Lions XV to face the All Blacks in Christchurch
Gethin Jenkins, Shane Byrne, Julian White, Ben Kay, Paul O'Connell, Richard Hill, Neil Back, Martin Corry, Dwayne Peel, Stephen Jones, Gareth Thomas, Jonny Wilkinson, Brian O'Driscoll, Josh Lewsey, Jason Robinson
SUBS: Steve Thompson, Graham Rowntree, Danny Grewcock, Ryan Jones, Matt Dawson, Will Greenwood, Shane Horgan
means Shane Williams, the Welsh Michael Flatley has missed out completely.. and the biggest news is obviously seeing Jonny Wilkinson at no.12 with Jones at no.10 as most had been expecting.. so on paper it is quite equal with both sides having two no. 12s who apparently can kick but can't tackle in Aaron Mauger and Jonny Wilkinson.. and of coz Mauger and Wilko complement their no. 10's foot.. it was prob gonna happen once the All Blacks squad had been named..
other notables.. Shane Byrne is q solid and a good scrummager.. also p mobile.. will be interesting to see how he handles the rumbling Keven Meleamu.. the wings, well as i said Shane Williams has missed out, but prob not surprisingly.. Gareth Thomas was superb in his first game for the Lions against Wellington and his bulk should match with Sivivatu's.. question Jason Robinson's inclusion though.. his form hasn't been noticeable on the tour esp in that one game he's had.. Josh Lewsey def deserves to be in there on form but wonder at no. 14 if he'll get the ball as he could have.. seen a lot more of the no. 11s than no. 14s.. wonder if his pace will be diminished by being moved to openside wing from his explosive fullback position..
on the subs Ryan Jones can offer much with his ability to play from 6 to 8, Will Greenwood could come in to support O'Driscoll who really apart from that Maori try has been anonymous.. but he is a big game player so he'll be up for this test match.. in fact, all the games previously should not have a huge bearing on this game.. yes the Lions have been average to say the least but this is the one they're really up for.. they could be a different side when they face that haka than they have ever been so far.. the ABs must and will be aware of that fact.. remember the 2003 World Cup semifinal? the Australians suddenly passed and kept the ball and shocked the ABs.. and judging from the selections, an England Woodward-era style of rugby may feature.. Forwards, Penalties, Wilkinson.. with the backs really being just peripheral..
so just three days then.. will be packing up the car to drive up along with heaps of ppl to Christchurch.. the most English city in the world down under will be able to live up to its name when those Lions fans drive up from "Chernobyl" to the great Canterbury plains.. and there'll be many more than we've already seen..
SUBS: Steve Thompson, Graham Rowntree, Danny Grewcock, Ryan Jones, Matt Dawson, Will Greenwood, Shane Horgan
means Shane Williams, the Welsh Michael Flatley has missed out completely.. and the biggest news is obviously seeing Jonny Wilkinson at no.12 with Jones at no.10 as most had been expecting.. so on paper it is quite equal with both sides having two no. 12s who apparently can kick but can't tackle in Aaron Mauger and Jonny Wilkinson.. and of coz Mauger and Wilko complement their no. 10's foot.. it was prob gonna happen once the All Blacks squad had been named..
other notables.. Shane Byrne is q solid and a good scrummager.. also p mobile.. will be interesting to see how he handles the rumbling Keven Meleamu.. the wings, well as i said Shane Williams has missed out, but prob not surprisingly.. Gareth Thomas was superb in his first game for the Lions against Wellington and his bulk should match with Sivivatu's.. question Jason Robinson's inclusion though.. his form hasn't been noticeable on the tour esp in that one game he's had.. Josh Lewsey def deserves to be in there on form but wonder at no. 14 if he'll get the ball as he could have.. seen a lot more of the no. 11s than no. 14s.. wonder if his pace will be diminished by being moved to openside wing from his explosive fullback position..
on the subs Ryan Jones can offer much with his ability to play from 6 to 8, Will Greenwood could come in to support O'Driscoll who really apart from that Maori try has been anonymous.. but he is a big game player so he'll be up for this test match.. in fact, all the games previously should not have a huge bearing on this game.. yes the Lions have been average to say the least but this is the one they're really up for.. they could be a different side when they face that haka than they have ever been so far.. the ABs must and will be aware of that fact.. remember the 2003 World Cup semifinal? the Australians suddenly passed and kept the ball and shocked the ABs.. and judging from the selections, an England Woodward-era style of rugby may feature.. Forwards, Penalties, Wilkinson.. with the backs really being just peripheral..
so just three days then.. will be packing up the car to drive up along with heaps of ppl to Christchurch.. the most English city in the world down under will be able to live up to its name when those Lions fans drive up from "Chernobyl" to the great Canterbury plains.. and there'll be many more than we've already seen..
posted by Unknown at 1:30 pm
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