All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1
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It's obvious that Crotty has been moved out one position to accommodate SBW.
Crotty is an accurate player so I don't have any issues with him at centre. I do think a Crotty-ALB combo would be better.
From what I've seen neither Te'o or Davies offer much deception on attack. They'll be using changes of angles rather than speed of hands/feet to break the line. So SBW will need to be much better on defence than he was vs Samoa.
@Bovidae I guess given the limited rugby SBW has had in the past 12 months and what he has shown prior seems to be giving him the start.
Lets hope Allah repays AB fans the faith shown in SBW!
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@Tim Would have Vunipola over Moody but Codie over George. Dagg and Watson would be evens for mine.
@akan004 said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:
@Tim Would have Vunipola over Moody but Codie over George. Dagg and Watson would be evens for mine.
This is George's first start in test rugby. Nothing qualifies him to be anything but an even, at best, IMO.
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@Tim Cant see TAB on there....
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Hansen from the 9.00 mark. Talks about the midfield and wing selections.
http://120.138.20.16/WeekOnDemand/radiosport/2017.06.22-12.30.00-S.mp3
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I like starting with SBW and Crotty - although I do think Crotty is a better 2nd 5 than centre. With the rush defense and ball runners the Lions will go with off ruck and set piece having SBW to blunt them is a good call.
They know SBW will attack the ball when making tackles, which will hopefully commit more Lions to rucks, and mean more opportunities for turnovers and breaks. It's a bonus that he's returned with more gas than before he was injured too.
This all sets us up nicely to see ALB coming on and gives us options about which of Crotty/SBW stays on.
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Not a bad captaincy prediction here:
@Frye said in B&I Lions 2017:
11 Apr 2017, 16:29
What about Peter O'Mahony?
Likely starter (imo), captaincy experience, proper hard bastard, etc@Frye said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:
Not a bad captaincy prediction here:
@Frye said in B&I Lions 2017:
11 Apr 2017, 16:29
What about Peter O'Mahony?
Likely starter (imo), captaincy experience, proper hard bastard, etcThe arrogance of some NZ fans, even predicting Lions stuff and then quoting themselves
In all seriousness though, it's a great selection by Gatland. O'Mahony and O'Brien have been the pick of the forwards on this tour so far IMO.
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@Nepia said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:
Wait, people are questioning Rieko's power? I assume some people have never seen him play?
I'm assuming it's the same people that think SBW is some kind of almighty and super powerful battering ram that skittles players everywhere, while Crotty and ALB are liable to fall over if someone whispers boo.
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I think if alb comes on for sbw , crotty moves into 12 , alb to 13 .
I reckon they like to change the shape a bit when the subs come on , bit like beuady to FB, bsmith to wing , moves the point of the threats .
It keeps the opposition guessing , the advantage of having utilities
@kiwiinmelb said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:
I think if alb comes on for sbw , crotty moves into 12 , alb to 13 .
I reckon they like to change the shape a bit when the subs come on , bit like beuady to FB, bsmith to wing , moves the point of the threats .
It keeps the opposition guessing , the advantage of having utilities
I reckon we might see Crotty lining up at 12 and SBW at 13 at least some of the time.
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shit is it 2002 again? an ordinary Cantab picked over a superior player from up north. jesus...
Midfield a suprise, but looks strong, and ALB will be dynamite off the bench. Left wing is the most surprising selection in years i reckon. Savea has had worse form rewarded, and Reiko didn't do himself many favours on the weekend.
Good team, ABs by about 15.
For the Lions, I am pleased for O'Mahony, i really like him as a player, and to be the Lions test captain is just reward for him being an old-fashioned hard bastard. Bloody good team really, and we are going to have to work hard to break them down. Itoje, Webb and Sinckler will be good late in the game for them as well.
@mariner4life said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:
shit is it 2002 again? an ordinary Cantab picked over a superior player from up north. jesus...
It's ~1991 - Auckland's Bernie McCahill at second five....
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:
shit is it 2002 again? an ordinary Cantab picked over a superior player from up north. jesus...
It's ~1991 - Auckland's Bernie McCahill at second five....
@Chris-B. said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:
shit is it 2002 again? an ordinary Cantab picked over a superior player from up north. jesus...
It's ~1991 - Auckland's Bernie McCahill at second five....
Over a superior player from up north (of the bridge) - just to belabor your point
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The real story is ALB out for Crotty - ALB has made every post a winner and his combination with SBW was impressive.
Savea dropping perhaps a year too late - good to see they finally made the call, the only surprise is that it wasn't Naholo getting the nod.
The bracketing of Cruden and Sopoaga is curious. The press release doesn't mention that it is predicated on Cruden's recovery. If Cruden is iffy now, is he that much better than Lima that he is worth rolling the dice on?
@rotated I don't understand Naholo missing out. Rieko is still green. Both have x factor. I guess Rieko can cover center whereas Naholo is a specialist wing. Guess he should start learning to play center. It is a shame his talent is left out. Game breaker despite the constant moaning about him under the high ball.
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@Rembrandt 1.89m, 102 kg according to the All Blacks' website. cf. Naholo at 1.86m, 96kg.
@Tim said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:
@Rembrandt 1.89m, 102 kg according to the All Blacks' website. cf. Naholo at 1.86m, 96kg.
Please clarify:
- including height of hair?
- doing handstand?
- next to brother?
- as seen in the street by random internet guy?
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@rotated I don't understand Naholo missing out. Rieko is still green. Both have x factor. I guess Rieko can cover center whereas Naholo is a specialist wing. Guess he should start learning to play center. It is a shame his talent is left out. Game breaker despite the constant moaning about him under the high ball.
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@Nepia said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:
Wait, people are questioning Rieko's power? I assume some people have never seen him play?
I'm assuming it's the same people that think SBW is some kind of almighty and super powerful battering ram that skittles players everywhere, while Crotty and ALB are liable to fall over if someone whispers boo.
@Bones said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:
@Nepia said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:
Wait, people are questioning Rieko's power? I assume some people have never seen him play?
I'm assuming it's the same people that think SBW is some kind of almighty and super powerful battering ram that skittles players everywhere, while Crotty and ALB are liable to fall over if someone whispers boo.
As compared to people who think Crotty is "Mr Reliable" who never falls off a tackle and always distributes brilliantly?
SBW does have the best off-load in traffic going, combined with a decent amount of physical power. There's no need to suggest that because people like that, they also think he's some God of football.
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@broughie Naholo has definitely covered centre for the ABs in the past, but with a centre on the bench i think it's probably irrelevant.
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A God of Football?
SBW is no mere minor deity like that.
He is THE God of Sport. It's this sort of unbelief that caused him to ignore the prayers for an Olympic Gold Medal and go into invisible mode.
How many miracles must he perform before everyone believes? Was not the miracle of the disappearing boxing rounds enough?
