Is Gatland Risking his Credibility by Keeping Warburton?

[Ragey Erasmus]

I don't think Gatland risks his credibility by taking Warburton but I do think it was a poor choice for captain.

 

[Johnny Boy]

Lydiate came back from injury in March. I'd assume he should have returned to full fitness by now?

He's looked good to me anyway. SOB and Tipuric absolutely start for me now. Just wondering whether Croft or Lydiate should be on the bench...

Totally agree he should be at full physical fitness, I meant his match fitness at a more intense level, he only played a handful of games before the tour.

 

[mstar]

I agree i think Warburton was a poor choice to be captain. I think he will go for croft as well, gatland talks about a lions player has to deal with the pressure and thats where previous lions may have the edge when it comes to 50/50 selection calls. I think he go with Croft at 6 and at 7 it all depends on Warburton performs against the waratahs

 

[mstar]

Is it me but lydiate looks more slower? And more chunky?

 

[McTallshort]

to answer the original....No!

 

[j'nuh]

He had a good game today, but he's still not put in a performance which betters the games that Tipuric has had...

 

[dullonien]

He had a good game today, but he's still not put in a performance which betters the games that Tipuric has had...

I love Tipuric, probably my favourite player atm, but Warburton has played the two most challenging games. Tipuric has played two relatively easy games. Not sure how to quite compare them. I would say to put Tipuric on the bench because he can produce a match-winning piece of magic, but I think SOB has the bench spot sewn up due to his versatility and excellent performances.

Unfortunately a few world-class backrowers are going to miss out on the first test, although their chances could come with injuries almost inevitable.

 

[Tony Manx]

I initially thought Gatland was a bad choice as Manager, in fact I thought him a thrush....

However, I cannot fault him in what he has obviously done against what the Lions have had to face (and whatever we do not know about will come out after the Tour in whoever's book)!

I do believe that he will pick Warburton, at least for the first test, and that may be hard on Tipuric but Warbs played well today against the stiffest opposition so far and, as manager of Wales, Gatland knows what Warbs is capable of against the Wallabies!

So I think that Gatland's creditablity has ben enhanced so far if it was ever risked...................

 

[Joseph14]

You didn't think the Reds provided a stiffer test?