The Lions

[Rosco]

The lineout wouldn't be my main worry if I'm honest, it's not the most complicated of things. A couple of half hour sessions on it the week of the game would sort it out. Once everyone is clear on their roles and the calls it's just about executing. Mears is showing himself to be the most reliable out of touch, so I think he's a keeper. I like his style of play too, he's a very busy hooker and can carry ball well despite being a little bit light.

Scrummaging is a little bit harder to get right, but they seem to be reasonably well drilled in that regard already. In terms of the pack it's who does what in the loose that really matters, most teams (certainly in my experience anyway) have certain guys that they know are going to hit every ruck and others who will be looked upon to take the ball up in pick and go situations/pop ball from the scrumhalf, that understanding needs to be there with the pack, because there's been plenty of times that we've struggled with numbers in the rucks in the past few games. I think it'll improve over the next couple of weeks.

I agree about the backs, the centres are crucial to the effectiveness of the backline and we know Roberts and BOD can combine well and they complement each other exceptionally well too.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

I'm Welsh Rosco, its only natural that I'm concerned about the lineout.

If we weren't up against Matfield and Botha i might not be so worried about it, but I've seen them twice over the last 3 weeks and they steal so much ball it's unreal. I just hope that we can nail it in this area and secure our own ball.

Yeah i agree with your points about the contact area/rucks, and I'd also add that I'm not comfortable about how we are defending the rolling maul at present. I guess that the SA's won't have had much match practise in this area since the law change either though.

 

[Rosco]

If the timing is right and the throw is spot on then the Boks, as good as they are, won't get much chance to steal the lineout. For me Rees seems to always underthrow a little bit, our second rows are taking a lot of ball at head and chest height when he throws, that's easily interefered with. Once were stretching O'Connell and AW Jones with the throws we should be okay.

 

[Judge Jules]

[quote author=Rosco link=topic=32866.msg885306#msg885306 date=1244581663]
The lineout wouldn't be my main worry if I'm honest, it's not the most complicated of things. A couple of half hour sessions on it the week of the game would sort it out. Once everyone is clear on their roles and the calls it's just about executing. Mears is showing himself to be the most reliable out of touch, so I think he's a keeper. I like his style of play too, he's a very busy hooker and can carry ball well despite being a little bit light.

Scrummaging is a little bit harder to get right, but they seem to be reasonably well drilled in that regard already. In terms of the pack it's who does what in the loose that really matters, most teams (certainly in my experience anyway) have certain guys that they know are going to hit every ruck and others who will be looked upon to take the ball up in pick and go situations/pop ball from the scrumhalf, that understanding needs to be there with the pack, because there's been plenty of times that we've struggled with numbers in the rucks in the past few games. I think it'll improve over the next couple of weeks.

I agree about the backs, the centres are crucial to the effectiveness of the backline and we know Roberts and BOD can combine well and they complement each other exceptionally well too.
[/quote]

Largely agree, but I just wonder how easy it will be to develop that scrummaging and those combinations in the loose in a side which won't have played together at all before the First Test. At the very least there's a risk there.

BTW Halfpenny's just been ruled out of the tour. Thigh injury hasn't recovered enough.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

+
Heaslip
Wallace
BOD
Roberts
Croft
Mears
Byrne
Fitzy
Phillips

-
O'Gara
Williams

 

[Jürgen4PM]

I'm beginning to wonder how we're going to score tries against the SA's

 

[Rosco]

I missed most of this game (again ....)

The part I did see involved two tries Fitzgerald and Byrne, BOD's decision making was excellent for both. If Roberts can make half breaks and get BOD beyond the backline we'll score tries. Whether we get the quick ball necessary for that is another matter.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Yeah BOD was outstanding for the entire game again. Wallace and Heaslip really stepped it up as well.

We were camped in there 22 for most of the match (80% pos in the 1st 40Min's), yet we seemed to struggle to finish off our moves.

On a side note, it was mentioned for the 1st time that maybe O'Connell wasn't a automatic starter + O'Gara may miss out on a spot on the bench, due to Hook being more versatile and offering something a little different.

 

[Judge Jules]

On the point about try-scoring, the back row will be key. If we're on our game we'll have the beating of them in the front row, which on the face of it should translate into the possession we need, but their back row will be trying to get away with murder (and doubtless succeeding some of the time). If we can at least hold our own in that area, we've got definite chances.

 

[Rosco]

What did ROG do wrong ?

Hook for the bench certainly has some merit, I see ROG and Jones as pretty much identical so if you wanted to spring somone from the bench to change a game Hook would be a better choice than the other two.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

After what we've seen so far JJ/rosco, how do you see the series going?

I was quite confident a few months back, but I'm not so sure now.

 

[Judge Jules]

Same as I have all the way through TBH, namely that the Boks are favourites but not by much. The Lions AT THEIR BEST are pretty close to them IMO and probably the value bet of the two.

 

[Rosco]

Rafa - have you heard anything about the rumour that Powell has broken two bones in his hand ?

 

[Jürgen4PM]

[quote author=Rosco link=topic=32866.msg885892#msg885892 date=1244662556]
What did ROG do wrong ?

Hook for the bench certainly has some merit, I see ROG and Jones as pretty much identical so if you wanted to spring somone from the bench to change a game Hook would be a better choice than the other two.
[/quote]

All of the pundits were saying that Jones was nailed on for the test jersey, mainly due to his extra physicality and his better defensive work.

He was ok tonight i guess Rosco, but i was really expecting him to step up tonight as this was his big chance. He kicked the ball away so many times, when keeping it in hand would have been by far the better option. His goal kicking was very good as usual.

He seemed to be playing like he knew he wasn't in the frame for the tests.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

[quote author=Rosco link=topic=32866.msg885900#msg885900 date=1244662898]
Rafa - have you heard anything about the rumour that Powell has broken two bones in his hand ?
[/quote]

It's still not working Rosco.

 

[Rosco]

Just reading one Irish forum and they're slating ROG.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

You were fu*king with me about Powell right?

 

[Rosco]

[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=32866.msg885909#msg885909 date=1244663159]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=32866.msg885900#msg885900 date=1244662898]
Rafa - have you heard anything about the rumour that Powell has broken two bones in his hand ?
[/quote]

It's still not working Rosco.
[/quote]

Read the last paragraph:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbyn...nny-out-of-british-lions-tour-91466-23833971/

And actually read what a few Irish rugby fans think of him too:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055588976

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Interesting and impartial views i thought Rosco. This one seems to sum up the comments pretty well:

"Powell would be a liability running away from cover into the arms of the Springbok loose forwards. It doesn't matter anyway Heaslip is made of Steel and is our Number 8 for all 240 mins of the 3 tests".

The injury news about Powell doesn't seem to good, allthough nothing mentioned about it today.

 

[Rosco]

Are you saying Heaslip isn't made of steel ?

 

[Jürgen4PM]

[quote author=Rosco link=topic=32866.msg885938#msg885938 date=1244664440]
Are you saying Heaslip isn't made of steel ?
[/quote]

Ha.

On a serious note though, i think Heaslip training with someone of Powells calibre, has clearly helped him to improve his game.

 

[Rosco]

hahaha

 

[Rosco]

Watched a bit more of the game on Sky there.

It looks to me like about half the Test team have nailed down their spots:

2. Mears
5. O'Connell
7. Wallace
8. Heaslip
9. Phillips
12. Roberts
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. Byrne

I'm still not sure which is the best combination of props to go with, I like both Sheridan and Jenkins and find it tough to choose between them.
AW Jones looks to be the favourite to partner O'Connell but he hasn't been great yet.
At blindside Croft seems to be the favourite but it will be interesting to see what shape Ryan Jones is in.
It's looking likely that Jones will get the nod at 10, but I don't see it as definite just yet - one more good performance and it will be.
As for left wing - they've been desperately trying to make it Williams' spot but he hasn't really grasped the opportunity. I wish he'd stay wide a bit more, he can't do much damage infield and always seems to want to play there. Fitzgerals looked sharp tonight and is a lively outsider for the jersey, Monye should get another chance this weekend to stake his claim too, still a wide open one for me.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

That sounds about right Rosco, allthough maybe Wallace will play at 6 instead of 7 (i still think they might opt for Williams).

If they play Shane now then it is simply on past reputation, he's done nothing to warrent a place in the team.

For me Jones and AW Jones are nailed on, but all of the rest of the places are completely up for grabs.

 

[Judge Jules]

I don't think either Jones is nailed on, especially not Stephen, though I would be somewhat surprised now if AWJ doesn't get picked.

In the front row my guess is Jenkins may just edge Sheridan out for the First Test, but I think Vickery may have overtaken Murray for the other spot.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Barring injuries this is what i'm guessing the test team will be:

Jenkins
Mears
Vickery
O'Connell
AW Jones
Wallace
Williams
Heaslip
Phillips
Jones
Moyne
BOD
Roberts
Bowe
Byrne

The two props, one wing spot and 7 are still open IMO.

I'd be equally happy to see Sheridan and Murray start (maybe more so actually), and personally I'd rather Croft came into the back row at the expense of Williams. I've gone for Moyne on the wing, simply because he's put in one very good display so far, and will be given another go to back this up on Saturday.

 

[Judge Jules]

Agree almost completely, though I think Croft may get the nod over M.Williams if only for the fact that he's just that little bit heftier. I also reckon substitutes are going to have an important role to play on this most physical of tours.

By the way the England wing's name is Monye. "Moyne" makes him sound Irish. I'm surprised they didn't argue his real name's a misprint, to try and sign him first. 😉

 

[Jürgen4PM]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=32866.msg886420#msg886420 date=1244732068]
Agree almost completely, though I think Croft may get the nod over M.Williams if only for the fact that he's just that little bit heftier. I also reckon substitutes are going to have an important role to play on this most physical of tours.

By the way the England wing's name is Monye. "Moyne" makes him sound Irish. I'm surprised they didn't argue his real name's a misprint, to try and sign him first. 😉
[/quote]

Sorry mate, my spelling is woeful.

Another bonus with Croft is that he adds a lot to the back of lineout as well. This could be quite usefull if Matfield & Botha are causing us problems.

 

[Judge Jules]

Very good point. The line-out is going to be a war zone. That's actually one reason why I wouldn't completely write Shaw out of the selection equation yet. Even those Boks will know they've been in a game if he's in there.

 

[Rosco]

I don't think many people would mistake Monye as being Irish !