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No worries Alpha Bro. Just having a bit of Craic with you.
. We'll make a Lions fan out of you yet. Or maybe not.
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(Very) early thoughts on the 2017 Lions
- Thread starter dai_seven
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No worries Alpha Bro. Just having a bit of Craic with you.
. We'll make a Lions fan out of you yet. Or maybe not.
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Well Howley would be head coach at the majority of other internationals teams according to welsh players.........
Which is true TBH.
Which is true TBH.
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Of the 103 or so national rugby teams; he's good enought to be head coach at about 90% of them I'd have thought.
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Exactly I think every team that is below USA he could prob be head coach of maybe.
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Been fair that doesn't say a ehole lot as majority of coaches with any top 10 side would be in same boat
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I think that's the point, he's ****ing useless as far as top level coaches go
I don't expect to see too many Scottish players involved now with no Scot on the coaching team to put forward their case, especially for those marginal selection calls. Although they will be in Australia at the same time and so it'll be easy to fly to NZ should any get called up as replacements.
Mike Rolls
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I was quite sad to see Jamie Roberts against SA. He looked, compared to how he used to be, slow and ponderous. He was a great player in his day, but at the very top level it does look as though his day is done, and by the time the Lions tour he will be that much older. I'm surprised that some folk are touting him as a Lion this time roun.
Mike
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Unless I have missed something (I haven't read all of the thread) I am surprised that nobody seems to have mentioned Hogg as full back. To my mind he seems to be the best, in all round terms (leaving aside goal kicking - there are a lot of excellent goal kickers around) of the current crop of NH 15s.
Mike
Mike
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Unless I have missed something (I haven't read all of the thread) I am surprised that nobody seems to have mentioned Hogg as full back. To my mind he seems to be the best, in all round terms (leaving aside goal kicking - there are a lot of excellent goal kickers around) of the current crop of NH 15s.
Mike
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Can I be a complete spoiler here. Gatland is a good coach but here is a fairish assessment.
The Lions beat a poor Aus team with troubles 2-1 in the series.
My point is his tactics worked just about BUT as the AIs show Wales haven't a great record against SH teams and here is ehy. His tactics aren't great and you might get away against a poor Aus squad. But NZ, and I accept this isn't best NZ, will not be bashed and if we try it they'll run rings around us. Ireland showed it in November, France in a way did the same and England back in their prime showed it. The only way to compete is yes be commited but you have to play rugby of your own too
The Lions beat a poor Aus team with troubles 2-1 in the series.
My point is his tactics worked just about BUT as the AIs show Wales haven't a great record against SH teams and here is ehy. His tactics aren't great and you might get away against a poor Aus squad. But NZ, and I accept this isn't best NZ, will not be bashed and if we try it they'll run rings around us. Ireland showed it in November, France in a way did the same and England back in their prime showed it. The only way to compete is yes be commited but you have to play rugby of your own too
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Not sure that's exactly a controversial opinion, MM
Manu would be my pick, if fit and I would be very intrigued to see him paired with Huw Jones assuming the latter keeps up his form.
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The only 12's I'd consider are Farrell or Henshaw. Henshaw is definitely taking one of the centre spots, operating at a different level for a while now.
I do like Huw Jones though, he's definitely more Gatland than Ringrose who I'd rather go to North America, I predict both to improve their stock over the 6n too.
I do like Huw Jones though, he's definitely more Gatland than Ringrose who I'd rather go to North America, I predict both to improve their stock over the 6n too.
Are you favouring Farrell because of his goal kicking or you think he's a better inside centre than Manu, Dunbar and the other specialists in that position? I imagine 1/2P will start at 15 which means goal kicking is covered. Agree Henshaw should be in. I can see the logic in having Farrell as cover for 12 and 10 but not sure if versatility trumps specialism given that replacements can be easily called upon.
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I think Sexton-Farrell-Henshaw is a combo with a lot of intelligence that would be very solid defensively, in the unlikely event a coach would be able to get these guys working harmoniously they could cause NZ trouble.
Mike Rolls
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Who'd be a selector? Halfpenny is a fine goal kicker - and one will be needed - but I think that Hogg offers more in counterattack - a more complete version of Brown. But that would leave a kicker needed. I will never forget England v France 2005 when between them Hodgson and Barkley missed six place kicks at goal and one drop goal attempt - and France won by a single point! To my mind - assuming Farrell isn't in the max at 12, that would look to Sexton at 10.
Mike
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I think if Gatland wasn't in charge then halfpenny wouldn't really be in the conversation.
Liam Williams and Hogg are both clearly better
Liam Williams and Hogg are both clearly better
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Yep - I'm 100% in agreement with you there. Henshaw is excellent at 12 or 13 which makes him an obvious pick to tour and a very strong contender to start in the centre.
I actually the emergence of Ringrose is a bonus for Gatland as there's a fairly good chance that Schmidt could go in to the 6N playing Henshaw at 12, Ringrose at 13 and Payne at 15. I don't think Ringrose will make the tour, but Henshaw at 12 and Payne at 15 are definitely possibilities for the Lions, so it would be beneficial for Gatland (and Ireland) to have them playing in arguably their strongest positions.
IMO, there's not much to choose between Ringrose and Jones. Both are definitely in the 'bolter' category, but with the likes of Joseph, Davies, Payne (as a 13) and Daly providing quality and experience at outside centre, I'd be surprised if Gatland goes for for either Ringrose or Jones unless injuries force his hand.
Farrell deserves his place either as a 10 or a 12 IMO. It's so much more than just his kicking. I wasn't a huge fan of him moving to 12 for England, but he's started to convince me that he can perform the role of a playmaking 12 and I find it hard to see how anyone can seriously question his abilities as a 10 given Saracens success domestically and in Europe. He's not popular, but he is (deservedly) a certain tourist.
Manu isn't an option until he can prove his fitness and considering the extent of his injury problems in the past 18 months or so, that's nowhere near a given. I think he also needs to prove he can adapt to playing 12 - particularly in defence - before he's a serious option. I hope he does, but we've seen a few false dawns with Manu already ...
I rate Dunbar and I think he's an excellent all-rounder, but I don't see him having the 'point of difference' the others offer to shoehorn his way in to the squad.
Let's see if Gatland agrees with you. It all depends on the gameplan and tactics he feels are best suited to beating the ABs and then choosing the best players to execute that plan. I too would have Farrell on the plane but Gatland has favoured the battering ram type of 12 in the past and I'm not sure he will deviate from that. In any case Farrell should get plenty chances to showcase his abilities at 12 at the 6N.
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