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2013 British and Irish Lions

Just as I hear that name Strauss. Forgot him completely but has he a shot at hooker spot for tour.
 
I'd poo myself with surprise if Strauss toured.
I could see him getting called up if we lose several hookers, in the same way that Tim Payne was called up last time, but I don't think he'll be named in the original touring squad.
 
Teh Mite said:
TBF, there were calls for Robshaw to be capped a good 3 years before Johnson was given the boot.
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Didnt someone say he and Wood were the most outstanding players in the pre world cup camp but didnt even end up on the plane?

Bet Jonno is kicking himself over that one....
 
TRF_Olyy said:
I'd poo myself with surprise if Strauss toured.
I could see him getting called up if we lose several hookers, in the same way that Tim Payne was called up last time, but I don't think he'll be named in the original touring squad.
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Because of quality or being South African?
 
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Neither - I just can't see him being anywhere near.
Missing this Six Nations won't have helped, I think all of the hookers used this Six Nations will be ahead of him.
 
I don't know Olyy I've always enjoyed Strauss at Leinster. I'd consider him superb in the loose and well ahead of Cronin (Ireland's current #2) although I reckon Mick Sherry will nail down the green jersey in future for long time. But Strauss I'd rate in same mould as Best and Hartley. I'm still out on what to make of Youngs but dont rate Ford or some of Welsh lads as they can be too much hit and miss.
 
UlsterRugby2012 said:
His line-out has gone to complete **** and I don't know why, so I don't think he's that nailed on. He is by a long way the best off-ball and in the loose hooker. However we will want a solid line out vs Australia.
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It really depends on your measure of loose-work. If you're talking about jackling ball and the like, Rory Best is by some way the best. In terms of carrying and just getting around the field, you'd think of Youngs and Hibbard as well as Best. If you want first and foremost from your hooker a good sucessfull lineout percentage and then treat anything else as a bonus, that's where someone like Hartley would start to be considered. I'm not his biggest fan, and wouldn't really pick him as my first choice Lions hooker, but I think it's worth recognising that he gets through plenty of unseen work that isn't glamarous, whilst he also has good leadership skills. You'd also have to consider the type of game the Lions want to play. Youngs has additional merit for a team attempting to play at pace and keep the ball alive through gain-line sucess or offloads. Personally I'm a big fan of the rounded game starting with good lineout percentages, so I'd be leaning towards choosing Hibbard.

The most likely contenders to be captain:

Brian O'Driscoll: Would be my first choice with all his experience. I also like the idea of a captain in the backs, because you're goign to have a pack leader anyway, so it just gives a larger leadership group. However, Brian needs to be performing consistently well from now until the tour because Manu Tuilagi really is battering down the door and won't be ignored for ever.

Chris Robshaw: One of the few players who just needs to sustain their form unti lthe lions tour rather than crank it up a notch, in order to be a likely starter. I don't buy the argument about its too soon or too sudden a rise, I just think that if you've sucessfulyl captained your club to domestic sucess, lead your team to plucky away wins against the likes of Toulouse and Munster, and captained your country in South Africa and in the six nations, your'e ready for anything, providing you have the right support and leadership group around you.

Rory Best: UlsterRugby2012 is completely right to raise the lineout issue if its a problem, but its just odd because every time I've watched him his lineout has went well. He's a character who seems to be well respected and liked and I think that is important for a captain. As long as his lineout goes okay from now untill the tour, he'd be my captain if the above guys don't start.

Ryan Jones: If all these players were guaranteed a start, Ryan Jones would be one of the best possible choices. He's demented on the field and full of heart and one of the best lions there could be. I just wish he was more likely to start the tests. If he keeps his place for the remaining six nations games he'd be in with a shot.

Johhny Beattie: quality player who is becoming one of the main contenders for the number 8 shirt. I also like the idea of having a captain from the least represented team, as Scotland may very well be. Has he ever captained Scotland, though?

Alun Wyn Jones: I think Alun COULD make a great captain, though arguably he's one of those players at his best when left to his own devices - in hsi case, when left to be a complete and utter maniac around the place :p. If you want someone to lead by example, though, he'd be a good option.

Jamie Heaslip: This is now pretty unlikely to happen, largely only because Ireland have lost two on the bounce and as captain Heaslip has taken some responsibility for that. I think it's a shame because I think he's the right kind of captain. I very much like the guy, think he's intelligent and always seems engaging. Players seem to liek him which is a good measure.

Geoff Parling: Could be an outside bet. You don't always get this sense from looking at England as a team, but I think Parlings one of the key figures in the leadership group. One of the most experienced guys who I think has taught both Launchbury and Lawes plenty in a short space. I think he's injreasingly likely to get a starting place, partly because he's a lineout expert and you're always going to need one of those in your 15.

Nathan Hines: Another outside bet, but a respected guy with bags of experience from all around the world. The only problem is that from your captain you want someone who can play 80 minutes, and I'm not convinced thats the case anymore with Hines. Gets in the opponents face which can raise the morale of your team, whilst also being a lovely guy, from what I hear.

Dylan Hartley: To be clear, I definiteloy don't believe Hartley should be skipper, even though I think he has the right qualities for good leadership. The problem is I think he's too divisive as a character, and wouldn't necessarily have the complete respect of the other nations players.

Anyway, this discussion has been largely pointless as the captain will pretty much be one of the first 3, I reckon :p
 
Think any reasonable definition of loose play includes carrying, the breakdown, defence, handling and so on - which is why Best is certainly up there, if not the best, as he scores strongly in every area and is probably the best in some. A lot of Best's lineout problems this season have involved throwing to seriously outclassed jumpers; he should still be able to do it, annoyingly he's got the ability, just he doesn't from time to time. Not all, but a lot. I feel reasonably safe in saying that with the standard of jumper the Lions could/should be putting out, should be fairly safe.

That said, I don't see Best as a Lions captain, I don't know why but I just don't think he'd relish the role in the same way others would. Sheer gut feeling that. Don't think there'd be many complaints if he got it, there's many worse candidates. He's still my front runner for the two shirt, but Richard Hibbard is pushing hard.
 
Ryan or O'Driscoll should be captain, if for no other reason that they'd both understand not making the test team. They're players who should genuinely be looked up to and admired for all manner of reasons, and ones who should go on strength of character, even if not ability (Although in both cases they also warrent their places for both reasons). Personally, I'd go with BOD, but I'd love to see Ryan get it.
 
Think Ryan Jones best chance was 09 to be fair. BOD I think it's just made up for him to get it as he wouldn't even be phased by it and as Dunc said even if he didn't make test team then he'd still have the character to still be an influence on the group and be a leader. Also there is so many other capable of doing the role when BOD isn't on the field that it shouldn't be a problem.
Also is this the first time that every single jersey fro 1-15 is up for grabs that nobody is actually a nailed on starter
 
DuncTheDoodle said:
Ryan or O'Driscoll should be captain, if for no other reason that they'd both understand not making the test team. They're players who should genuinely be looked up to and admired for all manner of reasons, and ones who should go on strength of character, even if not ability (Although in both cases they also warrent their places for both reasons). Personally, I'd go with BOD, but I'd love to see Ryan get it.
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Why not fuse both players together in a act of pure scientific madness/genius to create Ryan O'Driscoll? He would have the physical battering-ram style of Jones mixed with the flair and creativity of O'Driscoll, and topped off with the combined captaincy abilities of both. He would be truly unstoppable.
 
Ospreylian said:
Why not fuse both players together in a act of pure scientific madness/genius to create Ryan O'Driscoll? He would have the physical battering-ram style of Jones mixed with the flair and creativity of O'Driscoll, and topped off with the combined captaincy abilities of both. He would be truly unstoppable.
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Still think Normal BOD would be better at the breakdown.
 
HenryChinaski said:
Nathan Hines: Another outside bet, but a respected guy with bags of experience from all around the world. The only problem is that from your captain you want someone who can play 80 minutes, and I'm not convinced thats the case anymore with Hines. Gets in the opponents face which can raise the morale of your team, whilst also being a lovely guy, from what I hear.
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Hines has played 80 minutes in every single one of the Top 14 matches he's started this year.

Source: http://www.itsrugby.fr/joueur-zoom-610-top14-2012-***ulaire.html
 
Hines for me should be touring. Classy player and still providing good performances for Clermont.
 
Wilkinson has to be on the plane I mean 25 points against toulouse is incredible
 
Wilkinson should 100% tour, as should Hines. The FH depth in the 6 nations is very shallow.
 

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