My Worry - only two no 10's

[sean43]

Thought id break up the Lions topic a bit. Not here to talk about each position, just what do you all reckon about only having 2 outside halfs? If one of them picks up a little injury prior to a test, then you have one option at 10. Say if Jones or ROG is having a bad day, what can you do to mix it up a bit?

Furthermore, I think someone like Hook or even Cipriani would have given that extra option of some creativity (not to say the others arent creative).

 

[Hall]

It is a worry, its a position you need specialist cover in.

 

[dullonien]

It's not hard to get someone else out there if one picks up an injury. I think it's a message to Hook and Cips, that neither are good enough to be there, and both need to up their game.

 

[sean43]

What about if 1 of them picks up a ****le in the midweek? Isnt quite fit for the test, then your left with 1 outside half.

 

[shazbooger]

Two problems,

First is that the outhalves are going to get the living shite knocked out of them. The rules of rugby dont seem to apply to mid-week games on lions tours so expect both of them to get caught up in more than a few off the ball scuffles (expect the forwards to have a plan in place to protect them ..... probably see a mass melee in the first game to set the tone). They will be lucky to make it through to the test matches with their heads on theiur shoulders.

Scond is that how focused will a last minute replacement be if they were drafted in on short notice. Wouldnt have trained, wouldnt have bonded with the team.... I wouldnt like to see that happening.

Its a risk, no doubt about it, but a calculated one.

 

[dullonien]

Fly another out, there's time. I'm sure McGeegan knows what he's doing, he's managed two Lions tours already remember, he knows whats involved.

 

[Prestwick]

He can fly another one out and there are plenty to choose from to be honest.

My opinion? Throw Glen Jackson a jersey and send him down there if theres an emergency. He will bag <strike>Sarries</strike> I mean the Lions plenty of points!

 

[Bumbadum]

Flutey straight in at 10 for the midweek team?

 

[Hall]

I hope not.

 

[Cymro]

He can throw Halfpenny and Flutey in there I presume

 

[sean43]

Halfpenny...mmm, big gamble considering he hasnt played there all season and this is the Lions no some second rate Magners match.

 

[Cymro]

Did Jenkins play 15 before the Lions 97 Tour?

No

 

[sean43]

Outside Half is the most important position in the side, you can put a centre / winger even outside half (Jenkins 97) to cover fullback - but not the other way around. It is a truly specialist position Cymro.

 

[Cymro]

No you cant just put any player to play full back, dont be so silly. Halfpenny started out as an outside half then moved to fullback / wing

 

[Bumbadum]

You cant just throw anyone in to any position willy nilly....stick any old numpty in at FB and a decent fly half will have you pinned inside your own 10 metre line for the entire game.

 

[sean43]

What I meant if you had a short term injury at full back, you could put a host of players there who would do a very good job because they are tested (Bowe, Halfpenny).

Yes he may have started out as a 10, but that was a while ago, (Gethin Jenkins started out as a flanker, would he cut it playing there for the Lions?) - he has not played 10 for the Cardiff Blues at all. Now you think he would be ok to cover there for the Lions?

Outside half is the the link between forwards and backs, its the key position in the side. If your playing someone out of position there, in South Africa - it would surely show up.

 

[Cymro]

Halfpenny could do a temporary job there, reckon they might test it during one of the midweek games

 

[sean43]

Possibly, all I am worried about is why take that risk in the first place by only taking 2 recognised 10's? I trust McGeechan, knows more than I would ever about rugby but this is a big risk.

 

[fcukernaut]

There is absolutely no chance either of the two 10's play in the midweek games. It would be suicide, you would be setting your team up for an epic failure

 

[sean43]

They will both have to play in the midweek games, you would leave up to 4 weeks no game time and them chuck them in against the most physical side in the world?