B&I Lions 2017
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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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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.
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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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@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.
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@rotated said in B&I Lions 2017:
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.
Gardner is probably the best ref going around at the moment. I wonder why he didn't get a starting gig