North fit for first test

Good news, looks like North is going to be fit, according to the bbc website.

They also say Roberts and Bowe likely to be out with Tuilagi touch and go.

Roberts' presence will be missed but I think JD has proved himself more than capable of stepping in.

Bowe will be missed as on form is sheer class Cuthbert or Zebo for me will get the nod and both will have to be on their game defensively.

Would it be a big ask to pick Manu given such little gametime out in Oz?

As we all know though and as it proved yesterday we have to get the selection right up front, I think the front 5 is pretty sorted and the No7 slot, 6 and 8 will be the tightest calls.

Bowe is definitely a huge omission. But fantastic news that North is fit to play.

JD is in excellent form but he and O'Driscoll are an untested combination.

Great news on North but no one has really stood out on that other wing. Cuthbert has finished well but been caught out defensively a few times, Maitland has been mediocre...in fact Zebo has looked the best option for me despite only starting one game. Bowe is a huge loss.

Is Kearney/Hogg at 15 and 1/2 penny on the wing an option?

I think there are big question marks over the backline.

Zebo is slightly lucky he had a near full strength lions side to work off in his one game. Wasn't spectacular... although I think he's a great talent and at the beginning of the 6N I had him as my preferred starting wing for the lions.

Maitland had the same fa00019 - to me he did nothing in that game whereas Zebo came looking for work and contributed much more.

fa0019 wrote:Zebo is slightly lucky he had a near full strength lions side to work off in his one game. Wasn't spectacular... although I think he's a great talent and at the beginning of the 6N I had him as my preferred starting wing for the lions.

In his first game against the Tahs, he was just off the plane (having played the USA a few days beforehand) in a team he had never played in before (he has only played with Sexton 3 or 4 times at that).

The Foxsports commentators thought he was 'sensational' in their commentary.

Whatever about how Zebo has played he has certainly been better than Maitland, Cuthbert and Wade etc. He should get the nod to line out with North. Bowe to return for the second test.

Australian commentators use the word sensational to describe anything decent... they over use it. He was decent but chaps like Maitland have been thrown about a bit, right wing, left wing, fullback etc.
Would be a little surprised if he was chosen over Maitland or Cuthbert. Wouldn't be upset mind.

fa0019 wrote:Australian commentators use the word sensational to describe anything decent... they over use it. He was decent but chaps like Maitland have been thrown about a bit, right wing, left wing, fullback etc.
Would be a little surprised if he was chosen over Maitland or Cuthbert. Wouldn't be upset mind.

The commentators didn't use it for anyone else in that match!

Moved around a bit against the Babas, Western Force & Old County! He should be able to cope with that better. He has missed 4 (and made 11 tackles) this tour. Stuart Hogg is the only other player who has a worse record.

rodders wrote:JD is in excellent form but he and O'Driscoll are an untested combination.

Great news on North but no one has really stood out on that other wing. Cuthbert has finished well but been caught out defensively a few times, Maitland has been mediocre...in fact Zebo has looked the best option for me despite only starting one game. Bowe is a huge loss.

Is Kearney/Hogg at 15 and 1/2 penny on the wing an option?
I think there are big question marks over the backline.

Without a shadow of doubt, Halfpenny WILL be playing at fullback, the kid has hardly put a foot wrong yet on this tour. If he does not start at full back, then I will eat my hat.

LordDowlais wrote:

rodders wrote:JD is in excellent form but he and O'Driscoll are an untested combination.

Great news on North but no one has really stood out on that other wing. Cuthbert has finished well but been caught out defensively a few times, Maitland has been mediocre...in fact Zebo has looked the best option for me despite only starting one game. Bowe is a huge loss.

Is Kearney/Hogg at 15 and 1/2 penny on the wing an option?
I think there are big question marks over the backline.

Without a shadow of doubt, Halfpenny WILL be playing at fullback, the kid has hardly put a foot wrong yet on this tour. If he does not start at full back, then I will eat my hat.

Aye

Kearney looked average at best on Tuesday miles off the pace. Hogg is a great back up but halfpenny is the man.

I think Hogg on bench to cover 10 and back three is a great option as we can add a centre to the bench as well as a scrum half.

maestegmafia wrote:

Kearney looked average at best on Tuesday miles off the pace. Hogg is a great back up but halfpenny is the man.

I think Hogg on bench to cover 10 and back three is a great option as we can add a centre to the bench as well as a scrum half.

sorry as I know the thought of it drives you to despair, but is there really any way that Gatland will not have Farrell on the bench?

jelly wrote:Good news, looks like North is going to be fit...

and he jizzed in his pants.

Manu and BOD aren't exactly a tried and tested combination either so for me it would be JD and BOD, even if Roberts was fit.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Manu and BOD aren't exactly a tried and tested combination either so for me it would be JD and BOD, even if Roberts was fit.

I agree, though I'd go with Manu and JD2, with Bod coming off the bench later on I think.

LordDowlais wrote:

rodders wrote:JD is in excellent form but he and O'Driscoll are an untested combination.

Great news on North but no one has really stood out on that other wing. Cuthbert has finished well but been caught out defensively a few times, Maitland has been mediocre...in fact Zebo has looked the best option for me despite only starting one game. Bowe is a huge loss.

Is Kearney/Hogg at 15 and 1/2 penny on the wing an option?
I think there are big question marks over the backline.

Without a shadow of doubt, Halfpenny WILL be playing at fullback, the kid has hardly put a foot wrong yet on this tour. If he does not start at full back, then I will eat my hat.

I don't think rodders was suggesting Halfpenny wasn't good enough at FB, just that the right wing options probably aren't quite up there compared to those at FB, and that Halfpenny who has to start could play on the wing like he did superbly for Wales for years and the majority of his international career (IMHO Halfpenny's best running rugby performances were when he was on the wing), allowing one of the other FBs to come in.

I don't see Gatland doing that, I would have liked to have seen it tested out in one of the warm up games as a change from the bench though, as with Bowe out I think it could probably be the best combination.