Lions

Anyone else loving this tour?
Team looks good for saturday with Jones stepping into the fray and a massive pack to boss the Maori about. Alot of these players will be in the test team, or pushing hard to get in, so should be some good performances. Both coaches will be looking at this one as a benchmark for the tests due to the quality of players on both teams. Taylor's crocked again, looks like he's not going to get lucky on a Lions tour so Ryan Jones is in to bolster the Welsh numbers and bring the Scots contingent down to just 2...unless Taylor recovers and stays. Owen starts...lets hope he stays injury free as he looks good for a test spot.

Look for Jones proving he's in better form than Jonny and now Hodgson.
Dawson hoping to sneak up the ratings ahead of Cusiter and Peel.
S Williams hoping to show he's able to attack and defend with the big boys.
Shaw to show the Welsh he deserved the call more than Cockbain after O'Kelly got injured.
Sheridan to show his 1 England cap doesn't make him out of his depth and that his 'Strongest man in English rugby' tag translates to performance on the pitch.
Lewsey to cement his place with Thomas and Murphy now knocking on the door.

Early start saturday morning for what should be a corker.
All Blacks just tonked Fiji 91-0 so need a good performance by the Lions to match that marker.
Come on Boys!

 

Afraid Im a league man through and through but I wish them luck. Its going to be interesting to see how Faz does in union.

 

Oh dear....very worrying game on Saturday. Some big names in the mix and didn't manage to stamp any authority on the game. As far as players go there aren't many aces left to play. It has to be about tactics now to make sure we don't lose out at the breakdown and ensure we get quicker ball. People are starting to look to Back to shore up the breakdown and Wilko, Robinson and Thomas to add something but if that fails we will be left looking exposed. I'm pretty worried for the tests now and you get a feeling that theres a touch of worry in the air around the camp, and the size of the camp means theres alot of worry! We need to step up and roast Wellington on Wednesday to get some confidence and momentum back.
Theres no doubt NZ is the hardest place to tour...you always get the feeling that teams are capable of pulling off a win and with the test team rammed with talent its going to be bloody hard to get a win.
Some points from the Maori game...
Lacking continuity again.
Stupid mistakes by Sheridan and D'arcy that gifted the Maori some vital points and a stupid pass by Owen when a late score was on raises questions over his play under pressure.
Jones had a hard game and wasn't able to shine.
JPR williams words about Wilkinson being primed to play at 10 weren't needed and add to the bad feeling coming out of Wales over this tour.
BOD looked short on ideas and inspiration until his late try...the Lions really need someone to take the forward play by the scruff of the neck...Corry's my man for the test number 8 spot at this point as Owen will miss vital build up games to the tests.

 

An important win for the Lions in the rain so a lack of finishing and a few passes dropped. The win was the most important aspect and the forwards fronted up a bit better so back on track although still some wobbles as we wait for the team to click and individuals to hit form within that framework.
Interesting that Wilko missed a couple of kicks and a couple of tackles. Hodgson is still the only fly half who's given a virtually flawless performance (albeit against a weak team) but everyone knows his kicking is suspect on the big occasion. I'd like to see Hodgson play with Henson outside him taking the kicks if he starts missing but it would be a big call from Clive to choose him ahead of Jones or Wilko in the test team. Otago on Saturday so hopefully we can move up another notch from the Maori game.

 

First test tomorrow and everyones holding their breaths over Clives decisions. Alot of question marks over his choices so I'm hoping they come good.
Should be cold and rainy in NZ tomorrow night so expect an ugly game. The result is all that matters though so come on boys, lets have it!

 

Christ. Pretty awful stuff. My weekend is ruined. Very depressing. Don't see us coming back next week especially with Shanklin, Hill and Brian O'D all out of the tour.
Disastrous in almost every respect.

 

I still can't believe Mealamu and Umaga get nowt for an off the ball incident putting BOD out for 3 or 4 months, yet Grewcock gets 2 months on the evidence of teeth marks.

How the hell do you bite someone with a gumshield in?!