On paper which 2013 Lions test team has been the best selection.

On paper which 2013 Lions test team has been the best selection...???

Lions first test 2005.

Great selections (if you're a Kiwi).

t1000advancedprototype wrote:Lions first test 2005.

Great selections (if you're a Kiwi).

Not really anything to do with this thread though is it.

maestegmafia wrote:

t1000advancedprototype wrote:Lions first test 2005.

Great selections (if you're a Kiwi).

Not really anything to do with this thread though is it.

No but continues with his theme today of alternating between gloating and having pops at England and 2005.

As for me I think the first test had the better squad

Karma boyo.

Knackeredknees wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

t1000advancedprototype wrote:Lions first test 2005.

Great selections (if you're a Kiwi).

Not really anything to do with this thread though is it.

No but continues with his theme today of alternating between gloating and having pops at England and 2005.

As for me I think the first test had the better squad

Oh I see..! I thought he was Welsh?


Can we get on with discussing 2013 instead...?

I think Gotland had hinged all his forwards plans around POC, however since his injury it looks like he running around in the dark picking random names and forgetting about the bench, 2nd test proved this.

This week he's decided to go for power over skill and pray the bench can save him if it goes wrong

Knackeredknees wrote:I think Gotland had hinged all his forwards plans around POC, however since his injury it looks like he running around in the dark picking random names and forgetting about the bench, 2nd test proved this.

This week he's decided to go for power over skill and pray the bench can save him if it goes wrong

How does Parling's selection fit this theory? 

I can envisage a thread one day with only  interacting with his multiple personalities.

Back to the OP it's a difficult question. Phillips was selected for the first test under an injury cloud. Is the same happening again with him and Roberts?

Injury caused selection changes for the second test but the tactics did not fit those selections.

This looks similar to the first test rather than the second but is Gatland ball in all its glory as opposed to the low fat bland version we got in the first. Sadly until the result on Saturday we can't judge which is the best but something tells me the first selection will be judged the best because you can forgive one mistake. The second time you're a fool and the third time a raving idiot.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:I can envisage a thread one day with only  interacting with his multiple personalities.

Imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever.

Actually I'm getting a good idea of that image Cyril spending time on these boards. The myth of Sisyphus with a twist. Roll a boulder up a hill and then watch it roll all the way down and do the same under the guise of a different person.

Taffineastbourne wrote:

Knackeredknees wrote:I think Gotland had hinged all his forwards plans around POC, however since his injury it looks like he running around in the dark picking random names and forgetting about the bench, 2nd test proved this.

This week he's decided to go for power over skill and pray the bench can save him if it goes wrong

How does Parling's selection fit this theory? 

You need someone to catch it so you can set up the drive

You also need a hooker to find his mark so Parling can catch it...

Knackeredknees wrote:

Taffineastbourne wrote:

Knackeredknees wrote:I think Gotland had hinged all his forwards plans around POC, however since his injury it looks like he running around in the dark picking random names and forgetting about the bench, 2nd test proved this.

This week he's decided to go for power over skill and pray the bench can save him if it goes wrong

How does Parling's selection fit this theory? 

You need someone to catch it so you can set up the drive

Parling is the worst lock on stats at the line out, Gray, AWJ and Ianto were all above him and the other supposed lineout expert Tom Croft.

maestegmafia wrote:

Knackeredknees wrote:

Taffineastbourne wrote:

Knackeredknees wrote:I think Gotland had hinged all his forwards plans around POC, however since his injury it looks like he running around in the dark picking random names and forgetting about the bench, 2nd test proved this.

This week he's decided to go for power over skill and pray the bench can save him if it goes wrong

How does Parling's selection fit this theory? 

You need someone to catch it so you can set up the drive

Parling is the worst lock on stats at the line out, Gray, AWJ and Ianto were all above him and the other supposed lineout expert Tom Croft.

And England had the worst 6 nations stats too but don't let facts get in the way of "we need Parling for lineouts" nonsense. If something is repeaated long enough then some people might believe it.

The sky sports syndrome..?

maestegmafia wrote:

Knackeredknees wrote:

Taffineastbourne wrote:

Knackeredknees wrote:I think Gotland had hinged all his forwards plans around POC, however since his injury it looks like he running around in the dark picking random names and forgetting about the bench, 2nd test proved this.

This week he's decided to go for power over skill and pray the bench can save him if it goes wrong

How does Parling's selection fit this theory? 

You need someone to catch it so you can set up the drive

Parling is the worst lock on stats at the line out, Gray, AWJ and Ianto were all above him and the other supposed lineout expert Tom Croft.

Personally, I wouldn't have picked Parling, but if the stats you are referring to are the lineout catches on the Lions website, then AWJ is on the same as Parling, it's Gray & Evans that are ahead.  Those stats alone are relatively meaningless though unless you take into account the number of matches played (starts v bench), the number of catches missed, who the hooker was, the quality of the opposition and the number of quality lineout options in the backrow that were opted for variety (good lineout leaders always keep the opposition guessing and if options aren't limited are often not the top taker).  Number of steals is another aspect to consider in terms of lineout prowess.