss of the PI nations a bit, but such is life.
Play the game in the Naki (as not getting a lions match), revenue share to fund their trip ... job done.
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@MajorRage I reckon it would be very interesting, but each to their own.
We could invite Georgia and Cyprus....
Though I think we might need a slightly more substantive hitout....
Maybe we could invite the Wallabies?
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@Chris-B. said in B&I Lions 2017:
@MajorRage I reckon it would be very interesting, but each to their own.
We could invite Georgia and Cyprus....
Though I think we might need a slightly more substantive hitout....
Maybe we could invite the Wallabies?
Maybe the wobs can put up a trophy? Where is that DHL cup?
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It's going to be the French invasion for the Lions tour. Throw in Peyper and Gardner as well.
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Very underhwelming options available with the retirement of Joubert.
Garces is fine. The other two can single-handedly ruin a game, but Peyper sometimes surprises you and gets out of his own way.
There wasn't much else out there another two Frenchmen in Raynal and Guazare - plus Gardner. So likely the best they could do.
Ayoub will TMO all three tests.
