Lions Tour 2013

[KevinO]

Major Blow for the Lions Team,

Ex-captain Paul O'Connell likely to miss looming Lions tour

The chances of Paul O’Connell completing a full house of British and Irish Lions trips to the great southern hemisphere rugby nations appeared more remote than ever today, despite successful back surgery at a hospital in Dublin.
The Munster and Ireland lock, who played for the British and Irish Lions in the Test series against New Zealand in 2005 and captained them in South Africa four years ago, does not expect to resume playing until the start of April at the earliest. That means O’Connell will have had next to no game time when the squad for this summer’s tour to Australia is named later that month.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...ikely-to-miss-looming-lions-tour-8434731.html

 

[en_force_er]

I know you're a passionate Irish fan KevinO but I think O'Connell was pretty far from a certain starter.

A blow to a certain tourer (if fit) but nothing more than that. He was a good chance for the "tour captain" role.

 

[KevinO]

I know you're a passionate Irish fan KevinO but I think O'Connell was pretty far from a certain starter.

He would have been in the squad, he is in the top 3 Lions current locks when fit and has a massive influence on games.

 

[en_force_er]

He would have been in the squad, he is in the top 3 Lions current locks when fit and has a massive influence on games.

Agreed hypothetically but he's also 33.

A 33 year old doesn't just snap back into fitness after 2 or 3 games and he hasn't played a game in a quite a while.

Even if he started playing again a month before the tour I'm not sure if he'd be up to it.

 

[Groucho]

Thoughts on a potential Wallaby team for the first test? (If all players are fit). Below is what I'd love to see:

1) Robinson
2) Moore
3) Alexander
4) Horwill (C)
5) Timani
6) Higginbotham
7) Pocock
8) Palu
9) Genia
10) Cooper
11) Ioane
12) Barnes
13) Ashley-Cooper
14) O'Connor
15) Beale

Good team, penetrative backline.

 

[KevinO]

My Lions Team on form:

1) Cian Healy (Ire)
2) Richard Hibbard (Wal) or Richart Strauss (Ire) (Will take over Rory Best in 6 Nations) or
3) Dan Cole (Eng) or Adam Jones (Wal)
4) Luke Charteris (Wal) or Donnacha Ryan (Ire)
5) Richie Gray (Sco)
6) Stephen Ferris (Ire)
7) Warburton (Wal)
8) Jamie Heaslip (Ire) or Faletau (Wal) (Depends on who finds form in the 6 nations, Denton from Scotland is a long shot)

9) Plippips (Wal)
10) Sexton (Ire) (Hope Priestland finds form as I rate him better than Sexton)

11) North (Wales)
12) O'Driscoll (Ire) or Jamie Roberts (Wal)
13) Tuilagi (Eng)
14) Visser (Sco) scoring record is to good at International level
15) Kearney (Ire)

Wings is a tough choice, you still have Ashton (Eng, out of form) Bowe (Ire) to consider, Gilroy (Ire) has only played 2 international games but has 4 try's and could really launch himself into contention during the 6 Nations.

I have taken into consideration the fixture for the 6 Nations and how I think teams will go, certain trends happen with the 6 Nations as the fixture is the same every second year.

Ireland have the draw that suits them the most playing England and France at home. Having lost to England the last time they meet in Dublin, they won't allow it to happen two in a row, Kidney would be certain to loose his job if it did)

England have to travel to Wales and Ireland.

Scotland have to travel to both England and France where they will get smashed

Wales travel to France, Scotland and Italy. They really need to find some of that form they took from the World Cup.

I doubt any team will win the Grand slam and think France will win the 6 nations.

 

[en_force_er]

My Lions Team on form:

1) Cian Healy (Ire)
2) Richard Hibbard (Wal) or Richart Strauss (Ire) (Will take over Rory Best in 6 Nations) or
3) Dan Cole (Eng) or Adam Jones (Wal)
4) Luke Charteris (Wal) or Donnacha Ryan (Ire)
5) Richie Gray (Sco)
6) Stephen Ferris (Ire)
7) Warburton (Wal)
8) Jamie Heaslip (Ire) or Faletau (Wal) (Depends on who finds form in the 6 nations, Denton from Scotland is a long shot)

9) Plippips (Wal)
10) Sexton (Ire) (Hope Priestland finds form as I rate him better than Sexton)

11) North (Wales)
12) O'Driscoll (Ire) or Jamie Roberts (Wal)
13) Tuilagi (Eng)
14) Visser (Sco) scoring record is to good at International level
15) Kearney (Ire)

A pretty decent team and I don't viciously disagree with any of it.

I'd name:

1. Healy (same)
2. Hartley (a bit of a prick but I actually don't think the Lions have strong hookers) or Best (I don't get why Ireland are so keen to turn their backs on such a solid player).
3. Cole (easily the best 3 in the world for mine)
4. Lauchbury (a smokey but I rate him and I think he'll grow in 2013).
5. Gray
6. Ferris or Lydiate (if he recovers form)
7. Robshaw (unless Warburton has a surprise return of form in 2012 there's no other choice)
8. Heaslip or Faletau (I agree, the 6N is big for them).

9. Phillips
10. Sexton
11. North
12. Roberts
13. O'Driscoll or Tuilagi (if BOD's not fit)
14. Tuilagi (don't think it'll happen, but he'd certainly fit there) or Visser
15. Halfpenny

 

[kronic]

Gatland and co are in Sydney atm. Looks like they are scoping out the stadiums.

 

[KevinO]

A pretty decent team and I don't viciously disagree with any of it.

I'd name:

1. Healy (same)
2. Hartley (a bit of a prick but I actually don't think the Lions have strong hookers) or Best (I don't get why Ireland are so keen to turn their backs on such a solid player).
3. Cole (easily the best 3 in the world for mine)
4. Lauchbury (a smokey but I rate him and I think he'll grow in 2013).
5. Gray
6. Ferris or Lydiate (if he recovers form)
7. Robshaw (unless Warburton has a surprise return of form in 2012 there's no other choice)
8. Heaslip or Faletau (I agree, the 6N is big for them).

9. Phillips
10. Sexton
11. North
12. Roberts
13. O'Driscoll or Tuilagi (if BOD's not fit)
14. Tuilagi (don't think it'll happen, but he'd certainly fit there) or Visser
15. Halfpenny

Will be interesting to see how big of a squad Gatland takes, they will have a good few games before the test start and I'd say they will try a few combinations in the warm up games.

Roberts and Halfpenny/Kearney are major doubts for me at the moment, all have a lot to prove but I think Kearney will find it easiest to get some form to carry into the 6 nations as Leinster are playing some of the best rugby at the moment and it will be easy to slot back in.

If Sean O'Brien has a stand out 6 Nations he could be a long shot for 7, Irish back row that destroyed the Wallabies in Auckland playing for the Lions, now that would be great

I like the move of Tuilagi on the wing, but it would never happen as that's the one position they have plenty of cover (Although Declan Kidney has a tough choice for 6 Nations wing selections). With regards to best, he was always Ireland's second choice Hooker behind Jerry Flannery who retired last year.

 

[en_force_er]

Will be interesting to see how big of a squad Gatland takes, they will have a good few games before the test start and I'd say they will try a few combinations in the warm up games.

Roberts and Halfpenny/Kearney are major doubts for me at the moment, all have a lot to prove but I think Kearney will find it easiest to get some form to carry into the 6 nations as Leinster are playing some of the best rugby at the moment and it will be easy to slot back in.

If Sean O'Brien has a stand out 6 Nations he could be a long shot for 7, Irish back row that destroyed the Wallabies in Auckland playing for the Lions, now that would be great

I like the move of Tuilagi on the wing, but it would never happen as that's the one position they have plenty of cover (Although Declan Kidney has a tough choice for 6 Nations wing selections). With regards to best, he was always Ireland's second choice Hooker behind Jerry Flannery who retired last year.

I haven't seen a Leinster game in 2-3 weeks but Kearney was long term injured for the last 2 times I watched.

I don't mind O'Brien at all but I don't think the Irish backrow is dominant enough to demand all 3 back row positions. Also, I can't see the captain of England being left out of any Lions side.

I thought Best was 1st choice at the WC? Was I wrong?

 

[KevinO]

I haven't seen a Leinster game in 2-3 weeks but Kearney was long term injured for the last 2 times I watched.

I don't mind O'Brien at all but I don't think the Irish backrow is dominant enough to demand all 3 back row positions. Also, I can't see the captain of England being left out of any Lions side.

I thought Best was 1st choice at the WC? Was I wrong?

Kearney has returned with Brian O'Driscoll and Luke Fitzgerald, all three toured with the Lions in South Africa although Declan Kidney seems to leave him behind the whole time. He was in great form last season and did not even get to tour NZ. (PS I do hate Leinster) But these guys are all in my top 22 for Ireland and BOD and Kearney are in my top 30 Lions squad.

Regarding the Irish back row, will have to wait and see how the six nations go, very interesting this year for all to watch.

Jerry Flannery got injured in training after the USA game and went home the day after the Australia game, he also missed the Lions tour of South Africa after a injury in training with the Lions squad before departing.

Just read North is injured and possibly out for the 6 Nations.

 

[KevinO]

Wales' injured players

• Craig Mitchell - prop
• Aaron Jarvis - prop
• Huw Bennett - hooker
• Ken Owens - hooker
• Alun Wyn Jones - lock
• Ian Evans - lock
• Luke Charteris - lock
• Dan Lydiate - flanker
• James Hook - fly-half
• Rhys Priestland - fly-half
• George North - wing

 

[Brumby Runner]

Good team, penetrative backline.

I would prefer a good lineout jumper to partner Horwill at lock; one of Pyle, Neville or Douglas would be my choice. Also, to improve the Wallabies' attack I would move JO'C to 12 and put Tomane or Speight on the wing, and I think Cummins offers more at 13 than AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). I have been hoping for some time that a new No 8 would emerge to replace Palu who is too injury prone for my liking. Maybe Auelua will come good?

Having said that, I expect your selections will look more like the team Deans puts on the park.

 

[KevinO]

I would prefer a good lineout jumper to partner Horwill at lock; one of Pyle, Neville or Douglas would be my choice. Also, to improve the Wallabies' attack I would move JO'C to 12 and put Tomane or Speight on the wing, and I think Cummins offers more at 13 than AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). I have been hoping for some time that a new No 8 would emerge to replace Palu who is too injury prone for my liking. Maybe Auelua will come good?

Having said that, I expect your selections will look more like the team Deans puts on the park.

JOC (James O'Connor) at 12 is a big call, he did not have one good game there last season and McCabe made him look average when the Rebels played the Brumbies. He has not stepped into the role in Super Rugby and would fail at 12 at International level if he played there now.

 

[disco]

I would prefer a good lineout jumper to partner Horwill at lock; one of Pyle, Neville or Douglas would be my choice. Also, to improve the Wallabies' attack I would move JO'C to 12 and put Tomane or Speight on the wing, and I think Cummins offers more at 13 than AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). I have been hoping for some time that a new No 8 would emerge to replace Palu who is too injury prone for my liking. Maybe Auelua will come good?

Having said that, I expect your selections will look more like the team Deans puts on the park.

I agree about picking a a really good jumper to partner Horwill I don't think you could play Timani with Horwill. ATM I would go with Douglas although I am a fan of Pyle so I'm hoping he has a big year.

 

[Slim 293]

With Sharpe gone we need someone who can call the lineouts......

At the moment none of Australia's Super rugby lineout generals are in a position to be starting for the Wallabies.........

 

[disco]

Thoughts on a potential Wallaby team for the first test? (If all players are fit). Below is what I'd love to see:

1) Robinson
2) Moore
3) Alexander
4) Horwill (C)
5) Timani
6) Higginbotham
7) Pocock
8) Palu
9) Genia
10) Cooper
11) Ioane
12) Barnes
13) Ashley-Cooper
14) O'Connor
15) Beale

Yeah that's a good backline basically the same backline that was running amok in 2010 except Ioane replaces Mitchell & Barnes shared the 12 jersey with Giteau. Tapuai may push Barnes for the 12 jersey but otherwise that would be our best backline if we intend on scoring tries.

Forward pack will probably come under more debate. You can't play Timani & Horwill together sure the scrum will be good but the lineout would suffer.
I thought our scrum was better on the spring tour with Slipper, Moore & Kepu up front. There is around 5 or 6 different backrow combos you could pick depending on what style of game we play in 2013.

I would want to play a fast game moving the ball around as I don't think we can grind a win against the Lions, so playing two fetchers from the start may be a real option especially if we used Higgers, MMM or Dennis @ 6 who are all good jumpers.

 

[disco]

Yeah that's a good backline basically the same backline that was running amok in 2010 except Ioane replaces Mitchell & Barnes shared the 12 jersey with Giteau. Tapuai may push Barnes for the 12 jersey but otherwise that would be our best backline if we intend on scoring tries.

Forward pack will probably come under more debate. You can't play Timani & Horwill together sure the scrum will be good but the lineout would suffer.
I thought our scrum was better on the spring tour with Slipper, Moore & Kepu up front. There is around 5 or 6 different backrow combos you could pick depending on what style of game we play in 2013.

I would want to play a fast game moving the ball around as I don't think we can grind a win against the Lions, so playing two fetchers from the start may be a real option especially if we used Higgers, MMM or Dennis @ 6 who are all good jumpers.

I forgot to add that if Palu is fit he would definitely be my starting number 8 as he always seems to play his best rugby against NH opposition.

 

[kronic]

Gatland and Co with Cockbain at AAMI Park. Hope he had a box of tissues handy for the stadium porn.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-AK (Andrew Kellaway)-ash3/c67.0.403.403/p403x403/537297_354313451332632_744534597_n.jpg

 

[qwerty51]

Lineout calling is overrated