New Zealand Barbarians v British & Irish Lions, 3 June

First topic message reminder :

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

Great Aukster - why the hell are you watching this? You hate the Lions! You should be banned from viewing!

toby been a lot quieter this half

RDW_Scotland wrote:Been disappointed in the scrum - 2 international front rows should be dominating.

To be fair a NH ref probably would have given some more penalties instead of letting it go.

It's supposed to be a Barbarians game - the ref is trying to let things flow.

This is the first game. They're 3 sleeps off the plane and its all a bit new. Patience is required even if time is against us.

kingelderfield wrote:This is the first game. They're 3 sleeps off the plane and its all a bit new. Patience is required even if time is against us.

Squad full of international players against a team that are 3 levels under them. The Lions have also had more time together than the NZPB...

Scrum has been underwhelming, its one area I thought we'd dominate from.the off.

compelling and rich wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

compelling and rich wrote:itoje and kruis look a shoe in for the tests at the minute. henderson for lauchbury isnt looking like a good choice

I think that would have been most people's choice. Kruis and Itoje are one of the best 2nd rows' I've seen - they do everything extremely well.

agreed, but still think gats would like awj in there

On the bench perhaps, but I don't think he'll start ahead of Itoje/Kruis on current form, even Gatland knows that. I know you all hate AWJ but the truth is he isn't the one who should have been left at home for Launchbury, that should've been Henderson.

Squeeky bum time!

This is all rather depressing. Gonna be a very very long tour.

Absolutely toothless in attack.

AWJ has been beyond awful.

Griff wrote:Great Aukster - why the hell are you watching this? You hate the Lions! You should be banned from viewing!

Griff - where have I said I hate the Lions? They are a bunch of guys trying to make as much money as they can - pretty much the same as most people on the planet.

What I hate is the damage caused to NH rugby by these tours. If I didn't watch it, how could I comment?

This game is supposedly the 'easiest' on tour, but in truth it is two scratch teams with massive pressure on one and free licence for the other. Would any of the home teams hammer this side - absolutely.

Don't worry lads, it's a cunning plan.

Have to say, enjoyed that far more than a 60-0 hockeying.

Not a great start. Things can only get better!

very long tour ahead

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Scrum has been underwhelming, its one area I thought we'd dominate from.the off.

I'm glad you mentioned that Sgt_Pooly

Well that was grim.

I agree there shouldn't be too big an over reaction to this - talk of players playing themselves out of test contention is probably premature, but feck me a number of those players will only have one more chance after this!

There are some positives from this. Best Bar One dodgy lineout was good, 3 turnovers. Faletau was very good in first half. Bench made a very positive impact. Chances created that would be finished on another day. Solid scrum....until mako came on at least! It's not the fact that they're a scratch side but that a few of these guys will be suffering het lag as well. They'll get better.

Win is a win but everyone knows that standards have to improve.

Pretty pleased with that? Ffs

ebop wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Scrum has been underwhelming, its one area I thought we'd dominate from.the off.

I'm glad you mentioned that Sgt_Pooly

I'm hoping it gets stronger as the tour progresses but I'm disappointed with that effort. Sink isn't a big scrummager and Mako either so not our strongest combo's, still disappointing though.

Scottrf wrote:Pretty pleased with that? Ffs

just thinking that, its the only thing he could say aswell

compelling and rich wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Pretty pleased with that? Ffs

just thinking that, its the only thing he could say aswell

Ive seen Farrell be critical of his own performance after winning titles. I dont like being accepting of rubbish.

RDW_Scotland wrote:I suppose it is a bit of a lose-lose situation for these players - if they run rampant people will write it off against poor opposition, if they struggle to gel and only get a 20 point win (which could happen) people will say they've blown their chances!

Sorry RDW! But it was even worse than what you thought could be considered a bad day at the office!

compelling and rich wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Pretty pleased with that? Ffs

just thinking that, its the only thing he could say aswell

People will bitch whatever he says to be honest.

Sexton is simply off form and carrying a niggle, should not have started and he hampered the Lions in the first half.

Henderson, simply poor in defence. Not sure how many missed tackles he had. Said in the original selection that he was very lucky to be there. Cant see him playing any part in the tests.

AWJ, looked very rusty but looks like he is making progress to get back to his best.

Hogg, as usual he was good in attack (bad pass excluded) but in defence he looked average. Would like to see Williams play there next game.

Te'o, he makes ground with every carry but he does not seem to link well with his 13.

Jet lag from first class flights 4 days later? Give me a break.

mikey_dragon wrote:

compelling and rich wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Pretty pleased with that? Ffs

just thinking that, its the only thing he could say aswell

People will bitch whatever he says to be honest.

cant see how anyone could be happy with that performance and i would deride anyone who said it

The Great Aukster wrote:

Griff wrote:Great Aukster - why the hell are you watching this? You hate the Lions! You should be banned from viewing!

Griff - where have I said I hate the Lions? They are a bunch of guys trying to make as much money as they can - pretty much the same as most people on the planet.

What I hate is the damage caused to NH rugby by these tours. If I didn't watch it, how could I comment?

This game is supposedly the 'easiest' on tour, but in truth it is two scratch teams with massive pressure on one and free licence for the other. Would any of the home teams hammer this side - absolutely.

In the lead up to the tour over the past few months you've been very vocal about being anti-Lions. Just seems odd that you'd then watch it. Stick to your guns!

Scottrf wrote:Jet lag from first class flights 4 days later? Give me a break.

When I last had jetlag it took me 14 days to get over it, and that was just a 6 hour difference.

Sinckler showed what he can ball in hand. Best was a pest at the breakdown. Faletau was the Lions man of the match seemed to be everywhere. Teo carried very well and showed a few nice offloads. Seymour picked some good lines and looked good off limited ball. 

Neither starting 2nd row did themselves any favours. Poor start off mistakes from Henderson and some poor tackle attempts from AWJ. Laidlaws service is to slow for the tests. All Blacks blitz to fast for him. Sextons timing was off and a few poor kicks. Hoggs one up tackling was shown up at times & Watsons support lines were very poor. 

Biggest concern was how narrow Lions got caught on defence at times. One ball over the top and Barbarians were making 20/30 metres at a time.

There were a few individual errors, a dodgy line out from Best, Hogg not collecting the ball properly, Sexton kicking it out on the full, Sinckler taking a tap and go and Farrell hitting the post.

We gave away a lot of penalties, our scrum didn't dominate and Hogg threw a poor pass to Watson in a 2 on 1. Even if he hadn't and that try went through I am really worried about our attacking shape/game plan or lack of it.

Teo carried well, Faletau was outstanding going forward but we looked absolutely clueless going through the phases. That is more worrying than the individual errors. Watson and Joseph lethal for England. Hogg and Seymour predatory for Scotland. Something is amiss.

Only positive we can take from this is, that we probably learned more about ourselves than we would have if we had given them a 30 point tonking.

eirebilly wrote:Sexton is simply off form and carrying a niggle, should not have started and he hampered the Lions in the first half.

Henderson, simply poor in defence. Not sure how many missed tackles he had. Said in the original selection that he was very lucky to be there. Cant see him playing any part in the tests.

AWJ, looked very rusty but looks like he is making progress to get back to his best.

Hogg, as usual he was good in attack (bad pass excluded) but in defence he looked average. Would like to see Williams play there next game.

Te'o, he makes ground with every carry but he does not seem to link well with his 13.

His defence was fine - he'll be most disappointed with the stupid mistakes he made. Hopefully he's just getting them out his system!

eirebilly wrote:Sexton is simply off form and carrying a niggle, should not have started and he hampered the Lions in the first half.

Henderson, simply poor in defence. Not sure how many missed tackles he had. Said in the original selection that he was very lucky to be there. Cant see him playing any part in the tests.

AWJ, looked very rusty but looks like he is making progress to get back to his best.

Hogg, as usual he was good in attack (bad pass excluded) but in defence he looked average. Would like to see Williams play there next game.

Te'o, he makes ground with every carry but he does not seem to link well with his 13.

Hogg was good defensively tonight. He faced 2 2 on one's and made his tackle every time. Faletau made it back to cover one and Seymour the other. Hogg did pretty well today, apart from one poor pass to Watson and failing to gather a grubber.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Jet lag from first class flights 4 days later? Give me a break.

When I last had jetlag it took me 14 days to get over it, and that was just a 6 hour difference.

Jesus you must be in poor shape. Flew back from the US recently after sleeping a couple of hours a day for a few days and was in work the next day.

Griff wrote:

The Great Aukster wrote:

Griff wrote:Great Aukster - why the hell are you watching this? You hate the Lions! You should be banned from viewing!

Griff - where have I said I hate the Lions? They are a bunch of guys trying to make as much money as they can - pretty much the same as most people on the planet.

What I hate is the damage caused to NH rugby by these tours. If I didn't watch it, how could I comment?

This game is supposedly the 'easiest' on tour, but in truth it is two scratch teams with massive pressure on one and free licence for the other. Would any of the home teams hammer this side - absolutely.

In the lead up to the tour over the past few months you've been very vocal about being anti-Lions. Just seems odd that you'd then watch it. Stick to your guns!

I prefer to comment from an informed position, but I understand a lot of people can't be bothered with facts.

Faletau, for me was the best player on the field for the Lions. A quieter second half but was at the heart of all things good in the first half.

Moriarty, pushed Faletau for best Lions player, did not look out of his depth and made some very good runs.

Watson, thought he looked very lively when given a chance. The Lions have to get the wings into the game more.

Laidlaw, I did not think he was too bad in fairness. Few odd moments but thought his game management was strong. Had no help from Sexton in the first half.

Sinkler, I thought he was good in the loose but was not good in the scrum.

Farrall, missed a penalty but had a great kick from the touch line after the try. I thought he brought a lot more balance to the attack when he came on.

Not all doom and gloom but by god, there is a lot of work to do. Gatland does not have an easy job between now and Wednesday.

Scottrf wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Jet lag from first class flights 4 days later? Give me a break.

When I last had jetlag it took me 14 days to get over it, and that was just a 6 hour difference.

Jesus you must be in poor shape. Flew back from the US recently after sleeping a couple of hours a day for a few days and was in work the next day.

Poor shape? I've just never been a good sleeper and can only get in 6-7 hours per night but I'm able to function with that. I was in Mexico and for the opening 4 days I was getting up every morning between 3-5am - oh boy I was tired in the evenings and missed a couple good nights of clubbing! So credit to rugby players who deal with jet lag often, especially after 3 days.

*I can't sleep while travelling on a plane - might be able to in first class but I guess I'll never know...

mikey_dragon wrote:

Scottrf wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Jet lag from first class flights 4 days later? Give me a break.

When I last had jetlag it took me 14 days to get over it, and that was just a 6 hour difference.

Jesus you must be in poor shape. Flew back from the US recently after sleeping a couple of hours a day for a few days and was in work the next day.

Poor shape? I've just never been a good sleeper and can only get in 6-7 hours per night but I'm able to function with that. I was in Mexico and for the opening 4 days I was getting up every morning between 3-5am - oh boy I was tired in the evenings and missed a couple good nights of clubbing! So credit to rugby players who deal with jet lag often, especially after 3 days.

*I can't sleep while travelling on a plane - might be able to in first class but I guess I'll never know...

I'm a lot like that too.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Jet lag from first class flights 4 days later? Give me a break.

When I last had jetlag it took me 14 days to get over it, and that was just a 6 hour difference.

One time flying back from Canada I was very very very lucky. The plane was very crowded and I got bumped up to first. It makes a big difference.

As for jet lag in general it is something that is much better understood than it used to be and I found I also got a lot more used to it with practice. Its going to hit some players a lot more than others

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

Hogg was good defensively tonight. He faced 2 2 on one's and made his tackle every time. Faletau made it back to cover one and Seymour the other. Hogg did pretty well today, apart from one poor pass to Watson and failing to gather a grubber.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

His defence was fine - he'll be most disappointed with the stupid mistakes he made. Hopefully he's just getting them out his system!

He did hold his line well when the NZPB's looked like scoring but I felt his positioning was all over the show today. Not something I normally see from him. Still a major threat in the counter attack.

eirebilly wrote:

Moriarty, pushed Faletau for best Lions player, did not look out of his depth and made some very good runs.

Beshocked...

eirebilly wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

Hogg was good defensively tonight. He faced 2 2 on one's and made his tackle every time. Faletau made it back to cover one and Seymour the other. Hogg did pretty well today, apart from one poor pass to Watson and failing to gather a grubber.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

His defence was fine - he'll be most disappointed with the stupid mistakes he made. Hopefully he's just getting them out his system!

He did hold his line well when the NZPB's looked like scoring but I felt his positioning was all over the show today. Not something I normally see from him. Still a major threat in the counter attack.

I think Gatland junior can take a lot of credit for that - his variety of kicking kept our back 3 moving

The Babarians looked very good. I wouldn't mind if the Scarlets signed Bryn Gatland.

That may be so RDW but I do think that Hogg was too easily exposed in his defensive positioning today.

Anyway, he was by far not the worst player on the field.

On other sites I see Laidlaw getting lots of flaq. I actually think he had a decent game, Sexton was all over the show and prevented him from getting quick ball to him.

Hogg was at fault for their try, he should have commanded that high ball put into out 22. But as always he just made a feeble attempt at jumping at it, he does not fill me with confidence when under pressure, yes, he is a joy to watch when he has the ball in his hands and he is running, but I do not rate the other area's of his game.

mikey_dragon wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

Moriarty, pushed Faletau for best Lions player, did not look out of his depth and made some very good runs.

Beshocked...

Not sure what his speciality is just yet so I am no Beshocked

lostinwales wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Jet lag from first class flights 4 days later? Give me a break.

When I last had jetlag it took me 14 days to get over it, and that was just a 6 hour difference.

One time flying back from Canada I was very very very lucky. The plane was very crowded and I got bumped up to first. It makes a big difference.

As for jet lag in general it is something that is much better understood than it used to be and I found I also got a lot more used to it with practice. Its going to hit some players a lot more than others

You weren't flying with UA that's for sure.

eirebilly wrote:That may be so RDW but I do think that Hogg was too easily exposed in his defensive positioning today.

Anyway, he was by far not the worst player on the field.

On other sites I see Laidlaw getting lots of flaq. I actually think he had a decent game, Sexton was all over the show and prevented him from getting quick ball to him.

I thought Laidlaw did fine too - he's a controlling 9 and that's exactly what he did, and was far more controlled than Sexton!