Maori All Blacks v British & Irish Lions, 17 June

First topic message reminder :

Maori All Blacks v British & Irish Lions
17 June 2017
KO: 19:35 NZST (8.35am BST)
Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua

Live on Sky Sports, Sky Sports HD and SkyGo

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Touch judges: [tbc]
TMO: [tbc]

A. FORM:

Played 8, Maori won 1, Lions won 7

Recently:

2005-06-11
NZ Maori 19 - 13 British and Irish Lions

1993-05-29
NZ Maori 20 - 24 British and Irish Lions

1977-07-13
NZ Maori 19 - 22 British and Irish Lions

B. TEAMS:

Maori All Blacks 
J Lowe; N Milner-Skudder, M Proctor, C Ngatai, R Ioane; D McKenzie, T Kerr-Barlow; K Hames, A Dixon (capt), B May, J Wheeler, T Franklin, A Ioane, E Dixon, L Messam.

Replacements: H Elliot, C Eves, M Renata, L Price, K Pryor, B Hall, I West, R Thompson.

British & Irish Lions
L Halfpenny (Wales); A Watson (England), J Davies (Wales), B Te'o (England), G North (Wales); J Sexton, C Murray (both Ireland); M Vunipola, J George (both England), T Furlong (Ireland), M Itoje, G Kruis (both England), P O'Mahony (capt, Ireland), S O'Brien (Ireland), T Faletau (Wales).

Replacements: K Owens (Wales), J McGrath (Ireland), K Sinckler (England), I Henderson (Ireland), S Warburton (Wales), G Laidlaw (Scotland), D Biggar (Wales), E Daly (England).

C. PREVIEW

^I knew I shouldn't have gone out to make a cup of tea

Pretty confident Teo could do that too...

ebop wrote:Hansen called it a day ago

http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/93727025/lions-tour-steve-hansen-tips-lions-to-call-up-reinforcements

As far as i can work out he is the ONLY person that has called it. There's been nothing from the Lions camp so all the news articles, including the BBC one that Robbo has posted are coming from Hansen.

Unless Gatland et al has now said something?

RDW_Scotland wrote:Pretty confident Teo could do that too...

Think we saw him miss a few against the Crusaders

Every time Taylorman posts on here he does a little war dance first. Rispict.

Hansen looks more like Jabba the Hut every day, does he leave a trail of poor quality sledging everywhere he goes? Gats is picking more players, Gabs is running out of time (er, so are you Jabba), the man's obsessed about what Gets is doing, shows up his obvious insecurity.

Gwlad wrote:Hansen looks more like Jabba the Hut every day, does he leave a trail of poor quality sledging everywhere he goes? Gats is picking more players, Gabs is running out of time (er, so are you Jabba), the man's obsessed about what Gets is doing, shows up his obvious insecurity.

His team just marmalised Samoa. I'm entirely sure he's not worried about what Gatland is doing.

I'm frankly terrified about what awaits us next weekend.

Don't be. We have some class players the 1 thing going with us strongly is that pack. It's going to be close.

I bet its nothing like close.

What's nothing like close in your eyes

Gwlad wrote:Hansen looks more like Jabba the Hut every day, does he leave a trail of poor quality sledging everywhere he goes? Gats is picking more players, Gabs is running out of time (er, so are you Jabba), the man's obsessed about what Gets is doing, shows up his obvious insecurity.

Only one who is obsessed around here. Starting to get that nervous tick back are we? Why would Hansen give a hoot about a coach he's never lost to? Your dreaming.

Were Samoa at full strength...?

I would place Samoa and The Maori All Blacks as very similar strengthed teams.

Are these call up rumours true?

Taylorman wrote:

Gwlad wrote:Hansen looks more like Jabba the Hut every day, does he leave a trail of poor quality sledging everywhere he goes? Gats is picking more players, Gabs is running out of time (er, so are you Jabba), the man's obsessed about what Gets is doing, shows up his obvious insecurity.

Only one who is obsessed around here. Starting to get that nervous tick back are we? Why would Hansen give a hoot about a coach he's never lost to? Your dreaming.

I'd rather be a dreamer than a fat Kiwi.

Gatland is rotund and you love him like a dad

Gwlad wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

Gwlad wrote:Hansen looks more like Jabba the Hut every day, does he leave a trail of poor quality sledging everywhere he goes? Gats is picking more players, Gabs is running out of time (er, so are you Jabba), the man's obsessed about what Gets is doing, shows up his obvious insecurity.

Only one who is obsessed around here. Starting to get that nervous tick back are we? Why would Hansen give a hoot about a coach he's never lost to? Your dreaming.

I'd rather be a dreamer than a fat Kiwi.

 Some dreams turn into nightmares Gwlad, dont do it to yourself.

Watching Hansen's flabby cheeks flapping gives me bad dreams.

Gwlad wrote:Watching Hansen's flabby cheeks flapping gives me bad dreams.

That explains a few things.

You a fellow lumper too Taylorman, thought so.

chris_501 wrote:Paul Tito was always my favourite Maori!

Hansen really ought to concentrate on his own camp but I'm not sure his mouth is connected to his brain. He is beyond complacent if he thinks New Zealand playing the Samoan dregs i.e. those not channelled into the NZ system is of any value a week before the test. He'll be quietly - if that's possible - very happy that Farrell is injured though I expect Farrell will be fine for next weekend. Rather amusing he is chuntering on about the need for Gabs to bring in more players to manage the ridiculous schedule set no doubt by the NZRFU...just flapping those big cheeks of his constantly, I do love how generally Kiwi's pretend to be so Rispictful but in truth are largely coarse and embarrassingly arrogant, while hiding behind the culturally appropriated Haka which has now become an interminable bore to be endured.

Gwlad wrote:Hansen really ought to concentrate on his own camp but I'm not sure his mouth is connected to his brain. He is beyond complacent if he thinks New Zealand playing the Samoan dregs i.e. those not channelled into the NZ system is of any value a week before the test. He'll be quietly - if that's possible - very happy that Farrell is injured though I expect Farrell will be fine for next weekend. Rather amusing he is chuntering on about the need for Gabs to bring in more players to manage the ridiculous schedule set no doubt by the NZRFU...just flapping those big cheeks of his constantly, I do love how generally Kiwi's pretend to be so Rispictful but in truth are largely coarse and embarrassingly arrogant, while hiding behind the culturally appropriated Haka which has now become an interminable bore to be endured.

 Its going to be ok gwlad, in a couple of months time and a bit of medication you will be right as rain, before you know it, it will be November and the All Blacks will be in Wales..

Hope the cooler weather means Jabba Hansen will stop sweating.

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Gwlad wrote:Hansen really ought to concentrate on his own camp but I'm not sure his mouth is connected to his brain. He is beyond complacent if he thinks New Zealand playing the Samoan dregs i.e. those not channelled into the NZ system is of any value a week before the test. He'll be quietly - if that's possible - very happy that Farrell is injured though I expect Farrell will be fine for next weekend. Rather amusing he is chuntering on about the need for Gabs to bring in more players to manage the ridiculous schedule set no doubt by the NZRFU...just flapping those big cheeks of his constantly, I do love how generally Kiwi's pretend to be so Rispictful but in truth are largely coarse and embarrassingly arrogant, while hiding behind the culturally appropriated Haka which has now become an interminable bore to be endured.

 Its going to be ok gwlad, in a couple of months time and a bit of medication you will be right as rain, before you know it, it will be November and the All Blacks will be in Wales..

Those Samoan dregs you speak of Gwlad have all been ruined by their NH experiences, brought in to prop up the fragile club scene and then stripped of their natural abilities by being forced to play that tug it up the middle game.

Last night they looked the shell of what they used to be, only Tim Nainai Williams, who still plays for the Super based Chiefs, the only one to provide real spark in easily stepping SBW.

At least when they were in the NZ scene they were very good players. Now look at them.

Taylorman wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Gwlad wrote:Hansen really ought to concentrate on his own camp but I'm not sure his mouth is connected to his brain. He is beyond complacent if he thinks New Zealand playing the Samoan dregs i.e. those not channelled into the NZ system is of any value a week before the test. He'll be quietly - if that's possible - very happy that Farrell is injured though I expect Farrell will be fine for next weekend. Rather amusing he is chuntering on about the need for Gabs to bring in more players to manage the ridiculous schedule set no doubt by the NZRFU...just flapping those big cheeks of his constantly, I do love how generally Kiwi's pretend to be so Rispictful but in truth are largely coarse and embarrassingly arrogant, while hiding behind the culturally appropriated Haka which has now become an interminable bore to be endured.

 Its going to be ok gwlad, in a couple of months time and a bit of medication you will be right as rain, before you know it, it will be November and the All Blacks will be in Wales..

Those Samoan dregs you speak of Gwlad have all been ruined by their NH experiences, brought in to prop up the fragile club scene and then stripped of their natural abilities by being forced to play that tug it up the middle game.

Last night they looked the shell of what they used to be, only Tim Nainai Williams, who still plays for the Super based Chiefs, the only one to provide real spark in easily stepping SBW.

At least when they were in the NZ scene they were very good players. Now look at them.

No fatties like Hansen though, can't your fitness guys get him off the pie for 5 minutes

Gwlad will give himself an ulcer before long. All that negativity can't be good for ones own state.

Gwlad wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Gwlad wrote:Hansen really ought to concentrate on his own camp but I'm not sure his mouth is connected to his brain. He is beyond complacent if he thinks New Zealand playing the Samoan dregs i.e. those not channelled into the NZ system is of any value a week before the test. He'll be quietly - if that's possible - very happy that Farrell is injured though I expect Farrell will be fine for next weekend. Rather amusing he is chuntering on about the need for Gabs to bring in more players to manage the ridiculous schedule set no doubt by the NZRFU...just flapping those big cheeks of his constantly, I do love how generally Kiwi's pretend to be so Rispictful but in truth are largely coarse and embarrassingly arrogant, while hiding behind the culturally appropriated Haka which has now become an interminable bore to be endured.

 Its going to be ok gwlad, in a couple of months time and a bit of medication you will be right as rain, before you know it, it will be November and the All Blacks will be in Wales..

Those Samoan dregs you speak of Gwlad have all been ruined by their NH experiences, brought in to prop up the fragile club scene and then stripped of their natural abilities by being forced to play that tug it up the middle game.

Last night they looked the shell of what they used to be, only Tim Nainai Williams, who still plays for the Super based Chiefs, the only one to provide real spark in easily stepping SBW.

At least when they were in the NZ scene they were very good players. Now look at them.

No fatties like Hansen though, can't your fitness guys get him off the pie for 5 minutes

 Dont worry about Shag, he's dining out on his success as World Champion Rugby coach.

I pity his poor wife though, bet she dreams about Wales every night.

Gwlad wrote:I pity his poor wife though, bet she dreams about Wales every night.

 She does, nightmares, says they were the worst two years of her life.

The world record for the largest haka was broken today in Rotorua. I heard the organiser on the radio say that about 10% of participants were Lions fans (about 750). Well done to those Lions fans for contributing to something special.

ebop wrote:Probably pick some more Welshmen because they're in town. Wales played Tonga in Auckland tonight. Chuck em in bro.

As predicted by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen last week, the Lions have called for reinforcements with Wales' Cory Hill, Kristian Dacey, Gareth Davies and Tomas Francis joining the side

http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/93794916/lions-tour-warren-gatland-calls-in-four-welsh-players

The suspicion four years ago that Garland used the Lions to further the development of Welsh players over more established test players, continues.

A schedule that requires 40 plus players becomes a farce just as it did twelve years ago. Hopefully this will be the last time the Nzru get to financially fleece the Lions concept. The players are approaching an eleven month season. The battered players or what's left of them are going to have to miss the start of the new club season - not acceptable.

I have lost interest watching the Lions - interestingly Sky got 600k viewers for the last Lions game but England 3rds/4ths on the Beeb, against Argentina got 1.8M. That to me suggests the Lions days in the professional era are numbered unless the format changes significantly, next time in SA.

The two Scots to be called up on Sunday are rumoured to be Finn Russell (hallelujah) and ... Allan Dell.

That would be Scotland's third choice loose head in Dell and Wales' 4th choice lock in Cory Hill becoming Lions.

I know it's only to be midweek players, but this really grates on me. It cheapens the whole concept of the shirt that players will get a Lions number not because they were the most worthy by because they were the most convenient.

I didn't think I'd ever say this, but I really feel for Dylan Hartley if he's overlooked in favour of Kristian Dacey.

Well done to Finn Russell, though.

A Merthyr boy in the Lions.

Alan Dell?!!! A lion?!!! You can't be serious!

Gatland is really not making it easy for us is he?

Perhaps he should watch the Scot v Aus game and see how well Johnny Gray is playing!

Alan Dell (if true), Corey Hill and Kristian Dacey is absolutely spunking all over the Lions shirt. It's not about who is closest but who is the best. None of those are the best. Alan Dell isn't even the best loose head in Edinburgh never mind the best loose head available for the Lions!

With Moriarty out of the tour I wonder if he will go for Barclay or the Mish...

As I posted on th e other thread, Gatland hang you head in shame. You kn*b head! Dacey and Hill Lions?! Tomos Francis??? F**ks sake. I rate Gareth Davies but still think someone like Care would be better. Makes a mockery of the whole thing.

P.s. I think I'll have to leave these boards now. The fallout will be unbearable.

Some Scotchman needs to kick Ryan Wilson in the sporran.

Perhaps Gats will eye up some Welsh Lions supporters in the crowd for the next batch. After all they will be 'closer'

Griff wrote:P.s. I think I'll have to leave these boards now. The fallout will be unbearable.

As I said earlier

I imagine the founder of this forum backing into his living room, turning to his wife/dog and saying

'We're going to need a bigger forum'

I think he's lost the plot with those additions.

Time to ring in some more Scots after their showing against Australia. 1 minute to go.

Boom!! Well done Scotland

Gatland admitting geography played a big part