Test Match 3: All Blacks v British & Irish Lions (Auckland)

[The Jones Boy]

The biggest problem with Moala is his inability to keep injury free.
Otherwise i'd have him in there straight away.
Hansen is no mug.
If he wants to try to take the game to the Lions he needs attacking cards to play.
Laumape offers a lot more of that than Fekitoa.
When they bring on Te'o late then sub Laumape off for Fekitoa who is built to contain Te'o.

 

[ncurd]

Jonny Gray - I would argue deserved it ahead of AWJ but agree it was a tight call but he was in my squad.

TBH if you drop AWJ from the squad surely you have to pick Launchburry over Gray? Now you can argue one or two of the other English locks should of not gone. However the harsh reality is Gray was always on a uphill struggle due the the plefora of talent in that position.

 

[TopTen2003]

Laumape is a huge part of the NZ attacking weapon tomorrow and a lot of how this game shapes and finishes up will depend on it.

What the Lions don't want is to be defending in their own half with Laumape running at Farrell. Lions will struggle to slow any ball down because of the momentum and yardage he could gain. If NZ get the opportunity for quick ball in Lions territory then the penalty count will go up or the NZ scoreboard will tick over. Both are not what Lions want.

What I'd like to see from the Lions tomorrow is a top class kicking game, putting themselves in the right areas of the field and hopefully a bit of pressure on the NZ line out.

They are going to have to be as hard and aggressive at the breakdown and in contact as they have all tour. This is all about little gains here and there that prevent the opponents having major gains.

I hope Gatland is prepared to make changes whenever they are required, and if Alun Wyn is being knocked back or not tackling hard enough to stop the NZ momentum, to get Lawes on immediately. Even if that's the first half.Likewise, if the referee doesn't like one of our props, bring on the replacement.

Tomorrow is about adapting and being ruthless.

Locals, how is the weather forecast shaping up?

 

[munstermuffin]

TBH if you drop AWJ from the squad surely you have to pick Launchburry over Gray? Now you can argue one or two of the other English locks should of not gone. However the harsh reality is Gray was always on a uphill struggle due the the plefora of talent in that position.

Oh don't get me wrong I'm not denying that. i also had Donnacha Ryan in there. Just that it could be argued for any of those guys.
As I stated lock was a tight call regardless

 

[General Melchett]

Honestly, most of these articles are from ex players, coaches and mischievous journos trying to make headlines. Not one Scottish player who lost out on a marginal call has come out and complained. Same goes for Townsend or any other current Scottish coach. I actually think they've conducted themselves with dignity by saying nothing and getting on with beating Australia. I certainly wouldn't see this article or similar as a representation of the current Scotland squad and coaching team. When you look at this video it's very obvious that Gatland has the hump with the SRU for in his eyes not cooperating. Not hard to see why only two Scots were selected in the original squad although one could argue it's a bit harsh that the players like Watson & Russell pay the price for the perceived lack of cooperation by the SRU. Also interesting that contenders such as Strauss and Nel also missed out and yet played against Italy last month. Guess taking players coming back from injury was too much of a risk, well apart from one or two exceptions

http://www.skysports.com/rugby-unio...-be-gregor-townsends-loss-says-warren-gatland

 

[McTallshort]

I do feel for the Scottish to be honest. In 2009 when there were hardly any English players in the test side I have to admit I wasn't as bothered about them winning as I had been before. Admittedly the English players at that time were limited and rightly only a couple got into the test side but its hard to get up for a Lions game when you havnt got much representation.

That said I really dont know who else apart from Hogg and Seymour should have been selected. There is a case for Jonny Gray but going missing in the the game against England was never going to put him a head of anyone who was selected or in front of some that were not.

The whole conspiracy of Gatland having it in for Scottish players is a bit weak and comes across as sour grapes.

 

[MikeTheNative]

. Guess taking players coming back from injury was too much of a risk, well apart from one or two exceptions

Like Kruis? I agree.

 

[duncanb]

What? Loose ball? Loose play? Loose lips?

Sorry my dyslexia,sure you got jist.
I don't use spell checker as its still a bundle of letter's that take me an age to sort out.
Grammar police alive and well here I see perhaps you should spend your time high lighting all errors as obvious turns you on.

 

[General Melchett]

Like Kruis? I agree.

Exactly although he had played for Sarries and was further ahead than one or two others Gatland clearly rates Kruis and rightly so.

 

[Papsmear]

Sorry my dyslexia,sure you got jist.
I don't use spell checker as its still a bundle of letter's that take me an age to sort out.
Grammar police alive and well here I see perhaps you should spend your time high lighting all errors as obvious turns you on.

Nah. Just get sick of people making the same mistake across multiple forums.

 

[McTallshort]

Nah. Just get sick of people making the same mistake across multiple forums.

Have you got any real problems in your life?

 

[munstermuffin]

Like Kruis? I agree.

The thing is Kruis had well and truly proved he had shaken off injuries with phenomenal end to the season for Saracens so can't really class him in that category.

 

[MikeTheNative]

The thing is Kruis had well and truly proved he had shaken off injuries with phenomenal end to the season for Saracens so can't really class him in that category.

It was a bit tongue in cheek comment. I wasn't serious.

 

[munstermuffin]

It was a bit tongue in cheek comment. I wasn't serious.

Oh right was just wondering as it didn't make much sense

 

[Nubiwan]

Like Kruis? I agree.

Yes hang on. Where the hell is Kruis? Himself and Omahony take the fall for the first test defeat. Let me suggest it's a 15 man game to you, that few really shone as good as they might have hoped, and plenty were looking at AWJ sucking master air at 20 minutes. But Kruis off the 23 altogether, while AWJ plays on. Omahony was captain in the first test. Same deal for him. Honestly, the more I see of the series, and the one eyed nature of some selections, the more bitter it becomes. There have just been more deserving performances in some positions. Don't see too many people arguing against the point. Joe Launchbury not even on the squad. Don't get me started...... 5 welsh in the side. On performance, Felatau, Davies and williams deserve their spot. The other two...... Wouldn't hurt us "at all" to go with other players in the squad.

 

[General Melchett]

Kruis has been very hard done by IMO. One ropey performance in the first test seems to have cost him his test squad place. He was having a fine tour until then. Same goes for POM. Guess not everyone gets a second chance.

 

[ncurd]

Kruis has been very hard done by IMO. One ropey performance in the first test seems to have cost him his test squad place. He was having a fine tour until then. Same goes for POM. Guess not everyone gets a second chance.

Have to play under a flag with a Red Dragon on it. Heaven forbid you play under white cross.

 

[Nubiwan]

What? Loose ball? Loose play? Loose lips?

Loose elastic? Pull yer knickers up.

 

[Nubiwan]

Kruis has been very hard done by IMO. One ropey performance in the first test seems to have cost him his test squad place. He was having a fine tour until then. Same goes for POM. Guess not everyone gets a second chance.

And third. Just rots me. Henderson, Lawes, POM, Kruis all worthy of a chance. 3 of them not making the 23 cut. Warburton walks on ..... After what exactly?

 

[Dabbler]

As an English nut living in Wales, I absolutely love the Lions - it's the only time I get to cheer for the same team as everyone else. I take issue with quite a few things that Gatland has done on this tour:

1. Not taking more Scots. The Scottish players are coming good and it's a crying shame that many Scottish fans are feeling pretty indifferent to the Lions. Watson, Russell and Taylor all might have been interesting picks. While I would usually take Launchbury over Jonny Gray on this year's 6N form, in the name of making the Lions truly representative, I'd give it to Jonny. AWJ shouldn't be on the tour, either on his 6N form or on what he's done in NZ. He's there on reputation alone.

2. The call-up of the 6. Devalued the shirt.

3. Not giving players who have been the best in the shirt on the tour a test start. Lawes has been head and shoulders above AWJ and Henderson hasn't been far behind him. I'd therefore have played both in the 2nd test after AWJ and Kruis bombed in the first test. Ditto McGrath and Marler - both have played better than Mako this tour. A lions tour comes just once every 4 years. It's just not fair to pick favourites who aren't playing that well.

4. Warburton as captain. He played well in the second test, but I don't agree with making him captain twice when that honour was denied to BOD and POC - both of whom were far superior players.

Never mind all that. I'll be in the Halfway cheering on the LADZ for all I'm worth tomorrow.