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

[Skylinerd1]

Naholo is the big concern for me.
However, apparently Dagg has got his kicking boots on so that may give him an edge.

I see the papers are talking about Alun Wyn Jones being on the wrong end of the ledger for the ten encounters he's had against the AB's.
Maybe 11 will be the trick for him...
Or maybe he's a bad luck charm.
Whatever the case, Whitelock and Retallick will be looking to put some colour back in the second rows cheeks after the Lions dominance over most of the Super rugby second rows.

I'm expecting an enormously physical game from the the AB pack.
They will be fizzing at the bung to get on that park and start charging into the opposition.
Great to see Savea starting from the bench but I can't help but feel that on form Naholo deserves a crack.
However, Hansen is the man and I'm not about to gainsay the mastermind at the helm.

Gatland has certainly shown up with a team to be proud of...

Where did you read these selections? No Noholo or Savea to be seen anywhere on the selection im looking at.

I am also a bit surprised Naholo is not atleast on the bench.... Signs that Hansen is being cautious by selecting ALB to cover most of the backline, I guess it is the first test afterall.

 

[Penne Rara]

Where did you read these selections? No Noholo or Savea to be seen anywhere on the selection im looking at.

I am also a bit surprised Naholo is not atleast on the bench.... Signs that Hansen is being cautious by selecting ALB to cover most of the backline, I guess it is the first test afterall.

ALB can only cover 12 and 13. If he has to sub one of the outside backs, he'll surely shift Beauden to 15, Cruden comes in at 10, then shift the other two (if Bender is subbed, nothing else changes, if Dagg is subbed, Bender at 14, if Rieko is subbed, Dagg goes to the left wing and Bender takes over at 14).

 

[Skylinerd1]

ALB can only cover 12 and 13. If he has to sub one of the outside backs, he'll surely shift Beauden to 15, Cruden comes in at 10, then shift the other two (if Bender is subbed, nothing else changes, if Dagg is subbed, Bender at 14, if Rieko is subbed, Dagg goes to the left wing and Bender takes over at 14).

I know all that I was talking about jones boy seemingly suggesting Naholo or Julian had been selected. I dunno maybe I read it wrong?

 

[Penne Rara]

I know all that I was talking about jones boy seemingly suggesting Naholo or Julian had been selected. I dunno maybe I read it wrong?

Nope you read it right indeed, I think the Jones Boy made a small mistake when he said Savea would be starting from the bench.

As for Naholo, I think he wanted to say that he was concerned because Waisake wasn't selected in the 23-men squad maybe? He'll have to confirm though

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Happy with that bar AWJ ahead of Itoje and Faz ahead of Sexton.

That back 3 will be interesting.

 

[Shaggy]

Hello

It still surprises me in this day in age, that some still see that if a player isn't named in the starting XV,that they are somehow deemed to be "unlucky" or that it's some kind of indication that the coaches and selectors see them as inferior to the starting player in some way. To me, it's just an indication that some players are better suited to the tighter/wearing the opposition down phase of the game,and others are better when the starting players start to tire, and can provide more of an impact.

I thing both camps have got it right with regard to the likes of Anton Lienert-Brown and Maro Itoje; both are great impact players. I'm not saying they aren't great starting players too, but they are probably better impact players, than the starting player in their likely position.

In a similar vein, if a player isn't named in the starting 23, it doesn't mean that they have suddenly been discarded, just that the selected side is better suited to the game the coaches want to play against that particular opposition. I doubt that Naholo or J.Savea see their paths blocked towards being selected.

 

[Penne Rara]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...e-mental-fortitude-to-handle-his-biggest-test

 

[valley commando]

Anyone thinking that daly could be getting a lot of touches on offence with him playing more of a midfield role then.
Teo could be in the lineup mainly for his defense and then maybe be pushed out more on offence.

Offence, you mean attack, this is Rugby not Yankee Kissball

 

[Shaggy]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...e-mental-fortitude-to-handle-his-biggest-test

Nice link with incite into how the AB selectors are thinking PR ... hopefully the players that haven't been selected will benefit the Hurricanes in their match against BIL

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...rom-the-all-blacks-to-play-for-the-hurricanes

 

[curtbob7]

Looking forward to this massively. Shocked to see Itoje not starting but happy with the rest of the team!

Key for the lions will be big Defence and Discipline.

 

[bushytop]

So psyched for Saturday, love the test 15 selection for the lions. Was initially a bit dubious about the bench, with neither Warbs or 1/2p really fitting the modern trope of a 'finisher'.

Thinking about it more though, the AB ALWAYS win the last 20 (except when in Illinois) so Gats must think it better to get a lead and defend it in the final stages with defensive experience and bravery (Warbs & 1/2p coming on fresh... and Sexton to close out the game); than to keep it close with 20 to go and try and win it there with... stander/tipuric, Payne, nowell etc.

Obviously the dynamic is opposite in the second row with AWJ and Maro but I can see the logic. With AWJ, Farrel, O'Mahony you have three experienced leaders on the field from the off. Maro brings exuberance and motivation just when the team are starting to become depleted.

The back three is the most pleasing selection though and it's gonna cause a massive boost to morale throughout the whole squad (apart from those it negatively impacted ofcourse). The fact that a couple of boys could 'play' their way into the test 15 only 4 days before only goes to show the players how open the coaching staff are.

Best (but not bravest... that selection in the 3rd test against Oz was make or break on another level) match day 23 that I have ever seen Gats produce.

 

[GoTheNaki]

The kid is a talent (Ioane), ive always said he will be, but his inclusion is probably due to the fact that Savea is quite one-dimensional. Do i feel we needed to change the SBW/ALB centre pairing...no. Can i see why? Yes.. Crotty will firm up the defensive line imo.

 

[Jakedood]

If AWJ doesn't deliver a big performance then Lawes or Itoje have to come in for the second test.
Feel sorry for Nowell after putting in as good a shift as Daly and Williams midweek. I would have Nowell on the bench instead of 1/2P with Watson covering 15.

The only thing I may say about AWJ being there is that I've heard from Jared Saunders, who reported that Jamie George said the same thing, that Kruis is awful at making calls in a lineout, like genuinely awful. I'd love Itoje to be there too, but can also understand a little bit of old fashioned nous might be a good thing, and a top form AWJ if he can raise his game to the required levels, is truly awesome.

I like the look of this team, BBC originally posted by mistake Joseph starting at 13, which got me really excited that the wingers would see the ball, but it seems thats not the case, he has almost universally gone on form though and for that I will give Gats some credit

 

[McTallshort]

I am quite impressed with Gatlands selections. He keeps surprising me and I am genuinely looking forward to Saturdays game now. The back row looks scary and the back 3 look exciting. OK AWJ is very lucky to be in the 23 nevermind starting but the inclusion of Daly, Williams and keeping POM a head of Warburton shows Gatland can be hard nosed when he wants and will select a team on form.

 

[Big_Grumper]

I'd rather see Daly in the midfield or at FB than on the wing. Have they not seen his club form at Wasps?

 

[McTallshort]

I'd rather see Daly in the midfield or at FB than on the wing. Have they not seen his club form at Wasps?

Perhaps the last 20 min will be Murray, Sexton, Williams, Farrell, Daly, Watson, Halfpenny....

 

[Scotty]

I'd rather see Daly in the midfield or at FB than on the wing. Have they not seen his club form at Wasps?

Im hopinh the bring off davies at 60 put daly to 13 and williams to wing halfpenny to Fb.
Faz to 12 sexton at 10 x will totally cha ge the game for lions

 

[Jakedood]

Perhaps the last 20 min will be Murray, Sexton, Williams, Farrell, Daly, Watson, Halfpenny....

Exactly.. our 13 may get spear tackled, requiring Daly to go to 13

 

[Scotty]

Perhaps the last 20 min will be Murray, Sexton, Williams, Farrell, Daly, Watson, Halfpenny....

Pretty much just posted saying the same thing. Would be a stong backline to finish

 

[Thingimubob]

Im hopinh the bring off davies at 60 put daly to 13 and williams to wing halfpenny to Fb.
Faz to 12 sexton at 10 x will totally cha ge the game for lions

Swap Halfpenny and Williams and you have a deal. Always maintained Halfpenny is a far better winger than fullback, and Williams a better fullback than winger.

It's quite funny, and sad, that Halfpenny has picked up this stereotype as a boring attacker without any finishing skill or pace. Coming through the ranks at Cardiff and in his early years for Wales, he was a ridiculously sharp finisher with bags of pace. Feels a bit that it's been coached out of him now frustratingly.