Combined NSW-Queensland Country XV vs. British and Irish Lions (11/6/13)

[TRF_Olyy]

Gatland has said that either Halfpenny or Jon Davies would come on to play 10 if Hogg gets injured.

Quite like the look of the rest of the team, like the look of the backrow a lot, and good to see Roberts and O'Driscoll back together

Jon Davies.....at 10......with his passing......well then....

Why not just start Farrell at 10? He still needs experience in that position as he'll be on the bench for the Tests so why not? Hogg isn't ever going to play there in a million years so it's pointless. Furthermore, playing him at 10 means Maitland goes to 15, when he really should be getting an opportunity to start at 14 and stake a claim for the shirt given Bowe's injury, particularly in the wake of Cuthbert's recent defensive frailties once again being exposed.

Farrell played the full 80 on Saturday - as you said, he'll be on the bench: Don't want to burn him out before the tests start.

 

[Draggs]

Halfpenny did play outside half v England when Priestland was binned. It was also our most stable ten minutes...

Foxy at outside half, please don't remember this Howley....

 

[TommyVercetti]

Looking at the starts and game-time, my gut feelings on some of these positions/players are:

• Best is casting himself out, you'd think he'd be getting perhaps another start here to prove his form. Hibbard gets the start, while Youngs was impressive last week and isn't in the squad. Being rested up for the 'Tahs/Brumbies games when Gatland will probably want to look at his whole Test side together? I think Hibbard will start he Tests with Youngs on the bench.
• Corbisiero is immediately getting put in as he's now being looked at as a potential starter for the Tests. Gatland may be looking at a stronger scrummager as Vunipola is still a bit of a risk, and may be better served as a impact player off the bench.
• Gray is getting a lot of time because Gatland wants him to get up to speed fitness and form wise and potentially start at 4 in the Tests.
• Warburton and Croft being rested up for the 'Tahs/Brumbies games as they're being looked at as starters? Just a feeling, two Gatland favourties too might I add.
• Phillips nailed on, and Gatland is getting a good look at Murray as the bench 9 over Youngs as a like-for-like replacement for Phillips, hence he's getting the most gametime of any scrum-half.
• Cuthbert starting again suggests he's primed to take over from Bowe now.
• Hogg is getting a lot of gametime all over the pitch as he's being shoed in for a bench slot for the Tests as a utility back and impact sub.

Obviously feel free to disagree with any and every, just some gut feelings as to what's going through Gatland's mind!

Right now I think his first-choice/ideal test side in his own head looks like this:

1 Corbs
2 Hibbard
3 Jones

4 Gray
5 POC

6 Croft
8 Faletau
7 Warburton

9 Phillips
10 Sexton

12 Roberts
13 BOD

11 North
15 Halfpenny
14 Cuthbert

16 Vunipola
17 Youngs
18 Cole
19 AWJ
20 Tipuric/SOB

21 Murray
22 Farrell
23 Hogg

 

[Tony Manx]

Right now I think his first-choice/ideal test side in his own head looks like this:

1 Corbs
2 Hibbard
3 Jones

4 Gray
5 POC

6 Croft
8 Faletau
7 Warburton

9 Phillips
10 Sexton

12 Roberts
13 BOD

11 North
15 Halfpenny
14 Cuthbert

16 Vunipola
17 Youngs
18 Cole
19 AWJ
20 Tipuric/SOB

21 Murray
22 Farrell
23 Hogg

Can't really argue with that thinking although many might argue it and especially about the back row.

I just do not like Cutherbert in there but choices?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hopefully Zebo gets a chance to stake his claim.
I imagine he'll feature vs Waratahs (probably #23) then start vs Brumbies so first test is probably a bit too close.
Unless Gatland starts him on Saturday and he has a blinder.
Or maybe Maitland will impress before then.

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk 2

 

[dullonien]

Halfpenny would be the backup 10 imo. Played there quite regularly until he was moved to fullback for Wales U20's. I personally think Halfpenny could have made a very good 10 if things had panned out a little differently. A little like James O'Connor in that regard.

A mixed bag in terms of selection for this game. Maitland and Hogg playing out of position appears as if Gatland is trying to get an idea about who will wear 23 on the bench, so he wants to see if they can genuinely cover more than one position, or in Hogg's case 3 positions.

Backrow and centres are probably the strongest available atm. Looking forward to seeing North play off that centre partnership. Regardless of people's opinions of Cuthbert, I won't be annoyed if he makes the test side, he's a match winner if you can give him an inch of space to work with, easily the best finisher in the squad, and sometimes you need that to win a test series. He does need to keep his width in defence though.

 

[Rich Taff]

I think SOB will be the 'bench back rower', as he's adept at both open and blind side, but not quite as good a link man as tip, as quick as croft (and offering option in lineout) or as good a poacher as warburton.
Have the feeling he'll fall foul of the 'he's good, but we can't decide where to play him' curse.

 

[McTallshort]

Is Adam Jones injured?

 

[lucky number 7]

I think SOB will be the 'bench back rower', as he's adept at both open and blind side, but not quite as good a link man as tip, as quick as croft (and offering option in lineout) or as good a poacher as warburton.
Have the feeling he'll fall foul of the 'he's good, but we can't decide where to play him' curse.

I'd disagree that he's not as good a link man , the vision and caliber of his passing and drawing in men against the force was incredible , he was either assistant or had a massive role to play in something like 4 try's.

Hopefully he's allowed to take in the link role while playing with tipuric who as a fetcher plays his best rugby.

The balance between obriens link play and carrying coupled with the dogged nature of tipurics play will compliment each others fantastically IMO

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I'd disagree that he's not as good a link man , the vision and caliber of his passing and drawing in men against the force was incredible , he was either assistant or had a massive role to play in something like 4 try's.

Hopefully he's allowed to take in the link role while playing with tipuric who as a fetcher plays his best rugby.

The balance between obriens link play and carrying coupled with the dogged nature of tipurics play will compliment each others fantastically IMO

I'd agree with this, on form so far my starting backrow would be the one that played against the Force but I think that Tipuric could play his way in and move SOB to 6. I'd have Warburton on the bench but only because he's tour captain.

 

[dullonien]

I'd disagree that he's not as good a link man , the vision and caliber of his passing and drawing in men against the force was incredible , he was either assistant or had a massive role to play in something like 4 try's.

Hopefully he's allowed to take in the link role while playing with tipuric who as a fetcher plays his best rugby.

The balance between obriens link play and carrying coupled with the dogged nature of tipurics play will compliment each others fantastically IMO

I'd say Tipuric's link play is still better than SOB's. But then I think his link play is the best in world rugby.

 

[Saintjay]

Why not just start Farrell at 10? He still needs experience in that position as he'll be on the bench for the Tests so why not? Hogg isn't ever going to play there in a million years so it's pointless. Furthermore, playing him at 10 means Maitland goes to 15, when he really should be getting an opportunity to start at 14 and stake a claim for the shirt given Bowe's injury, particularly in the wake of Cuthbert's recent defensive frailties once again being exposed.

Both Farrell and Sexton both injured to some degree and sat out training today. Tight hamstring for one dead leg the other. Both of no real concern I hope.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Floodgates time!

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Tribesmen-ce-123]

The class difference here is unbelievable

 

[PutPutPut]

Can none of the Lions hookers throw a ball?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Don't think that was a throwing problem, bit Hibbard did drop it at the back of the maul.
Presuming youre on about the lineout 5m out from our line?

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Aristodemus]

Roberts and Hibbard have been poor so far.

 

[bloody butterfly]

jamie roberts couldn't have played any worse so far.

 

[Big Ewis]

whaaaaaaaaaat ?!!! Just came on, not even nearly HT......0-33 ?!! :lol:

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Being very harsh on Roberts and Hibbard...

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk 2