Opening test line up predictions

[Ground We Won]

Yeah, before the Crusaders game I would've said Aaron Smith anyday, but him and Sopoaga really blew the game vs the Crusaders, disappointing to shoulder the blame on them, but some of his plays were ridiculous, especially his passing and he wouldn't even dive on loose balls.. That was one of the most disappointing performances I've seen from Aaron and I was really gutted.

Meanwhile TJ has been great this season, improvising, strong, quick, great decision making. He's made a real case for himself. I think depending on the Chiefs game we can really call it. He wasn't under too much pressure vs the Force, but Aaron has been so inconsistent that you have to bring up the question definitely. A run out vs Samoa and having Hansen in his ear might sort Smith out, so I wouldn't make a call yet, but definitely agree TJ has been superior this season.

 

[Goodey]

What will be the all blacks back row? Kaino, Savea, Read?

What if Read isn't fit?

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

What will be the all blacks back row? Kaino, Savea, Read?

What if Read isn't fit?

Hansen clearly prefers Savea as a sub. He's likely start Cane and Todd over him. If Read isn't fit then Squire (if fit) will come in, if Squire isn't fit then probably Luatua or Whitelock.

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

What he said! ^

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Can see this being the team for the lions first test
1) Vunipola, 2) Owens, 3) Furlong
4) AWJ, 5) Lawes
6) Stander, 7) Warburton, 8) TF
9) Murray, 10) Sexton
12) Henshaw/T'eo, 13) Davies
11) Williams, 14) North, 15) Halfpenny

16) Best, 17) McGrath, 18) Cole
19) Itoje, 20) Moritarty
21) Webb, 22) Farrell, 23) Daly.

 

[MikeTheNative]

Can see this being the team for the lions first test
1) Vunipola, 2) Owens, 3) Furlong
4) AWJ, 5) Lawes
6) Stander, 7) Warburton, 8) TF
9) Murray, 10) Sexton
12) Henshaw/T'eo, 13) Davies
11) Williams, 14) North, 15) Halfpenny

16) Best, 17) McGrath, 18) Cole
19) Itoje, 20) Moritarty
21) Webb, 22) Farrell, 23) Daly.

For all that is holy please not a Teo /Davies partnership. I would be ok with one of them but not both, wingers wouldn't get the ball. AWJ needs a big few games or I feel that all three English locks are in front of him. IMO a firing North is the best winger in the Northen Hemisphere, it's a shame that he seems to have more off days than good ones anything else these days. Halfpenny wouldn't even get in my best Wales back 3 let alone Lions team.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

For all that is holy please not a Teo /Davies partnership. I would be ok with one of them but not both, wingers wouldn't get the ball. AWJ needs a big few games or I feel that all three English locks are in front of him. IMO a firing North is the best winger in the Northen Hemisphere, it's a shame that he seems to have more off days than good ones anything else these days. Halfpenny wouldn't even get in my best Wales back 3 let alone Lions team.

On Te'o/Davies, it's not what I want to see either but could actually be best for us. Of course we'd all like to see some free flowing rugby and an expansive game plan but that's not what we're going to get. It will be Warrenball regardless of the players on the pitch and so Te'o/Davies is probably the best centre pairing we can put out, as at least they'll actually suit the game plan.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

For all that is holy please not a Teo /Davies partnership. I would be ok with one of them but not both, wingers wouldn't get the ball. AWJ needs a big few games or I feel that all three English locks are in front of him. IMO a firing North is the best winger in the Northen Hemisphere, it's a shame that he seems to have more off days than good ones anything else these days. Halfpenny wouldn't even get in my best Wales back 3 let alone Lions team.

It's not what i want just what i think could be the team.

 

[MikeTheNative]

On Te'o/Davies, it's not what I want to see either but could actually be best for us. Of course we'd all like to see some free flowing rugby and an expansive game plan but that's not what we're going to get. It will be Warrenball regardless of the players on the pitch and so Te'o/Davies is probably the best centre pairing we can put out, as at least they'll actually suit the game plan.

Wales out in NZ last year actually tried to play a bit more expansive game so I'm holding out a bit of hope. It's under Howley they regressed during the AIs.

It's not what i want just what i think could be the team.

Not saying you do, I really don't want that centre combo.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Wales out in NZ last year actually tried to play a bit more expansive game so I'm holding out a bit of hope. It's under Howley they regressed during the AIs.


Not saying you do, I really don't want that centre combo.

And Howley's still attack coach. I can't see anything other than Warrenball sadly enough.

 

[MarkyH]

After two tough games, with few standout players here is what I would pick currently for the first test

1) McGrath, 2) Owens, 3) Furlong
4) Itoje, 5) Lawes
6) Stander, 7) Warburton, 8) TF
9) Murray, 10) Farrell
12) Teo, 13) Davies
11) Watson, 14) North, 15) Halfpenny

16) George, 17) Vunipola, 18) Cole
19) Kruis, 20) Tips
21) Webb, 22) Sexton, 23) Daly.

Couple of players chances enhanced by not even playing

Hopefully JJ, Sexton and Hogg can all play into better form. I'd like to see Sexton, Farrell, JJ as our 10/12/13

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I'd still start Nowell. I know he was exploited by Ioane's pace today but in the test matches he'll be opposite Savea who doesn't have that pace. I fully believe that of our wingers Nowell is the best equipped to contain Julian.

 

[curtbob7]

For me, this is the Lions strongest 23:

1. Mcgrath
2. Owens
3. Furlong
4. Itoje
5. Kruis
6. Stander
7. Warburton
8. Faletau
9. Murray
10. Farrell
11. North
12. Teo
13. Joseph
14. Watson
15. Halfpenny
16. George
17. Vunipola
18. Cole
19. Lawes
20. Moriarty
21. Webb
22. Sexton
23. Daly

Hogg just doesn't tick all the boxes for me.
Laidlaw shouldn't be there, theres a good 4 or 5 British scrum halves ahead of him who aren't in NZ.
Ben Youngs and Billy Vunipola are massive losses. Both would make my 23.

For the tour I also think it would've been better to take George Ford ahead of Dan Biggar as he offers something different.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I'd take Henshaw over Te'o any day of the week and twice on Sunday, his kicking and passing are leagues ahead and he doesn't give up much running the ball, lets remember that he looked more than serviceable today opposite SBW whereas Te'o made a few breaks against amateurs and couldn't pass the ball.

I'd want Sexton - Farrell - Henshaw, highly unlikely though.

 

[Ozzay]

A lot have put their hands up

Mako. Owens. Furlong
Itoje. AWJ
Warburton. SoB. Faletau
Murray. Farrell
Henshaw. Davies
North.Watson. Halfpenny

George. Marley. Sinckler. Kruis. Tipuric. Webb. Biggar. Teo

 

[Jockstap]

If we're purely going on form in the first two games

McGrath, Owens, Sinckler
Lawes, Itoje
Moriarity, Tipuric, Faletau
Webb, Farrell
Teo, Henshaw
Daly, Halfpenny, Watson

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

Ok now that the ABs squad has been named, IMO this is the likely line up...
1. J. Moody
2. C. Taylor (it's unlikely that Coles will play)
3. O. Franks
4. B. Retallick
5. S. Whitelock
6. J. Kaino
7. S. Cane
8. K. Read
9. A. Smith
10. B. Barrett
11. J. Savea
12. SBW
13. ALB
14. I. Dagg
15. B. Smith

16. N. Harris
17. Crockett
18. Faumuiina
19. Barrett
20. Savea
21. TJ. Perenara
22. A. Cruden
23. R. Ioane

 

[Ground We Won]

I'd rather R.Ioane over Dagg. Dagg has done nothing this season to suggest he will be better than R.Ioane, absolutely zilch.

I can't be bothered with the favourites nonsense.

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

I'd rather R.Ioane over Dagg. Dagg has done nothing this season to suggest he will be better than R.Ioane, absolutely zilch.

I can't be bothered with the favourites nonsense.

I'd probs have Naholo starting before I'd have Ioane starting.
I wouldn't pick Dagg either... the guy I'd pick isn't even in the squad... but he still has time to prove himself and he is a proven top performer at test level, so I expect him to grab that spot, and I don't mind that...

What do you make of the non-selection of Fekitoa? I know you're a fan of him so probs not too pleased... but do you agree with the midfielders they've selected, and do you reckon Goodhue was a fair call for injury cover??

Personally I'm obviously pleased to see Ngani there, but surprised too... they've gone for three specialist 12s and one 13 which I didn't expect. And having Goodhue instead of Feks as cover is a bit of a kick in the guts to Feks. At the same time though, Goodhue has been great and is very promising, so I don't really disagree with the decision.

 

[Radsy]

Goodhue's pace separates him from the other contenders for the ABs center. I guess Rieko could give him a run in that department, but seems he's viewed as a winger, and doesn't have all the tools.