OFFICIAL Blues vs British & Irish Lions MATCH THREAD

[Grizz Wyllie]

WHEN:
Wednesday 7th June

WHERE:
Auckland, New Zealand



KICKOFF:
Local time – 7.35pm
UK time – 8.35am
AEST - 5:35pm
SA time - 9:35am

VENUE:
Eden Park, Mt Eden


TEAMS:

Head Coach: Tana Umaga
Captain: James Parsons

15. Michael Collins
14. Matt Duffie
13. George Moala
12. Sonny Bill Williams/TJ Faiane
11. Rieko Ioane
10. Stephen Perofeta
9. Augustine Pulu

8. Steven Luatua
7.Blake Gibson
6. Akira Ioane
5. Scott Scrafton
4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
3. Charlie Faumuina
2. James Parson
1. Ofa Tu'ungafasi.

16. Hame Faiva
17. Alex Hodgman,
18. Sione Mafileo
19. Patrick Tuipulotu
20. Kara Pryor
21. Sam Nock
22. Ihaia West
23. TJ Faiane/Melani Nanai


Head Coach: Warren Gatland
Captain: Ken Owens

15. Leigh Halfpenny
14. Jack Nowell
13. Jared Payne
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Elliot Daly
10. Dan Biggar
9. Rhys Webb

1. Jack McGrath
2. Ken Owens (captain)
3. Dan Cole
4. Maro Itoje
5. Courtney Lawes
6. James Haskell
7. Justin Tipuric
8. CJ Stander

16. Rory Best
17. Joe Marler
18. Kyle Sinckler
19. Iain Henderson
20. Peter O’Mahony
21. Greig Laidlaw
22. Johnny Sexton
23. Liam Williams

REFEREES:
Pascal Gauzere, France

[Grizz Wyllie]

Sorry lads, no grass banks here. You'll have to chat about your rugby team instead.

[Akkerman]

the blowback will be massive, warbs will whip his boyz into a frenzy, lions by 50

[Crash_12]

Halfpenny
Nowell
Payne
Henshaw
North
Biggar
Murray

Stander
Tipuric
OBrien
Itoje
Kruis
Cole
Owens/George
McGrath

Marler
George/Best
Furlong
AWJ
Warburton
Webb
Farrell
Williams

[Salient]

the blowback will be massive, warbs will whip his boyz into a frenzy, lions to lose by under 50

Fixed for ya mate, though a tad optimistic really

[Comrade]

going to this game. Hopefully the Blues will win. Some key players (Big Charlie, Auggie Pulu, SBW...) didn't go up to Samoa so hopefully are ready to tear into the kittens

[Akkerman]

which blues will be in the first test ab 23 ? kaino, sbw, faumuina ?

[deadduck]

I wonder if the reason Bryn Gatland got hooked in the Baa Baas game is that we'll see him again in this one. Otherwise we may see Guyton playing 10

[JM2K6]

Has Piers Francis left to join up with England?

[Cullen]

Disappointed in the lack of injuries to the tourists. Hopefully see more cheap shots from this game.

Full troll mode having Kevvy on the commentary team and Tana as coach

[Thai guy]

Horrible turn-around for the Blues. I notice the other four franchises' games fall in the SR stand-down window.

[Ali's Choice]

Horrible turn-around for the Blues. I notice the other four franchises' games fall in the SR stand-down window.

The Blues have a bye next weekend, and don't play another ST game until July 15th. Their "stand-down" period has begun, you dense cunt.

[Murdoch]

going to this game. Hopefully the Blues will win. Some key players (Big Charlie, Auggie Pulu, SBW...) didn't go up to Samoa so hopefully are ready to tear into the kittens

Sheesh, Tana selecting a B team against the Reds shows there really is no respite for the Lions. A loss here for the Lions could really have the boat rocking.

[Thai guy]

Horrible turn-around for the Blues. I notice the other four franchises' games fall in the SR stand-down window.

The Blues have a bye next weekend, and don't play another ST game until July 15th. Their "stand-down" period has begun, you dense cunt.

Yet they played on Friday, travelled and have to back up on Wednesday vs the Lions. No other SR franchise has this disadvantage.

[Murdoch]

Horrible turn-around for the Blues. I notice the other four franchises' games fall in the SR stand-down window.

The Blues have a bye next weekend, and don't play another ST game until July 15th. Their "stand-down" period has begun, you dense cunt.

Dense cnutery aside. The draw is horribly confusing. Round 16 begins before Round 15 ends.

[capt hurricane]

This is going to be a real marker for the rest of the tour. The Lions were not at their best last night, everyone knows it, but as a first hit out against a team of Super Rugby reserves at best, it did not showcase what the Lions brig to the party at all.

The Blues are the last team on the Super Rugby NZ Conference table, but what team will they be facing, dirt trackers or 1st team players? I'm picking the Blues to win this! They have nothing to lose, and a reputation to salvage.

[Dai another day]

Horrible turn-around for the Blues. I notice the other four franchises' games fall in the SR stand-down window.

The Blues have a bye next weekend, and don't play another ST game until July 15th. Their "stand-down" period has begun, you dense cunt.

Yet they played on Friday, travelled and have to back up on Wednesday. Every other SR franchise doesn't have this disadvantage.

Hello Thai guy!

Good to see one of the better Kiwi posters on the bored.

Seems the Blues are being shafted a bit.

[Thai guy]

For instance, Why is it not Crusaders vs Lions on Wednesday night?

[Thai guy]

Horrible turn-around for the Blues. I notice the other four franchises' games fall in the SR stand-down window.

The Blues have a bye next weekend, and don't play another ST game until July 15th. Their "stand-down" period has begun, you dense cunt.

Yet they played on Friday, travelled and have to back up on Wednesday. Every other SR franchise doesn't have this disadvantage.

Hello Thai guy!

Good to see one of the better Kiwi posters on the bored.

Seems the Blues are being shafted a bit.

Hi Dai. May I congratulate you on your posting too. Stellar stuff!

[Ali's Choice]

Horrible turn-around for the Blues. I notice the other four franchises' games fall in the SR stand-down window.

The Blues have a bye next weekend, and don't play another ST game until July 15th. Their "stand-down" period has begun, you dense cunt.

Yet they played on Friday, travelled and have to back up on Wednesday vs the Lions. No other SR franchise has this disadvantage.

It's a friendly game. And given the Blues won't be playing finals rugby, they play just two more games for the season spread over a five week period. I think that is very manageable.

[JB1981]

For instance, Why is it not Crusaders vs Lions on Wednesday night?

I'm going to guess they looked at the overall tour schedule and where the Lions and their supporters would arrive and be. Games jumping all over the country wouldn't work for the travelling fans.

[Murdoch]

For instance, Why is it not Crusaders vs Lions on Wednesday night?

Because when you've been the worst team in the country for over a decade, you don't have much say at the bargaining table.

[Ali's Choice]

For instance, Why is it not Crusaders vs Lions on Wednesday night?

Because when you've been the worst team in the country for over a decade, you don't have much say at the bargaining table.

[Thai guy]

For instance, Why is it not Crusaders vs Lions on Wednesday night?

Because when you've been the worst team in the country for over a decade, you don't have much say at the bargaining table.

Still, Crusaders v Lions on Wednesday would have been a great chance to rock the Lions before they've even got going. Now they have two easy games in a row nicely playing themselves in...and the full test team will be picked on Saturday night.

[Auckman]

For instance, Why is it not Crusaders vs Lions on Wednesday night?

Because when you've been the worst team in the country for over a decade, you don't have much say at the bargaining table.

you fuckers shut your mouth. We'll show you on Wednesday!!


our maul defence is woeful and the vengeful Lions will tear us a new one there.

[True Blue]

For instance, Why is it not Crusaders vs Lions on Wednesday night?

Because when you've been the worst team in the country for over a decade, you don't have much say at the bargaining table.

Still, Crusaders v Lions on Wednesday would have been a great chance to rock the Lions before they've even got going. Now they have two easy games in a row nicely playing themselves in...and the full test team will be picked on Saturday night.

I'd suggest the Blues are actually more than capable of winning. People keep writing them off but in the last two seasons they've had a winning season. 8-6 in 2016 and currently 7-6 this year. They're hardly mugs.

[Jim Lahey]

Blues by 20

[Tehui]

Horrible turn-around for the Blues. I notice the other four franchises' games fall in the SR stand-down window.

The Blues have a bye next weekend, and don't play another ST game until July 15th. Their "stand-down" period has begun, you dense cunt.

Yet they played on Friday, travelled and have to back up on Wednesday vs the Lions. No other SR franchise has this disadvantage.

At least the Blues will be able to play their top tier All Blacks when they play the Lions. The Hurricanes play the Lions in between test matches when their top ABs are likely to be stood down.

[Mr Mike]

Horrible turn-around for the Blues. I notice the other four franchises' games fall in the SR stand-down window.

The Blues have a bye next weekend, and don't play another ST game until July 15th. Their "stand-down" period has begun, you dense cunt.

Yet they played on Friday, travelled and have to back up on Wednesday vs the Lions. No other SR franchise has this disadvantage.

At least the Blues will be able to play their top tier All Blacks when they play the Lions. The Hurricanes play the Lions in between test matches when their top ABs are likely to be stood down.

coles, Barrett the Elder and TJP? NMS also perhaps?

[Mr Mike]

Farrell
Williams

That combination should make a few Happy.

[MungoMan]

For instance, Why is it not Crusaders vs Lions on Wednesday night?

Because when you've been the worst team in the country for over a decade, you don't have much say at the bargaining table.

you f**k shut your mouth. We'll show you on Wednesday!!

our maul defence is woeful and the vengeful Lions will tear us a new one there.

O ye of no fecking faith whatsoever!

Not saying you're wrong, mind...

[kiwinoz]

Farrell
Williams

That combination should make a few Happy.

[mr bungle]

Farrell
Williams

That combination should make a few Happy.

Careful, you'll have my 4 year old dancing at the drop of a hat.

[Flockwitt]

It's tough for the tourists. Long season, no break or proper preparation, then running the gauntlet of the fastest rugby that's ever been played in the history of the game (if you'll excuse the hyperbole) in a jam packed schedule. There are going to be some very tired lads by the end of this tour.

I don't know about this:
Head to Head-Live betting Blues $3.30 Lions $1.30

I reckon the Blues are better than that given it will be the Lions first look at a soup team while they're still trying combinations.

[blackblackblack]

For instance, Why is it not Crusaders vs Lions on Wednesday night?

Because when you've been the worst team in the country for over a decade, you don't have much say at the bargaining table.

Still, Crusaders v Lions on Wednesday would have been a great chance to rock the Lions before they've even got going. Now they have two easy games in a row nicely playing themselves in...and the full test team will be picked on Saturday night.

maybe you should put more thought into your posts Muttonbird. Travelling fans need to travel between games, Whangarei to Auckland is a far more sensible shift than all the way down to ChCh. It was the Blues choice to go to Samoa, fully aware (it is the Blues though mind you) of the turnaround and travel implications.

[Thai guy]

For instance, Why is it not Crusaders vs Lions on Wednesday night?

Because when you've been the worst team in the country for over a decade, you don't have much say at the bargaining table.

Still, Crusaders v Lions on Wednesday would have been a great chance to rock the Lions before they've even got going. Now they have two easy games in a row nicely playing themselves in...and the full test team will be picked on Saturday night.

maybe you should put more thought into your posts Muttonbird. Travelling fans need to travel between games, Whangarei to Auckland is a far more sensible shift than all the way down to ChCh. It was the Blues choice to go to Samoa, fully aware (it is the Blues though mind you) of the turnaround and travel implications.

I'm not sure how to find out which draw was first but in any case it's the Blues which has the first match 5 days after their last S18 match, a match effectively inside the stand-down period (there's a Hurricanes v Chiefs match on June 09). As for the Lions fans going up and down the country, that's happening anyway. The Baabaa's match could have been in New Plymouth which according to Murdoch's logic has a much greater claim to a game than Northland who have been nowhere in provincial rugby for 2 decades.

[CrazyIslander]

Disappointed in the lack of injuries to the tourists. Hopefully see more cheap shots from this game.

Full troll mode having Kevvy on the commentary team and Tana as coach

Kev will be interviewing Tana at halftime.

[blackblackblack]

For instance, Why is it not Crusaders vs Lions on Wednesday night?

Because when you've been the worst team in the country for over a decade, you don't have much say at the bargaining table.

Still, Crusaders v Lions on Wednesday would have been a great chance to rock the Lions before they've even got going. Now they have two easy games in a row nicely playing themselves in...and the full test team will be picked on Saturday night.

maybe you should put more thought into your posts Muttonbird. Travelling fans need to travel between games, Whangarei to Auckland is a far more sensible shift than all the way down to ChCh. It was the Blues choice to go to Samoa, fully aware (it is the Blues though mind you) of the turnaround and travel implications.

I'm not sure how to find out which draw was first but in any case it's the Blues which has the first match 5 days after their last S18 match, a match effectively inside the stand-down period (there's a Hurricanes v Chiefs match on June 09). As for the Lions fans going up and down the country, that's happening anyway. The Baabaa's match could have been in New Plymouth which according to Murdoch's logic has a much greater claim to a game than Northland who have been nowhere in provincial rugby for 2 decades.

The Blues chose to go to Samoa.

[Tehui]

The Blues chose to go to Samoa.

I'm still waiting to hear Kovana's review of the game.

I'm assuming he was the one spectator who showed up to watch the game.

[blackblackblack]

he hasn't been in Samoa for over a year.