Test Match 1: All Blacks v British & Irish Lions (Auckland)

[Thingimubob]

Well, the only really controversial one there is AWJ ahead of Itoje... Imagine Halfpenny being on the bench is down to Liam playing the full 80 on Tuesday.

I'm confident AWJ will justify his admittedly lucky selection with a big performance, and the idea of a fresh Itoje off the bench with 30ish to go is almost as good as him starting.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Who would have thought before this game no Julian Savea or North would be in the 23 of either team?

Could not see Gats not picking both AWJ and Warburton, so no surprise at AWJ getting picked. Still breaking up Krutoje is a shame, but Maro is the better finisher.

 

[Bluemoon]

Itoje, Owens, Warbs, Webb, Sexton - all can have a big, big impact from the bench. A lot of tactical options there. Obviously we won't know if it's a good selection until Saturday, but you have to feel that they have gone with form.

 

[munstermuffin]

Gatland just went and picked the real form team and is intent on winning this. After seeing that test team my excitement just really got fired up

 

[munstermuffin]

Speechless, Big Mistake not having Tipuric in the 23

Being honest he should be ahead of Warburton but Sam was never going to be left out. And that's despite no form or game time

 

[mania]

hard luck naholo and ALB.
i suppose reiko deserves to be ahead of julian but naholo is playing out of his skin at the moment.
ALB did everything right last week and has had a full on solid season.
SBW again squeaks ahead on rep but like SBW usually does chances are he'll deliver in the big game.
cant say i'm worried with this team tho. all proven big game players and against this lions side its needed.
hope both teams have massive games, that they both play with honour and style , they can hold their heads up high after the game, good spirit is shown and that neither teams suffer any major injuries.
loving this tour and the lions have fully justified continuation of this tradition.
lions came here without much hope and have shown the world how not only how to take on the best of the best of NZ rugby but also how to endure, grow and learn our systems. the lions players that leave these shores are gonna be world class players for a long long time i reckon.
thank you lions for showing NZ humility and gatland for showing why he should be the next ABs coach

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Fully expected to see Halfpenny and North so kudos to Gatland for seeing past that. It's actually a back 3 with a lot of potential you'd have to say/
Wyn Jones not justified but he will certainly rise to the occasion as he usually does.

 

[General Melchett]

Speechless, Big Mistake not having Tipuric in the 23

I'd have had Tipuric and Stander in ahead of Warburton based on performances so far.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

So happy with the backrow,
Not too happy with AWJ or the centres but I expected it.
Pleasantly surprised at Sanjay getting the 15 shirt and no North

 

[JJFlash]

I'd never have thought that I'd be happy with Gatland's selection - but I do believe our boys are in with a chance!!
AWJ's selection has raised eyebrows, but he's a warrior and will give his all for an hour before Itoje appears.

 

[Maverick1987]

Very pleased .... can't see the benefit of breaking up Krutoje but I'm sure AWJ will do a great job as usual

 

[Groundhog]

The Munster Mongrel is loose. Let's **** them to dust and then snort them.

 

[Thingimubob]

Tbf those centres are the form centres in the squad, Henshaw and Payne have been poor and while Joseph does add that something out of nothing element, don't think he's done it enough so far to start.

 

[g6mcg]

I'm still a bit dubious about Farrell at 10. He's shown that he's a very good rugby player but I'm not sure he's had too many great performances at 10.

Do people think this was Gatland's plan all along and Tuesday was a bluff (seemingly leaving out the 23 for Saturday) or did those performances sway him?

 

[munstermuffin]

Must say imagine a ****** off Sexton, a ****** off Itoje and a good frontrow backup coming on.

Can't see the doubt on Farrell. He's 1 of form guys the past 18months in world rugby

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Tbf those centres are the form centres in the squad, Henshaw and Payne have been poor and while Joseph does add that something out of nothing element, don't think he's done it enough so far to start.

Henshaw poor? I don't know what you've been watching!

His best 12 option is at 10 and best 10 option on the bench though. Barrett, SBW and Crotty will have a field day considering they won't have to focus on defence.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

 

[Tadginator]

Decent enough team. I think halfpenny won't bring anything from the bench in terms of impact or threat. Would rather someone like Nowell who will create breaks coming on against tired legs.
The outhalf and centre axis also means that unless our wingers go looking for work a lot it's unlikely they will be too involved. Farrell isn't quite creative enough to get past the two non distributors outside him. A sexton Farrell axis would be more creative and dangerous. However seeing as our backs haven't been dangerous at all all tour it makes more sense to just play defensively solid and rely on power game through backs and forwards. It lacks ambition but I can see why gambling on our backs to finally click in the first test would be avoided.
Wyn Jones over itoje is also very harsh. Itoje and kruis are both a better partnership and better players atm.
Interesting selection which will make the first test fascinating

 

[NickBD]

Henshaw poor? I don't know what you've been watching!

His best 12 option is at 10 and best 10 option on the bench though. Barrett, SBW and Crotty will have a field day considering they won't have to focus on defence.

Henshaw hasn't been great but he hasn't been poor.

Agree though I'd have started Sexton Farrell, Te'o has been impressive but I would rather Farrell at 12. I see no point in picking this back these if that is the centre partnership we get.

Also agree with the of the forum, I see no point in breaking up the Sarries locks. AWJ hasn't been great this tour, he was ok against Crusaders but poor in other games. I see no point in breaking up the best 2nd row partnership in Europe. Add that Lawes has been amazing on this tour and isn't rewarded for that. Sure I'm in minority but AWJ has been 5th best lock on tour. Other one is Warburton over Tipuric/Stander, Sam isn't a good impact sub while the other 2 not only have outplayed him are better off the bench,

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Decent enough team. I think halfpenny won't bring anything from the bench in terms of impact or threat. Would rather someone like Nowell who will create breaks coming on against tired legs.
The outhalf and centre axis also means that unless our wingers go looking for work a lot it's unlikely they will be too involved. Farrell isn't quite creative enough to get past the two non distributors outside him. A sexton Farrell axis would be more creative and dangerous. However seeing as our backs haven't been dangerous at all all tour it makes more sense to just play defensively solid and rely on power game through backs and forwards. It lacks ambition but I can see why gambling on our backs to finally click in the first test would be avoided.
Wyn Jones over itoje is also very harsh. Itoje and kruis are both a better partnership and better players atm.
Interesting selection which will make the first test fascinating

Agree, with Daly and Watson both able to comfortably cover 15 having a specialist FB who brings no real impact seems like a real case of Gats just wanting to fit him in somewhere.