**Official** 2005 Lions tour of New Zealand

[BoyBrumby]

England are in deep trouble if you ask me. It still appears that their players are stuck in the mentality of playing defensive rugby & with Wilkinson clearly off his game, there doesn't seem to be anyone else to give them direction.
Im not convinced that Andy Robinson is going to lead them to anything great, anytime soon either.

Ireland look as though they have a few good players hanging around and with a bit of time they could do very well. I think they're trying to play the same type of rugby as Wales and its no surprise they're winning more than their fair share of games.

Scotland, well..only 3 players in the Lions team. They're not going to going to threaten any half decent team in the next while.

Wales have the most potential I think. Their team is looking the most youthful and have the attacking flair.
Im not convinced about Henson in big matches. I think he's a bit of a girl to be honest, but he may just need some more years to mature. If he thought he was on par with Dan Carter then he's well off the pace.

Austin Healey writes a column in The Observer newspaper over here. Last week he said @ The Lions fancy dress party Andy Robinson was going dressed as a pumpkin.

They hoped when the clock struck 12 he'd turn into a coach!

 

[JASON]

May be Sir Clive should take a back seat for the next Test and let one of the other coaches (who are National coaches) take centre stage.

AB's already have said Aaron Mauger and Dan Carter are injured and will not take part in the third Test. I suspect there will be several other changes and ABs likely to rest most of their key players for the Tri Nations and would most certainly trial out some of the guys from the Junior Blacks Team touring Australia.

Rocococko for one is a possible starter for third Test, IMO.

 

[JASON]

BTW, brilliant performance by Australia to beat the French 37-31.

 

[Blaze]

What an absolutely brilliant performance by the ABs.

Credit to the Lions for battling hard all the way, despite the score line.

Carter, Umaga, McCaw, Kelleher were standouts IMO.

For the Lions, skipper Thomas, Steve Thomson, Williams, Peel played well.Henson hardly had any ball or did very little when he got it that he was hardly noticed.

Andrew Cole had an exceptional Game refereeing !!

Felt sorry for Sir Clive - after spending so much money (was it 9 million pounds or 90 million pounds) he should've produced a better result. His glum facial expression as he stood near the touch line close to the end said it all . But instead of wasting so much time on spin doctoring and playing mind games, he should've spent more time on picking the best Team and devising strategies to beat the ABs IMO.
IIRC,Did he not claim after winning the Rugby World Cup that he could coach any sport ? or Did he offer his services to the England cricket Team, then ?

The England cricket Team is on the up and I hope they don't let this guy come anywhere near them and spoil it for them .

Felt sorry for Prince William as he sat next to Jock Hobbs. Looked pretty sad. Also felt sorry for the British and Irish fans (10-20,000) who had spent a lot of money and their once in several year holiday on this Lions tour. Hope the Lions can do domething in the third Test so they can have something to cheer about !!

What happened to ur prediction Jase?

 

[Blaze]

Auckland have a good shot at beating the Lions. i reckon Mehrtens or Carlos should play some part in the last game, as a swansong to their NZ based careers, anyone agree, since NZ have the series wrapped up.

Apparently Carter is doubtful with a shoulder injury.. I would love to see Mehrts get the send off he deserves

 

[Blaze]

May be Sir Clive should take a back seat for the next Test and let one of the other coaches (who are National coaches) take centre stage.

AB's already have said Aaron Mauger and Dan Carter are injured and will not take part in the third Test. I suspect there will be several other changes and ABs likely to rest most of their key players for the Tri Nations and would most certainly trial out some of the guys from the Junior Blacks Team touring Australia.

Rocococko for one is a possible starter for third Test, IMO.

Not likely. There will be a few changes but only from inside the squad of 26 i would say. I doubt any one from the Junior All Blacks will get a run.

 

[Sir Redman]

In the post-match interview with Sir Clive he was surprisingly humble in defeat and said a few reasonable things about the game. It will be interesting to see what happens when the spin doctors get to work though

 

[Blaze]

In the post-match interview with Sir Clive he was surprisingly humble in defeat and said a few reasonable things about the game. It will be interesting to see what happens when the spin doctors get to work though

Best prepared Lions team ever apparently.. Sir Clive really ****ed up IMO. He should have brought a squad of 30-35 players max. Created a real team atmosphere.

 

[Tim]

As far as im aware, Mehrts is already gone & so is Spencer so that means Nick Evans will step up next week.
Quite unbelievable that we can replace one great 5/8 with another talented up & comer.

I think the AB's will move Umaga to 2nd five and play either Muli'iana or Nonu at outside centre.

 

[Blaze]

As far as im aware, Mehrts is already gone & so is Spencer so that means Nick Evans will step up next week.
Quite unbelievable that we can replace one great 5/8 with another talented up & comer.

I think the AB's will move Umaga to 2nd five and play either Muli'iana or Nonu at outside centre.

Mehrts made himself avaliable for the Lions series.

 

[Tim]

While i'd love to see him play 1 final test, I think they'll go for Evans since he's recently played against Australia 'A'.

 

[JASON]

What happened to ur prediction Jase?

* eats humble pie * umm, tastes delicious !!

 

[Blaze]

* eats humble pie * umm, tastes delicious !!

Haha good to see you admitted your error. Kudos to you

 

[cbuts]

yeaaa won a tray of jugs last night, in predicting the margin. of course england are in trouble tim. they are ranked 7th in the world

 

[cbuts]

Apparently Carter is doubtful with a shoulder injury.. I would love to see Mehrts get the send off he deserves

thing is, merhts doesnt deserve a black jersey

 

[age_master]

good to see the AB's crush the lions again, cant wait to see them in action vs the wallabies

 

[cric_manic]

good to see the AB's crush the lions again, cant wait to see them in action vs the wallabies

Tri-Nations might be good this year with all 3 nations being in good form

 

[Blaze]

thing is, merhts doesnt deserve a black jersey

I doubt he would let the black jumper down if he gets selected

 

[JASON]

Haha good to see you admitted your error. Kudos to you

* eats humble pie *

* Notes a balding middle aged man eating A LARGE PORTION OF HUMBLE PIE across the table and recognises him as Sir Clive *

 

[Tim]

I don't think the All Blacks are going to dominate the Tri Nations like they have against the Lions, mainly due to the fact that Australia and South Africa like to play attacking rugby as well so I expect things to be alot closer.

Can't wait for Aus v NZ in Sydney, that match is going to be HUGE.