Lions V NSW Waratahs

First topic message reminder :

This is obviously a very important game in the overall context of the tour. Gats should use it primarily as a tough run out for his test team 1 week before the test series begins. But will he still want to give some players a chance to put up their hands? Are there certain positions still up for grabs and if so will he try and use this game as a winner takes all shoot out. It is not ideal to still be asking players to play the Brumbies game and then appear in the 1st test, although not impossible.

For me it should be:

Adam Jones - nailed on
Hibbard - almost nailed on
Grant - experiment
POC - nailed on
AWJ - trial V Parling
Lydiate - needs to prove himself
Faletau - needs to prove himself
Warbs - needs to prove himself
Phillips - nailed on
Sexton - nailed on
North - nailed on
Roberts - nailed on
BOD - nailed on
Maitland - experiment
1/2P - nailed on

Bench:
Cole.....purely for some hard match practice as I see Jones as nailed on
T.Youngs....could challenge for a starting spot if he excels as a replacement - worth a look
Vuni.......originally viewed as an impact sub so interesting to see how he goes compared to the highly rated (by the Scots) Grant who is deserving of a start
Parling.....worth another look to see if he is worth a starting or bench spot
Croft....another who deserves a run out to see if he is worth a bench spot
Heaslip....given an opportunity could take the starters spot
Youngs....assuming he will be the test sub so let him see what impact he can make
Farrell....ditto as for Youngs

Is a 6/2 bench split a bit risky?

Who would you like to see run out on Sat and do you just want the test side to play or do you still see this as a chance to experiment and give players a fair crack?

Update with actual team.
Lions team: Leigh Halfpenny; Sean Maitland, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Simon Zebo; Jonathan Sexton, Mike Phillips; Mako Vunipola, Tom Youngs, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Paul O'Connell , Tom Croft, Sam Warburton (capt), Jamie Heaslip
Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Alex Corbisiero, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Dan Lydiate, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Rob Kearney

If Sexton goes off get Tipuric to boss 10.

Well for the all criticism...Sam's been chatting to the ref which is good to see.  He's not getting shirty or moaning.

7-13 at 19:03

Wales606 - would you rather Sexton OK for next week or no...?

POC is playing out of his skin. I haven't seen him ever make this many turnovers

How many kick have Halfpenny taken so far?

He must be close to 95% 19/20

Phillips has done some good stuff, but really struggling to clear the ball at the breakdowns

Zebo, Halfpenny and Davies started well. Adam Jones and POC in at scrumhalf already!

Zebo, POC, AWJ, Croft all throwing down some serious markers here.  Youngs again having a good match, especially given that Hibbard and Best are having pretty average tours. 

Maitland is having a bit of a nightmare out there.  Phillips having a poor match too.

Another missed tackle by Maitland...needs to work on his defence...

At least Maitland's flight home is short 

So much for those saying Maitland is strong in defence...

Cari wrote:Wales606 - would you rather Sexton OK for next week or no...?

What???

Nice edit there maes! Phillips is doing his best at the minute!

Skelton hasn't made an inch.

Foley is playing very well

JD created a bit of a dog leg there

THAT'S WHY PHILLIPS STARTS.

This match has a great buzz to it. Most of this side will be the test side and the tahs are starting to bring the game to the Lions...Gatland will be thankful for that

Awesome turnover by warburton

Wales606 - Don't panic....! Apologies that was meant for Maes who's now edited his post...It's frustrating that I can't work the quotes thingy now.

Tahs being told off for being mean to Phillips - naughty boys

I love seeing Neil Jenkins there. Legend.

maestegmafia wrote:Awesome turnover by warburton

Thought it was POC

O'Connell has made a huge start, 3 turnovers in the first 25 minutes.

I can't believe Barnes saying Warburton will start next week?  Tipuric is playing better at 7, SOB and even Croft better at 6.  

Also, POC is having an outstanding match so far.  Head and shoulders above the other Lions second rows so far, though AWJ playing well today.

Phillips should be used to that sort of abuse from when he used to play at Rodney Parade against the Dragons.

7-16 at 27 minutes.

Was that 7 tackles for POC and Warburton already?!

LondonTiger wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Awesome turnover by warburton

Thought it was POC

It was, Warbs played scrum half there

Why can't I use the silly quotes thing now!

And Tom youngs on the tackle count.

Say what you like about Sexton, but Halfpenny is quickly becoming he most important player on tour

NATHAN - I can't figure it out either. It's causing a few problems...

nathan wrote:Why can't I use the silly quotes thing now!

Use the Switch editor mode button on the far right

Obiwan / Skywalker
Kim il Sung / Kim Jong Il

Jenkins / Halfpenny... the greatest master and apprentice combo ever.

Woah!  Was Phillips blocked by that Tahs player?

What a catch! Hope Mitchell is alright!

BamBam wrote:

nathan wrote:Why can't I use the silly quotes thing now!

Use the Switch editor mode button on the far right

Aha thanks!

Good work between Zebo and Philips

BamBam wrote:

nathan wrote:Why can't I use the silly quotes thing now!

Use the Switch editor mode button on the far right

THANKS!

Was that Heaslip not controling at the scrum

Bit mistake by him - black mark next to his name

Very welcome Nathan and Cari

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:Maitland just lost his chance at a test place there.

Perhaps we could all just calm down a little.

Good kick under pressure from Halfpenny.

I think Drew Mitchell should be chopping down trees.

Gotta love Phillips, in 30 minutes he has shown exactly why his fans love him AND exactly why his detractors moan.

Was Jenkins in Shrek? Lol

LondonTiger wrote:Gotta love Phillips, in 30 minutes he has shown exactly why his fans love him AND exactly why his detractors moan.

He is the Marmite of rugby it seems...

Why his detractors moan? It's a family forum LT. Let's keep it clean. 

The Tahs fans are doing their best to wind up the Lions. They boo when the Lions go for the posts instead of the corner, and stay quiet when their own team do the same.

I think Robshaw should have been on this tour as a 6

I like Croft, but I don't think he will work well with Warburton

Robshaw/Warbs could be a good partnership - with workrate and breakdown dominance

I think SOB would be my favourite for the 6 shirt at the moment - though I would consider Tip/Warbs

Croft does no work whatsoever...

The closest he's got a ruck is outside centre position.