Here's a thread for you rugger buggers. The lions team has been announced for the first test against Australia on Saturday. What do you make of the team? 8 Welshmen, 4 Irishmen, 3 Englishmen and zero Scots named in the team. Is Gatland being objective with his selection or is he favouring the Welsh players? Personally, I think he is favouring the Welsh players at the expense of the English lads. How do you expect the first test and the rest of the tour to go? Bad defeat the other day. The first Lions loss against a Provincial side for over 16 years or something. Aussie R's, what are the locals saying? Do they expect to win?
First match being played at Suncorp about 8kms away. Was gonna go as tickets are around but gonna be busy. General feeling is the lions are gonna win this test, but the reds gave them a good game at Suncorp a couple of weeks ago and showed how to beat them. the Brumbies aint a great team and certainly not as good as the reds, but they just expanded on what the Reds did. The lions have to much strentgh in depth for the local teams, but will find it a bit more difficult against the national side. Union not as big as league up here but game will be sold out and a lot of travelling support in & around Brissie right now. Sat night is going to be a great night out in town!!! Meeing up with a couple of Jock lads to watch the game although Im sure they wot be happy. Think he's favouring the Welsh at the moment but isnt that because they have the best team at present?-not sure Whatever happens it'll be 52,000 fans all screaming thier team on & the travelling (&ex pat) army numbered about 20,000 for the reds game. Should be more this weekend.! gonna be a good game i think..!
What do you mean act aren't as good as the reds. they are top of the table above the reds and have beaten the reds this year. You know f all about egg chucking. Hahaha. The lions team that lost was not their strongest. All ways the way in lions teams who every coach's picks his countries players
What do mean favouring the Welsh over the English (with exception of Owen Farrell), the English lads are not as good as they think they are....The 6 Nations showed that.....and you should play the best of the 6 Nations players....and attempt to play as a team. The Welsh were a magnificent TEAM last year, better than some of the component parts should expect. ....I hope for a win
I'm going for the conspiracy theory that Gatland picked a weakened side on purpose, why play a full back at fly half? And then pick four players that just got off the plane two days previous? Anyway, it worked everyone here seems cock a hoop and confident now whereas a week ago it was all about how awesome the Lions were. Should be a great game however, looking forward to see how the Lions deal with Folau.
To be honest, not that into rugby union. Real men play rugby league but seeing were playing you guys, just gotta support the locals, eh. As long as the ref doesn't decide the game .................... and of course, it is not a kick / goal fest. Probably the main reason I my main focus is not with them.
You've set this up brilliantly for a good argument Finglas. The current welsh team is excellent and will be challenging for six nations honours for the next few years. They have a great blend of youth, pace and power. However, this Australia team has the hoodoo over them. Consistently beating them. The simple fact is that all the six nation countries are well behind the Southern Hemisphere heavyweights. Gatland has picked a good team but IMHO he had made a few mistakes with his back row selections. I know Warburton is a fantastic player but he is not playing anywhere near his best. On form only, he should not be starting. How Tom Croft was selected ahead of Sean O'Brien simply defies logic. O'Brien is a one man wrecking machine and dismantled Australia's back row in the last World Cup. Finally I can't understand how Jamie Heaslip even made the tour panel let alone the test side. While he is a decent player he's nowhere near as good as Tipuruc or Lydiate. The Lions will win a tight series with them reverting to huge ball carriers to smash the Australian defence.bad weather will suit the lions. It won't be pretty.
Ha ha ha that old chestnut! Anyway you poor bugger you a Titans fan? As you can probably guess I'm a bit of a Storm fan, love both codes however.
Okay, don't shoot the welshman here... I think the team is as good as he could have picked based on what I've seen so far and what was available to be picked. Even though it's stacked with taffs, the pack is what almost what you would have expected - Vunipola can feel disappointed not to start at 1 but Corbisiero will do enough damage to allow Vunipola to shine when he comes on - there has been a suggestion that he's a better loosehead and has been targeted for penalties as he is prone to burrowing in. The second row picked itself and the back row became obvious last Saturday. Warburton is trusted by Gatland and manages the referees well. Tipuric and O'Brien are unlucky but great options later on. Surprised not to see Felatau on the bench but expect him to get time later. Phillips has not been brilliant but has the game to take on the Wallabies as he proved in the recent series. Sexton has performed better than Farrell although Farrell didn't do himself any favours vs the barbarians - poor decision making at first and reaction too getting snotted. By comparison when Phillips got a hand to the face, he blew the Waratahs scrum half a kiss Roberts is a genuine loss at 12 as is Tuillagi; Davies has done more than enough to push O'Driscoll but I couldn't see him starting at 13 just yet. North and Halfpenny - say no more - although Hogg has played well at FB. Cuthbert is there because Bowe is injured, Zebo may feature next week. Maitland has been less than impressive and is lucky to be on the bench (a bit harsh maybe). The bench looks light in the backs only Farrell and Maitland as cover for 10-15 but I expect the game will be won in the front 5. The Wallabies are not as weak as some have suggested although O'Connor is potentially a risk at 10. My optimism (well I follow QPR ffs) had me predicting a 3-0 series win to the Lions although I'll be happy with 2-1 with a narrow defeat in Sydney. The atmosphere at the Waratahs was awesome, full of red shirts and noisy. Looking forward to watching the first test on TV (couldn't get a ticket ) but will be watching at the Rebels on Tuesday and the 2nd test on 29th.
The series is shaping up nicely....really can not under-estimate the Aussies they have shown over the years that they are a good test side.....the only slight advantage the Lions have is that the Aussie National side has not played together for a while so they may be a bit rusty as a side....good time to play them and get the upper hand early.......a 2-1 test series win for the Lions but need to get off to a winning start otherwise could be in trouble.
I tried to set it up as a debate. I'm only an armchair rugby fan and don't really know so much about the game. It's a good thread so far. There are some great, knowledgeable contributions. Didn't mean to upset you Beth. Yeah, Wales won the 6 nations but only on points difference. England were second. Scoland were third and Ireland were fifth. Gatland is an ex coach of both Ireland and Wales and I think he is favouring the players from those two countries at the expense of England and Scotland.
Fair enough mate, what do you reckon on the Soward situation? I guess it free's up a spot for someone who want to play for your boys. Gutted that Gareth Widdop is on his way to you, quick feet and a quick brain, he's really playing well this season
Lucky bugger! How did you get tickets?! I've got some members in the gym on the lookout for corporates at the moment. Agree about O'Connor, can't help but think the boys will be rumbling over the top of him throughout.
Mate. i've been planning this for months... Only missed out on 1st test because somebody else was meant to get them and had cashflow issues... didn't tell us til it was too late. Didn't fancy the 3rd test as the stadium is awful, but AAMI park will be great and Etihad will be PUMPING for the 2nd test!!! They will try to outdo the record crowd of the 2001 test. It is still the biggest crowd for a football code at the venue.
Im never upset...but was really impressed by the Welsh TEAM this year...poor start, they grew into it...and played so so well in the last match decider against the English. The English had it always in their own hands, but faded fast as the hype began to hit home. I keep harping on about it...but rugby and footy is a TEAM game. If we had played as a TEAM last season, we would be looking at still playing Man U this year. That is why I am not surprised by the Lions team at all.....and feel that Gatland has built it around a team of players...and slotted in other players where there is a star performer. Warburton for example...is the best team player....but not necessarily the star player...he can help control the team. I also suspect that is why Farrell is not starting...his decision making at critical points is not good.....but he is an outstanding player Anyway that is the lunchtime rant over Come on the Lions ..... England /Scotland/ Wales/Ireland expects!
This Lions side WILL win Saturday night and I shall be there in my Hoops to witness the fact, coz I've recently mislaid my 2001 tour Lions top, gutted. you didn't 'borrow' it did you queenslandrangers?
You never know 'farflung' ...........you may find it at the base of the front door. The Aussies may find some backbone and walk all over it. Regardless of the result, hope you find it.
Okay anyone want to discuss the premise that there were too many Welshmen, or the presence of Sam Warbrton now!!! Great (but a bit of a lucky win) Pitch awful in certain areas....the pitch caused the scum to give away the final penalty....and the pitch caused the penalty to be missed Regardless ...one up, ....a good place to be (It is great to watch a team, sorry two teams, with such commitment. Haven't seen that in the live sport I have been watching this year!)
