Australia vs British and Irish Lions - 22nd June : TEST 1 BUILDUP

First topic message reminder :

So, it's only a week to go before the first Lions test for 4 years.

Gatland has a host of injuries and a game against the Brumbies to manoeuvre while deciding the 23 players who will take to the pitch next Saturday.

Christian Wade and Brad Barritt have both been called up to cover for injury concerns over Jamie Roberts, Manu Tuilagi, Tommy Bowe and George North


My team for Saturday

1. Maku Vunipola
2. Tom Youngs
3. Adam Jones
4. Alun Wyn Jones
5. Paul O'Connell
6. Tom Croft
7. Sam Warburton
8. Toby Faletau
9. Mike Phillips
10. Jonathan Sexton
11. George North (Simon Zebo)
12. Jonathan Davies
13. Brian O'Driscoll
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Leigh Halfpenny

16. Richard Hibbard
17. Alex Corbisiero
18. Dan Cole
19. Richie Gray
20. Justin Tipuric
21. Ben Youngs
22. Owen Farrell
23. Manu Tuilagi/Stuart Hogg


Thoughts?

Lydiate won't let anyone down if called upon but he may not offer the impact that's needed to change a game.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Lydiate won't let anyone down if called upon but he may not offer the impact that's needed to change a game.

Disagree I think he will be vital in stopping the quick distribution from 8/9/10 channel............. that's going to change the game to the Lions favour

I believe Phillips is going to be the key man in this encounter but I honestly though that a starting Lydiate/Warburton combo was going to be the key to stopping the distribution to Genia

flyhalffactory wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Lydiate won't let anyone down if called upon but he may not offer the impact that's needed to change a game.

Disagree I think he will be vital in stopping the quick distribution from 8/9/10 channel............. that's going to change the game to the Lions favour

I believe Phillips is going to be the key man in this encounter but I honestly though that a starting Lydiate/Warburton combo was going to be the key to stopping the distribution to Genia

Have they successfully managed that in the past?

flyhalffactory wrote:

I believe Phillips is going to be the key man in this encounter

Agree 100%. Phillips will spend half the game keeping the balll in front of his forwards and the other half as a forward himself, while Aussie try but stumble in getting their combinations going under pressure. This game has a tight win to the Lions written all over it (in my thinking).

nth wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Lydiate won't let anyone down if called upon but he may not offer the impact that's needed to change a game.

Disagree I think he will be vital in stopping the quick distribution from 8/9/10 channel............. that's going to change the game to the Lions favour

I believe Phillips is going to be the key man in this encounter but I honestly though that a starting Lydiate/Warburton combo was going to be the key to stopping the distribution to Genia

Have they successfully managed that in the past?

Welcome
Good contribution as well............. keep an eye out for your efforts in the future?

I'll take that as a no.

nth wrote:I'll take that as a no.

Well wouldn't you like to know............ lets keep it a mystery, shall we?

Philips is the best nine we have . yes Australia beat us five times on the trot or more but that was a team lost not just one man . any time a poster disagrees of a Welsh player being picked ahead of a Scot Irish or English they bring out the well they didnt do well against Australia card . getting boring now . Im excited for this

Excited about this now! Shame I'm at work and can't watch until 8 tonight.

COYL's!

The pack are key, if they can get Phillips clean quick ball then Sexton gets a good platform and the backs can shine. If not then it could be a long test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2BSA4I6ePs

Match backs ups right across...

JOC vs Sexton...Phillips vs Genia...and all 4 wings...this ones gonna be fun..

Well here we are boys and girls. It's finally here. Good luck to all and may the better team win. Pretty ugly win by NZ. Here's hoping this match is a bit more entertaining.

Anyone want to make a side bet as to when the packs get a bit of biffo going? I'll have a crack at the first scrum.

Come on lions!

Thankfully my sister gave birth at 5am this morning so I'm home in time to watch the game!

In 2001, they faced the world champions

In 2005, they faced the best in the world

In 2009, they faced the world champions

Come on! This one should be easy

Lions need o win this series, and it starts today.

Incredible record for the Lions in Brisbane. 7 from 7!

Congrats to your sister nathan. You're a good brother for doing that. I'd have sent her a text and wished her all the best! Bet you're looking for a reason to remember your nephew's / niece's birthday. Test win 8!

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Incredible record for the Lions in Brisbane. 7 from 7!

Congrats to your sister nathan. You're a good brother for doing that. I'd have sent her a text and wished her all the best! Bet you're looking for a reason to remember your nephew's / niece's birthday. Test win 8!

Cheers mate

Can we get Scott Quinell some boots?

Did I just see SOB warming up?

The Boss wrote:Did I just see SOB warming up?

Might just be the backup is someone pulls something warming up

I didn't see him, but I wasn't really looking

Cheers mate. Near sure it was him but you're probably right.

Morning people, 4am here and I'm like a kid at Christmas! Did I just read that JOC has 37 caps at 22? Had his fair share of injuries as well. Amazing.

B91212 wrote:Morning people, 4am here and I'm like a kid at Christmas! Did I just read that JOC has 37 caps at 22? Had his fair share of injuries as well. Amazing.

Morning, boyo. 6:00 here. Tired. Right after this, I have to drive my boys to Pennsylvania for a 7s tournament. I suppose the weather is just slightly better than back home. 85°F and bright sun.

Looks like the Aus 12 will have lasted 50 seconds on debut

I guess Beale to FB and Barnes to 12?

Just hope he's okay.... that's the main thing.

No, wait McCabe is on the bench, i forgot they didn't have a replacement 12.

Big blow for the Aus stratergy early on

SecretFly wrote:Just hope he's okay.... that's the main thing.

Yeah, I was looking forward to seeing him play - hope it is not to serious and he can play a part in these tests

He should learn how to tackle

Looked a good turnover to me

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Looked a good turnover to me

It's how he refs though

Supersonic Hedgehog needed an energy boost to get that kick over. Error from Deans not holding down the A button.

ref is going to kill us

Ref is already a joke! Twice Bod penalised and twice hes on his feet

And a warning?! What a mug

Are we not allowed to counter-ruck then?

Hmm, what did BOD do wrong then?? He's jackaling very well, but were not gonna get much joy from this ref!

Kicking advantage to the Lions is clear

Not sure about those 2 penalties

BOD should have 2 turnovers already

Points at a premium. Will goalkicking prove costly for Oz?

BOD isn't supporting his weight. He's starting on the ground or on a player and then lifting his weight. They've been fair calls.

Doesn't take long for ref bashing on here..

SCRUUUUMM!!!!!!

Oh dear looks like the Ref doesn't like NH rugby, flashback to last summer Aus v Wales.

POC looks like his making the calls

This commentator sounds like he's creaming himself every time he says a Lion name.

Off their feet much?! Christ ref get a grip!

Most clueless ref imaginable. Utterly utterly terrible.

quick pen, quick try...

Why didnt they take the 3. Rediclous but wat a try

Lions should have taken 3

It has really cost them

Pollock should have blown when it was clear there was no advantage

Brilliance from Genia. Hats off. But there is practically no point the Lions playing with this ref.