Lions Tour 2025

[PhilClinton]

Kerevi is 32 this year and whilst his body is being better preserved in Japanese rugby, I feel like it isn't exactly the place where he will be necessarily getting fitter to revert back to his prime form.

I'm not sure he will end up improving going forward on the version we got in 2024. I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't picked in the squad.

 

[Dctarget]

Would be cool if we had any idea how he was going over there.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Would be cool if we had any idea how he was going over there.

He's started 8 out of 11 games for D-Rocks and scored 4 tries.

Seems he is at least getting on the park?

But yeah, tough to judge form off that

 

[Dismal Pillock]

ImHo Japan is hopeless for some of these guys, mainly for the difference in concentration levels compared to playing tests.

eg Mounga doesnt play anything like a test match 1st 5 in Japan. He basically flits around at the back, and is rarely at 1st receiver.

Ngani Laumape might look like a brutal wrecking ball but he basically hides away from the ball like he's a decorative passenger

 

[Strewthcobber]

ImHo Japan is hopeless for some of these guys, mainly for the difference in concentration levels compared to playing tests.

eg Mounga doesnt play anything like a test match 1st 5 in Japan. He basically flits around at the back, and is rarely at 1st receiver.

Ngani Laumape might look like a brutal wrecking ball but he basically hides away from the ball like he's a decorative passenger

I think the real question is how do South Africa manage it so well?

 

[Derpus]

I think the real question is how do South Africa manage it so well?

PEDs

 

[upthereds#!]

Skelton will be straight in. La Rochelle won't make the Top 14 finals at this rate let alone the GF. His last match will be same time as some of our boys if they make the Super final.

I also think Joe will be tempted by Kerevi again at 12, he'll at least make the squad. Then if not that, he'll revert to 12. Ikitau 13. Sua'ali'i before Paisami starts.

Williams deserves to start with Skelton in the row. Then probably Frost on the bench.

I agree on Kerevi - I just didn't want to change the other team TOOOO much

 

[Dismal Pillock]

I think the real question is how do South Africa manage it so well?

Stellen Bosch Brain

 

[Tazzmania]

I think the real question is how do South Africa manage it so well?

If you take a closer look there are probably a number of reasons:

1) Very large player pool.

2) Most players do not appear to leave forever, some find their way back later in their careers, others rotate in and out, and others land up playing internationals for their adopted countries, but then ofetn still find their way"home" again.

3) Limited work visas overseas so get shorter opportunities but then head "home"again.

 

[Strewthcobber]

If you take a closer look there are probably a number of reasons:

1) Very large player pool.

2) Most players do not appear to leave forever, some find their way back later in their careers, others rotate in and out, and others land up playing internationals for their adopted countries, but then ofetn still find their way"home" again.

3) Limited work visas overseas so get shorter opportunities but then head "home"again.

I think the main one is they select people in Japan for the national team

 

[Viewglazer990]

any predicted starting XV for the lions?

 

[Slim 293]

No.

 

[Slim 293]

Foster announced in AU/NZ coaching staff, First Nations Pasifika game confirmed for Lions Series

www.rugby.com.au

 

[Dctarget]

Speaking of, anyone want to buy 2x tickets to the First Nations/Pasifika v Lions off me? I can't seem to get a refund.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I'd say either one of those scenarios is most likely, and the Wallabies' backline functioned significantly better without Paisami last year...

Paisami is always giving it his all but at the Test level he's shaded by his opposition. I expect JAS and Len in the Centres. Defenders eyes on JAS opened up more space for Ikitau and he's so good with a bit of room.

 

[Tex]

I'm going to the Melbourne Test and will head to Adelaide for a bit of a family visit and the Aus/NZ invitational side.

Can't wait tbh. Last series was great, even though the Rebels got smoked in the tour match.

 

[BDA]

Skelton will be straight in. La Rochelle won't make the Top 14 finals at this rate let alone the GF. His last match will be same time as some of our boys if they make the Super final.

I also think Joe will be tempted by Kerevi again at 12, he'll at least make the squad. Then if not that, he'll revert to 12. Ikitau 13. Sua'ali'i before Paisami starts.

Williams deserves to start with Skelton in the row. Then probably Frost on the bench.

Don't get me wrong, I agree with Skelton being in the squad, but I'd be pretty surprised if he's in the run-on side for game one. Other than what he brings to maul defence, I would say a guy like Frost is superior in most other aspect of play (lineout, defence, workrate, support play, ability to make a break etc). My read from the end of year tour (and I might be wrong) was the Skelton doesn't entirely suit to type of game we will be wanting to play in July, which will be up-tempo, high pace rugby. In theory I like what Skelton offers and if our maul defence crumbles in game one we might be forced to play him but my gut says we'll play our best rugby without him on the field.

 

[wamberal99]

Don't get me wrong, I agree with Skelton being in the squad, but I'd be pretty surprised if he's in the run-on side for game one. Other than what he brings to maul defence, I would say a guy like Frost is superior in most other aspect of play (lineout, defence, workrate, support play, ability to make a break etc). My read from the end of year tour (and I might be wrong) was the Skelton doesn't entirely suit to type of game we will be wanting to play in July, which will be up-tempo, high pace rugby. In theory I like what Skelton offers and if our maul defence crumbles in game one we might be forced to play him but my gut says we'll play our best rugby without him on the field.

Darcy Swain might be in the picture?

 

[BDA]

Darcy Swain might be in the picture?

Yeh honestly I'd probably go with Swain over Skelton to. Better work rate, plays more minutes and his lineout work is excellent

 

[Slim 293]

I think the Wales game highlighted Skelton's worth, and he was consistently one of the better Wallaby forwards under Eddie's brief reign...

How leviathan Will Skelton and the Wallabies reversed the World Cup fiasco

The La Rochelle juggernaut made his tour debut in Cardiff, and laid waste to the home pack en route to a victory laden with revenge.

www.rugbypass.com

But I think you would have to bring him off the bench with another strong lineout option in the backrow such as Cale, Wright, Uru or Leota to make that back 5 balance.