lions team

[LeakyBoots]

No major surprises there to be honest.


Still think the Lions will do it. Not much of an impact bench though

Cmon Croft instead of Williams. Does anyone really think that pack has enough beef for the Boks. All bias aside. No Sheridan on the bench is just plain silly. No disrespect to Kearney but it should have been Fitz.

Square pegs and round holes. It'd be crazy to try Wallace at 6 when he hasn't played there all season. I don't necessarily agree with it, but I'm not surprised at the team picked.


The subs on the other hand are all wrong. I'd have had Fitz/Earls (yes, even Earls) There is no 'x' factor on that bench who could change a game. But realistically Earls was never gonna get picked.


Hopefully we won't ship any injuries, Williams and Jones to come on after 60. ROG too if things aren't going S. Jones' way

[ruckinhell]

Don't know what the big fuss about Croft's selection is, with Ferris out he was the obvious choice at 6 as Worsley hasn't done enough to merit inclusion. Sky have been bigging him up all year but as an instinctive reaction a lot of posters on this site have been unfairly harsh on him. He's quick, a good lineout option and will hopefully fit into the Lions gameplan. Although I'm a huge Wally fan I still think we need the nous of Williams if we're to play a quick dynamic offloading game.

[kahalui]

where's the centre cover on the bench?

Bowe, Kearney to FB or wing

yeah, i figured that much. but i wouldnt call it ideal cover
tbf.. kearney on the wing, no thanks!

Jones can
cover the center aswell.

yeah, but then someone has to cover OH.. moving 1 player to a position that he doesnt normally play in isnt idealwhen you've got specialists like darcy off the squad

[Bosco]

If Darcy was on the bench who would cover FB? kearney on the bench covers more options

[Aussiedub]

Its a very lightweight pack and I would have a number of worries....


1- If Mears gets injured early we are in serious trouble (WTF is Best not there???)


2 - I think Wyn Jones will struggle against Botha in the lineout and didn't look comfortable as a No2 jumper at all - Would have had Hines start and Jones on the bench


3 - Croft will get blown away I fear and Heaslip is going to have to spend the game head down in every ruck to cover for this instead of matching up against Spies...


4 - Jones I have worries with his goal kicking as it hasn't been that good and he doesn't have great range and I fear that could cost us, then again ROG hasn't been great tactically kicking so swings and roundabouts..


5 - Monye I have serious worries about his defence...great at stopping a guy running straight into him but weak when guys don't run straight into him and expect the Boks to really target him


6 - Jones, Rees, DOC, Ellis are not real game changers at all on the bench and I wouldn't be expecting much impact....


All in all this team is showing the massive losses that Flannery, O'Leary, Ferris, Quinlan, Shanklin were to the squad...stick them in and this game is a massive test for the Boks

[The Outlaw]

Don't know what the big fuss about Croft's selection is, with Ferris out he was the obvious choice at 6 as Worsley hasn't done enough to merit inclusion. Sky have been bigging him up all year but as an instinctive reaction a lot of posters on this site have been unfairly harsh on him. He's quick, a good lineout option and will hopefully fit into the Lions gameplan. Although I'm a huge Wally fan I still think we need the nous of Williams if we're to play a quick dynamic offloading game.

whats Croft going to do at the breakdown? Smith and Brussow will have him for breakfast. He's a waif in comaprison.

[webbs]

Fair play to David Wallace!! [img]smileys/thumb-up.gif[/img]


I hope Croft is not blown away, but up against Juan Smith....[img]smileys/sad.gif[/img]


I feel more disappointed for Ferris now than I did before. He'd've walked onto that
team...

*


So would Flannery and Quinlan!

Flannery would most certainly have walked onto the team and then would have had a
good dynamic option in Mears off the bench if needed. Really worry about the hooker
options on the bench.
Quinlan wouldnt have been in the 22 if Ferris was fit, to be honest I dont think he
would have even with Ferris gone as Croft offers pace which they will need if not the
dog.

[Mucky Boots]

The only logic I can see behind the selection of Jones is that McGeechan wants to play a running game as opposed to a kicking game.

[ceemec]

What prop was on standby?Murray is going home...

Healy was one of the stand by props but assume they'll be looking for a tighthead if any replacement at all.

Don't know what the big fuss about Croft's selection is, with Ferris out he was the obvious choice at 6 as Worsley hasn't done enough to merit inclusion. Sky have been bigging him up all year but as an instinctive reaction a lot of posters on this site have been unfairly harsh on him. He's quick, a good lineout option and will hopefully fit into the Lions gameplan. Although I'm a huge Wally fan I still think we need the nous of Williams if we're to play a quick dynamic offloading game.

whats Croft going to do at the breakdown? Smith and Brussow will have him for breakfast. He's a waif in comaprison.

It's also a real acid test for Heaslip - he's had an easy run at the no.8 jersey - its well deserved -but there's a lot of pressure on his shoulders now. It makes a big difference having a winger like Croft at 6 rather than a Leamy or a Ferris to do the dirty work. All in all its a poor lions team when you compare the 97 team. Hope im wrong but i cant see the lions winning the series

[canine]

Im a very proud Irishman today 8 of our lads in the match 22 is a great return ,Id have bitten your hand off 6 months ago if offered that many

What prop was on standby?Murray is going home...

Healy was one of the stand by props but assume they'll be looking for a tighthead if any replacement at all.

Is that true? They'll pick a tighthead to come and play the Emerging Boks game id say as Sheridan will now start at loosehead in that game. Id imagine they'll ask Adam Jones to sub if they call a replacement and rest Vickery & Jenkins obviously

[thecoolfreak]

What prop was on standby?Murray is going home...

Healy was one of the stand by props but assume they'll be looking for a tighthead if any replacement at all.

Would be very surprised if they bother with a replacement. Only one midweek game and they Jones and Sheridan to start that one.


On someone saying Heaslip has had an easy ride so far. Where are you getting that from? He's shown himself to be the best 8 throughout the whole season. He's proved he is as good as anyone at the dirty work. He proved he's more than capable all season long and I've no doubt he'll continue on Saturday

What prop was on standby?Murray is going home...

Healy was one of the stand by props but assume they'll be looking for a tighthead if any replacement at all.

Would be very surprised if they bother with a replacement. Only one midweek game and they Jones and Sheridan to start that one.


On someone saying Heaslip has had an easy ride so far. Where are you getting that from? He's shown himself to be the best 8 throughout the whole season. He's proved he is as good as anyone at the dirty work. He proved he's more than capable all season long and I've no doubt he'll continue on Saturday

I'll judge him on Saturday - he deserves his place 100% - and im sure he'll do well im just making the point that this is the ultimate test of the guy

[thecoolfreak]

What prop was on standby?Murray is going home...

Healy was one of the stand by props but assume they'll be looking for a tighthead if any replacement at all.

Would be very surprised if they bother with a replacement. Only one midweek game and they Jones and Sheridan to start that one.


On someone saying Heaslip has had an easy ride so far. Where are you getting that from? He's shown himself to be the best 8 throughout the whole season. He's proved he is as good as anyone at the dirty work. He proved he's more than capable all season long and I've no doubt he'll continue on Saturday

I'll judge him on Saturday - he deserves his place 100% - and im sure he'll do well im just making the point that this is the ultimate test of the guy

As it is for everyone else in the 22. Its the biggest test most of them will have faced

[ruckinhell]

Don't know what the big fuss about Croft's selection is, with Ferris out he was the obvious choice at 6 as Worsley hasn't done enough to merit inclusion. Sky have been bigging him up all year but as an instinctive reaction a lot of posters on this site have been unfairly harsh on him. He's quick, a good lineout option and will hopefully fit into the Lions gameplan. Although I'm a huge Wally fan I still think we need the nous of Williams if we're to play a quick dynamic offloading game.

whats Croft going to do at the breakdown? Smith and Brussow will have him for breakfast. He's a waif in comaprison.

Given the options available to the selectors Croft at 6 was the right call. As for the breakdown, if it's a question of him hitting rucks tight in than yes, I reckon he'll suffer physically against the Bokke backrow. If it's a question of the Lions playing it fast and loose his mobility will be an asset. I believe that Heaslip will be doing a fair share of the grunt work as per the last two times this trio started together. My biggest fear is if Heaslip goes off injured. A backrow of Croft, Williams, Wallace is very light in comparison to the Springbok backrow.

[Loop]

Im a very proud Irishman today 8 of our lads in the match 22 is a great return ,Id have bitten your hand off 6 months ago if offered that many

... and just think. We would also have had TOL, Ferris & Fla in there but for injuries.

What prop was on standby?Murray is going home...

Healy was one of the stand by props but assume they'll be looking for a tighthead if any replacement at all.

Would be very surprised if they bother with a replacement. Only one midweek game and they Jones and Sheridan to start that one.


On someone saying Heaslip has had an easy ride so far. Where are you getting that from? He's shown himself to be the best 8 throughout the whole season. He's proved he is as good as anyone at the dirty work. He proved he's more than capable all season long and I've no doubt he'll continue on Saturday

If Murray is out youd have to call a replacement becuase if not you have Sheridan and Jones to start against the Emerging Boks but you then need Jenkins/Vickery to sub. If early prop injury then youre expecting a guy to play a test match on Sat, a mid week game and a test match within 8 days - not worth the risk. They should bring a few players out (prop, b row & fly half)to ensure guys are well rested for the second test. There will be a few injuries as the test matches go

[thecoolfreak]

What prop was on standby?Murray is going home...

Healy was one of the stand by props but assume they'll be looking for a tighthead if any replacement at all.

Would be very surprised if they bother with a replacement. Only one midweek game and they Jones and Sheridan to start that one.


On someone saying Heaslip has had an easy ride so far. Where are you getting that from? He's shown himself to be the best 8 throughout the whole season. He's proved he is as good as anyone at the dirty work. He proved he's more than capable all season long and I've no doubt he'll continue on Saturday

If Murray is out youd have to call a replacement becuase if not you have Sheridan and Jones to start against the Emerging Boks but you then need Jenkins/Vickery to sub. If early prop injury then youre expecting a guy to play a test match on Sat, a mid week game and a test match within 8 days - not worth the risk. They should bring a few players out (prop, b row & fly half)to ensure guys are well rested for the second test. There will be a few injuries as the test matches go

Unless they flyhim out today they won't be calling out a replcement.

[sslazio11]

What prop was on standby?Murray is going home...

Healy was one of the stand by props but assume they'll be looking for a tighthead if any replacement at all.

Would be very surprised if they bother with a replacement. Only one midweek game and they Jones and Sheridan to start that one.


On someone saying Heaslip has had an easy ride so far. Where are you getting that from? He's shown himself to be the best 8 throughout the whole season. He's proved he is as good as anyone at the dirty work. He proved he's more than capable all season long and I've no doubt he'll continue on Saturday

I'd guess the point being made is that noone has challenged him for the 8 jersey at all, not that he hasn't played really well. I'm sure he'll rise to the challenge on Saturday, but I agree with whoever saidthat Croft being picked meansHeaslip have to spend more time hitting the rucks, which couldnegate his powerful running game.

[deltared]

What prop was on standby?Murray is going home...

Healy was one of the stand by props but assume they'll be looking for a tighthead if any replacement at all.

Would be very surprised if they bother with a replacement. Only one midweek game and they Jones and Sheridan to start that one.


On someone saying Heaslip has had an easy ride so far. Where are you getting that from? He's shown himself to be the best 8 throughout the whole season. He's proved he is as good as anyone at the dirty work. He proved he's more than capable all season long and I've no doubt he'll continue on Saturday

If Murray is out youd have to call a replacement becuase if not you have Sheridan and Jones to start against the Emerging Boks but you then need Jenkins/Vickery to sub. If early prop injury then youre expecting a guy to play a test match on Sat, a mid week game and a test match within 8 days - not worth the risk. They should bring a few players out (prop, b row & fly half)to ensure guys are well rested for the second test. There will be a few injuries as the test matches go

Agree entirely. Hard grounds, high veldt is going to take a massive toll. Better prepared than sorry.

[eoinmc]

What prop was on standby?Murray is going home...

Healy was one of the stand by props but assume they'll be looking for a tighthead if any replacement at all.

Would be very surprised if they bother with a replacement. Only one midweek game and they Jones and Sheridan to start that one.


On someone saying Heaslip has had an easy ride so far. Where are you getting that from? He's shown himself to be the best 8 throughout the whole season. He's proved he is as good as anyone at the dirty work. He proved he's more than capable all season long and I've no doubt he'll continue on Saturday

If Murray is out youd have to call a replacement becuase if not you have Sheridan and Jones to start against the Emerging Boks but you then need Jenkins/Vickery to sub. If early prop injury then youre expecting a guy to play a test match on Sat, a mid week game and a test match within 8 days - not worth the risk. They should bring a few players out (prop, b row & fly half)to ensure guys are well rested for the second test. There will be a few injuries as the test matches go

Unless they flyhim out today they won't be calling out a replcement.

McGeehan said in the press conference that he'll be looking for a short term replacement to come out

[eddie]

[/QUOTE]


I'll judge him on Saturday


[/QUOTE]





Judge POC while ur at it

[merawancha]

The Springbok team for the first Test against the British & Irish Lions
is
(Test caps in brackets):

15. Frans Steyn (27)
14. JP Pietersen (24)
13. Adi Jacobs (21)
12. Jean de Villiers (46)
11. Bryan Habana (46)
10. Ruan Pienaar (27)
9. Fourie du Preez (43)
8. Pierre Spies (19)
7. Juan Smith (54)
6. Heinrich Brüssow (1)
5. Victor Matfield (80)
4. Bakkies Botha (55)
3. John Smit (81) – captain
2. Bismarck du Plessis (21)
1. Tendai Mtawarira (10)
Replacements:
16. Gurthrö Steenkamp (20)
17. Deon Carstens (7)
18. Andries Bekker (13)
19. Danie Rossouw (36)
20. Ricky Januarie (34)
21. Jaque Fourie (42)
22. Morné Steyn (uncapped)

VS.

British & Irish Lions versus South Africa on Saturday 20th June:

15. Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland)
12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
11. Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England)
10. Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales)
9. Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland)
7. David Wallace (Munster/Ireland)
6. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England)
5. Paul O'Connell (Munster/Ireland) – Captain
4. Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
3. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England)
2. Lee Mears (Bath/England)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
Replacements:
16. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)
17. Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
18. Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster/Ireland)
19. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
20. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England)
21. Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Ireland)
22. Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland)

Lets hope Brussow has a shocker on his full test debut!

[Aussiedub]

What prop was on standby?Murray is going home...

Healy was one of the stand by props but assume they'll be looking for a tighthead if any replacement at all.

Would be very surprised if they bother with a replacement. Only one midweek game and they Jones and Sheridan to start that one.


On someone saying Heaslip has had an easy ride so far. Where are you getting that from? He's shown himself to be the best 8 throughout the whole season. He's proved he is as good as anyone at the dirty work. He proved he's more than capable all season long and I've no doubt he'll continue on Saturday

I'll judge him on Saturday - he deserves his place 100% - and im sure he'll do well im just making the point that this is the ultimate test of the guy

So what will you be judging him on???

[manofmunster]

Hmmm - test team pretty much as expected - well done to DOC for grabbing the bench spot (though i'd rather him in the starting fifteen over AWJ (who's a fine player but will get battered by botha at 2 in th lineouts - just doesn't have the physical attributes to compete with the big man)


AS mentioned elsewhere - shanklin/fla/TOL and especially ferris a massive loss to the test 22 ....


Boks to win by 10pts

[Lenden]

The springbok XV looks absolutely awesome. I fear for the lions. I'm getting that sense of doom last felt prior to the 1st test in 2005

[LeinsterTrue]

Im a very proud Irishman today 8 of our lads in the match 22 is a great return ,Id have bitten your hand off 6 months ago if offered that many

... and just think. We would also have had TOL, Ferris & Fla in there but for injuries.

Ferris for sure, fla almost certainly, not sure about TOL. Though with TOL there maybe ROG would also have been on. We'll never know....

[manofmunster]

P.S - Croft will get bent over at the breakdown like he's never been bent over before .... a lamb to the slaughter


no sheridan or shaw [img]smileys/lol.gif[/img].... the english media will be having kittens [img]smileys/lol.gif[/img]

[Loop]

Im a very proud Irishman today 8 of our lads in the match 22 is a great return ,Id have bitten your hand off 6 months ago if offered that many

... and just think. We would also have had TOL, Ferris & Fla in there but for injuries.

Ferris for sure, fla almost certainly, not sure about TOL. Though with TOL there maybe ROG would also have been on. We'll never know....

TOL would definitely have been in ahead of Ellis, if not ahead of Phillips. Note it's the 22 that we're talking about.