Teo gone, Kruis gone, O Mahoney gone

Bobcock · Post by **Bobcock** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:29 am

British & Irish Lions (v New Zealand, 2nd Test, Saturday, July 1, 7.35pm NZST, 8.35am BST)
15. Liam Williams – Scarlets, Wales, #833
14. Anthony Watson – Bath Rugby, England, #816
13. Jonathan Davies – Scarlets, Wales, #778
12. Owen Farrell – Saracens, England, #780
11. Elliot Daly – Wasps, England, #822
10. Johnny Sexton – Leinster, Ireland, #791
9. Conor Murray – Munster, Ireland, #790

1. Mako Vunipola – Saracens, England, #787
2. Jamie George – Saracens, England, #819
3. Tadhg Furlong – Leinster, Ireland, #818
4. Maro Itoje – Saracens, England, #825
5. Alun Wyn Jones – Ospreys, Wales, #761
6. Sam Warburton (capt) – Cardiff Blues, Wales, #800
7. Sean O’Brien – Leinster, Ireland, #796
8. Taulupe Faletau – Bath Rugby, Wales, #779

Replacements:
16. Ken Owens – Scarlets, Wales, #829
17. Jack McGrath – Leinster, Ireland, #827
18. Kyle Sinckler – Harlequins, England, #814
19. Courtney Lawes – Northampton Saints, England, #826
20. CJ Stander – Munster, Ireland, #831
21. Rhys Webb – Ospreys, Wales, #820
22. Ben Te’o – Worcester Warriors, England, #815
23. Jack Nowell – Exeter Chiefs, England, #828

Post by **ZappaMan** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:31 am

That is surely a joke, right?

Plato'sCave · Post by **Plato'sCave** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:33 am

ZappaMan wrote:That is surely a joke, right?

No, sorry ZM, he's right there 23, Jack Nowell.

Do you mean "where's biggar?!!" ?

capt hurricane · Post by **capt hurricane** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:34 am

ZappaMan wrote:That is surely a joke, right?

Nope, that's the team!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/int ... econd-test

Rumham · Post by **Rumham** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:34 am

Jeepers.

Is he seriously considering Jack Nowell to come on to save the game?

If this is true then AWJ then definitely has the pictures.

Post by **ZappaMan** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:36 am

Plato'sCave wrote:
ZappaMan wrote:That is surely a joke, right?
No, sorry ZM, he's right there 23, Jack Nowell.

Do you mean "where's biggar?!!" ?

Flabbergasted Jones has kept his place.

Oh well, hope they do it

Bindi · Post by **Bindi** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:37 am

Lions by 10.

Anonymous 1 · Post by **Anonymous 1** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:37 am

Rearranging deck chairs

Plato'sCave · Post by **Plato'sCave** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:38 am

ZappaMan wrote:
Plato'sCave wrote:
ZappaMan wrote:That is surely a joke, right?
No, sorry ZM, he's right there 23, Jack Nowell.

Do you mean "where's biggar?!!" ?
Flabbergasted Jones has kept his place.

Oh well, hope they do it

gutted for Teo, I'm guessing he'll get on the field though, perplexed that sextons in there.

Post by **ZappaMan** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:40 am

*sighs heavily and condescendingly*

Post by **Thomas** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:40 am

They benched Te'o?

Bloody hell.

nardol · Post by **nardol** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:42 am

14. Anthony Watson – Bath Rugby, England, #816
13. Jonathan Davies – Scarlets, Wales, #778
12. Owen Farrell – Saracens, England, #780
11. Elliot Daly – Wasps, England, #822
10. Johnny Sexton – Leinster, Ireland, #791

10/11/12/13/14 is ripe for some bosh merchants

Thats a rather large gap

Jeff the Bear · Post by **Jeff the Bear** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:43 am

Jack Nowell is a slight oddity, but with 3 kickers already starting, there can't have been much need for 1/2p, and North is injured..so Nowell is the next cab off the rank.

The team is a tacit admission that we need score shitloads, as we're not going to stop them scoring. Sensible I suppose in the circumstsnces.

Bobcock · Post by **Bobcock** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:43 am

Well, the AB's point of attack may just have changed....

nardol · Post by **nardol** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:44 am

Jeff the Bear wrote:Jack Nowell is a slight oddity, but with 3 kickers already starting, there can't have been much need for 1/2p, and North is injured..so Nowell is the next cab off the rank.

The team is a tacit admission that we need score shitloads, as we're not going to stop them scoring. Sensible I suppose in the circumstsnces.

The best people to do this are all back here - he brought the wrong people

DiscoHips D'Arcy · Post by **DiscoHips D'Arcy** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:44 am

Rumham wrote:Jeepers.

Is he seriously considering Jack Nowell to come on to save the game?

If this is true then AWJ then definitely has the pictures.

In fairness to AWJ he has form for pulling out big games. Hopefully he goes well

nardol · Post by **nardol** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:45 am

Toby and sob better have good games

Warburton

Jeff the Bear · Post by **Jeff the Bear** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:46 am

nardol wrote:
Jeff the Bear wrote:Jack Nowell is a slight oddity, but with 3 kickers already starting, there can't have been much need for 1/2p, and North is injured..so Nowell is the next cab off the rank.

The team is a tacit admission that we need score shitloads, as we're not going to stop them scoring. Sensible I suppose in the circumstsnces.
The best people to do this are all back here - he brought the wrong people

Like who?!?

Da iawn diolch · Post by **Da iawn diolch** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:47 am

nardol wrote:
Jeff the Bear wrote:Jack Nowell is a slight oddity, but with 3 kickers already starting, there can't have been much need for 1/2p, and North is injured..so Nowell is the next cab off the rank.

The team is a tacit admission that we need score shitloads, as we're not going to stop them scoring. Sensible I suppose in the circumstsnces.
The best people to do this are all back here - he brought the wrong people

Jesus, this schtick is tiresome.
I almost can't be bothered to ask who you might be referring to...

Rumham · Post by **Rumham** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:54 am

DiscoHips D'Arcy wrote:
Rumham wrote:Jeepers.

Is he seriously considering Jack Nowell to come on to save the game?

If this is true then AWJ then definitely has the pictures.
In fairness to AWJ he has form for pulling out big games. Hopefully he goes well

Last Saturday would have been a good time to do that.

Itoje, Lawes and Henderson are the 3 best locks on tour. All impact players.

nardol · Post by **nardol** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:54 am

Scott Williams
Jonathan Joseph (not in 23)
Ringrose
Ford

A sprinkling of that would show some creativity.
Sexton and murray wont be able to unleash a backline - they are better at structured game play anyway and sexton can spot a gap and run a pre planned move, off the cuff not so much.
JD ill reserve judgement on he was great in the first test but I dont see him as a distributor at all.
Liam williams great selection for the throw it about game -runs like a gazelle lets just hope he can catch a ball and avoid giving away the penos
Farrel is not a 12 and should be starting at 10, terrible call we could be on the back foot all day.

ovalball · Post by **ovalball** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:55 am

How the fcuk does AWJ still get a start. He hasn't had a single good game all tour and was totally anonymous in the 1st test. Hendo very unlucky to get passed over for a bench slot.

I also can't work out what Warburton has done to get promoted from the bench to start - surprised he even made the 23.

Oh well - here's hoping for a miracle.

Jeff the Bear · Post by **Jeff the Bear** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:55 am

Rumham wrote:
DiscoHips D'Arcy wrote:
Rumham wrote:Jeepers.

Is he seriously considering Jack Nowell to come on to save the game?

If this is true then AWJ then definitely has the pictures.
In fairness to AWJ he has form for pulling out big games. Hopefully he goes well
Last Saturday would have been a good time to do that.

Itoje, Lawes and Henderson are the 3 best locks on tour. All impact players.

Not one of them can call a lineout though.

_fatprop · Post by **_fatprop** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:56 am

What does Farrell really add at 12 that will concern the ABs?

Post by **ZappaMan** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:57 am

ovalball wrote:How the fcuk does AWJ still get a start. He hasn't had a single good game all tour and was totally anonymous in the 1st test. Hendo very unlucky to get passed over for a bench slot.

I also can't work out what Warburton has done to get promoted from the bench to start - surprised he even made the 23.

Oh well - here's hoping for a miracle.

A more rambunctious version of my very own opinion.

Extraordinary decisions, to be frank.

Minnosu · Post by **Minnosu** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:57 am

Yay. Our back three might get the ball now.

Tim. · Post by **Tim.** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:00 am

Tis the dawn of England Rugby.

Jeff the Bear · Post by **Jeff the Bear** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:03 am

_fatprop wrote:What does Farrell really add at 12 that will concern the ABs?

Nothing in himself per se, but as a distributor he should be able to bring back 3 more into the game from phase play (as opposed to working off caught up and unders).

Rumham · Post by **Rumham** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:03 am

Jeff the Bear wrote:
Rumham wrote:
DiscoHips D'Arcy wrote:
Rumham wrote:Jeepers.

Is he seriously considering Jack Nowell to come on to save the game?

If this is true then AWJ then definitely has the pictures.
In fairness to AWJ he has form for pulling out big games. Hopefully he goes well
Last Saturday would have been a good time to do that.

Itoje, Lawes and Henderson are the 3 best locks on tour. All impact players.
Not one of them can call a lineout though.

So we are carrying a passenger to call lineouts after they cleaned us out at ruck time last week? That is not very smart.

Brumby_in_Vic · Post by **Brumby_in_Vic** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:10 am

Te'o and O'Mahony were two of the Lions best players last week

As for Nowell

Comrade · Post by **Comrade** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:15 am

Lions pick a quality side. Greatness all around the park. Some all time great Lions there (SOB, Warbs, AWJ, Sexton) with up-and-coming legends (Itoje, Williams, Daly, Mako).

Unfortunately I can't see my ABs coming close against that side. Lions by 12

Jeff the Bear · Post by **Jeff the Bear** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:19 am

Rumham wrote:
Jeff the Bear wrote:
Rumham wrote:
DiscoHips D'Arcy wrote:
Rumham wrote:Jeepers.

Is he seriously considering Jack Nowell to come on to save the game?

If this is true then AWJ then definitely has the pictures.
In fairness to AWJ he has form for pulling out big games. Hopefully he goes well
Last Saturday would have been a good time to do that.

Itoje, Lawes and Henderson are the 3 best locks on tour. All impact players.
Not one of them can call a lineout though.
So we are carrying a passenger to call lineouts after they cleaned us out at ruck time last week? That is not very smart.

It's the nature of the beast. Not all locks can call lineouts (it does, after all, require a modicum of intellect), and others don't want to. Our two lineout callers in the squad are AWJ and Kruis. One of them had to start this week. Which one would you have preferred?

There are clearly some Hail Mary's in the choices, but then at this stage, I expected nothing less. AWJ's selection, Warburton's, Stander's, Farrells at 12, Nowell's are alll rolling of the dice.

Personally, although I might not agree with all of them, I at least understand them. As you note, we got cleaned out at the ruck last week. Specifically Sam Cane did a number on us. This time last year Warburton was keeping Cane largely in check during Wales' summer tour. I imagine Warburton's major task will be to try and do the same again.

As noted previously, we need to score tries to win, and this setup gives us the best chance in the backs.

However, it all still comes down to the tight 5. Never mind AWJ, if the other 4 of them have shite games as well then it won't matter who was picked as that last member of the 5...we'll get absolutely shafted once again.

Couch · Post by **Couch** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:20 am

Gatland hasn't got a f**king clue how to beat the All Blacks

Should he be on suicide watch?

ovalball · Post by **ovalball** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:20 am

Comrade wrote:Lions pick a quality side. Greatness all around the park. Some all time great Lions there (SOB, Warbs, AWJ, Sexton) with up-and-coming legends (Itoje, Williams, Daly, Mako).

Unfortunately I can't see my ABs coming close against that side. Lions by 12

It's a shame we aren't playing your ABs then - cos the ones we'll be playing seem far better.

Post by **Hong Kong** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:21 am

That team is going to experience prison-style fun time, no lube. And garland is a über clusterfuckcunt

ovalball · Post by **ovalball** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:24 am

Jeff the Bear wrote:
It's the nature of the beast. Not all locks can call lineouts (it does, after all, require a modicum of intellect), and others don't want to. Our two lineout callers in the squad are AWJ and Kruis. One of them had to start this week. Which one would you have preferred?

There are clearly some Hail Mary's in the choices, but then at this stage, I expected nothing less. AWJ's selection, Warburton's, Stander's, Farrells at 12, Nowell's are alll rolling of the dice.

Personally, although I might not agree with all of them, I at least understand them. As you note, we got cleaned out at the ruck last week. Specifically Sam Cane did a number on us. This time last year Warburton was keeping Cane largely in check during Wales' summer tour. I imagine Warburton's major task will be to try and do the same again.

As noted previously, we need to score tries to win, and this setup gives us the best chance in the backs.

However, it all still comes down to the tight 5. Never mind AWJ, if the other 4 of them have shite games as well then it won't matter who was picked as that last member of the 5...we'll get absolutely shafted once again.

Lawes can call line outs. Does it regularly.

The Ginger Jedi · Post by **The Ginger Jedi** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:32 am

Jeff the Bear wrote:Jack Nowell is a slight oddity, but with 3 kickers already starting, there can't have been much need for 1/2p, and North is injured..so Nowell is the next cab off the rank.

The team is a tacit admission that we need score shitloads, as we're not going to stop them scoring. Sensible I suppose in the circumstsnces.

AWJ starting and T'eo dropped yet Nowell is the oddity???

tiddle · Post by **tiddle** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:36 am

Amazed at the changes. Happy Lawes and sexton are in.

Gotta feel for Te'o, he was good last week but something had to change in that midfield.

Warbs and AWJ are lucky to be there, but hope they do it now

Jeff the Bear · Post by **Jeff the Bear** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:39 am

The Ginger Jedi wrote:
Jeff the Bear wrote:Jack Nowell is a slight oddity, but with 3 kickers already starting, there can't have been much need for 1/2p, and North is injured..so Nowell is the next cab off the rank.

The team is a tacit admission that we need score shitloads, as we're not going to stop them scoring. Sensible I suppose in the circumstsnces.
AWJ starting and T'eo dropped yet Nowell is the oddity???

Teo being dropped was always on the cards. For all his go forward and defence, he's not a passer. At the start of the tour, the current backline setup would have been the preferred option for many. It should surprise no one that now Gatland has gone for an attacking setup, he'll now get castigated (likewise he'd have been pilloried if he'd manatinated the same backline, and probably by the same people).

merlin the happy pig · Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:43 am

Bindi wrote:Lions (diagnosed with PTSD) by 10.