J
Jer1cho
Guest
Ok guys, it's that time again. Jer1cho's pre-match summary, prediction, and interesting facts...
So, first up, let's have a look at both teams:
British & Irish Lions (vs Western Province):
15. Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland)
13. Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland)
12. Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England)
11. Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England)
10. Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales)
9. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England)
8. Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
7. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
6. Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England)
5. Nathan Hines (Perpignan/Scotland)
4. Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster/Ireland)
3. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England, captain)
2. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)
1. Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks/England)
Replacements
Ross Ford, Euan Murray, Simon Shaw, Tom Croft, Mike Blair, James Hook, Gordon D’Arcy
When looking at this Lions team, i think it's pretty obvious what the coaching staff are thinking. I think the main purpose of this team, is to make sure that the starters get in a last round of game time, and that some players in key positions have a last chance to pull off their best. The centre pair will need to step up this week, although i think it's a certainty that the best either of those two can do is guarantee a spot on the bench. A possible test winger combination has been chosen, so Monye and Bowe will need to make sure they score some tries and are solid on the afternoon.
Vickery has a mountain to climb, but perhaps he is not as unfit as he looks... Jones will be looking to put in another solid performance, as i am sure he knows that he has a very good chance of starting in the test side. The backrow is pretty strong, and Powell should put in a mammoth performance, even though i think his chances are slim at starting with Heaslip being in wonderful form. We should see all of the bench get a run, with Hook to come on fairly early.
It's a decent team, and if they get their structures right, should pull off a win.
Western Province:
15. Joe Pietersen
14. Tonderai Chavhanga
13. Morgan Newman
12. Peter Grant
11. Gcobani Bobo
10. Willem de Waal
9. Dewaldt Duvenage
8. Luke Watson (captain)
7. Duane Vermeulen
6. Pieter Louw
5. Anton van Zyl
4. Martin Muller
3. Brok Harris
2. Tiaan Liebenberg
1. Wicus Blaauw
Reserves: JD Moller, Hanyani Shimange, De Kock Steenkamp, Zandre Jordaan, Conrad Hoffmann, JJ Engelbrecht, Gio Aplon
A pretty solid team here too. The bolded players are the ones the Lions should aim to contain. Tonderai Chavhanga is blisteringly fast, and if he is given any space, he WILL score. Number 15 Joe Pieterson is also a very good attacking player, while Willem de Waal and Peter Grant will aim to keep structure at the back, and provide good ball for the wingers.
Then, on to everyones favorite, Luke Watson. A real pit-bull at the breakdown. He is the most loved/hated and controversial player in SA rugby. One thing that must be said though, is that he is a very VERY good player, and has a lot of skill around the breakdown. He will need to be watched, as turn-overs are his speciality. The other Province star is number 7 Duane Vermeulen. He is a talented youngster, and will definitely be a threat, and a solid player in defense. They do have the team to pull off an upset, but in the end, i think the Lions might just pip them.
It should be another close game, but i think the Lions will take it at the end.
So on to one of the most beautiful cities on Earth, Cape Town. Newlands is the venue, and Kick-off is at 15:00CAT.
Here are my interesting facts for the mother city:
- Cape Town is the second most populous city in South Africa, as well as the legislative capital of South Africa.
- Cape Town is Africa's most popular destination for tourism
- The original name given to Table mountain by the first Khoi inhabitants was Hoeri 'kwaggo ("sea mountain").
- Cape Town was originally developed by the Dutch East India Company as a victualling (supply) station for Dutch ships sailing to Eastern Africa, India, and the Far East
Enjoy the game guys.
So, first up, let's have a look at both teams:
British & Irish Lions (vs Western Province):
15. Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland)
13. Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland)
12. Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England)
11. Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England)
10. Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales)
9. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England)
8. Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
7. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
6. Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England)
5. Nathan Hines (Perpignan/Scotland)
4. Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster/Ireland)
3. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England, captain)
2. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)
1. Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks/England)
Replacements
Ross Ford, Euan Murray, Simon Shaw, Tom Croft, Mike Blair, James Hook, Gordon D’Arcy
When looking at this Lions team, i think it's pretty obvious what the coaching staff are thinking. I think the main purpose of this team, is to make sure that the starters get in a last round of game time, and that some players in key positions have a last chance to pull off their best. The centre pair will need to step up this week, although i think it's a certainty that the best either of those two can do is guarantee a spot on the bench. A possible test winger combination has been chosen, so Monye and Bowe will need to make sure they score some tries and are solid on the afternoon.
Vickery has a mountain to climb, but perhaps he is not as unfit as he looks... Jones will be looking to put in another solid performance, as i am sure he knows that he has a very good chance of starting in the test side. The backrow is pretty strong, and Powell should put in a mammoth performance, even though i think his chances are slim at starting with Heaslip being in wonderful form. We should see all of the bench get a run, with Hook to come on fairly early.
It's a decent team, and if they get their structures right, should pull off a win.
Western Province:
15. Joe Pietersen
14. Tonderai Chavhanga
13. Morgan Newman
12. Peter Grant
11. Gcobani Bobo
10. Willem de Waal
9. Dewaldt Duvenage
8. Luke Watson (captain)
7. Duane Vermeulen
6. Pieter Louw
5. Anton van Zyl
4. Martin Muller
3. Brok Harris
2. Tiaan Liebenberg
1. Wicus Blaauw
Reserves: JD Moller, Hanyani Shimange, De Kock Steenkamp, Zandre Jordaan, Conrad Hoffmann, JJ Engelbrecht, Gio Aplon
A pretty solid team here too. The bolded players are the ones the Lions should aim to contain. Tonderai Chavhanga is blisteringly fast, and if he is given any space, he WILL score. Number 15 Joe Pieterson is also a very good attacking player, while Willem de Waal and Peter Grant will aim to keep structure at the back, and provide good ball for the wingers.
Then, on to everyones favorite, Luke Watson. A real pit-bull at the breakdown. He is the most loved/hated and controversial player in SA rugby. One thing that must be said though, is that he is a very VERY good player, and has a lot of skill around the breakdown. He will need to be watched, as turn-overs are his speciality. The other Province star is number 7 Duane Vermeulen. He is a talented youngster, and will definitely be a threat, and a solid player in defense. They do have the team to pull off an upset, but in the end, i think the Lions might just pip them.
It should be another close game, but i think the Lions will take it at the end.
So on to one of the most beautiful cities on Earth, Cape Town. Newlands is the venue, and Kick-off is at 15:00CAT.
Here are my interesting facts for the mother city:
- Cape Town is the second most populous city in South Africa, as well as the legislative capital of South Africa.
- Cape Town is Africa's most popular destination for tourism
- The original name given to Table mountain by the first Khoi inhabitants was Hoeri 'kwaggo ("sea mountain").
- Cape Town was originally developed by the Dutch East India Company as a victualling (supply) station for Dutch ships sailing to Eastern Africa, India, and the Far East
Enjoy the game guys.
