New Zealand Barbarians v British & Irish Lions, 3 June

New Zealand Barbarians v British & Irish Lions
3 June 2017
KO: 19:35 NZST (8.35am BST)
Toll Stadium, Whangarei, North Island

Live on Sky Sports, Sky Sports HD and SkyGo

Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Touch judges: [tbc]
TMO: [tbc]

A. FORM:

These teams have not played each other before.

B. TEAMS:

New Zealand Barbarians 
1. Aidan Ross (Bay of Plenty)
2. Sam Anderson-Heather - captain (Otago)
3. Oliver Jager (Canterbury)
4. Josh Goodhue (Northland)
5. Keepa Mewett (Bay of Plenty)
6. James Tucker (Waikato)
7. Lachlan Boshier (Taranaki)
8. Mitchell Dunshea (Canterbury)

9. Jack Stratton (Canterbury)
10. Bryn Gatland (North Harbour)
11. Sevu Reece (Waikato)
12. Dwayne Sweeney (Waikato)
13. Inga Finau (Canterbury)
14. Sam Vaka (Counties Manukau)
15. Luteru Laulala (Counties Manukau)

16. Andrew Makalio (Tasman)
17. Tolu Fahamokioa (Wellington)
18. Marcel Renata (Auckland)
19. Matt Matich (Northland)
20. Peter Rowe - vice captain (Wanganui)
21. Richard Judd (Bay of Plenty)
22. Jonah Lowe (Hawke's Bay)
23. Junior Ngaluafe (Southland)

British & Irish Lions
15. S Hogg (Scotland)
14. A Watson
13. J Joseph
12. B Te'o (all Eng)
11. T Seymour (Sco)
10. J Sexton (Ire)
09. G Laidlaw (Sco)

01. J Marler (Eng)
02. R Best (Ire)
03. K Sinckler (Eng)
04. A Jones (Wal)
05. I Henderson (Ire)
06. R Moriarty
07. S Warburton
08. T Faletau (all Wal)

16. J George
17. M Vunipola (both Eng)
18. T Furlong (Ire)
19. G Kruis (Eng)
20. J Tipuric
21. R Webb (both Wal)
22. O Farrell (Eng)
23. J Payne (Ire)


C. PREVIEW

Good chance for some players to put themselves forward for contracts with NH clubs and a chance at the next Lions tour.

Ive already done thread for this game. Dont you guys like my thread?

aucklandlaurie wrote:Ive already done thread for this game. Dont you guys like my thread?

Until you bumped it, there had been no posts for 3 weeks, so GC probably missed it.

LondonTiger wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:Ive already done thread for this game. Dont you guys like my thread?

Until you bumped it, there had been no posts for 3 weeks, so GC probably missed it.

Did indeed, sorry. 

I turn 40 tomorrow so this is presumably just the first in a long line of 'senior moments' that I will have.

Gooseberry wrote:Good chance for some players to put themselves forward for contracts with NH clubs and a chance at the next Lions tour.

Absolutely. Half of these guys could be playing for Scotland in three years time, provided they don't play too well and end up being snapped up by Ireland or England first. I hope Cockerill watches this game closely, Edinburgh badly need 8 good forwards and 7 good backs.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Absolutely. Half of these guys could be playing for Scotland in three years time, provided they don't play too well and end up being snapped up by Ireland or England first. I hope Cockerill watches this game closely, Edinburgh badly need 8 good forwards and 7 good backs.

A couple of replacements would be handy too!

I am interested as to who will be available for selection for the Lions. Think I heard (or a senile moment?) that Gats wanted to exclude players involved in matches the previous weekend.

However that weekend will see:

AP final (Two from Wasps, Exeter, Saracens, Leicester, Bath)
Pro 12 Final (Two from Leinster, Munster, Scarlets, Ospreys)
Champions Cup Play-off Final (Could include Quins and Cardiff Blues)
T14 Semi Finals (Could rule out 1/2p)

So for example a final set of matches between Saracens and Leicester (Tigers very unlikely I know), Leinster & Quins would rule out all 6 selected props.

Ah, so this is another one of the tours where half the squad fly out at a later date! Great way to instil camaraderie in a short space of time.

In any event, the lions side to face the baabaas will be a bedding in exercise - likely any players in need of gametime will be given preferential selection - or perhaps an early trial of new combinations.

Ben Youngs and Biggar perhaps!
Felatau and Connor Murray!

LondonTiger wrote:I am interested as to who will be available for selection for the Lions. Think I heard (or a senile moment?) that Gats wanted to exclude players involved in matches the previous weekend.

However that weekend will see:

AP final (Two from Wasps, Exeter, Saracens, Leicester, Bath)
Pro 12 Final (Two from Leinster, Munster, Scarlets, Ospreys)
Champions Cup Play-off Final (Could include Quins and Cardiff Blues)
T14 Semi Finals (Could rule out 1/2p)

So for example a final set of matches between Saracens and Leicester (Tigers very unlikely I know), Leinster & Quins would rule out all 6 selected props.

That's an amazing statistic. Demonstrates quite nicely how farked up the tour scheduling is from the outset. 

At least they aren't playing a stupid exhibition match in the Far East to open this time.

Yeah well the punishing tour schedule and class of the super rugby franchises will be enough of a warm up for the tests........Undercooked is not something the Lions will have a problem with.

Likely Lions team starting to take shape if we look purely at players whose domestic season is now over:

Front Row - Marler, Best, Sinkler
Second Row - Henderson
Back Row - Faletau, Warburton
Half Backs - None
Centres - Joseph, Te'o
Back 3 - Seymour, Hogg

I propose we stick with None at half back rather than line up with Biggar at 10

Marler, Best, Sinkler is an interesting shotgun wedding of players. 

Surely Warbuton has to essentially play almost every game? He would certainly want to play in the first one?

Not necessarily, I think the ridiculous schedule and Gats willingness to buck the trend means all bets are off about what is expected regarding the Lions Captain. I can see AWJ leading this team out.

The squad arrive three days before the first game. I'll be interested to see what kind of team he picks.

He may wish to rest any finalists from the first game, or with a 41 man squad he may just ask them to fight through. There's definitely a Woodward-style "two squad" feel to the fixture schedule, with Saders, Maori and 3 tests on the subsequent Saturdays, so Gatland may wish to get his players lined up early.

I reckon at least 10 players who start the NZ Barbarians game will start the first test, even allowing for a couple of injuries in that prediction.

Warburton might not play, but if he's not playing in any play-offs then I think he probably would. It's a long time without any rugby and this is definitely the "softest" hit-out.

robbo277 wrote:The squad arrive three days before the first game. I'll be interested to see what kind of team he picks.

He may wish to rest any finalists from the first game, or with a 41 man squad he may just ask them to fight through. There's definitely a Woodward-style "two squad" feel to the fixture schedule, with Saders, Maori and 3 tests on the subsequent Saturdays, so Gatland may wish to get his players lined up early.

I reckon at least 10 players who start the NZ Barbarians game will start the first test, even allowing for a couple of injuries in that prediction.

Warburton might not play, but if he's not playing in any play-offs then I think he probably would. It's a long time without any rugby and this is definitely the "softest" hit-out.

Checking into that prediction:
First game in Aus had 8 starters who went on to start the first test, although some of the test starters had played the Barbarians 3 days before.
First game in SA had very few starters who went on to start the first test, but the second game had 13 of the test starters.
In 2005, the Argentina game had a lot of second-stringers starting. The first game in NZ had 7 starters who went on to start the first test, although Robinson, Jones and Thomas all arrived in NZ late and started the first test.

In all instances, the coach has tried to get a core of his test team together early, and I think this game will be no different. Maybe 9 or 10 test starters with 5 extras, a brand new 15 in the second game and then a combination of 9 or 10 of the test XV with the other 5 or 6 players who have yet to start. Gives everyone a start in the first 3 and allows him to look at a number of combinations for his likely test team.

This is a great opportunity for younger players to put themselves in the shop window.

Has anyone been watching Quinten Strange grab his chance to start for the Crusaders over the past month? He's been absolutely brilliant.

So making an assumption of a Sarries V Wasps AP final and a Munster V Leinster Pro 12 final, as well as Northampton being involved in a playoff final, we might have something like

1 Marler
2 Best
3 Sinkler
4 Henderson
5 AWJ (he needs gametime)
6 Warbuton
7 Tupiric
8 Faletau

9 Webb
10 Biggar
11 Watson
12 Teo
13 Payne
14 Seymour
15 Hogg

I really wouldn't have put money on Teo/Payne being the first centre combination to be tested by the 2017 Lions!!

RDW_Scotland wrote:So making an assumption of a Sarries V Wasps AP final and a Munster V Leinster Pro 12 final, as well as Northampton being involved in a playoff final, we might have something like

1 Marler
2 Best
3 Sinkler
4 Henderson
5 AWJ (he needs gametime)
6 Warbuton
7 Tupiric
8 Faletau

9 Webb
10 Biggar
11 Watson
12 Teo
13 Payne
14 Seymour
15 Hogg

Could be wrong, and of course we will find out in due course, but I thought there were murmurings of Williams being seen as a winger and therefore Payne being taken more as a fullback for his prowess under the highball. If that is the case, probably more likely to see te'o and JJ line up.

As a curveball, if Exeter beat Saracens, do we think Gatland might be tempted to use Owen Farrell at IC for this game, or will he stick to his guns and use him exclusively at 10?

Payne was very much a surprise inclusion - especially since he's not played much lately - so it is hard to know what Gatland's plans are for him. He may end up on the bench for the tests due to his versatility.

I had forgotten about JJ though - I would start him at 13 over Payne.

funnyExiledScot wrote:I really wouldn't have put money on Teo/Payne being the first centre combination to be tested by the 2017 Lions!!

I have a feeling Gats will start with Henshaw/Davies at 12 alongside JJ. If you recall the Lions coaches were told by Gats that Joseph was going.

Farrell will start at 10 and move to 12 with Sexton on the bench I believe.

I think it will be Henshaw and JJ as I believe that is the best test combo, though of course things may change. Henshaw gives the direct running 12 option that Gats likes with far better distribution skills than JD2 ever could. Th only way JD2 will get the nod is if he does simply want some greater experience in midfield though with Henshaw part of the winning Irish team in Chicago thats a moot point. Much depends on who gets the nod at 10 of course because IMO Farrell is the best option at 12, however I think he may be picked at 10 with Sexton on the bench.

I wonder which team Gats is supporting?
Blues are at 3.80 on the TAB so have wacked a bit on that.
Hopefully Gats plays his best side vs the Crusaders and Maori leaving little ol me laughing all tne way to the bank!

Cmon the Bluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuues!

Gwlad wrote:I think it will be Henshaw and JJ as I believe that is the best test combo, though of course things may change. Henshaw gives the direct running 12 option that Gats likes with far better distribution skills than JD2 ever could. Th only way JD2 will get the nod is if he does simply want some greater experience in midfield though with Henshaw part of the winning Irish team in Chicago thats a moot point. Much depends on who gets the nod at 10 of course because IMO Farrell is the best option at 12, however I think he may be picked at 10 with Sexton on the bench.

I also want Henshaw and JJ but I don't have any sense as to whether Gatland sees Farrell as a 10 who can play 12 or the other way around.

I don't want to see a collision between Farrell and Sonny Bill or Fekitoa.

Surely with Murray nailed on as the starting 9, it makes sense to partner him with Sexton but Farrell has been my player of the season and any team sheet without him on it somewhere looks odd. The elephant in the room is that a lot of people want Sexton but think that he is one heavy midfield tackle away from being invalided off the tour.

Asume you mean Murray at 9. And that nailed on stuff depends IMO on Sexton. If Sexton is the go to 10, the big game player in his last hurrah who just beat the ABs in Chicago, then Murray is somewhat nailed on. If not Webb is fast behind. After today I can see a case for Henshaw and JD2 first up with a combo like Daly and Williams on the wings. JJ on form is my first choice but he was poor against Ireland. Though I think it will be Henshaw I want Farrell at 12; this guy is nails and I think he'll see size as a challenge. I want to see him hammer Barrett which he will. 13 is such a critical position for the lions and I think JD2 might raise his game enough to get the spot.

Most of these young players are strangers too me,but some I`ve seen
in recent Super matches for Crusaders.
Example Whitelock suspended,Barrett injured,this kid comes on the
Scrum doesn't miss a beat that`s depth 12 from 12 a lot of star
players missing,they keep on winning that`s depth.
This is a gentle opener compared to sides that planned for years
for victory over touring sides.
Lions by at least 30 but what anexperience for the kids.

Gwlad wrote:I want Farrell at 12; this guy is nails and I think he'll see size as a challenge. I want to see him hammer Barrett which he will

Don't mean to be rude

But wtf are you on about?

You are an ignoramus

100%

ebop wrote:

Gwlad wrote:I want Farrell at 12; this guy is nails and I think he'll see size as a challenge. I want to see him hammer Barrett which he will

Don't mean to be rude

But wtf are you on about?

You are an ignoramus

100%

Fairly clear isn't it, Farrell hammering Barrett. 100%

Gwlad wrote:

ebop wrote:

Gwlad wrote:I want Farrell at 12; this guy is nails and I think he'll see size as a challenge. I want to see him hammer Barrett which he will

Don't mean to be rude

But wtf are you on about?

You are an ignoramus

100%

Fairly clear isn't it, Farrell hammering Barrett. 100%

Oh really?

'Farrell was deposited on his backside by a charging Waldrom'


So much for the great Saracens.

Kiwis are even dumping him over there, wait till he gets here

Strange there is no Barett Brother involved in this squad,but if you`re
talking NZ.Then it`s likely to be Linert Brown,Crotty,or SBW running
down Farrells channel

Saracens and England both like their players to go for the big hits to stop momentum. For England we've had 18 months of people targeting fords channel without success so I don't think it will be that successful to target Farrell if he plays at 10 or 12.

emack2 wrote:Strange there is no Barett Brother involved in this squad,but if you`re
talking NZ.Then it`s likely to be Linert Brown,Crotty,or SBW running
down Farrells channel

 This is a Barbarians Provincial team.  a couple of the players have had only limited Super rugby experience.

Final squad is out. A couple of lads are being retained by their Super franchises so there's a few changes. They've managed to select players from 13 out of the 14 Mitre10 Premiership/Championship provinces too
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11863723

Forwards:
Aidan Ross (Bay of Plenty)
Tolu Fahamokioa (Wellington)
Sam Anderson-Heather (Otago)
Andrew Makalio (Tasman)
Marcel Renata (Auckland)
Oliver Jager (Canterbury)
Keepa Mewett (Bay of Plenty)
Joshua Goodhue (Northland)
James Tucker (Waikato)
Mitchell Dunshea (Canterbury)
Lachlan Boshier (Taranaki)
Matthew Matich (Northland)
Peter Rowe (Wanganui)

Backs:
Jack Stratton (Canterbury)
Richard Judd (Bay of Plenty)
Bryn Gatland (North Harbour)
Dwayne Sweeney (Waikato)
Kaveinga Finau (Canterbury)
Jonah Lowe (Hawke's Bay)
Sevuloni Reece (Waikato)
Sam Vaka (Counties Manukau)
Luteru Laulala (Counties Manukau)
Junior Ngaluafe (Southland)

Well at least we will win one game.

BamBam wrote:I propose we stick with None at half back rather than line up with Biggar at 10

Why?

miaow wrote:

BamBam wrote:I propose we stick with None at half back rather than line up with Biggar at 10

Why?

because he's utterly usless

I've never heard of the majority of the NZ squad, but searching for some of the names show that some are on the cusp of super rugby franchises, or have experience within the NZ U20 set up. I'm sure the Lions will win quite comfortably, but this will be a much tougher game than the game against the combined counties 4 years ago.

tigertattie wrote:

miaow wrote:

BamBam wrote:I propose we stick with None at half back rather than line up with Biggar at 10

Why?

because he's utterly usless

I dont think biggar would be Wales and Ospreys 10 if he was utterly useless. I personally think he is a great player. He is quite a confident guy which you need for a 10, technically very good and has all the physical attributes.

Dont know why anyone would think he was useless.

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

miaow wrote:

BamBam wrote:I propose we stick with None at half back rather than line up with Biggar at 10

Why?

because he's utterly usless

I dont think biggar would be Wales and Ospreys 10 if he was utterly useless. I personally think he is a great player. He is quite a confident guy which you need for a 10, technically very good and has all the physical attributes.

Dont know why anyone would think he was useless.

Yeah and he's far better than Finn 'brainfart' Russell too.

mikey_dragon wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

miaow wrote:

BamBam wrote:I propose we stick with None at half back rather than line up with Biggar at 10

Why?

because he's utterly usless

I dont think biggar would be Wales and Ospreys 10 if he was utterly useless. I personally think he is a great player. He is quite a confident guy which you need for a 10, technically very good and has all the physical attributes.

Dont know why anyone would think he was useless.

Yeah and he's far slightly better, albeit a more steady option than Finn 'brainfart' Russell too.

Fixed that for you

mikey_dragon wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

miaow wrote:

BamBam wrote:I propose we stick with None at half back rather than line up with Biggar at 10

Why?

because he's utterly usless

I dont think biggar would be Wales and Ospreys 10 if he was utterly useless. I personally think he is a great player. He is quite a confident guy which you need for a 10, technically very good and has all the physical attributes.

Dont know why anyone would think he was useless.

Yeah and he's far better than Finn 'brainfart' Russell too.

'Dan Biggar is comparable to a par-boiled potato'.

Discuss.

mikey_dragon wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

miaow wrote:

BamBam wrote:I propose we stick with None at half back rather than line up with Biggar at 10

Why?

because he's utterly usless

I dont think biggar would be Wales and Ospreys 10 if he was utterly useless. I personally think he is a great player. He is quite a confident guy which you need for a 10, technically very good and has all the physical attributes.

Dont know why anyone would think he was useless.

Yeah and he's far better than Finn 'brainfart' Russell too.

Their most recent head to head suggests otherwise, but hey if that stance makes you more comfortable, bash on

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

miaow wrote:

BamBam wrote:I propose we stick with None at half back rather than line up with Biggar at 10

Why?

because he's utterly usless

I dont think biggar would be Wales and Ospreys 10 if he was utterly useless. I personally think he is a great player. He is quite a confident guy which you need for a 10, technically very good and has all the physical attributes.

Dont know why anyone would think he was useless.

Yeah and he's far better than Finn 'brainfart' Russell too.

Their most recent head to head suggests otherwise, but hey if that stance makes you more comfortable, bash on

Not really as Biggar has been better and more consistent for the last few years and above all else he doesn't miss a kick right in front of the posts. Pete had it almost spot on I think, but some of you are still a bit delusional.

He (Biggar) was utterly dreadful against Munster in the Pro 12 semi also.

A few years back I'd say he was a very good player but he seems to have bought into his own hype and spends more time in a cream puff or waving his arms about at refs than he does actually controlling a game.

When his forwards are giving him an armchair ride of things, he plays well, but if the opposition get in his face he gets easily rattled and then starts forcing things or trying to be all big and hard.

If he could learn to not spit his dummy out so often, then he'd probably return to being a fine player!

Don't disagree that Biggar needs to spend less time flapping.

I thought Russell might have appealed to the Welsh psyche, given the obvious similarities. He too has developed a recent tendency to think he is better than he actually is.

EST wrote:I thought Russell might have appealed to the Welsh psyche, given the obvious similarities. He too has developed a recent tendency to think he is better than he actually is.

Now now, I don't think a Scot can accuse ANYONE of believing they're better than the sum of their parts....