Australia vs British and Irish Lions - 1st Test (Brisbane)

[Brumby Runner]

Mowen would be the 6. McCalman would the 8.

No. The 6/8 should be a combination of Mowen, MMM and Kimlin. One on the bench.

 

[Braveheart81]

I think Dennis will get selected before McCalman.

Kimlin could possibly force his way onto the bench for this Saturday if Palu isn't fit to start but otherwise I think the three players picked will be Palu, Mowen and MMM.

 

[Brumby Runner]

After the Brumbies v Lions match last night, I would select the forwards as Robinson, Moore, Alexander, Douglas, Horwill, MMM, Hooper, Mowen, with the bench being Fainga'a, Sio, Slipper, Kimlin, Gill. The backs are now pretty well set in concrete as per GH's post above. The bench for the backs looks like Phipps, McCabe and Beale (though personally, I wouldn't have Kurtley for the rest of this year to see how he goes with his life as well as his rugby. I would prefer Cummins on the bench).

 

[fatprop]

Kafer thinks Kepu should be chosen as he is the strongest TH. I do think he is the strongest TH but I'm not so sure that Alexander wont be able to handle Vunipola and Alexander offers so much more in attack and defense. What more I think the Lions will probably try to push their advantage in the scrums in the second half. With MMM potentially moving to lock in the second half I think Kepu's strong scrummaging will be needed more late in the game. Plus I think he is more suited to playing 20-30 minutes. He gets very lazy after 30 minutes.

Yeah, if we can budget 30 minutes for Kepu, we are likely to get less lazy flops and reasonable scrummaging

40 or 50? = isn't our best option

 

[Zander]

No. The 6/8 should be a combination of Mowen, MMM and Kimlin. One on the bench.

I didn't say what it should be I said what will happen.

Anyway:

Powerful No. 8 Wycliff Palu eased fears that a troublesome knee still had him touch and go to start in the Test.

"For me the last few weeks (in camp) have been about recovery. I'll be fine ... I'm ready to go hard," Palu said.

"This Test is going to be one to remember."

 

[Zander]

Confirmed

Benn Robinson
Stephen Moore
Ben Alexander
Kane Douglas
James Horwill (c)
Ben Mowen
Michael Hooper
Wycliff Palu
Will Genia
James O'Connor
Digby Ioane
Christian Lealiifano
Adam Ashley-Cooper
Israel Folau
Berrick Barnes

Well done Deans. Nailed it.

 

[tigerland12]

Pretty decent team. I'd still have Simmons over Douglas, and possibly Slipper over Alexander, but you don't lose much either way.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

bench?

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

but that's to be expected from a reds fan (jk).
great squad in my opinion. Cully reporting Beale is on the bench which probably also includes Phipps and McCabe in the backs.

fwds from slipper, faainga, Sio, simmons, gill?

 

[Zander]

I'd say

Fainga'a
Slipper
Kepu
McMeniman
Gill
Phipps
McCabe
Beale

 

[barbarian]

That side is pretty good, should be more than enough to beat the Lions.

Bring it on you limey Brits!!!!

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

if roberts and north are playing i wouldnt be nearly as certain.

 

[KevinO]

Only 1 out of your back 3 can kick.

Advantage Lions.

 

[barbarian]

It's funny, we always assumed Deans would pick McCabe over Lilo, as McCabe is a noted Deans 'favourite'.

I think what we now know (and what a few of us had a hunch about) is that Lilo has always been a Deans favourite, but he has just never had a chance to pick him.

Until now!
.

 

[JSRF10]

Bring it on you limey Brits!!!! & token Irish

Fixed for you

Really looking forward to seeing what Folau can do on Saturday (with my Waratahs hat on), anything that can persude him to stay in our game is a good thing and a good showing for the Wallabies will help. Barnes will have to try his best not to get into a kicking duel with Halfpenny and Sexton as the Wallabies will lose territory. I wouldn't surprise me to see Barnes, JOC (James O'Connor) and Izzy alternate positions to 10,14 and 15 respectively.

 

[barbarian]

Only 1 out of your back 3 can kick.

Advantage Lions.

Folau can kick OK if needed.

Digby has never been able to kick, and it has never really hurted us.

I don't think it's much of an advantage to anyone, really.
.

 

[JSRF10]

Towards the end of April and May Folau was putting in some decent kicks for the Tahs, that said his first option is always to pass and let someone else kick

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

Only 1 out of your back 3 can kick.

Advantage Lions.

but if lions go with cuthbert, north and halfpenny - only one can kick as well so not sure that is an advantage at all.

 

[jollyswagman]

I never imagined we would see Barnes at 15 but the more I think about it the more I like it. I am not sure what he's like under the high ball but the thought of him running back at the line with the like of Digby & Folau looming up in support sounds great. Barnes does have a great flat pass when he runs at the line and lets it go. I like this back line a lot.

 

[KevinO]

Folau can kick OK if needed.

Digby has never been able to kick, and it has never really hurted us.

.

That's because you have always had 2 out of 3 who can kick.

but if lions go with cuthbert, north and halfpenny - only one can kick as well so not sure that is an advantage at all.

Really doubt it's going to be Cuthbert and North on the wings. Halfpenny and Sextons kicking games could just keep pinging Australia into the corners all day.