Squad Selections

[gingergenius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Mar 9 2009, 05:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gingergenius @ Mar 9 2009, 12:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Mar 8 2009, 07:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

there's more standouts than that and Blair has gone from being one of them to one of the also rans at the moment. His performances have been poor so far in the Six Nations, Phillips has definitely gone ahead of him.

15. Byrne
14.
13. BOD
12.
11. Williams
10.
9.
1. Jenkins
2.
3.
4. Wyn Jones
5. POC
6.
7. Williams
8. Heaslip

I do have reservations over Williams' form but form is temporary, class is permanent as the cliché goes.[/b]

[/b][/quote]

well I should have clarified my post by saying absolute test bankers, which the 3 in bold aren't as of yet, cue the Welsh backlash
[/b][/quote]

hmm... well Williams has challengers in Wallace and at a stretch Tom Rees... both of whom he is better than, and that's not really disputable. Heaslip's rival is Powell... and Heaslip has put in 3 great performances so far and Powell has had 3 ordinary performances. Byrne's rivals are Kearney and Armitage, who are a class beneath him.

 

[Ozzay]

Stephen Jones has to be Flyhalf at the moment

 

[Fa'atau82]

Well, you can pick the standouts from each nation, put it in a team and you'll probably have lots of depth in some areas and very light in others.

I'd have.. on current form..

15. Byrne
14. Halfpenny (he always looks like he wants the ball, which is a good sign)
13. BOD
12. Shanklin (Best out of a mediocre bunch)
11. Shane Williams
10. Stephen Jones
9. O'Leary (why not, need some youth)
1. Jenkins
2. Ford (Can't think of any better alternatives)
3. Murray
4. Wyn Jones
5. POC
6. Scottish backrower.. i think they have some good backrowers.
7. Martyn Williams
8. Heaslip

 

[shazbooger]

Come on!

You cant base selections on their ability to "want the ball", their age, and their national stereotype

The test team is starting to come together, but there is no point guessing in positions where no one is standing out.

 

[Sir Speedy]

When the player in question is Welsh, yes you can.

Halfpenny shouldn't start. He's about on par with all the other selections - who are all as mediocre as each other, except at least they've had some more exposure to the international scene. Fitzgerald can play 14 can't he?

 

[monkeypigeon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sir. Speedy @ Mar 9 2009, 02:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

When the player in question is Welsh, yes you can.

Halfpenny shouldn't start. He's about on par with all the other selections - who are all as mediocre as each other, except at least they've had some more exposure to the international scene. Fitzgerald can play 14 can't he?[/b]

Been thinking the same thing about Fitzgerald myself.

I see no reason why the hell not. I imagine the reason he's playing left wing for Leinster is because the Hickster retired and Horgan is still on the right wing so it made sense to put him there and Kidney placed him left wing because that's where he plays for Leinster. But he's right footed and there's no reason why he shouldn't play right wing.

That said I wouldn't mind seeing Halfpenny, Evans or Simpson-Daniel in the extended squad.

 

[shazbooger]

Fitzgerald can play anywhere outside 10. He was thrown in against the AB's (at 12) during the November test and looked lively, prefers playing fullback but has spent all his time at Leinster in at 11. He will tour.

Williams when on form is the best winger in the world. When he's not hes a mobile turnover. The position is his until he or another proves otherwise. It hasnt happened yet though.

Halfpenny has done nothing to earn the clamour for selection. A fine young player, but hardly an outstanding selection. Evans (both of em) have offered more, given the limited opportunities they have been given.

Kearney usually plays on the left when he aint at fullback, he's consistently been selected ahead of Fitzgerald for province and country in both positions.

That is all. Delta-Niner out..........

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ozzay @ Mar 9 2009, 02:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Stephen Jones has to be Flyhalf at the moment[/b]

yeah but he's not an absolute test banker at the moment either.

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Monkeypigeon @ Mar 9 2009, 04:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sir. Speedy @ Mar 9 2009, 02:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

When the player in question is Welsh, yes you can.

Halfpenny shouldn't start. He's about on par with all the other selections - who are all as mediocre as each other, except at least they've had some more exposure to the international scene. Fitzgerald can play 14 can't he?[/b]

Been thinking the same thing about Fitzgerald myself.

I see no reason why the hell not. I imagine the reason he's playing left wing for Leinster is because the Hickster retired and Horgan is still on the right wing so it made sense to put him there and Kidney placed him left wing because that's where he plays for Leinster. But he's right footed and there's no reason why he shouldn't play right wing.

That said I wouldn't mind seeing Halfpenny, Evans or Simpson-Daniel in the extended squad.
[/b][/quote]

eh he's left footed actually.

 

[Fa'atau82]

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

You cant base selections on their ability to "want the ball", their age, and their national stereotype[/b]

Halfpenny is a great young player, and although relatively un-experienced, i always look to the future with players and the Lions Tour is a good way to do that. You want a mix of youth like Cipriani and Halfpenny, but also some experience to guide them. I simply mean that when i see Halfpenny play he wants the ball, he is hungry and seems well up for it. A lot of his rivals in the 6 Nations are meandering though games with no real urgency, aka Paul Sackey.

He seems to have some intensity and urgency. He has put his hand up for Wales with those attributes and i think any player that does that for their team should be considered, because rugby is not won on talent alone.. it is won by a solid team ethic with players who are willing to be counted and lead by example. Sometimes you need the younger players to challenge the older players or they get too comfortable.

Why else would you keep faith with numpties like Vickery, Noon, Borthwick et all?

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Fa'atau82 @ Mar 9 2009, 07:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE

You cant base selections on their ability to "want the ball", their age, and their national stereotype[/b]

Halfpenny is a great young player, and although relatively un-experienced, i always look to the future with players and the Lions Tour is a good way to do that. You want a mix of youth like Cipriani and Halfpenny, but also some experience to guide them. I simply mean that when i see Halfpenny play he wants the ball, he is hungry and seems well up for it. A lot of his rivals in the 6 Nations are meandering though games with no real urgency, aka Paul Sackey.

He seems to have some intensity and urgency. He has put his hand up for Wales with those attributes and i think any player that does that for their team should be considered, because rugby is not won on talent alone.. it is won by a solid team ethic with players who are willing to be counted and lead by example. Sometimes you need the younger players to challenge the older players or they get too comfortable.

Why else would you keep faith with numpties like Vickery, Noon, Borthwick et all?
[/b][/quote]


well the beauty about the Lions team is you pick in the here and now, if someone is 35 and good enough you pick them, same with a 20 year old you don't just bring them along so they can gain some experience for the next tour.

 

[MunsterMan]

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

Lions Tour Of Sa 2009 20 Jun 17:00 - Will The Following Player Start The 1st Test Match Of The Series?
Selection Price
O'Connell, Paul 4/9
Wallace, David 4/7
O'Driscoll, Brian 4/7
Bowe, T. 11/8
O'Gara, Ronan 7/4
Kearney, Rob 2/1
Flannery, Jerry 9/4
Heaslip, Jamie 3/1
Fitzgerald, Luke 4/1
Ferris, Stephen 5/1
O'Leary, Tomas 6/1
O'Callaghan, Donncha 8/1
Horan, Marcus 10/1
Best, Rory 10/1
Hayes, John 16/1
Murphy, Geordan 33/1
Horgan, Shane 40/1
Reddan, Eoin
Earls, Keith 50/1[/b]

Savage odds on Heaslip, DOC, Flanerry and Horan if you ask me. Heaslip, DOC and Fla are all 50/50 calls and Horan is an injury away from starting.

 

[monkeypigeon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MunsterMan @ Mar 9 2009, 10:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE

Lions Tour Of Sa 2009 20 Jun 17:00 - Will The Following Player Start The 1st Test Match Of The Series?
Selection Price
O'Connell, Paul 4/9
Wallace, David 4/7
O'Driscoll, Brian 4/7
Bowe, T. 11/8
O'Gara, Ronan 7/4
Kearney, Rob 2/1
Flannery, Jerry 9/4
Heaslip, Jamie 3/1
Fitzgerald, Luke 4/1
Ferris, Stephen 5/1
O'Leary, Tomas 6/1
O'Callaghan, Donncha 8/1
Horan, Marcus 10/1
Best, Rory 10/1
Hayes, John 16/1
Murphy, Geordan 33/1
Horgan, Shane 40/1
Reddan, Eoin
Earls, Keith 50/1[/b]

Savage odds on Heaslip, DOC, Flanerry and Horan if you ask me. Heaslip, DOC and Fla are all 50/50 calls and Horan is an injury away from starting.
[/b][/quote]

Heaslip and Ferris have fantastic odds.

What bookmaker is it?

 

[MunsterMan]

Boylesports

Also Shane Horgan 40/1? God help us.

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MunsterMan @ Mar 9 2009, 11:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE

Lions Tour Of Sa 2009 20 Jun 17:00 - Will The Following Player Start The 1st Test Match Of The Series?
Selection Price
O'Connell, Paul 4/9
Wallace, David 4/7
O'Driscoll, Brian 4/7
Bowe, T. 11/8
O'Gara, Ronan 7/4
Kearney, Rob 2/1
Flannery, Jerry 9/4
Heaslip, Jamie 3/1
Fitzgerald, Luke 4/1
Ferris, Stephen 5/1
O'Leary, Tomas 6/1
O'Callaghan, Donncha 8/1
Horan, Marcus 10/1
Best, Rory 10/1
Hayes, John 16/1
Murphy, Geordan 33/1
Horgan, Shane 40/1
Reddan, Eoin
Earls, Keith 50/1[/b]

Savage odds on Heaslip, DOC, Flanerry and Horan if you ask me. Heaslip, DOC and Fla are all 50/50 calls and Horan is an injury away from starting.
[/b][/quote]

O'Callaghan is an injury away from starting, Horan is an injury away from touring, regardless of his form, Sherridan and Jenkins are going to be picked ahead of him, with the likelihood of 3 tighthead props being taken as well.

 

[chingnow]

1. Sheridan
2. Hartley
3. Jenkins
4. AWJ/Kennedy
5. O'Connell
6. Haskell/ Strokosch
7. D.Wallace/Worsley/Rees
8. Ryan Jones
9. Mike Blair
10.Cipriani/ Hook
11.Williams
12.Henson
13.BOD/Flutey
14.Danielli
15.Byrne

 

[An Tarbh]

oh god help us if that's the team. O'Driscoll as an either/or after the 6N he's had up to now, no sign of Ferris who's been the form backrow player of the tournament alongside Parisse. Hartley hasn't even started a test for England, Jenkins will be the loosehead not tight. You have Worsley and Rees in ahead of Martyn Williams, some strange selections to say the least, I'm surprised you haven't gone all out and put Ellis in at scrum half!

 

[kicklikeaprop]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (chingnow @ Mar 15 2009, 11:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

1. Sheridan
2. Hartley
3. Jenkins
4. AWJ/Kennedy
5. O'Connell
6. Haskell/ Strokosch
7. D.Wallace/Worsley/Rees
8. Ryan Jones
9. Mike Blair
10.Cipriani/ Hook
11.Williams
12.Henson
13.BOD/Flutey
14.Danielli
15.Byrne[/b]

going into the final weekend on form this would be my lions team


jenkins
flannery
murray
a.w. jones ( is a natural 5 but needs be)
o connell
ferris
wallace
heaslip

philips
jones

williams
shanklin
bod
fitzgearld

byrne


subs
sheridan
rees
doc
jones
oleary
ogara
roberts

 

[shazbooger]

I might actually reverse the centres and put B OD inside Shanklin. Other then that I think your being a bit generous to Wallace. Williams would give the backrow a better balance.

Competition at 6 will be excellent with Ferris, Jones, Croft and Worsley (who would have thunk it) all looking for the spot.

 

[Cymro]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Logorrhea @ Mar 17 2009, 08:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I might actually reverse the centres and put B OD inside Shanklin. Other then that I think your being a bit generous to Wallace. Williams would give the backrow a better balance.

Competition at 6 will be excellent with Ferris, Jones, Croft and Worsley (who would have thunk it) all looking for the spot.[/b]

Could also put Wallace at 6!