Comments on: Rate the Match: Crusaders v Lions

By: Don P

Don P — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 17:40:07 +0000

Sharpy
You make some sense; regrds AWJ & Kruis; likely test starting combo? However, I wouldn’t write Sexton off just yet. He may play WITH OF, but for me Farrell is, like most, ok when going fwd, but he is fundamentally still a tackler & a goal kicker. A Barry John he ain’t. He needs to pull a few more rabbits out of his hat other than kick it v NZ. He’ll not get the time or room or possession to fritter it as v Canter. The lions need tries. 2 in 3 ain’t gonna cut it, so is Farrell likely to fix this Achilles heal? Maybe, but not seen it yet.. unless he’s holding it back for the tests? Might be better with JS inside him.

By: Don P

Don P — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 17:27:15 +0000

Do you so under rate Gatland’s judgement then? Do you think he’s made Warburton & also AWJ, captains for fun? Why on earth would he do so if, barring injury, sudden dip in form, he, himself, doesn’t rate these guys? Perhaps you’re a bit ‘English’ happy?

By: Don P

Don P — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 17:19:26 +0000

Septic
I take it you ain’t Welsh then!? I don’t care either way & an English lock combo could well fit the bill, but a number of pundits (incl English) DO rate AWJ & yes he is EXP. Surely, that’s no crime though. He’s also been made captain by Gatland, who knows him pretty well by now I’d guess. Regds exp, do you recall Lancaster’s banging on about the AB’s having 9 over 30 in their last WC squad? Didn’t seem to have done them any harm.. did it? Exp isn’t nec the only criteria, however, if a player’s been there & done that (e.g. a prev Lions’ tour), he’s less likely to cave under PRESSURE. Recall Itoje for instance in Dublin last up? Anonymous. Despite the Canter game, the AB’s ain’t gonna be a team for green horns to face methinks.

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 09:01:15 +0000

Not sure that we have seen much evidence of anything so far from Daly, Joseph, Davies, North or Warburton, Big Dia. Still a lot of places wide open imo, but Warburton certainly needs a huge game on Tuesday to get a start. The fact that WG is starting with Payne at 15 on Tuesday almost certainly means that he is not considering Watson at full back.

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 08:55:25 +0000

Agreed. Nearly in the same class as Richard Wigglesworth. I thought Care did well against Argentina, looking extremely sharp. Would have rather had him in NZ than Laidlaw.
Why is no-one mentioning Cole as a bench player for the tests? Looks back to his best, has been rock solid in the tight and not giving away his customary silly penalties.

By: Leon

Leon — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 07:57:17 +0000

seconded. I would also add that he made the right decision between put it in touch or in play but contestable

By: Leon

Leon — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 07:55:38 +0000

With that team we would need the 16th man you have selected (I assume Farrell was mistakenly included)

By: BigDia

BigDia — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 07:41:13 +0000

On what has been seen so far. Test squad

15 Watson

14 Daly

13. Joseph/Davies

12. Te’o

11. North

10. Farrell

09. Murray

01. Marler

02. Owens

03. Furlong

04. Kruis

05. Etoje

06. Stander

07. Warbuton

08. Faletea

Bench. Vunipoa; Geroge; Sinckler; Lawes; Moriarty; Joseph/Davies; Sexton; Webb

By: Septimusfiltrum

Septimusfiltrum — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 07:01:06 +0000

Mike – that caused a deep pain;-). I’m a great supporter of Welsh rugby (and as a result their personnel) although if one was to try and apply a xenophobic analysis of my (purely performance-based) opinion then one may opine I possess an anti-Welsh pro-English player sentiment. BTW – over the course of the tour ‘my test team’ has consistently included Owens and at times Warbs, North, Tips, JD and Williams. Always looking enjoy and respect reading your opinions Sep

By: Septimusfiltrum

Septimusfiltrum — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 06:46:37 +0000

Accepted Taliesin, and I’ve not a bad word to say about AWJ however that is my genuine, purely performance-based, opinion as of this very minute. In no way a slur on a player who’s been a great servant to Wales and WG but as with many sports, when players reach a certain age/mileage the performance drops suddenly, not over time – the performance of the 3 English locks has highlighted this, IMO

By: Mike the King

Mike the King — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 20:27:53 +0000

Septimus, silly comment altogether. OK, you don’t like Welsh players being there – but don’t let your prejudice cloud whatlittle knowledge you possess.
We’re getting news of the likely (only likely I stress) 1st test side (yes, we do have a ‘mole’). Viz:-
McGrath
Owens
Furlong
Henderson
Alun Wyn Joes
O’Brien
Faletau
Warburton/O’Mahoney
Murray
Sexton
Farrell
Henshaw
Davies
North
Williams
Halfpenny/Hogg

Brilliant bunch – let’s hope injuries don’t intervene too much.

By: Taliesin

Taliesin — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 18:08:47 +0000

Septimusfiltrum – don’t lower the tone; AWJ is a great lock. I think all 3 England locks are superb as well, but talk about ‘head and shoulders above’ is just daft and does you no favours. Have you read Graham Henry on the subject of AWJ? Hugely impressed – and he does know a thing or two about rugby.