**Official** 2005 Lions tour of New Zealand

[cbuts]

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

he quite often has, and y would u go back to the past - should be looking to the future. wat if carter gets injured in the tri nations or on the grand slam tour

 

[Tim]

As I said before it's great when you think that we've got Nick Evans as a back-up to Dan Carter and then even better when you see players like Jimmy Gopperth & Stephen Donald down the track a bit further.

 

[JASON]

he quite often has, and y would u go back to the past - should be looking to the future. wat if carter gets injured in the tri nations or on the grand slam tour

Agree with that.

In fact, Graham Henry, Steve Hanson and co. have an opportunity to give players of the future a chance against the Lions -particularly those that will serve the ABs at the next World Cup in 2007.

 

[Tim]

Some players will definately get rested over the next few months.
I wouldn't expect to see McCaw, Carter, Jack etc playing every single game.
But I think we've got sufficient cover in Holah, Gibbes, Evans etc to be able to do this.

 

[Craig]

Surely Jack and McCaw will get rested for the 3rd game with the series wrapped up. It will be a strong team, but I would think them, plus Carter will be rested for the 3rd Test.

 

[James]

Carter is officially ruled out due to injury.

 

[shaka]

Please allow Mehrts or Spencer to play as a final farewell

 

[KennyD]

^ I'd love to see that, but don't NZ have the whole 2007 World Cup campaign starting now? Meaning the likelihood of one of those flyhalves playing be next to zero?

 

[Tim]

Well its possible that Leon MacDonald is going to play 5/8 with Umaga switching to 2nd five, Conrad Smith coming in to outside centre and Mulia'ina staying at fullback.

MacDonald is another fantastic allround player but i'd rather see us pick Nick Evans and give him a bit of experience in a big match like this.
MacDonald is only 26 though, so it's not like he won't be around for the World Cup so it'll be interesting to see what the selectors do.

 

[KennyD]

Hang on, I might have missed something here, wheres Aaron Mauger? Injured?

 

[Sir Redman]

Hang on, I might have missed something here, wheres Aaron Mauger? Injured?

Yep. Hamstring strain I believe

 

[Smudge]

Luke McAlister and Corey Flynn into the squad. This means McDonald will probably play 10. I'd predict Umaga at 12 with Nonu/Smith at 13 and Muliaina at 15. McAlister providing utility/kicking cover off the bench.

Jason,

Did you think Shane Williams had a good game? He was bounced off more often than a Mr Puniverse contestant in a sumo wrestling match with Konishki.

 

[Blaze]

Jason,

Did you think Shane Williams had a good game? He was bounced off more often than a Mr Puniverse contestant in a sumo wrestling match with Konishki.

Haha good call.

 

[Smudge]

Haha good call.

My analogy was a bit long-winded for a Monday, but I'll take it.

 

[JASON]

Jason,

Did you think Shane Williams had a good game? He was bounced off more often than a Mr Puniverse contestant in a sumo wrestling match with Konishki.

Because of his pocket size , I guess he struggled and got pushed around, but among the Lions players there were not many that gave their best and he at least was still giving his best out there ! That's what I meant .

But even Johnny got pushed around if you see what I mean. He missed tackles, and failed to stop Dan Carter when he made the solo effort on the blind side . All Johnny did was run along side him.

Getting onto Sir Clive, I feel that he has had a hard time and its time to lay off him. I agree that he has done a few things wrong and said a few things wrong, but as an opposition coach he unfortunately is in that sort of a position, where he cannot say we were smashed by the ABs etc. or the ABs played superbly and we are no match to them.

I hope for the sake of the Lions fans, that the Lions will perform better and get closer to the ABs in the 3rd Test !!

 

[cbuts]

woodward has said and done many stupid things over the years, thats why everyone bar the some english hate him. he aint that great of a coach, he has had one success out of 7 or 8 years of being the coach.

 

[marc71178]

As England coach he built up to one thing, the thing that was important in the time he was coach.

England won it.

 

[Tim]

I can't believe Lewsey came out today and said "NZ's current expansive game is nothing new" because apparently to him, England were playing the most expanise rugby back in 2002/2003.

PLEASE. England were playing to the most tight, formulated game plan of all time but fair enough it was effective for them.

Sir Clive made a mistake, he should never have called this side "the best prepared Lions side ever" before the series. He was setting himself up big-time, he should have said this after the series if the Lions had won.

 

[shaka]

All Blacks produce the speed required for their type of play.

 

[cbuts]

I can't believe Lewsey came out today and said "NZ's current expansive game is nothing new" because apparently to him, England were playing the most expanise rugby back in 2002/2003.

PLEASE. England were playing to the most tight, formulated game plan of all time but fair enough it was effective for them.

Sir Clive made a mistake, he should never have called this side "the best prepared Lions side ever" before the series. He was setting himself up big-time, he should have said this after the series if the Lions had won.

lewsey is an idiot. dont get me wrong at the world cup england were ahead of the others, but we have taken the game to a new level. england never played the game outside 10. we have always played expansively but we are now also combining that with the most domminant forward play in the world