Southern Kings v Lions

[An Tarbh]

Lions team has been named for tomorrow's match with O'Callaghan captaining the side.

British & Irish Lions vs Southern Kings

15. Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland)
14. Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales)
13. Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England)
12. Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster/Ireland)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster/Ireland)
10. James Hook (Ospreys/Wales)
9. Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland)

8. Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
7. Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England)
6. Nathan Hines (Perpignan/Scotland)
5. Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster/Ireland) captain
4. Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England)
3. Euan Murray (Northampton/Scotland)
2. Ross Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland)
1. Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks/England)

Replacements

16. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)
17. Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
18. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England)
19. David Wallace (Munster/Ireland)
20. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England)
21. Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Ireland)
22. Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England

 

[Ozzay]

Good Performance from Hook and i think hes on the bench

 

[Sir Speedy]

Whoa, that's the weakest team thus far. Aren't Southern Kings a step down from WP? Sky made it out that way. If so we shouldn't be too worried. Though then again... Fitzgerald and Hook are the only ones who can make a real claim here.

The backrow seems a solid indicator that Worsley and Powell won't be starting on Saturday, so I'm happy.

 

[shazbooger]

Of the entire team I think its only Fitzgerald that has a realistic chance of making the team now, unless they decide to take the likes of Murray off at halftime.

Edit: Just saw Speedy's post. Dont see Hook being in contention to start. Would be surprised if he made the bench as well (mainly because O'Gara can control a game better). I dont buy into the flexibility arguement when you have Bowe and Fitzgerald already there to offer that.

 

[Sir Speedy]

Yeh, I meant Hook on the bench. It could end up being Hook and Fitzgerald on the bench, since they cover between them all positions beyond nine.

You could have ROG for kicking, but it seems a bit pointless to have him in the team for 'kicking ability' when he's on the bench. What, Stephen Jones is going to feign injury everytime a kick needs to be made, is he?

I think Jones is a good enough kicker. He had a bad day on Saturday, but so do the best of players, including ROG. And Hook's kicking has been VERY good recently, aswell.

Ergo, I don't buy the 'kicking' argument.

 

[shazbooger]

Hook and Fitzgerald can cover all positions outside of 9, as can Fitzgerald and O'Gara. With Bowe and Fitzgerald, either playing or on the bench, you know all positions outside of 10 are covered. Means you dont need the flexibility from the bench, you just need the best 10. O'Gara hasnt actually done anything wrong and Hook hasnt been particularly amazing so I see no reason why he would jump ahead of O'Gara. In the same way as I dont see any reason why Jones off-day puts O'Gara ahead of Jones.

All much of a muchness really. I think all three outhalves are in decent form, and while they are not world class you dont see any of them letting the side down on the day.

 

[Sir Speedy]

Didn't know Fitzgerald covered fullback (Let's hope it doesn't come to that; we're doomed without Lee Byrne). You make a good point, though you forget that Hook could be picked due to being a different style of flyhalf to ROG and Jones. Either way I don't really care. I wouldn't be unhappy with any three of them starting or on the bench or in the sky or...
So long as O'Gara doesn't have an off day.

 

[munross]

This is the Southern Kings team that was named on the 8th of June, don't know if it has been changed:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Southern Kings team:

Tiger Mangweni, Wylie Human, Frikkie Welsh, De Wet Barry, Ryno Benjamin, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Francois Hougaard, Darron Nell, Solly Tyibilika, Mpho Mbiyozo, Marco Wentzel, Ross Skeate, Ruan Vermeulen, Derrick Kuün, Jaco Engels

Other squad members: Simon Westraad, Kevin Buys, Linqile Payi, Heinrich Stride, Josh Fowles, Mzwandile Stick, Elgar Watts, Bevin Fortuin, Henry Grimes, Michael Vermaak[/b]

http://www.super14.com/news/viewarticle.asp?id=20676

Heard somewhere that Derrick Kuün (Bulls hooker) might captain the side

Also a great moment for young Francois Hougaard, keep an eye out for him!

 

[woohoo]

Mat Turner, formerly of UCT and currently playing for Bristol is starting at 11 instead of Benjamin..

 

[munross]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (woohoo @ Jun 15 2009, 03:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Mat Turner, formerly of UCT and currently playing for Bristol is starting at 11 instead of Benjamin..[/b]

Yes just got this from keo.co.za.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Southern Kings – 15. Tiger Mangweni, 14. Wylie Human, 13. Frikkie Welsh, 12. De Wet Barry, 11. Mat Turner, 10. Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 9. Francois Hougaard, 8. Darron Nell, 7. Solly Tyibilika, 6. Mpho Mbiyozo, 5. Ross Skeate, 4. Marco Wentzel, 3. Ruan Vermeulen, 2. Derick Kuun ©, 1. Jaco Engels.
Subs: 16 Delarey du Preez, 17 Dean Greyling, 18 Lungile Payi, 19 Dries van Schalkwyk, 20 Josh Fowles, 21 Bevan Fortuin, 22 Mzwandile Stick.[/b]

 

[SaintsFan_Schweinsteiger_Webby]

Be nice to see Wylie Human play, always liked him during his time at the Saints, put 100% in every match and was quite underated. Should be quite a contest in the centres, the Kings have certainly picked a combative pairing in Barry and Welsh.

From the Lions side of things I'm disappointed to see Murray starting, as the inplications now seem to be that Vickery will start at tight-head in the first test. Whilst he has upped his game on tour, I don't think any argument about his mobility around the pitch above that of Murray is valid. With the likely other front row starters being Jenkins and Mears, I think you have enough dynamic ball carriers to be able to play your most destructive scrummager.

 

[MunsterMan]

Good for Donncha, I'm 95% sure he has never captained Munster, never mind Ireland.

Earls will hopefully get the space at fullback that he hasn't been getting at 13. He showed what he can do with a small bit of space against the Cheetahs.

Fitzgerald is a Fullback at heart Speedy, but does a damn fine job on the wing.

Looking forward to D'arcy finally getting a start too.

I recognise way more names than I normally do when lookiing at the South African provincial team, Is this the first game the Southern Kings have ever played? Hopefully they play like that too.

 

[Jer1cho]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Intercept King JdV @ Jun 15 2009, 04:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (woohoo @ Jun 15 2009, 03:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mat Turner, formerly of UCT and currently playing for Bristol is starting at 11 instead of Benjamin..[/b]

Yes just got this from keo.co.za.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Southern Kings â€" 15. Tiger Mangweni, 14. Wylie Human, 13. Frikkie Welsh, 12. De Wet Barry, 11. Mat Turner, 10. Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 9. Francois Hougaard, 8. Darron Nell, 7. Solly Tyibilika, 6. Mpho Mbiyozo, 5. Ross Skeate, 4. Marco Wentzel, 3. Ruan Vermeulen, 2. Derick Kuun ©, 1. Jaco Engels.
Subs: 16 Delarey du Preez, 17 Dean Greyling, 18 Lungile Payi, 19 Dries van Schalkwyk, 20 Josh Fowles, 21 Bevan Fortuin, 22 Mzwandile Stick.[/b]

[/b][/quote]

I boinked his sister! Thought he retired by now... h34r:

 

[munross]

Oh almost didn't see it, The Lions finally picked Keith Earls at fullback. at last he will be able to play to his full potential.

 

[An Tarbh]

looks like Shane Williams will be ruled out of this one after picking up a stomach bug, it's expected that Bowe will replace him if he misses out according to the BBC.

 

[MunsterMan]

That only strengthens the team. Would prefer someone like Denis Leamy or Jordan Crane at 6 though, but hopefully Hines will do OK.

 

[Steve-o]

Strange team... I know a lot of those players come from the Eastern Cape so maybe that was the draw card?
Backline looks handy, especially that center pairing. Don't know a few of the forwards and they shouldn't cause too many probs for he Lions HUGE pack.

 

[Olyy]

I thought mike catt was playing for the southern kings? Though i suppose that's just the internet rumour mill pumping out garbage again

 

[monkeypigeon]

Ic h bin drunk. Ich liebe sind!

 

[feicarsinn]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Monkeypigeon @ Jun 16 2009, 02:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Ic h bin drunk. Ich liebe sind![/b]

Yup theres something for the sig alroysh