**Official** 2005 Lions tour of New Zealand

[BoyBrumby]

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.

I would've said Hill 6, Back 7 & Corry 8 before yesterday. After Jones yesterday tho, I dunno anymore!! I'm a massive, massive Hill fan & I can't bring myself to quite say it, but Jones might just get the nod @ 6.

Of course Hill can play 7 too, so there's another option or, as I said last post Corry to lock (where only really O'Connell has looked test class) & go Hill 6, Back 7 & Jones 8.

As you say, the mind boggles. &, of course, I'll blame SCW for making the wrong shout when it goes **** up!

 

[Tim]

Is Back capable of lasting 80 mins v McCaw?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Is Back capable of lasting 80 mins v McCaw?

Probably not, but if we took that into account we wouldn't play a 7 at all!!

 

[Craig]

Lions leading 3-0 over Southland.

And Justing Marshall is back, one would think he would start?

 

[Blaze]

All I can say from the Lions so far is that they have **** for hands, they all like to add their 2 cents worth in to the ref, they look well organised at maul time and their tactical kicking and goal kicking will be pinpoint accurate

 

[_Ed_]

Henson had a very good game tonight, should push for a spot in the second and third tests.

 

[Tim]

Well if Woodward was looking for any players to shine out and prove him wrong I don't think he got anybody except Henson.
Henson was good on attack but I think there's still question marks about parts of his defensive game at times.

Southland played above themselves, but they are usually wooden spooners and fighting relegation in the NPC so to be honest this was a very poor performance from a group of Lions players who should have been making the most of it.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Haven't seen the game yet (friggin' work!), but I sincerely hope SCW is planning to play Wilko @ inside centre (2nd 5/8th) & not Greenwood as I heard in The Guardian on Monday. That would be a travesty & a farce. Will G has played well with Wilko in the past, but is 33 this year & was never that quick in his pomp.

Plus I think the Welsh would invade us!

 

[Smudge]

My predictions on here are looking rather awry

I was sitting in the temporary stands at the eastern end of the ground. These weren't quite full, and thank God, as the knee room would have barely been adequate for a dwarf, let alone a strapping 6ft specimen such as myself.

Full credit (S. Fitzpatrick 1990s) to the Southland team - some desperate defence in the first half kept them in it as several waves of Lions attacks managed to be repelled.

T-Pole was the stand-out. If he had any community services hours left over after his little 2003 indiscretion, he certainly worked them off last night. Worked well in support, on defence, and even showed a deft little chip through for the winger to run onto.

Apanui struggled with some basics, as did Bryan Milne, who needs to work on his hands. James Wilson was solid, yet creative, at fullback, while the starting front row was solid.

Henson attempted to create an awful lot but was let down often by his outsides I thought - no other Lions really stood out though, although I wasn't looking too hard.

Wandered around the pubs afterwards as part of a work assignment, and most Lions fans seemed upbeat and pretty friendly. If anything, I noticed the locals were the more drunk and more offensive/rowdy. Had a chat to Ollie Smith's mum who was a nice lady, albeit with a classic case of bad British teeth.

Here's hoping for Southlanders' sake that the Stags carry this form onto the NPC

 

[Sir Redman]

All Blacks side for 1st test:

New Zealand: 15-Leon Macdonald; 14-Doug Howlett, 13-Tana Umaga (captain), 12-Aaron Mauger, 11-Sitiveni Sivivatu; 10-Daniel Carter, 9-Justin Marshall; 8-Rodney So'oialo, 7-Richie McCaw, 6-Jerry Collins, 5-Ali Williams, 4-Chris Jack, 3-Carl Hayman, 2-Keven Mealamu, 1-Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16-Derren Witcombe, 17-Greg Somerville, 18-Jono Gibbes, 19-Sione Lauaki, 20-Byron Kelleher, 21-Mils Muliaina, 22-Rico Gear.

 

[Craig]

Holah is in as cover for McCaw.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Lions XXII

British & Irish Lions: Jason Robinson; Josh Lewsey, Brian O'Driscoll (captain), Jonny Wilkinson, Gareth Thomas; Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel; Gethin Jenkins, Shane Byrne, Julian White, Paul O'Connell, Ben Kay, Richard Hill, Neil Back, Martin Corry (vice-captain).
Replacements: Steve Thompson, Graham Rowntree, Danny Grewcock, Ryan Jones, Matt Dawson, Will Greenwood, Shane Horgan.

I think the pack is more or less ok (although I'd have gone for Grewcock over Kay, but it's a marginal call & Ryan Jones is a tad unlucky after Sat), but the backs? Oh dearee me, no. Robinson: over 30 & no senior tries since January; Wilko: hasn't played 12 for about 5 years; Thomas: old, slow & massively overrated; Lewsey: being played outta position despite playing all his Lions games @ 15.

Horgan & Greenwood on the bench seem to have been picked soley to annoy the Welsh too. Henson & Shane Williams anyone!?!

Hop I'm eating humble pie come Sat & SCW being hailed as a genius, but I give us a 15-20% shout at best. NZ by 15.

 

[Craig]

I hope your right BB as I'm considering placing a bet with the AB's over 13.

 

[Tim]

The margin won't be huge...whoever wins. And I certainly would not be writing off the Lions if it comes down to last minute drop goals or conversions.

NZ may have been talking it up recently, but I can assure you that the nerves are starting to kick in.

 

[JASON]

My prediction - A close tussle Lions to win the opener by a whisker ! Johnny Wikinson penalty !

Moreso because whether prediction for Rain !! Likely to be a scrappy affair decided on a few penalties !!

 

[Craig]

WHo will the rain suit better that it is forecasted to do? New Zealand or the Lions?

 

[JASON]

WHo will the rain suit better that it is forecasted to do? New Zealand or the Lions?

As I heard some Rugby Expert pour out on NZ radio his words of Wisdom " Rain is a great evener " I think it might have been Ex all black Dave Hewatt.

It will help the Lions as in dry conditions ABs would thrash them .

 

[cbuts]

it will deffinatley help the lions. but even with the rain, i cant see them getting close. i mean this team hasnt even played a game together. the only position i believe that one on one they are better is 12.

 

[Blaze]

If it's raining I am tipping the Lions to win. If it's dry I don't even think it will be close. All Blacks by 20+

 

[Craig]

It is raining and it isn't helping the Lions.

Imagine how good countries like Fiji would be if all their players who have gone on to be a success if the AB's had played for them instead (If I was Fijian I would play for them as I believe I couldn't pull on and All Blacks jumper and not feel like a traitor).