**Official** 2005 Lions tour of New Zealand

[Tim]

There was a piece on the 6 o'clock news which suggested that Woodward was going to get tough & I think it has begun this evening.

It's no more Mr. Niceguy.

 

[JASON]

Shane Williams was pretty fast on occasions but overall didn't have much to do in the game. I agree with Tim he may not make it past the bench or if he is lucky he might get a few minutes of game time.

Steve Thompson had a poor game in terms of line out throws but may still make the bench.

Murphy messed up a little in the first half but made a great break/pass that helped the lions build the lead at the end. I think he would still make the Test.

Lions name their Team on Wednesday (after next Tuesday's game) morning even though it is extremely unlikely that anyone from that game is going to be picked !!

 

[BoyBrumby]

Lions name their Team on Wednesday (after next Tuesday's game) morning even though it is extremely unlikely that anyone from that game is going to be picked !!

But it's fair enough tho, it would be utterly demoralising to have to turn out knowing you don't even have a nominal chance of a test berth.

 

[Tim]

The Lions will be fairly pleased though. That Otago was side was decent and considering that was one of the weaker Lions sides, they still managed to win 30-19 so I think they'll be ok with that.

However, teams like Otago, Wellington etc are still a far cry from the All Blacks and at least 2 or 3 notches above the Maori side which beat the Lions last week.

 

[superkingdave]

they reckon the backs will be Peel, Wilkinson, Shanklin, Henson, O'Driscoll, Thomas, Lewsey

 

[Tim]

Yeah I can see that too.

Although I like the look of the fullback Murphy from Ireland. Im not convinced that Lewsey is a big match player & Murphy looks as though he's got a bit of that creative flair that the Lions need at the back.

Shanklin over Robinson would be tight but to be honest Robinson didn't really do much at all against Wellington & Shanklin has been steady..so if they're picking on tour form then Shanklin should make it in ahead.

I think they've got to play Henson at 2nd five. He looks like a line breaker & his punting could be very useful in the tests.

Wilkinson looked average against Wellington..but out of all the 5/8's on tour he's probably the best choice.

 

[Smudge]

I was at the Otago match - I was drunk and abusive to say the least.

I kept turning round to the Lions fans and yelling "Is that all you've got?"

Probably the best game of the tour so far, in terms of quality. The shock of the night was Neil Brew making a break.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Probably the best game of the tour so far, in terms of quality. The shock of the night was Neil Brew making a break.

He not well thought of down there then? He looked to have got the better of Will Greenwood when they had their little bout of handbags after Will scored.

 

[Smudge]

He not well thought of down there then? He looked to have got the better of Will Greenwood when they had their little bout of handbags after Will scored.

That would be an understatement - he's been a journeyman at best for Otago since he's came down here from Taranaki.

 

[BoyBrumby]

That makes the way Hickie & Hodgson fell off their tackles even more alarming. Not that I think either will make our 22. If Charlie H had a flawless game yesterday he might've given the selectors slight pause for thought, but now I think it'll be Wilko @ 10 with Jones warming the bench.

 

[Tim]

it just so happens that i've been rostered to work the next 4 saturday evenings! ******** to that!

The tension is building. There has been a huge increase of Lions supporters ariving into the country in the last 4 days.

 

[PY]

Team for the game against Southland:

British and Irish Lions: Murphy; Cueto, Smith, Henson, Hickie; O'Gara, Cooper; Stevens, Titterell, Hayes; Shaw, O'Callaghan; Moody, Williams, Owen.
Replacements: Bulloch, Sheridan, Easterby, Cusiter, Hodgson, Shanklin, D'Arcy

Southland: James Wilson, Mana Harrison, Bryan Milne, Faolua Muliaina, Watisoni Lotawa, Richard Apanui, Jimmy Cowan, Paul Miller, Hale T-Pole, Hua Tamariki, Daniel Quate, Hoani Macdonald, Aarron Dempsey, Jason Rutledge, Clarke Dermody (captain).
Replacements: Jayden Murch, David Hall, Rees Logan, Jeff Wright, Adam Clarke, Matt Petre, Pehi Te Whare.

 

[Tim]

so....it looks as though Gavin Henson has missed out.

Which means Shanklin to partner O'Driscoll and Thomas & Robinson on the wings?

 

[PY]

From what the BBC website is saying, Wilkinson is set to start at inside centre for the 1st Test which is a bit of a gamble in my opinion considering he's not played much rugby recently and he doesn't play there much. Henson must be gutted that he's been ditched from being thoroughly in the box seat after the Grand Slam and now he's warming the bench.

Some other interesting thoughts in this article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/4106712.stm

Back, Hill and Easterby in the back row?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Team for the game against Southland:

British and Irish Lions: Murphy; Cueto, Smith, Henson, Hickie; O'Gara, Cooper; Stevens, Titterell, Hayes; Shaw, O'Callaghan; Moody, Williams, Owen.
Replacements: Bulloch, Sheridan, Easterby, Cusiter, Hodgson, Shanklin, D'Arcy

That's a name I didn't expect to see. I'd have said he was a pretty certain starter against the ABs. Unless they're just expecting him to back-up.

Murphy & Owen would probably make the 22 too.

Interesting.....

 

[Tim]

These players will either find it difficult to motivate themselves knowing that they won't play the 1st test or they'll come out firing to proove a point.

 

[PY]

SCW has made a point to say that none of them will play the 1st Test now but they have as good a chance as anyone of getting into the side for the 2nd/3rd Tests.

I'd expect a very hard hitting game as they go all out because performances for this game need to be remembered for at least a week and over-shadow performances from the 1st Test which will be difficult to achieve.

 

[Tim]

That's a big call to play Jonny at 2nd five. I don't consider him to be a line-breaker and im not sure how he'll go playing second fiddle to Jones.

It also means that Lewsey will play fullback & thats good news for AB's fans if you ask me.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Back, Hill and Easterby in the back row?

Can't not pick Corry. Ryan Jones really held his hand up too yesterday. & If we go Back, Hill & Easterby we're without a specialist no. 8. Unless Corry plays @ lock, of course.

 

[PY]

Can't not pick Corry. Ryan Jones really held his hand up too yesterday. & If we go Back, Hill & Easterby we're without a specialist no. 8. Unless Corry plays @ lock, of course.

You reckon that it'll be Corry, Jones and Back then? Or Corry, Jones and Easterby? Or Corry, Hill and Back? Corry, Hill and Jones? The mind boggles.

Corry completely slipped my mind then which is embarassing considering he's been England's only consistently world-class player over the last year.