Lions Squad: 2009

[Bluemoon]

I think that the two best fly-halfs are going, and in the very unlikely event that they get injured you will see someone flown over.

Who that would be on the other hand is interesting. Cipriani? Hook?

 

[monkeypigeon]

http://www.irishrugby.ie/283_16932.php

I think the picture is quality. Can't help but notice the effort thet's made to keep Earls out of the spotlight. He never does postmatch interviews with tv, the coaches only ever say "Yeah, Keith played well", and even when there's a picture of him like that there's never even a quote by him!

 

[tomrugbyking10]

Riki Flutey can play 10, not very well mind but he can play there. He was a very good 10 when with us at LI, his few seasons were when we were scoring loads of tries. The only thing that let him down was his place kicking.

 

[shtove]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (alexstewart @ Apr 22 2009, 05:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I dont get why theyve only picked 2 fly halves. I think it was during one of the matches between England and NZ where england only had 2 fly halves (Flood and Hodgson) and both got injured in one match !!!! so it seems to me that picking only 2 fly halves for an entire tour is a bit hmmm[/b]

Remember NZ v France RWC? The Untouchable Gods had to use 3 of 'em, and lost!

That is the most interesting selection - would love to know the thought process behind having so many options out wide, but just two at 10. And who's going to kick the 70m penalties? Add in the dullness at scrum half and it's worrying.

Can't believe Armitage isn't in there. But Monye, Halfpenny and Earls - excellent running to come. Bit surprised at Ickle Shane.

Very happy over Irish selections, even though it's obvious the entire Munster pack should be travelling. Tie them to a pallet in the baggage hold and eject over Newlands without a parachute - they land in perfect formation, every time.

Still don't get the phenomenon that is Vickery "Leader of Men".

Overall, a lot of young guys. Halfpenny will be the star.

 

[An Tarbh]

and he'll kick the 70m penalties should he start.

 

[Fa'atau82]

Vickery and Shaw. OMFG! Harry Ellis. ROFLMAO!

edit: Actually, you sure it's not the TV Chef, Phil Vickery? That'd make more sense.

 

[tomrugbyking10]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shtove @ Apr 21 2009, 06:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (alexstewart @ Apr 22 2009, 05:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I dont get why theyve only picked 2 fly halves. I think it was during one of the matches between England and NZ where england only had 2 fly halves (Flood and Hodgson) and both got injured in one match !!!! so it seems to me that picking only 2 fly halves for an entire tour is a bit hmmm[/b]

Remember NZ v France RWC? The Untouchable Gods had to use 3 of 'em, and lost!

That is the most interesting selection - would love to know the thought process behind having so many options out wide, but just two at 10. And who's going to kick the 70m penalties? Add in the dullness at scrum half and it's worrying.

Can't believe Armitage isn't in there. But Monye, Halfpenny and Earls - excellent running to come. Bit surprised at Ickle Shane.

Very happy over Irish selections, even though it's obvious the entire Munster pack should be travelling. Tie them to a pallet in the baggage hold and eject over Newlands without a parachute - they land in perfect formation, every time.

Still don't get the phenomenon that is Vickery.

Overall, a lot of young guys. Halfpenny will be the star.
[/b][/quote]

I think that is why Halfpenny will have to be in the test XV to kick those goals if ROG or SJ get injured
Agreed he will be very good if he is given the chance, he's been amazing this season

 

[[email protected]]

id like to have seen cip or hook chosen as a third fly half even if they were to be played as subs. They have flair and pace and couldve been used as a last resort option if the backline just wasnt going anywhere. i know cipriani hasnt been at his best but we've seen what hes capable of doing, he can change an entire match around, same goes for hook

 

[Count of Devonshire]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shtove @ Apr 21 2009, 06:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Very happy over Irish selections, even though it's obvious the entire Munster pack should be travelling. Tie them to a pallet in the baggage hold and eject over Newlands without a parachute - they land in perfect formation, every time.[/b]

Given the propensity for Munster players to mellow dramatically once they get outside their precious Munster bubble, I'd have been torn between either taking them all, or taking only the dead certs to stand up and be counted.

I'd say I'm 7-8/10 pleased with the squad. It will hopefully be at least competitive, although the smartest money is still on a 3-0 Bokwash.

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Count of Devonshire @ Apr 21 2009, 07:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shtove @ Apr 21 2009, 06:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Very happy over Irish selections, even though it's obvious the entire Munster pack should be travelling. Tie them to a pallet in the baggage hold and eject over Newlands without a parachute - they land in perfect formation, every time.[/b]

Given the propensity for Munster players to mellow dramatically once they get outside their precious Munster bubble, I'd have been torn between either taking them all, or taking only the dead certs to stand up and be counted.

I'd say I'm 7-8/10 pleased with the squad. It will hopefully be at least competitive, although the smartest money is still on a 3-0 Bokwash.
[/b][/quote]

well that's not been the case with Ireland so maybe Geech will be able to get the same from them in SA.

 

[monkeypigeon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Count of Devonshire @ Apr 21 2009, 07:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shtove @ Apr 21 2009, 06:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Very happy over Irish selections, even though it's obvious the entire Munster pack should be travelling. Tie them to a pallet in the baggage hold and eject over Newlands without a parachute - they land in perfect formation, every time.[/b]

Given the propensity for Munster players to mellow dramatically once they get outside their precious Munster bubble, I'd have been torn between either taking them all, or taking only the dead certs to stand up and be counted.

I'd say I'm 7-8/10 pleased with the squad. It will hopefully be at least competitive, although the smartest money is still on a 3-0 Bokwash.
[/b][/quote]

I dunnnnnno about that anymore. I think if they gel they have everychance of victory. I see Schalke Burger getting an unpleasant surprise when he discovers there's this guy called Stephen Ferris who'll can give him a taste of his own medicine! Second row is very strong (should be a great contest! Front Row is maybe worrying, but I don't think the SA props are exactly the best they've ever preduced. Our back three are gonna be lethal if slected properly and if we can get a centre partnership that gels then....cry havoc and let slips the dogs of war!

 

[cyRil]

I wasn't too far off on calls:

Backs:
Lee Byrne
Rob Kearney
<strike>Delon Armitage</strike>
Shane Williams
Tommy Bowe
Luke Fitzgerald
<strike>Mark Cueto</strike>
Leigh Halfpenny
Brian O'Driscoll
<strike>Gordon D'Arcy</strike>
Riki Flutey
Jamie Roberts
Tom Shanklin
Stephen Jones
Ronan O'Gara
<strike>Danny Cipriani</strike>
Mike Phillips
<strike>Dwayne Peel</strike>
<strike>Danny Care</strike>

Forwards:
Gethin Jenkins
Euan Murray
Andrew Sheridan
<strike>John Hayes</strike>
Adam Jones
Jerry Flannery
<strike>Rory Best</strike>
<strike>Dylan Hartley</strike>
Paul O'Connell
Alun-Wyn Jones
Donncha O'Callaghan
Nathan Hines
Martyn Williams
David Wallace
Jamie Heaslip
<strike>Ryan Jones</strike>
<strike>Tom Croft</strike>
Alan Quinlan

Landed Powell and Shanks are in tbh

 

[nam97]

Where's Mike Blair? He was easily the best B&I halfback throughout the AI's.

 

[Jockstap]

Anybody who thinks Leigh Halfpenny is a bit of a *** like Cipriani or Henson take a look at the link, the Kid can hardly speak he's so happy/shocked. Doesn't seem to be any ego there whatsoever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1m6jwZeGMA

 

[SaintsFan_Schweinsteiger_Webby]

I'd rather have taken Croft as the third scrum half above Ellis. Seriously, the guy is going to be nothing but a liability.

For all those wondering about Armitage's omission, he had a poor match at the weekend which won't have done his chances any good. The squad may have pretty well been decided by then, but if there were any last minute decisions to be made then having a shocker is not going to get you a place on the plane.

 

[monkeypigeon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jockstrap @ Apr 22 2009, 04:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Anybody who thinks Leigh Halfpenny is a bit of a *** like Cipriani or Henson take a look at the link, the Kid can hardly speak he's so happy/shocked. Doesn't seem to be any ego there whatsoever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1m6jwZeGMA[/b]

And Tom Shanklin watches the X-Factor and these guyses seem to have forgotton there's Irish people going on the tour too.

Delighted for Halfpenny and Earls.

Both class players and I hope they get a test match appearance at some point!

 

[Hall]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (wairarapa_cullen @ Apr 22 2009, 01:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Where's Mike Blair? He was easily the best B&I halfback throughout the AI's.[/b]

Yeah but he turned to **** during the 6N. He'd be a better choice than Harry Ellis though.

 

[dullonien]

Lol at the Lee Burne advert on that youtube link. A mate back home told me about that, he really isn't the smartest of people, reading the lines lke a robot! Why did he agree to it??

 

[O'Rothlain]

According to the Times Online, Stuart Barnes says "Lions squad lacks stardust." (
I think we had too much "Stardust" on our NZ tour, in my humble, never boisterous opinion.
I stand behind Ian McGeechan. Yes, we can debate about BOD over POC, but, I understand what the aim in selecting O'Connell is, and I can see why they've picked the pack they've picked.
I'm curious to see who wins out in the locks (2nd row) position. Obviously, we expect O'Connell, the captain, to start. After all I've read recently, and seeing stupid temper mistakes from the 6 Nations, I'm a bit surprised a Donncha O'Callaghan included. Not that I don't think he's a great lock, it just seemed all the "experts" had written him off. Nathan Hines is someone I'll be keeping my eye on. I think the midweek matches will be very interesting.
The difference is that the Lions aren't taking everyone and their cousins like they did in '05. There is not a clear mid-week squad vs. the test squad. This is, for a lot of the positions an up in the air tour. I think what McGeechan and Co. have done is create a very intense, very competitive atmosphere.
The dumbest thing I've read is Steve Jones of the Times saying of Brian O'Driscol, "I wouldn’t have him in my Test team." Seriously? He is the star Centre of Rugby at the moment, and honestly has been, albeit off and on, since he came onto the scene. Steve Jones, in my opinion, just openly declared himself a knob.
As an Ulster Supporter, I'm proud to see Stephen Ferris, and although he's plying his trade in Wales, Tommy Bowe included. Bowe has been playing his balls off this season.
While I'm sad not to see legend John Hayes included, I understand him not getting picked, and I think that the props selected (Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, Andrew Sheridan, Phil Vickery & Euan Murray) are as some of the Lion's Coaches have deemed "Beasts."
This tour is going to need beasts when we face the forwards of the Springboks.

 

[An Tarbh]

I think the likes of Shaw, Vickery, Quinlan, Worsley and Powell have been picked with the midweek side in mind, we can't really expect any of that lot to be pushing for a test spot.