2017 Lions Tour
Discussion
El stovey said:
I thought he'd created a lot of chances and played well. The Seymour try was pretty much down to him also. Probably his last lions game today anyway.
Draw was a fair result.
I thought the intercept was his only positive contribution really. Slow off the base and looping dolly passes allowing the Canes to be right in our faces with their line speed.Draw was a fair result.
I'd say Lawes and Henderson. The latter certainly had an incredible game.
I also think Biggar is in better form than Sexton but won't get in.
For this weekend I'd be tempted with a big change in the pack however ill advised that may be from a combination/continuity perspective.
I'd actually swap the front rows from pitch to bench. Would an Itoje and Lawes 2nd row get destroyed at scrum time? Don't know enough about their scrummaging but in the loose/lineout I'd have them in. Sam, SOB and Faletau back row.
I'd also be tempted to bring 1/2p onto the wing instead of Watson for his kicking. Otherwise back line remains the same.
I also think Biggar is in better form than Sexton but won't get in.
For this weekend I'd be tempted with a big change in the pack however ill advised that may be from a combination/continuity perspective.
I'd actually swap the front rows from pitch to bench. Would an Itoje and Lawes 2nd row get destroyed at scrum time? Don't know enough about their scrummaging but in the loose/lineout I'd have them in. Sam, SOB and Faletau back row.
I'd also be tempted to bring 1/2p onto the wing instead of Watson for his kicking. Otherwise back line remains the same.
hornetrider said:
I'd also be tempted to bring 1/2p onto the wing instead of Watson for his kicking.
I think that back three needs to stick together as they all offer a genuine attacking threat, Watson's broken field play is excellent. 1/2p is a steady eddy starting FB if that's what you want but nothing else IMO. Plus an uncharacteristic handling error under a kick could have ended in a defeat for the Lions today.
Generally I think it's a change of tactics needed more than personnel IMO. Kick less ball and man up in the forwards (which are the only personnel changes I'd make). I'd have scrapped Furlong for Cole but the latter's 80mins today mean that's not going to happen. I also think Marler has performed well enough to take that bench spot for the loose head. We need real impact from the bench so if Warburton doesn't start I'd exclude him all together and have Stander on the bench.
t storm of his own making.JonChalk said:
a311 said:
One thing I will say is that Gatland's decision not to use the 'Geographic' Call-ups today most likely costed the Lions the game.
....and then to admit to not do so over concerns over devaluing the Lions shirt!!!!Way to motivate those players.
What a fool!
To answer Hornetrider's question about Lawes locking the scrum if you remember when Itoje was playing blind side in the six nations he still packed down in the second row as Lawes is apparently an inferior scrummager. Jones also said at that time that Kruis is the best scrummager out of all the English locks (he was injured at the time)...
Travesty is a strong word but if Lawes isn't in the 23 that is named on Thursday it will be one, on the back of today I think I'd also have Henderson in the side. They need as much physicality as they can muster. Retallick had an immense game on Saturday...he was head and shoulders the best forward on the pitch.
I've been genuinely impressed with Lawes on this tour. A couple of years ago he looked to have thinned down to such an extent that he lacked the necessary heft to make an impression at second row, but lately he appears to have bulked up and added some real power going forward. Such an impressive athlete. They'd love him in Super Rugby, and vice versa
Henderson has been tremendous in every game he's played on tour. He was monstrous against the Hurricanes today
We may get spanked 3-0 but for a scratch side to go up against the AB's at home and create the chances that they have says something about the quality of players we have in the NH. Imagine that Lions team being given a couple of years to gel. It would be pushing the AB's all the way, every day.
Henderson has been tremendous in every game he's played on tour. He was monstrous against the Hurricanes today
We may get spanked 3-0 but for a scratch side to go up against the AB's at home and create the chances that they have says something about the quality of players we have in the NH. Imagine that Lions team being given a couple of years to gel. It would be pushing the AB's all the way, every day.
Joey Ramone said:
I've been genuinely impressed with Lawes on this tour. A couple of years ago he looked to have thinned down to such an extent that he lacked the necessary heft to make an impression at second row, but lately he appears to have bulked up and added some real power going forward. Such an impressive athlete. They'd love him in Super Rugby, and vice versa
Henderson has been tremendous in every game he's played on tour. He was monstrous against the Hurricanes today
We may get spanked 3-0 but for a scratch side to go up against the AB's at home and create the chances that they have says something about the quality of players we have in the NH. Imagine that Lions team being given a couple of years to gel. It would be pushing the AB's all the way, every day.
That's not that impressive really. I'd expect the best players from 4 different rugby nations to beat the all blacks easily with a couple of years together. That's why the lions isn't easy, because they only get a few weeks to form a team. Henderson has been tremendous in every game he's played on tour. He was monstrous against the Hurricanes today
We may get spanked 3-0 but for a scratch side to go up against the AB's at home and create the chances that they have says something about the quality of players we have in the NH. Imagine that Lions team being given a couple of years to gel. It would be pushing the AB's all the way, every day.
Scotland just beat Australia. Ireland beat the all blacks. The best of the 4 nations ought to be able to do it with longer.
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