BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?)
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@MN5 said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
@No-Quarter said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
@No-Quarter said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
This is what I think they'll go with for test one:
1 Moody
2 Taylor
3 Franks
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock
6 Kaino
7 Cane
8 Read
9 A Smith
10 B Barrett
11 J Savea
12 Crotty
13 ALB
14 Dagg
15 B Smith
16 Harris
17 Crockett
18 Faumuina
19 Romano
20 A Savea
21 TJP
22 Cruden
23 SBWIt's pretty easy to pick an AB team, and I think what I chose above has just solidified following recent results.
Only change I'd make is SBW to start with Crotty on the bench due to Crotty's lack of game-time.
A Smith has done enough to warrant a start. As has J Savea.
Romano or Scott Barrett is the only other point of contention, but I think they've been keeping Romano on ice and will use him in test one due to his experience.
What are the strengths/weaknesses of Barrett vs Romano?
I'm asking for a friend who doesnt know rugby that well.
Hah, Barrett has a better all-round game but doesn't bring quite the same physicality as Romano, which is why I'd go Romano as a bench option for impact, as well as experience.
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@KiwiMurph Thats why PT would be better unless I missed something and he is injured or just overlooked.
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@Billy-Tell said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
@ACT-Crusader said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
@taniwharugby said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
@MN5 one of Scotts weaknesses is that he isn't as fast as Beaudie or Jordie
True. But apparently Scott the better mile runner, so an endurance man.
I'd go Romano first up. He's been a very good off the bench option this year. But either way you're getting a good lock.
Romano failed his audition in the Crusaders game. Meanwhile Barrett nailed his vs Samoa. I'll be surprised to see Romano on the bench.
I doubt a cameo from the bench against a Samoan side being torn to shreds will put Barrett ahead of Romano. He may already be ahead... but I think given Romano has been in good form, is more physical, and has experience, I'd be surprised if he was overlooked.
@No-Quarter I just hope that Romano has been practicing his kick off takes. Because in the Crusaders game the 2 kick offs that came their way he butchered the catch.
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Just seen a long rang forecast for Saturday and there is a 3% chance of rain. This is a question for Aucklander's has Eden Park been slippery when dry due to a night due?
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I do hope that when Gats has his referees chat about the dastardly blocking tactics he promises his defensive line will stay onside.
When you consider the effect on the game of D lines that get even 6 inches head start you wonder why refs teams don't take a different approach. All they have to do is tell teams they have to be clearly and obviously onside to avoid the whistle rather than clearly and obviously offside to get one. Make things difficult for the AR and you get a warning to keep well onside or penalties will be blown.
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I do hope that when Gats has his referees chat about the dastardly blocking tactics he promises his defensive line will stay onside.
When you consider the effect on the game of D lines that get even 6 inches head start you wonder why refs teams don't take a different approach. All they have to do is tell teams they have to be clearly and obviously onside to avoid the whistle rather than clearly and obviously offside to get one. Make things difficult for the AR and you get a warning to keep well onside or penalties will be blown.
@Crucial said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
I do hope that when Gats has his referees chat about the dastardly blocking tactics he promises his defensive line will stay onside.
When you consider the effect on the game of D lines that get even 6 inches head start you wonder why refs teams don't take a different approach. All they have to do is tell teams they have to be clearly and obviously onside to avoid the whistle rather than clearly and obviously offside to get one. Make things difficult for the AR and you get a warning to keep well onside or penalties will be blown.
But, but, that would take some common sense.
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Haha, long range forecasts are the biggest waste of time when it comes to Auckland. The weather changes every 15 minutes.
I don't think the ABs will be worrying about conditions.
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wow, current odds at TAB:
ABs $1.16
Lions $4.75I'd move ABs out to about $1.45 and bring Lions down to about $2.00.
@taniwharugby said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
wow, current odds at TAB:
ABs $1.16
Lions $4.75I'd move ABs out to about $1.45 and bring Lions down to about $2.00.
So the Lions have a 50% probability of winning and the ABs about 75%?
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@taniwharugby said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
wow, current odds at TAB:
ABs $1.16
Lions $4.75I'd move ABs out to about $1.45 and bring Lions down to about $2.00.
So the Lions have a 50% probability of winning and the ABs about 75%?
@rotated said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
@taniwharugby said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
wow, current odds at TAB:
ABs $1.16
Lions $4.75I'd move ABs out to about $1.45 and bring Lions down to about $2.00.
So the Lions have a 50% probability of winning and the ABs about 75%?
$2 is less than 50% because there is obviously the agencies slice to consider, but yeah if the Lions are paying $2 than the ABs would be paying $1.75 (at the NZ tab).
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Oh FFS, quit the worrying about the weather. If the ABs can't beat these guys in all conditions then that's how it goes.
IMO if it pisses down they should watch the 96 Athletic Park game and see how to do it.@Crucial Not worried about the weather you bell end. Can I not ask a simple question about ground conditions in Auckland. Bloodly swamp rats.
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Graham Henry's Lion's line-up:
Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Owen Farrell (Ben Te'o), Anthony Watson, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Taulupe Faletau, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony, Alun Wyn Jones (c), George Kruis, Tadhg Furlong, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola.
Reserves: Rory Best, Jack McGrath, Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, Sam Warburton; Rhys Webb, Jonathan Joseph, George North/Te'o.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11879381
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Graham Henry's Lion's line-up:
Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Owen Farrell (Ben Te'o), Anthony Watson, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Taulupe Faletau, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony, Alun Wyn Jones (c), George Kruis, Tadhg Furlong, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola.
Reserves: Rory Best, Jack McGrath, Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, Sam Warburton; Rhys Webb, Jonathan Joseph, George North/Te'o.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11879381
@Tim said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
Graham Henry's Lion's line-up:
Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Owen Farrell (Ben Te'o), Anthony Watson, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Taulupe Faletau, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony, Alun Wyn Jones (c), George Kruis, Tadhg Furlong, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola.
Reserves: Rory Best, Jack McGrath, Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, Sam Warburton; Rhys Webb, Jonathan Joseph, George North/Te'o.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11879381
Would be VERY surprised if Gatland went down that route for the 1st Trst
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Second-five Williams is a virtual certainty to start at No12 ...I don't even think that's true. He had a very mixed game against Samoa. His defence is a problem. He can be good at offloading on attack, but that counts for nothing if he can't make his tackles. It will all depend on how things go during training, their game plan and how fit Crotty is, who hasn't been out for that long at all. I'd say all 12-13 combinations are still open.
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Second-five Williams is a virtual certainty to start at No12 ...I don't even think that's true. He had a very mixed game against Samoa. His defence is a problem. He can be good at offloading on attack, but that counts for nothing if he can't make his tackles. It will all depend on how things go during training, their game plan and how fit Crotty is, who hasn't been out for that long at all. I'd say all 12-13 combinations are still open.
@Stargazer said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
Second-five Williams is a virtual certainty to start at No12 ...I don't even think that's true. He had a very mixed game against Samoa. His defence is a problem. He can be good at offloading on attack, but that counts for nothing if he can't make his tackles. It will all depend on how things go during training, their game plan and how fit Crotty is, who hasn't been out for that long at all. I'd say all 12-13 combinations are still open.
I don't see SBW at 13. In terms of a first exposure to the Lions rush there is a case for Crotty at 12 to be BB's extra pair of eyes, a combo which works well. What is lost is the crash ball, hence the joy at Laumape. Could be compensated for by Bus standing in a type of dual 12 position and running a hard line. If Crotty on bench and ABs get ten or more up I expect him to see game time late in second half.
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@Bones said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
I really don't see any evidence of Williams being better at "crash" ball than Crotty. Myth.
He's SBW. He's the greatest sportsman to play any kind of sports. Get with the picture bro.
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@Bones yeah was interesting the article infers SBW is the lock for 12, and Crotty/ALB at 13, whereas IMO, 12/13 pick themselves if one is over his rib injury...Crotty/ALB
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@Bones said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
I really don't see any evidence of Williams being better at "crash" ball than Crotty. Myth.
He's SBW. He's the greatest sportsman to play any kind of sports. Get with the picture bro.
@MN5 said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
@Bones said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
I really don't see any evidence of Williams being better at "crash" ball than Crotty. Myth.
He's SBW. He's the greatest sportsman to play any kind of sports. Get with the picture bro.
Cheers bro. No cricket/movie/music threads?
