The Lions Tour of Oz 2013

[Alan Medic]

I'll enter a team later today though I still haven't worked out why NOT to select tomorrow's starting XV.

[red devil]

Alan Medic Wrote:

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> I'll enter a team later today though I still

> haven't worked out why NOT to select tomorrow's

> starting XV.

Because in the next game a lot of them might not play?

You only have 15 transfers over the next 6 non-Test matches, which is 2.5 transfers per match.

It's therefore probably impossible to pick the starting XV for all 7 non-Test matches, so you have to try and go for a balance, and include players who are not playing in the first game, but will get a game eventually. You've also got to factor in that the manager will have an idea of his Test match side and will want to give those players sufficent playing time in the non-Test matches. And you will also probably be forced to make a transfer or two due to injury, so wise to keep a few transfers held back.

My auto-select team only came up with 3 of tomorrow's starting XV, which I think is too light, so I will use the amnesty and transfer a few of the starting XV into my team...how many?...not telling ;-)

[JohnL]

Match tomorrow - looking forward to it :)

[Alan Medic]

The Fantasy rugby site is doing some strange things. Can't seem to complete my entry.

[red devil]

Alan Medic Wrote:

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> The Fantasy rugby site is doing some strange

> things. Can't seem to complete my entry.

Probably lots of last minute entries, you'll just have to keep on trying.

Mick, you haven't joined the League yet...

[CARA49]

'

[Alan Medic]

The only negative today in my view was Farrell. His discipline let him down when he was held and that could be costly in a more important match. I'm sorry Madigan isn't on tour and I hope the management don't regret selecting only two number 10's.

[red devil]

Meds & Mick, are you going to submit your teams to the League?

You might as well, lots of points to play for, and think of the kudos if you win.

I can record the first round scores and do an alternative 'what if' table at the end...

[maxxi]

Is any of this tour going to be shown anywhere other than on Sky? (highlights etc.) If not I shall probably lose interest (like I did in boxing years ago).

[Alan Medic]

red devil Wrote:

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> Meds & Mick, are you going to submit your teams to

> the League?

> You might as well, lots of points to play for, and

> think of the kudos if you win.

> I can record the first round scores and do an

> alternative 'what if' table at the end...

I'm fed up trying.......

[red devil]

Not like you Meds, not to be trying...

[Chillaxed]

I see Woodward is sounding off about the Aussies 'dispectin' the Lions bruv'. He even notes that they may lose Lions tour privileges. As if.

The Lions are a great tradition but let's not get on our high horse, eh Clive?

[maxxi]

Like a money-spinning 'opener' in Hong Kong wasn't disrespecting the tour enough...

[JohnL]

It's a game (as in everybody's trying to knock the other side down)

Don't like any of it - but the Aussies are experts - Lions will walk into an ambush - hope we're up to it.

[Alan Medic]

I think Woodward did enough disrespecting of the Lions when he managed the tour to NZ. However, given how much the host union makes from these tours compared to the visitors,it only right that the teams they face are up to scratch and field their best XV. If the Lions lose the series there will be serious questions asked about future tours.

My nailed on test players so far:

1/2p

Sexton

Phillips

Heaslip

O'Connell

[JohnL]

Can't see Adam Jones missing IMHO

I still see him as possibly 'player we can least afford to lose'

Alan Medic Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I think Woodward did enough disrespecting of the

> Lions when he managed the tour to NZ. However,

> given how much the host union makes from these

> tours compared to the visitors,it only right that

> the teams they face are up to scratch and field

> their best XV. If the Lions lose the series there

> will be serious questions asked about future

> tours.

>

> My nailed on test players so far:

> 1/2p

> Sexton

> Phillips

> Heaslip

> O'Connell

[JohnL]

Heaslip looks good

- but if Faletau has a stormer against Queensland it's in the air again.

[david_carnell]

Halfpenny seems to have nailed down fullback and I can't see anyone budging North from the wing either.

Centre combo is up for grabs I reckon though BOD and Tuilagi look favourites.

Do you pair Sexton with his Irish scrum-half, Murray, or the better player in Phillips?

[david_carnell]

As an adendum to that last thought, I had a radical idea the other day.

Would the Lions team be more successful if each unit of players was from the same country?

So, an all Welsh front row; English locks; Welsh back row; Irish half backs; Welsh centres; Scots fullback and wings etc?

Would the continuity of play make up for perhaps not having the best player in each position?

[Chillaxed]

You still need cohesion between each of those units though DC. You could equally bracket the 8 with the halfback and first five.

[Alan Medic]

Alan Medic Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I think Woodward did enough disrespecting of the

> Lions when he managed the tour to NZ. However,

> given how much the host union makes from these

> tours compared to the visitors,it only right that

> the teams they face are up to scratch and field

> their best XV. If the Lions lose the series there

> will be serious questions asked about future

> tours.

>

> My nailed on test players so far:

> 1/2p

> Sexton

> Phillips

> Heaslip

> O'Connell

I'd add North to that list and would have Bowe but a shame he is injured.

Great game from Queensland today but no scrum or lineout cost them. There was no mention on tv of Farrell limping as being part of the injury list. Hope having only two 10's isn't a mistake. Wonder who they will call in for Bowe. Madigan would be my pick. He seems to be the sort of guy who can play anywhere in the backline and very talented.

[Alan Medic]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/britishandirishlionsrugby/10107779/Lions-v-Reds-Owen-Farrell-showed-he-was-not-good-enough-to-be-in-this-squad.html

Interesting Telegraph article. They reckon Zebo will we called in and that Farrell isn't good enough yet. Same could be said probably of Conor Murray at SH. Ben Youngs probably got himself a place on the bench for the 1st test after today's performance.

[Chillaxed]

Agree that North should be nailed on. And that Youngs looked the biz. I thought Warburton was pretty good too, if a little short of pace when he was going for the line in the first half. Decent game.

[SheldorAFK]

I do think that Gatland is spoilt for choice in a number of positions and will have a number of options who can make an impact from the bench. I've been impressed with players like Maitland, Vunipola who not many people were talking about when selection was announced. In short, there is plenty of strength in depth and seem to be 'geling' well no matter who is selected where - granted the quality of opposition played so far will not be the level as the Australian national team. I'm confident of a 3-0 win for the lions. My first choice XV based on games so far would be;

Adam Jones

Richard Hibbard

Mako Vunipola

Paul O'Connell

Alun Wyn Jones

Sean O'Brien

Justin Tipuric/Sam Warburton

Toby Faletau

Mike Phillips

Jonathan Sexton

George North

Jamie Roberts

BOD

Alex Cuthbert

Leigh Halfpenny

[Mick Mac]

One week to go and investing a bit of time on watching the 1997 series on Sky.

1st test ; The boks had a try disallowed for forward pass on 69 mins when already leading and would have been 3-0 in tries. They seemed dominant but lions then kicked into action for the first time in the game. Amazing really as never close to scoring a try before Dawson dummy. Great game.

Jeremy Davidson was absolutely dominant in the line out.