BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?)

[Wreck Diver]

@Crucial Not worried about the weather you bell end. Can I not ask a simple question about ground conditions in Auckland. Bloodly swamp rats.

[Tim]

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

[MiketheSnow]

@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

[taniwharugby]

INteresting...

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11879699

[Stargazer]

@taniwharugby

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.

[pakman]

@Stargazer said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):

@taniwharugby

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.

[Bones]

I really don't see any evidence of Williams being better at "crash" ball than Crotty. Myth.

[MN5]

@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.

[taniwharugby]

@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

[Bones]

@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?

[MN5]

@Bones said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):

@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?

Or Craft beer threads. Fuck the fern sux

[No Quarter]

I disagree with just about everything in that article. I think 12 is a contest between Crotty and SBW, with ALB a lock. And I'd be very surprised if they took the unproven Naholo over Dagg for the first test, given Dagg's superior positional play, work under the high ball and kicking game.

[gt12]

@No-Quarter said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):

I disagree with just about everything in that article. I think 12 is a contest between Crotty and SBW, with ALB a lock. And I'd be very surprised if they took the unproven Naholo over Dagg for the first test, given Dagg's superior positional play, work under the high ball and kicking game.

Didn't even read it, but I agree with you

[reprobate]

in my opinion crotty has the best defence of the 3, and makes the least errors, so he is in. SBW easily the most errors, so he's out: ALB's offloading game is as good, and he fucks up less.
the best rugby SBW ever played was at the chiefs where he was just running hard and straight and focusing on retaining possession - if offloads came they came. right now he's playing more like he was at the crusaders, looking to do too much every time and coughing the ball up too often. should be an easy fix, but i'd like to see it happen before picking him.

[gt12]

@reprobate

The best SBW played was when he was running off Cruden's shoulder. That's one reason to put him on the bench.

Right now, I'd probably start him though. It's risky, but I think he played great for the Blues. Bring that for the ABs and we're in good shape.

[kiwiinmelb]

This test is shaping as a classic ,
I think it's fair to say now we have a genuine challenge on our hands , the lions have a bit of grit about them

[antipodean]

@kiwiinmelb said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):

This test is shaping as a classic ,
I think it's fair to say now we have a genuine challenge on our hands , the lions have a bit of grit about them

Quality players across the field who now have time together to cement a gameplan they're executing exceptionally well.

This series is promising to be excellent.

[Billy Tell]

My fellow forum users. Please take a moment to remember this day, 20th June 1987

[pukunui]

@reprobate said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):

in my opinion crotty has the best defence of the 3, and makes the least errors, so he is in. SBW easily the most errors, so he's out: ALB's offloading game is as good, and he fucks up less.
the best rugby SBW ever played was at the chiefs where he was just running hard and straight and focusing on retaining possession - if offloads came they came. right now he's playing more like he was at the crusaders, looking to do too much every time and coughing the ball up too often. should be an easy fix, but i'd like to see it happen before picking him.

Agree with all this. SBW is a good player when he is performing but has had one good game since the World cup. If Crotty is good to go then i would have him at 12 and ALB at 13.

[pukunui]

@Billy-Tell said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):

My fellow forum users. Please take a moment to remember this day, 20th June 1987

I was only 2. So was SBW (just to keep it on topic)