Lions Tour 2025

[Dctarget]

You can look at our opposition and plan for that too. We're probably going to face a backline like:

9 JGP/Mitchell, 10 Russell/Smith; 11 James Lowe/Duhan, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Tuipulotu/Ringrose, 14 Blair Kinghorn; 15 Hugo Keenan

I'm leaning to Pietsch to start to combat Kinghorn's and Duhan's size. I think Kellaway gets runover there. Dylan has got that dawg in him and that's a big backline.

I think Pietsch, Jorgo, Wright is a balanced back three that could contain and undermine that Lions backline. Put Ikitau and Sua'ali'i in at centres we're getting somewhere. Then find a good flyhalf down the back of the couch and we're away.

 

[Derpus]

You can look at our opposition and plan for that too. We're probably going to face a backline like:

9 JGP/Mitchell, 10 Russell/Smith; 11 James Lowe/Duhan, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Tuipulotu/Ringrose, 14 Blair Kinghorn; 15 Hugo Keenan

I'm leaning to Pietsch to start to combat Kinghorn's and Duhan's size. I think Kellaway gets runover there. Dylan has got that dawg in him and that's a big backline.

I think Pietsch, Jorgo, Wright is a balanced back three that could contain and undermine that Lions backline. Put Ikitau and Sua'ali'i in at centres we're getting somewhere. Then find a good flyhalf down the back of the couch and we're away.

Noah has some work to do to show he warrants continued selection at 10 IMO. He has obviously been selected fairly consistently under Schmidt's reign but Donaldson's form is hard to deny.

 

[upthereds#!]

I doubt we'd bother. Odds of our third choice flyhalf appearing at all would be slim (assuming Noah and Donaldson at 1 and 2).

It's not about appearing, it's about being involved in a broader squad, older heads add more value. That was the problem at the WC, no quade so the 3 young flyhalves were rudderless.

IF called up, an older head IMO often more capable of slotting in and adding strategic value off the bench et

 

[Derpus]

It's not about appearing, it's about being involved in a broader squad, older heads add more value. That was the problem at the WC, no quade so the 3 young flyhalves were rudderless.

IF called up, an older head IMO often more capable of slotting in and adding strategic value off the bench et

While obviously talking out of my ask I reckon the idea that 'older heads' adding value to a squad while effectively being there in a non-playing capacity is kind of nonsense/not worth paying their salary for.

 

[Tomthumb]

Noah has some work to do to show he warrants continued selection at 10 IMO. He was obviously been selected fairly consistently under Schmidt's reign but Donaldson's form is hard to deny.

Yeah honestly the Brumbies looked better with Merideth at 10

 

[upthereds#!]

While obviously talking out of my ask I reckon the idea that 'older heads' adding value to a squad while effectively being there in a non-playing capacity is kind of nonsense/not worth paying their salary for.

Well I also said an older head is a better 3rd option then a youngster. IF called upon, you want experience. It's a big squad for a reason and the risk is huge if you fill up the 'non playing' spots as you call them, with developing players. Especially in a long series, the squad can get smaller real quick.

 

[Mr Pilfer]

I am liking the idea of Jorgo and Potter on the wings. I don't think Kellaway is doing enough to justify selection. McReight is an automatic selection but Tizzano is sure putting the pressure on. Nic Dolly could be a bolter for hooker as well with not many standouts.

 

[Adam84]

An exercise of availability of Australian players who are based overseas & could receive an invite for the Australian - New Zealand XV. Obviously , it's purely academic and doesn't factor in contracts/availability. Also Kerevi and Koroibete may be called into Wallabies.

1. Scott Sio
2. Folau Fainga'a
3. Sam Talakai
4. Ned Hanigan
5. Izack Rodda
6. Josh Kemeny
7. Michael Hooper
8. Pete Samu
9. Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Bernard Foley
13. Samu Kerevi
14. Izaia Perese
15. Tom Banks

16. Feleti Kaitu'ui
17. Paddy Ryan
18. Lachie Swinton
19. Kane Douglas
20. Sean McMahon
21. Liam Gill
22. Joe Powell
23. James Ramm

For some i can see the lure of accepting an invite, although it has feelings of a 'Barbarians' match it's also a one-off opportunity to play the B&I Lions that they'll unlikely ever have again.

 

[Tex]

Hopefully Steve Hanson being involved means there's a bunch of ranking Kiwi expats who can get a release to play too.

 

[PhilClinton]

Are overseas based players who have 'not having played for the All Blacks or Wallabies in the last 12 months' a genuine criterion for selection in this side? Or was it just something the media said when selecting their 'dream team' earlier this year?

 

[Dctarget]

An exercise of availability of Australian players who are based overseas & could receive an invite for the Australian - New Zealand XV. Obviously , it's purely academic and doesn't factor in contracts/availability. Also Kerevi and Koroibete may be called into Wallabies.

1. Scott Sio
2. Folau Fainga'a
3. Sam Talakai
4. Ned Hanigan Rory Arnold
5. Izack Rodda Rob Simmons
6. Josh Kemeny
7. Michael Hooper
8. Pete Samu
9. Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Bernard Foley Simone
13. Samu Kerevi
14. Izaia Perese
15. Tom Banks Hodge

16. Feleti Kaitu'ui
17. Paddy Ryan
18. Lachie Swinton
19. Kane Douglas
20. Sean McMahon
21. Liam Gill
22. Joe Powell Phipps
23. James Ramm Foley

For some i can see the lure of accepting an invite, although it has feelings of a 'Barbarians' match it's also a one-off opportunity to play the B&I Lions that they'll unlikely ever have again

I've done a combined ANZAC team, it was actually quite difficult to find Kiwis. So many of them have switched allegiance to Samoa/Tonga, especially the props. Kiwi props do not come around often and when they do they don't move overseas/hang around for long.
1. Scott Sio AUS
2. Folau Fainga'a AUS/NZ
3. Ollie Hoskins AUS
4. Brodie Retallick NZ
5. Rob Simmons AUS
6. Sam Cane NZ
7. Michael Hooper AUS
8. Akira Ioane NZ
9. Aaron Smith NZ
10. Quade Cooper AUS/NZ
11. George Bridge NZ
12. Samu Kerevi AUS
13. Jack Goodhue NZ
14. Leicester Fainga'anuku NZ
15. Reece Hodge AUS
16. Kaitu'ui AUS
17. Aiden Ross NZ... AUS
18. Sam Talakai AUS
19. Izack Rodda AUS
20. Pita-Gus Sowakula NZ
21. Will Genia AUS
22. Richie Mo'unga NZ
23. Tom Banks/Foley AUS

 

[Crashy]

still truck loads of tickets left for a lot of the games. Not sure about the claims of sold out games that we're hearing.

 

[KOB1987]

I've done a combined ANZAC team, it was actually quite difficult to find Kiwis. So many of them have switched allegiance to Samoa/Tonga, especially the props. Kiwi props do not come around often and when they do they don't move overseas/hang around for long.
1. Scott Sio AUS
2. Folau Fainga'a AUS/NZ
3. Ollie Hoskins AUS
4. Brodie Retallick NZ
5. Rob Simmons AUS
6. Sam Cane NZ
7. Michael Hooper AUS
8. Akira Ioane NZ
9. Aaron Smith NZ
10. Quade Cooper AUS/NZ
11. George Bridge NZ
12. Samu Kerevi AUS
13. Jack Goodhue NZ
14. Leicester Fainga'anuku NZ
15. Reece Hodge AUS
16. Kaitu'ui AUS
17. Aiden Ross NZ... AUS
18. Sam Talakai AUS
19. Izack Rodda AUS
20. Pita-Gus Sowakula NZ
21. Will Genia AUS
22. Richie Mo'unga NZ
23. Tom Banks/Foley AUS

Looks a good team! Considering it's our tour happy to stack it with Aussies and fill in the gaps with token Kiwis

 

[Dan54]

Looks a good team! Considering it's our tour happy to stack it with Aussies and fill in the gaps with token Kiwis

How it should be KOB.

 

[RebelYell]

An exercise of availability of Australian players who are based overseas & could receive an invite for the Australian - New Zealand XV. Obviously , it's purely academic and doesn't factor in contracts/availability. Also Kerevi and Koroibete may be called into Wallabies.

1. Scott Sio
2. Folau Fainga'a
3. Sam Talakai
4. Ned Hanigan
5. Izack Rodda
6. Josh Kemeny
7. Michael Hooper
8. Pete Samu
9. Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Bernard Foley
13. Samu Kerevi
14. Izaia Perese
15. Tom Banks

16. Feleti Kaitu'ui
17. Paddy Ryan
18. Lachie Swinton
19. Kane Douglas
20. Sean McMahon
21. Liam Gill
22. Joe Powell
23. James Ramm

For some i can see the lure of accepting an invite, although it has feelings of a 'Barbarians' match it's also a one-off opportunity to play the B&I Lions that they'll unlikely ever have again.

i still miss him dearly so the idea of starting Josh Kemeny over Sean McMahon - even after two years off rugby injured - hurt my feelings!

 

[Blue]

You can look at our opposition and plan for that too. We're probably going to face a backline like:

9 JGP/Mitchell, 10 Russell/Smith; 11 James Lowe/Duhan, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Tuipulotu/Ringrose, 14 Blair Kinghorn; 15 Hugo Keenan

I'm leaning to Pietsch to start to combat Kinghorn's and Duhan's size. I think Kellaway gets runover there. Dylan has got that dawg in him and that's a big backline.

I think Pietsch, Jorgo, Wright is a balanced back three that could contain and undermine that Lions backline. Put Ikitau and Sua'ali'i in at centres we're getting somewhere. Then find a good flyhalf down the back of the couch and we're away.

Kinghorn ad Kellaway will compete for 15. Lowe and vd Merwe start on the wings all day every day. Most British pundits have them as a nailed on starters barring inury or another winger shooting the lights out between now and the first test but even then they start.

 

[Blue]

An exercise of availability of Australian players who are based overseas & could receive an invite for the Australian - New Zealand XV. Obviously , it's purely academic and doesn't factor in contracts/availability. Also Kerevi and Koroibete may be called into Wallabies.

1. Scott Sio
2. Folau Fainga'a
3. Sam Talakai
4. Ned Hanigan
5. Izack Rodda
6. Josh Kemeny
7. Michael Hooper
8. Pete Samu
9. Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Bernard Foley
13. Samu Kerevi
14. Izaia Perese
15. Tom Banks

16. Feleti Kaitu'ui
17. Paddy Ryan
18. Lachie Swinton
19. Kane Douglas
20. Sean McMahon
21. Liam Gill
22. Joe Powell
23. James Ramm

For some i can see the lure of accepting an invite, although it has feelings of a 'Barbarians' match it's also a one-off opportunity to play the B&I Lions that they'll unlikely ever have again.

Y'all forgot Israel Folau. Wanna sell tickets?

 

[HogansHeros]

An exercise of availability of Australian players who are based overseas & could receive an invite for the Australian - New Zealand XV. Obviously , it's purely academic and doesn't factor in contracts/availability. Also Kerevi and Koroibete may be called into Wallabies.

1. Scott Sio
2. Folau Fainga'a
3. Sam Talakai
4. Ned Hanigan
5. Izack Rodda
6. Josh Kemeny
7. Michael Hooper
8. Pete Samu
9. Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Bernard Foley
13. Samu Kerevi
14. Izaia Perese
15. Tom Banks

16. Feleti Kaitu'ui
17. Paddy Ryan
18. Lachie Swinton
19. Kane Douglas
20. Sean McMahon
21. Liam Gill
22. Joe Powell
23. James Ramm

For some i can see the lure of accepting an invite, although it has feelings of a 'Barbarians' match it's also a one-off opportunity to play the B&I Lions that they'll unlikely ever have again.

George Smith is still running around somewhere im sure.
Gits was still playing until last year... close enough?

 

[dru]

Y'all forgot Israel Folau. Wanna sell tickets?

Nope. Not forgotten in the slightest - something else though.

 

[Tex]

Folau would be great and holding onto the nonsense from 2019 is silly