Warm Up Match 5: Maori All Blacks v British & Irish Lions (Rotorua)

[valley commando]

If Lawes concussion forces him out, then where is the case for Launchbury to step in? Lets be having you. Lad should have been a shoe in for this Lions squad. That is my humble one. Controversial - no doubt. most lads I chat with shake their heads in bemusement at his omission.

If there is a 2nd row replacement to the squad it will be a Grey brother

 

[TRF_Olyy]

If there is a 2nd row replacement to the squad it will be a Grey brother

Why would they pick a vastly inferior player, though?
Just to pander to the Scottish contingent?

 

[MikeTheNative]

I like the Grey bros but I can't see how you could call up anyone other than Launchbury.

 

[MarkyH]

Any replacements will be to provide cover for midweek fixtures. I think it will be players who can get to NZ and adapt quickly, hence it should be players from a similar timezone. Scotland are in Australia, Wales are in NZ already. Flying English players in, as much as I think Launch should be in the squad, really isn't feasible or required. I doubt in this tour any of the backups will make the test 23

 

[TRF_Olyy]

They called a load of English players up from Argentina last time though,
Corbs, wade, twelvetrees, barrit

 

[MarkyH]

True dat. But only Corbs made it to the test 23. The others, along with Shane Williams played only the one midweek game between tests. I think this time we took a larger squad, and I can't see any call ups affecting Gats test 23. If Lawes is out I'd love to see Launch, but he won't take a place in the test match 23 above any others.

 

[MikeTheNative]

After watching that dire game this morning, I'm hoping for some attacking, open play from both sides, that's not too optimistic is it?

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

After watching that dire game this morning, I'm hoping for some attacking, open play from both sides, that's not too optimistic is it?

Supposed to be decent weather tomorrow so we could be in luck! Though I'd imagine an open game would favour the Maoris more than the Lions...

 

[Nubiwan]

???? Did you actually read the comment i was replying too? Somebody claimed that Laidlaw was a lot better goal kicker than Biggar. Perhaps they do it differently in the southern hemisphere but statistics is usually the best way of doing that.

Neither was my attack on you or the original poster personal. Our kickers are all reliable enough without debating their merit as a test player somehow hinging on it. If one or two are out of form, they cannot be carried against the All Blacks. End of story. It is a luxury to have 3 very decent goal kickers in the squad, if not 4 (Farrell, Sexton, 1/2P, Laidlaw and Biggar). To suggest anyone of them should play over another because his goal kicking average is 5 % better than another, just makes me raise an eyebrow

If you want to talk statistics then, in the Lions last 10 outings against the All Blacks, the opposition has scored 24 points on average to our 12. We've won just once. Since that win, the results have been completely one sided (30-13, 21-3, 48-18, 38-19). But go ahead and argue the merits of a better goal kicking percentage all you want. I suggest we need to field the strongest rugby players we have, and there is sure to be a decent goal kicker among them. Not the other way round.

 

[Groundhog]

The last Maori team to play the Lions was pretty bloody good too - maybe less X factor though.

Maori All Blacks: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Rui Tupoki, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Caleb Ralph, 10 David Hill, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Angus MacDonald, 7 Marty Holah, 6 Jono Gibbes (c), 5 Sean Hohneck, 4 Ross Filipo, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Deacon Manu
Replacements: 16 Scott Linklater, 17 Greg Feek, 18 Daniel Braid, 19 Wayne Ormond, 20 Craig McGrath, 21 Carlos Spencer, 22 Neil Brew

Ahhhh Tipoki. If one good thing came of that tour it was Tipoki being spotted by Munster and finding his way to Limerick.... and my heart.

 

[MikeTheNative]

Neither was my attack on you or the original poster personal. Our kickers are all reliable enough without debating their merit as a test player somehow hinging on it. If one or tow are out of form, they cannot be carries against the All Blacks. End of story. It is a luxury to have 3 very decent goal kickers in the squad, if not 4 (Farrell, Sexton, 1/2P, Laidlaw and Biggar). To suggest anyone of them should play over another because his goal kicking average is 5 % better than another, just makes me raise an eyebrow

If you want to talk statistics then, in the Lions last 10 outings against the All Blacks, the opposition has scored 24 points on average to our 12. We've won just once. Since that win, the results have been completely one sided (30-13, 21-3, 48-18, 38-19). But go ahead and argue the merits of a better goal kicking percentage all you want. I suggest we need to field the strongest rugby players we have, and there is sure to be a decent goal kicker among them. Not the other way round.

You still haven't read the original comments. Didn't think it was attack just a sarcy comment about NH picking 10s for goal kicking over anything else and I replied with a sarcy one back. If you read the original posts it wasn't about team selection but Greg Laidlaw being a much better kicker than Dan Biggar which i replied with if you look at the stats he isn't because he is just as good if not better.

 

[Nubiwan]

Any replacements will be to provide cover for midweek fixtures. I think it will be players who can get to NZ and adapt quickly, hence it should be players from a similar timezone. Scotland are in Australia, Wales are in NZ already. Flying English players in, as much as I think Launch should be in the squad, really isn't feasible or required. I doubt in this tour any of the backups will make the test 23

Couple of clouts in the noggin like Lawes took to 2 more locks, and it could be stand by for Launch Surely not so unrealistic.

 

[MarkyH]

Would LOVE to see Launch in a Lions shirt! But we need him called up now so he's ready for the next midweek game. Same if we pick Ford as an extra FH. If we go for a Gray or Finn then I think we can delay the call up for a day or so...

However, if it is just for midweek cover, just pick the ones closest who are about to tour, not lads who are further away mid tour

 

[Nubiwan]

You still haven't read the original comments. Didn't think it was attack just a sarcy comment about NH picking 10s for goal kicking over anything else and I replied with a sarcy one back. If you read the original posts it wasn't about team selection but Greg Laidlaw being a much better kicker than Dan Biggar which i replied with if you look at the stats he isn't because he is just as good if not better.

Alright then. Apologies for the high horse. I'll get off.

My comment again was around any suggestion a better average goal kicker should get an automatic spot in the test side.

 

[MikeTheNative]

Alright then. Apologies for the high horse. I'll get off.

My comment again was around any suggestion a better average goal kicker should get an automatic spot in the test side.

I agree with what you said, but it wasn't really to do with what I was posting about. But now I read my reply it also seemed I was a bit aggressive when I didn't mean to be, apologies as well. Are we friends again now?

 

[Jakedood]

 

[Groundhog]

FWIW Murray Kinsella who is reliable is also reporting 5/6 replacements.

 

[MikeTheNative]

View attachment 5277

Just jealous of what we have. Seems everyone is reporting the 5/6 replacements now.

 

[Nubiwan]

They called a load of English players up from Argentina last time though,
Corbs, wade, twelvetrees, barrit

Is Argentina not closer to NZ in any event? My Geog is not that great, but surely closer than UK.

EDIT: A cursory Google search confirms it almost half the distance.

 

[Nubiwan]

I agree with what you said, but it wasn't really to do with what I was posting about. But now I read my reply it also seemed I was a bit aggressive when I didn't mean to be, apologies as well. Are we friends again now?

No! You welsh git