Page 1 of 18

Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 8:14 am
by Conspicuous
Given team selection for Chiefs match on Tuesday and performances against the Maori , I think Gatland will go for . I don't think Warburton is ready and there seems to be growing speculation that he'll be left out but I'll believe it when I see it

Halfpenny
Watson
Davies
Teo
North
Sexton
Murray
Faletau
SOB
Warburton
Kruis
Itoje
Furlong
George
Vunipola


McGrath
Owens
Sinckler
AWJ
POM
Webb
Biggar
Joeseph

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 8:20 am
by Hong Kong
Conspicuous wrote:Given team selection for Chiefs match on Tuesday and performances against the Maori , I think Gatland will go for . I don't think Warburton is ready and there seems to be growing speculation that he'll be left out but I'll believe it when I see it

Halfpenny
Watson
Davies
Teo
North
Sexton
Murray
Faletau
SOB
Warburton
Kruis
Itoje
Furlong
George
Vunipola


McGrath
Owens
Sinckler
AWJ
POM
Webb
Biggar
Joeseph
POM in for Warbs

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 8:22 am
by DiscoHips D'Arcy
Looking at the Chiefs team I wonder is AWJ benching a sign that the test bench spot still up for grabs. Hendo is has been good since the first game and Lawes is possibly the unluckiest man on tour. Possibly a bit of a long shot but If Itoje has ousted AWJ from the starting team do the two youngstersnot offer more impact

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 8:30 am
by henry
I would go with:

Vunipola
George
Furlong
Kruis
Itoje
POM (captain)
SOB
Faletau
Murray
Sexton
North
Farrell
Davies
Watson
Williams

But he's definitely going with Halfpenny at fullback and I think Farrell is seen as a ten so anticipate Teo and Davies in the centres. Warburton might sneak in at six too.

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 8:37 am
by Conspicuous
DiscoHips D'Arcy wrote:Looking at the Chiefs team I wonder is AWJ benching a sign that the test bench spot still up for grabs. Hendo is has been good since the first game and Lawes is possibly the unluckiest man on tour. Possibly a bit of a long shot but If Itoje has ousted AWJ from the starting team do the two youngstersnot offer more impact
Yeah I was surprised to see AWJ included midweek. i think he'll only be used in emergency though and I'd be shocked to see him omitted from test squad . He was excellent against Crusaders tbf

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 8:42 am
by henry
Conspicuous wrote:
DiscoHips D'Arcy wrote:Looking at the Chiefs team I wonder is AWJ benching a sign that the test bench spot still up for grabs. Hendo is has been good since the first game and Lawes is possibly the unluckiest man on tour. Possibly a bit of a long shot but If Itoje has ousted AWJ from the starting team do the two youngstersnot offer more impact
Yeah I was surprised to see AWJ included midweek. i think he'll only be used in emergency though and I'd be shocked to see him omitted from test squad . He was excellent against Crusaders tbf
Hasn't done enough for me relative to the other contenders. Henderson on the bench brings greater versality too, and greater dynamism.

My lock pecking order would be:

Kruis
Itoje
Henderson
Lawes
AWJ

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 8:57 am
by alliswell
DiscoHips D'Arcy wrote:Looking at the Chiefs team I wonder is AWJ benching a sign that the test bench spot still up for grabs. Hendo is has been good since the first game and Lawes is possibly the unluckiest man on tour. Possibly a bit of a long shot but If Itoje has ousted AWJ from the starting team do the two youngstersnot offer more impact
I doubt AWJ will get much time, if any. If a second row goes down he'll bring in Hill. If a backrow goes down he'll bring on Hill and shift Henderson or Lawes.

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:03 am
by Conspicuous
henry wrote:
Conspicuous wrote:
DiscoHips D'Arcy wrote:Looking at the Chiefs team I wonder is AWJ benching a sign that the test bench spot still up for grabs. Hendo is has been good since the first game and Lawes is possibly the unluckiest man on tour. Possibly a bit of a long shot but If Itoje has ousted AWJ from the starting team do the two youngstersnot offer more impact
Yeah I was surprised to see AWJ included midweek. i think he'll only be used in emergency though and I'd be shocked to see him omitted from test squad . He was excellent against Crusaders tbf
Hasn't done enough for me relative to the other contenders. Henderson on the bench brings greater versality too, and greater dynamism.

My lock pecking order would be:

Kruis
Itoje
Henderson
Lawes
AWJ
Can't argue with any of that , still think Gatland will lean heavily towards Warburton and AWJ for a match like this though. They're his generals

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:08 am
by Openside
Conspicuous wrote:
henry wrote:
Conspicuous wrote:
DiscoHips D'Arcy wrote:Looking at the Chiefs team I wonder is AWJ benching a sign that the test bench spot still up for grabs. Hendo is has been good since the first game and Lawes is possibly the unluckiest man on tour. Possibly a bit of a long shot but If Itoje has ousted AWJ from the starting team do the two youngstersnot offer more impact
Yeah I was surprised to see AWJ included midweek. i think he'll only be used in emergency though and I'd be shocked to see him omitted from test squad . He was excellent against Crusaders tbf
Hasn't done enough for me relative to the other contenders. Henderson on the bench brings greater versality too, and greater dynamism.

My lock pecking order would be:

Kruis
Itoje
Henderson
Lawes
AWJ
Can't argue with any of that , still think Gatland will lean heavily towards Warburton and AWJ for a match like this though. They're his generals
Henderson has been the weakest imo Lawes has been outstanding

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:29 am
by Mr. Very Popular
Hendo has made an impact every time he's come on, so if it's the bench spot that's up for grabs he has a great shot at it.
Think he'll start with Warbs as well, he is the tour captain and Gatland is stubborn enough to do it

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:31 am
by Openside
Is North on the test team by default? He hasn't done anything on tour yet other than hift the Maoris their only try, shocking execution of a pretty basic skill

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:32 am
by Openside
Mr. Very Popular wrote:Hendo has made an impact every time he's come on, so if it's the bench spot that's up for grabs he has a great shot at it.
Think he'll start with Warbs as well, he is the tour captain and Gatland is stubborn enough to do it
Possibly confirmation bias but he was very poor in his first game and was fine yesterday but a step down from what was already on the park imo

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:35 am
by DragsterDriver
AWJ offers little from the bench compared to hendo.
He'll start Owens at hooker.

T'eo has come from nowhere really and offered the most in attack, brings the bosh but has that league step in traffic.

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:36 am
by DragsterDriver
Openside wrote:Is North on the test team by default? He hasn't done anything on tour yet other than hift the Maoris their only try, shocking execution of a pretty basic skill
He's playing like an oil tanker, but the wings are getting zero ball really although I definitely saw Jiffy pass once yesterday. Maybe it's been a tactic to sucker the kiwis....

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:37 am
by alliswell
DragsterDriver wrote:AWJ offers little from the bench compared to hendo.
He'll start Owens at hooker.

T'eo has come from nowhere really and offered the most in attack, brings the bosh but has that league step in traffic.
George has it down I reckon. It's Gatland's decision but Rowntree and Scabnose will be pushing hard for him.

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:40 am
by alliswell
DragsterDriver wrote:
Openside wrote:Is North on the test team by default? He hasn't done anything on tour yet other than hift the Maoris their only try, shocking execution of a pretty basic skill
He's playing like an oil tanker, but the wings are getting zero ball really although I definitely saw Jiffy pass once yesterday. Maybe it's been a tactic to sucker the kiwis....
The centres from yesterday do not pass comfortably.

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:40 am
by DragsterDriver
alliswell wrote:
DragsterDriver wrote:AWJ offers little from the bench compared to hendo.
He'll start Owens at hooker.

T'eo has come from nowhere really and offered the most in attack, brings the bosh but has that league step in traffic.
George has it down I reckon. It's Gatland's decision but Rowntree and Scabnose will be pushing hard for him.
Yup- doughboy has been quite excellent but they're not going to ditch that many Welsh players I feel.

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:41 am
by DragsterDriver
alliswell wrote:
DragsterDriver wrote:
Openside wrote:Is North on the test team by default? He hasn't done anything on tour yet other than hift the Maoris their only try, shocking execution of a pretty basic skill
He's playing like an oil tanker, but the wings are getting zero ball really although I definitely saw Jiffy pass once yesterday. Maybe it's been a tactic to sucker the kiwis....
The centres from yesterday do not pass comfortably.
I can't have watched Wales closely enough but Davies looks like he'll do anything to not pass, he could have put Watson away easily yesterday.

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:45 am
by alliswell
DragsterDriver wrote:
alliswell wrote:
DragsterDriver wrote:AWJ offers little from the bench compared to hendo.
He'll start Owens at hooker.

T'eo has come from nowhere really and offered the most in attack, brings the bosh but has that league step in traffic.
George has it down I reckon. It's Gatland's decision but Rowntree and Scabnose will be pushing hard for him.
Yup- doughboy has been quite excellent but they're not going to ditch that many Welsh players I feel.
I think he genuinely wants to win and will see the benefit of keeping that Sarries four together.

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:50 am
by henry
Openside wrote:Is North on the test team by default? He hasn't done anything on tour yet other than hift the Maoris their only try, shocking execution of a pretty basic skill
Yep, default.

He's the only winger who, at his best, will worry the Kiwis.

And who else do you pick? Nobody else has stuck their hand up. Nowell has had a shocker of a tour, an absolute stinker. Seymour isn't great. Williams is playing Tuesday (finally at 15). Watson has done ok. Daly isn't going to worry anyone and is a utility squad player. Bit depressing to be frank.

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 10:05 am
by Magic
Halfpenny
North Williams
Davies Farrell
Sexton Murray

Tad
George
Mako

Kruis
AWj

Warburton Toby Itoje

POM's had a good tour - but we need a really big and mobile 6. Itoje it must be. Wouldn't mind SOB instead of Warbs 50/50 call.

That's a powerful side.

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 10:13 am
by Jeff the Bear
henry wrote:
Openside wrote:Is North on the test team by default? He hasn't done anything on tour yet other than hift the Maoris their only try, shocking execution of a pretty basic skill
Yep, default.

He's the only winger who, at his best, will worry the Kiwis.

And who else do you pick? Nobody else has stuck their hand up. Nowell has had a shocker of a tour, an absolute stinker. Seymour isn't great. Williams is playing Tuesday (finally at 15). Watson has done ok. Daly isn't going to worry anyone and is a utility squad player. Bit depressing to be frank.
I find Williams ommision bizarre personally. Of the 3 provisional starters in the first test plus Williams, Williams is by far the best all round player. I can see why 1/2p has to be there for his kicking (if that's what Gatland wants to play it), but neither North nor Watson have really done enough to demand a place, or are better when talking pure rugby ability.

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 10:27 am
by MunsterMan!!!!!
henry wrote:I would go with:

Vunipola
George
Furlong
Kruis
Itoje
POM (captain)
SOB
Faletau
Murray
Sexton
North
Farrell
Davies
Watson
Williams

But he's definitely going with Halfpenny at fullback and I think Farrell is seen as a ten so anticipate Teo and Davies in the centres. Warburton might sneak in at six too.
I think you are being a bit harsh to 1/2P, I'd have him and put Williams to the wing, instead of Watson, our wings were terrible yesterday. 1/2P is the best kicker and his positional sense is still top notch, he was some level better than the two wings yesterday. I'd be hoping an all welsh back three might reap rewards due to familiarity too. Agree with everything else though.

Edit: Forgot about Seymour, I'd nearly throw him in instead of North, who has been the biggest disappointment for me of this tour.

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 10:47 am
by Hawk97
Hmmm, strong. I'd go

Halfpenny
Watson
Davies
Teo
North
Sexton
Murray
Faletau
SOB
Warburton
Kruis
Hill
Furlong
Dacey
Vunipola

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 10:51 am
by Conspicuous
Hawk97 wrote:Hmmm, strong. I'd go

Halfpenny
Watson
Davies
Teo
North
Sexton
Murray
Faletau
SOB
Warburton
Kruis
Hill
Furlong
Dacey
Vunipola
At least I know what positions Stacey and Bill play now :thumbup:

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 10:52 am
by Hawk97
Oh I was just guessing....did I get it right?

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 11:02 am
by Conspicuous
Hawk97 wrote:Oh I was just guessing....did I get it right?
Wikipedia tell me you're on the money with Bill anyway. It also tells me he's played 14 times for Cardiff, 7 for Mosley and 16 for the Newport Gwent Dragons over the last 7 years . With this sort of cv to boast about I'm surprised I've never heard of him

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 11:04 am
by Mr. Very Popular
Conspicuous wrote:
Hawk97 wrote:Oh I was just guessing....did I get it right?
Wikipedia tell me you're on the money with Bill anyway. It also tells me he's played 14 times for Cardiff, 7 for Mosley and 16 for the Newport Gwent Dragons over the last 7 years . With this sort of cv to boast about I'm surprised I've never heard of him
How many Welsh caps does he have?

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 11:51 am
by Willie Falloon
Openside wrote:
Conspicuous wrote:
henry wrote:
Conspicuous wrote:
DiscoHips D'Arcy wrote:Looking at the Chiefs team I wonder is AWJ benching a sign that the test bench spot still up for grabs. Hendo is has been good since the first game and Lawes is possibly the unluckiest man on tour. Possibly a bit of a long shot but If Itoje has ousted AWJ from the starting team do the two youngstersnot offer more impact
Yeah I was surprised to see AWJ included midweek. i think he'll only be used in emergency though and I'd be shocked to see him omitted from test squad . He was excellent against Crusaders tbf
Hasn't done enough for me relative to the other contenders. Henderson on the bench brings greater versality too, and greater dynamism.

My lock pecking order would be:

Kruis
Itoje
Henderson
Lawes
AWJ
Can't argue with any of that , still think Gatland will lean heavily towards Warburton and AWJ for a match like this though. They're his generals
Henderson has been the weakest imo Lawes has been outstanding
Henderson has been anything but weak. :uhoh:

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 12:00 pm
by henry
Jeff the Bear wrote:
henry wrote:
Openside wrote:Is North on the test team by default? He hasn't done anything on tour yet other than hift the Maoris their only try, shocking execution of a pretty basic skill
Yep, default.

He's the only winger who, at his best, will worry the Kiwis.

And who else do you pick? Nobody else has stuck their hand up. Nowell has had a shocker of a tour, an absolute stinker. Seymour isn't great. Williams is playing Tuesday (finally at 15). Watson has done ok. Daly isn't going to worry anyone and is a utility squad player. Bit depressing to be frank.
I find Williams ommision bizarre personally. Of the 3 provisional starters in the first test plus Williams, Williams is by far the best all round player. I can see why 1/2p has to be there for his kicking (if that's what Gatland wants to play it), but neither North nor Watson have really done enough to demand a place, or are better when talking pure rugby ability.
As I said, North is there on reputation and hope. At his best, he's one of the best wingers in the world. No-one, on the wings, has stood out this tour. Watson has shown some nice touches from FB. Williams has had a difficult couple of games through lack of opportunity and discipline. Nowell has been shite. Seymour has been shite (a couple of tries shoukdnt hide him getting his arse handed to him defensively and aerially). Daly is utility cover. Halfpenny is too slow. Bit rubbish. Liam can feel hard done by but his disciplinary lapse has cost him - you know he'd get targeted to buggery by the Kiwis.

That said, North does nothing to inspire confidence. He's back to his stuttering, hesitant, unconfident worst. Hopefully, and never has the word been so meant, Howley has a plan to get the best out of him. 'Cause I don't like him defensively either.

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 12:03 pm
by Sandstorm
Lions aren't planning to use their wingers in attack this Tour. So pick your two best defensively. :thumbup:

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 12:04 pm
by Toro
Play Joseph and Watson on the wings. :thumbup:

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 12:06 pm
by Lenny
Am I alone in believing 1/2p was actually very good yesterday. I've been a consistent critic of his play, but I thought he was much more involved, and looked to add more to his game than we had seen from him for quite a while. If he continues like that I'll be happy enough.

North,though, has been pretty awful, and has contributed next to nothing in his games to date. For me Williams has a much better set of skills, and we need something different if 1/2p is at fb.

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 12:08 pm
by armchair pundit
Willie Falloon wrote:
Openside wrote:

Henderson has been the weakest imo Lawes has been outstanding
Henderson has been anything but weak. :uhoh:
He's had one shit game and one good game.

Lawes has had one and a half really good games.

For me, Jones has had a shit game, a pretty good game, and a couple of so so sub performances.

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 12:14 pm
by harry 22
i've a feeling he'll go with itoje at 6 and that POM was given the captaincy yesterday to soften the blow of being dropped next week

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 12:19 pm
by Conspicuous
harry 22 wrote:i've a feeling he'll go with itoje at 6 and that POM was given the captaincy yesterday to soften the blow of being dropped next week
That's some serious left field thinking there . I'll tip my hat to you if that prediction comes through

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 12:19 pm
by henry
Lenny wrote:Am I alone in believing 1/2p was actually very good yesterday. I've been a consistent critic of his play, but I thought he was much more involved, and looked to add more to his game than we had seen from him for quite a while. If he continues like that I'll be happy enough.

North,though, has been pretty awful, and has contributed next to nothing in his games to date. For me Williams has a much better set of skills, and we need something different if 1/2p is at fb.
Halfpenny was very good yesterday. Halfpenny toward his best. Positionally excellent. Safe under the high ball. Defensively solid. Looked busy and had some attacking intent. That said, he isn't going to cut the ABs open but I don't think anyone is at the moment.

I'm pretty sure he'll start at FB next Saturday. I'm just frustrated that Liam Williams hasn't had any chance to stake a claim back there.

Agree on North but no sure who else we go with. No-one can convince me that Seymour and Nowell are better options and Williams' Tuesday selection means he's likely out of the running.

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 12:33 pm
by Hong Kong
henry wrote:
Lenny wrote:Am I alone in believing 1/2p was actually very good yesterday. I've been a consistent critic of his play, but I thought he was much more involved, and looked to add more to his game than we had seen from him for quite a while. If he continues like that I'll be happy enough.

North,though, has been pretty awful, and has contributed next to nothing in his games to date. For me Williams has a much better set of skills, and we need something different if 1/2p is at fb.
Halfpenny was very good yesterday. Halfpenny toward his best. Positionally excellent. Safe under the high ball. Defensively solid. Looked busy and had some attacking intent. That said, he isn't going to cut the ABs open but I don't think anyone is at the moment.

I'm pretty sure he'll start at FB next Saturday. I'm just frustrated that Liam Williams hasn't had any chance to stake a claim back there.

Agree on North but no sure who else we go with. No-one can convince me that Seymour and Nowell are better options and Williams' Tuesday selection means he's likely out of the running.
I concur

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 1:18 pm
by TheBouncer
Halfpenny has earned his selection, his work as an early receiver yesterday was very encouraging.

What's most interesting to me is wing (where none of the options do much for me) and the bench (which could be very good). I loathe the JD/Teo pairing but will accept it if Faz is out. AWJ, who I love, should not be in the 23 but I will not be surprised if he shows up big regardless.

Re: Lions Team for 1st Test

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 1:19 pm
by TheBouncer
harry 22 wrote:i've a feeling he'll go with itoje at 6 and that POM was given the captaincy yesterday to soften the blow of being dropped next week
I'll chop my balls off if this happens.