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smous
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Lions tour to SA
The squad has just been announced, what do you guys think?
Lions Squad:
Backline:
Fullbacks: Lee Byrne (WAL), Robert Kearney (IRL)
Wings: Shane Williams (WAL), Tommy Bowe (IRL), Luke Fitzgerald (IRL), Leigh Halfpenny (WAL), Ugo Monye (ENG)
Centres: Tom Shanklin (WAL), Jamie Roberts (WAL), Brian O'Driscoll (IRL), Keith Earls (IRL), Riki Flutey (ENG)
Flyhalves: Stephen Jones (WAL), Ronan O'Gara (IRL)
Scrumhalves: Michael Phillips (WAL), Harry Ellis (ENG), Tomas O'Leary (IRL)
Forwards:
Loose forwards: Jamie Heaslip (IRL), Andy Powell (WAL), Martyn Williams (WAL), Joe Worsley (ENG), Stephen Ferris (IRL), David Wallace (IRL), Alan Quinlan (IRL)
Locks: Alun-Wyn Jones (WAL), Paul O'Connell (IRL, captain), Donncha O'Callaghan (IRL), Simon Shaw (ENG), Nathan Hines (SCO)
Props: Andrew Sheridan (ENG), Phil Vickery (ENG), Euan Murray (SCO), Gethin Jenkins (WAL), Adam Jones (WAL)
Hookers: Jerry Flannery (IRL), Lee Mears (ENG), Matthew Rees (WAL)
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WWS-SA
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21/4/2009, 14:53
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alan a
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Re: Lions tour to SA
To my mind, a few debatable decisions, but I have great faith in Ian McGeehan's ability to get the utmost out of any Lions side. There are a few big names missing, and a few surprise names have appeared (Earls, Ellis, Quinlan).
However, I think the task of taking on the World champions in their back yard will be beyond them. The sport is so highly organised and drilled today that a scratch side of whatever quality starts at a massive handicap.
Mind you, anything will be better than the complete mess Woodward made on the last tour.
Last edited by alan a, 21/4/2009, 18:52
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Alan Armstrong
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21/4/2009, 16:20
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Smurf4
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…
I dont think Quinlan is such a surprise, one of the most clever players out there. He is always living on the edge.
Great to see that Paul O Connell is the captain, he is a great leader and a super player.
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21/4/2009, 18:48
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Rags2Riches4cows
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I would question only 2 flyhalves travelling but I guess it shows that outside Jones and O'Gara the choice is limited.
Like to see Earls going, thought he might, he is on some run of form at the moment and he can still improve, total star in the making.
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21/4/2009, 21:16
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Big Bird
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Re: Lions tour to SA
Only 2 fly halfs and full backs is a touch risky in the modern game.
I thought Croft and Armitage might have got in.
I'm surprised Vickery made it, his best days are gone, but probably indicates the lack of serious front row class.
Don't think there's enough in any pack they could choose to compete with the Boks at the present time.
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22/4/2009, 11:05
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Smurf4
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Lions tour to SA
Its Rugby!!!
Though John Hayes might have got in, i guess his best days are behind him as well as Vickery.
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22/4/2009, 12:05
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Rags2Riches4cows
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Re: Lions tour to SA
quote:
Big Bird wrote:
Only 2 fly halfs and full backs is a touch risky in the modern game.
quote:
Wouldn't be as concerned about only 2 full backs, Earls and Bowe have played full back at a european cup level and most backs can cover that position anyway in the modern game.
Last edited by Rags2Riches4cows, 22/4/2009, 15:35
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22/4/2009, 15:34
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smous
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Re: Lions tour to SA
"Boks in for a Rough Ride" By Stephen Nell - Die Burger
Cape Town – The British and Irish Lions are planning to take on the Springboks at their own traditional strengths in the series of three Tests in June and July.
That was the reaction on Tuesday from a panel of experts approached by Sport24 following the announcement of the squad for the tour of 10 games in South Africa.
Alan Solomons, Eddie Jones, Jake White and Cobus Visagie all agreed that Ian McGeechan (head coach) made a good selection and believe the Lions will take South Africa on physically.
“The Lions are not going to be out to entertain. They have picked a very physical squad,” said Solomons, who is a former Bok assistant coach and has also been at the helm of Irish side Ulster.
He believes the choice of Paul O’Connell as captain, as well as three physical scrumhalves – Mike Phillips, Harry Ellis and Tomas O’Leary - underline that point.
“O’Connell was a very good choice as captain. He has done an excellent job at Munster and has a hard edge,” said Solomons.
“Mike Phillips reminds me of Robert du Preez (a former Blue Bulls and Springbok scrumhalf). All the scrumhalves are big and physical.
“Mike Blair and Dwayne Peel (who were omitted) are more classic scrumhalves that are perhaps better passers of the ball. This sends a clear signal on how the Lions intend playing.
“The two flyhalves (Stephen Jones and Ronan O’Gara) are good at game management. They kick well at goal and their tactical kicking is also good.”
Jones, a former Wallaby boss who coached Saracens until recently, also believes the Lions have picked a squad that can stand their ground physically.
“They have picked big and aggressive forwards. They will definitely be out to take South Africa on physically,” he said.
“There are not many surprises among the backs. I don’t think they’ll be out to beat South Africa with flair. I doubt we’ll see high scores in the games. It’s going to be hard and uncompromising. The Lions will have a very recognisable style of play.
“The big question is whether they have enough talent. If you weigh the sides against one another, South Africa will have more talent at their disposal.”
McGeechan surprised by not picking the captains of Scotland (Blair), Wales (Ryan Jones) and England (Steve Borthwick). Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll will play a supporting role under O’Connell.
White, who coached South Africa in their triumphant World Cup campaign, was impressed by the manner in which McGeechan approached the issue of leadership.
“It shows he has his own vision and that sends a very good signal to the players. I have to compliment him on that,” said White.
“He did not fall into the trap of sentimental choices. Some people would have wanted Borthwick there because he is England’s captain and Ryan Jones would have had a lot of support in Wales.
“O’Driscoll is also not the skipper, irrespective of the reverence in which he is held in Ireland. With the squad he picked, McGeechan is also keeping his cards close to his chest with regards the first 15 for the tests.”
Visagie, a former Bok tighthead prop who now plays for Saracens, also sees a physical onslaught coming South Africa’s way.
“The choice of O’Connell ahead of O’Driscoll tells you what the philosophy will be. They wanted a skipper that can impose himself physically,” said Visagie.
“Simon Shaw over Borthwick is a further indication. Shaw is a bruiser and Borthwick a lineout specialist. However, I think South Africa have the ability to dominate the Lions physically.”
And two pics for Buckeye, from the Currie Cup final and semifinal of 2008, which the Sharks my home team won.
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WWS-SA
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22/4/2009, 22:10
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broa
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Re: …
quote:
Buckeye wrote:
Is this Rugby or that silly game with the silk shorts that you guys love to call soccer?
no it's not that silly game you guys in the US love to call soccer, the game that is really named football. what is really silly is that game of whatchamacallit, that you insist on calling football, where they almost never play for more than 10-15 seconds at a time. upon which they need to deliberate for several minutes about what to do next, befor they start a new 10-15 second session of play time.  
Smous,
any chance of catching any of this action on the webb somewhere? is there a webb broadcast? promise to be some very entertaining games, I'm sure
Last edited by broa, 23/4/2009, 2:34
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"Dum spiro, spero"
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23/4/2009, 2:28
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FiringOnAllFour
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Re: Lions tour to SA
Sorry, just remind me, is American FOOTBALL the came where the ball is mostly carried or thrown? 
Any game that invites the real possiblity of neck and back injuries, head injuries, and broken limbs, seems to me quite stupid. I suppose at least the americans put on shoulder pads, although that might just be to make them look bigger.
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24/4/2009, 8:39
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broa
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Re: Lions tour to SA
quote:
FiringOnAllFour wrote:
Sorry, just remind me, is American FOOTBALL the came where the ball is mostly carried or thrown?
Any game that invites the real possiblity of neck and back injuries, head injuries, and broken limbs, seems to me quite stupid. I suppose at least the americans put on shoulder pads, although that might just be to make them look bigger.
so, a golfer than, are you? 
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"Dum spiro, spero"
Cicero
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24/4/2009, 13:30
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JTTH
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Re: Lions tour to SA
Broa
Funny, that first photo, was just the one I had in mind when reading FOAF's post.
Then i scrolled down and there it was!!
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24/4/2009, 16:41
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FiringOnAllFour
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Re: Lions tour to SA
I'm also happy to include football (the one where you play with your feet!) under that umbrella!
I prefer Bridge
(just kidding!)
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25/4/2009, 22:06
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FiringOnAllFour
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Re: Lions tour to SA
PS
The guy in the second photo looks like he kind of enjoyed that in a strange way.
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25/4/2009, 22:09
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Big Bird
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Re: Lions tour to SA
Second photo doesn't really belong in the physically dangerous category, looks entertaining but is almost certainly very tame. 'Spot the ball' gives a clue.
They've both gone up for a header and got their legs tangled, rather than the player in red charging through the back of the one in green and kicking him up in the air by his knackers.
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26/4/2009, 13:59
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Big Bird
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Re: Lions tour to SA
The plan was to use every player in the first 3 games, then build a team from there onwards.
McGeechan might have his work cut out on the second part of that if the last couple of weekends are anything to go by.
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6/6/2009, 21:00
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Big Bird
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Re: Lions tour to SA
Looking at what's happened so far Smous, your Sharks stand a decent chance midweek. The Lions will want to start what they initially think is their test side against Western Province on Saturday, so the Sharks will face the 'mid-week' team.
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9/6/2009, 8:43
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Big Bird
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Re: Lions tour to SA
One of those days when one individual battle decides the game. Vickery's humbling by the beast cost points and territory, and the Lions backs looked as though they could have done damage given better field position even before the Boks subs.
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21/6/2009, 10:38
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Smurf4
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Lions tour to SA
O'Gara needs to play the next one!
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21/6/2009, 14:00
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Big Bird
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Re: Lions tour to SA
quote:
alan a wrote:
I realise you are from Munster...but you have to be joking. Neither O'Gara nor Jones is great, but at least Jones knows how to tackle.
More validly, the Lions have can't take on the Boks with a tactical kicking game, they have to try to release the backs with ball in hand and Jones is the best man available for that, not O'Gara. Going for a kicking game against the best line-out in world rugby would be suicidal.
Mears should go back to the bench, Vickery should go back to the beach. It's not as though it's the first time Vickery has had refereeing problems with his scrummaging at the top level. Either he's turning in himself or there's something in his technique that makes it easy for opponents to turn him.
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21/6/2009, 20:19
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Smurf4
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Lions tour to SA
And John Hayes too! We shouldnt be afraid of them, a little bit of Munster attitude is what's needed. Get stuck in and give 'em hell..
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22/6/2009, 14:33
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