Warm Up Match 6: Waikato Chiefs v British & Irish Lions (Hamilton)

[Nubiwan]

Pretty weak Chiefs side and it seems from the comments a pretty weak Lions side as well, pretty much confirmation that they shouldn't have played the Wednesday before the first test. Won't tell us anything either way.

Pointless outing if only to keep some of the Lions match fit. Play for a spot inn the subsequent test, Hope for injuries.

 

[MikeTheNative]

Regarding injuries there has only been two so far (sent home) I thought the Lions would have had a few more than that by now.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Wonder whether my Chiefs training shirt will arrive in time for this...

 

[valley commando]

Of the Welsh replacements, I think people that haven't seen Dacey play will be pleasantly surprised if and when he gets game time, he is a converted flanker and as a hooker offers plenty in the loose, scrummages well and is decent with his darts, all this plus his most of his early career was at the greatest rugby club in the world (PONTY)

 

[MikeTheNative]

Of the Welsh replacements, I think people that haven't seen Dacey play will be pleasantly surprised if and when he gets game time, he is a converted flanker and as a hooker offers plenty in the loose, scrummages well and is decent with his darts, all this plus his most of his early career was at the greatest rugby club in the world (PONTY)

I said this when he was called up, he's a pretty decent player (although there are others better from other countries), been unlucky he hasn't had more of a chance for Wales considering Baldwin. Hill and Francis though are bang average players who I don't really want playing for Wales frankly.

 

[valley commando]

I said this when he was called up, he's a pretty decent player (although there are others better from other countries), been unlucky he hasn't had more of a chance for Wales considering Baldwin. Hill and Francis though are bang average players who I don't really want playing for Wales frankly.

Funny thing about Hill, 4 years ago Laurence Dellagio predicted Cory Hill as a future Lion.
Agree with you Hill and Francis are pretty average club players extremely lucky to get the call.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Pointless outing if only to keep some of the Lions match fit. Play for a spot inn the subsequent test, Hope for injuries.

Looking at the last Lions tour 7 of the 23 who played in the mid week game v the Brumbies played a part in 1st test v the Wallabies. Corbs was on the bench and ended up starting, so AWJ being on bench this time v the Chiefs may mean nothing and he could well be starting in place of Maro. The other 6 (Youngs (who started v Brumbies), Hibbard, Cole, Parling, Lydiate and Farrell all ended up on the bench for the first test).

Although this time round the squad, what with he 6 called in, is now 45 versus the 37 plus 5 covering players they called up last time.

The 22 not playing will have a full week to prepare for the 1st test. Still, not convinced JJ will be included as player covering the 23 shirt; think it will be either Daly or Williams, so all to play for at least to get onto the bench if they have a stormer v the Chiefs.

 

[bazwaz]

Pretty weak Chiefs side and it seems from the comments a pretty weak Lions side as well, pretty much confirmation that they shouldn't have played the Wednesday before the first test. Won't tell us anything either way.

No such thing as a weak Chiefs side my friend...

 

[SomeOke]

No such thing as a weak Chiefs side my friend...

Haha I mean objectively weaker than they should be, I like the Chiefs btw and generally support them in NZ derbies (I dislike the Saders and the Canes for some reason).

TKB, Cruden, D-Mac, Retallick, Cane, Lowe these guys are the heart and soul of your side.

Stevenson's got some swag, as does TNW, and Bird is a top class player, the rest are either too young too old, or just not up to your usual high standard.

 

[TobesHodges]

I personally feel sorry for Biggar having to pair with Laidlaw, who always seems to take an age to get the ball out and decide what to do..

Warburton clearly starting 7 next week end, come on, what has he done? Looked mediocre this tour, SOB, Tipuric have all looked better.. I'd even have Itoje at 6,7..

God I hope Stander passes a ball or even looks like he might!

 

[bazwaz]

Haha I mean objectively weaker than they should be, I like the Chiefs btw and generally support them in NZ derbies (I dislike the Saders and the Canes for some reason).

TKB, Cruden, D-Mac, Retallick, Cane, Lowe these guys are the heart and soul of your side.

Stevenson's got some swag, as does TNW, and Bird is a top class player, the rest are either too young too old, or just not up to your usual high standard.

Assumption is the mother of all fuckups...

 

[Larksea]

going to the game, I actually went to the 1993 game but I was pretty young and dont remember much of it other than that we thrashed them and big celebration that followed.

Renee is a very good coach and players in the squad just seem to perform so I hope it is a good game. IMO Renee is such a good coach you can never count a his team out... But it is a shame this wont be a #1 chiefs side. You take Cruden, dmac, retalick and Cane out of the chiefs and its no longer the same champion side. Messam is there but he's benched.

It really is a night for the chiefs fringe players, a chance for the guys who dont get regular game time to make a statement on a big stage. Maybe signal to Cooper that they deserve a look in next season. But in the end the lions should be strong favorites.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Terrible kick from Biggar already.

 

[MarkyH]

Tips & Lawes great start! Ideally you'd want game changers in the test 23. These two offer a 'point of difference'

 

[Bluemoon]

Dreadfully slow service from Laidlaw again. Followed by a box kick to nothing and Lions are under pressure. Shame as the forwards are doing really well.

 

[MarkyH]

Laidlaw walking to the breakdown... :/

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Should of scored there.

 

[saulan]

No such thing as a weak Chiefs side my friend...

There's always a weak version of a team. Springboks were terribly weak last year, in the case of the Chiefs, they had a weak side in 2010-2011. Personally, I don't think they are weak right now, they have just had a few issues with consistency in the season. They lost to the Stormers, but have fronted up well to New Zealand opposition. But they also haven't looked as dominant as their other New Zealand counterparts have looked against foreign opposition. Should be an interesting match. They're definitely in with a shout in this match. This mid-week Lions squad has not been performing particularly well.

 

[smartcooky]

dirty prick!

 

[Bluemoon]

Marler? Foul play? But he's usually such a measured and disciplined player