Hurricanes vs Lions, 27th June 2017

David-Douglas wrote:Warburton - 2nd worst player on tour, mainly due to carrying an injury. Worse Lions captain ever, but should never have been put in the position this time.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Warburton is an amazing player and an amazing captain, but perhaps he should have done a Billy V, and decided, I'm not fit for this tour.

He gambled on finding fitness and form on tour and it hasn't paid off, it's a shame because I really like him as a player and a person.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Warburton is an amazing player and an amazing captain, but perhaps he should have done a Billy V, and decided, I'm not fit for this tour.

He gambled on finding fitness and form on tour and it hasn't paid off, it's a shame because I really like him as a player and a person.

robbo277 wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Warburton is an amazing player and an amazing captain, but perhaps he should have done a Billy V, and decided, I'm not fit for this tour.

He gambled on finding fitness and form on tour and it hasn't paid off, it's a shame because I really like him as a player and a person.

Saying that; after this he has 4 months to get himself right for the November series. It interested me, so I ran the numbers.

He has 105 club appearances and 77 International appearances. This is also somewhat distorted by 24 club appearances and 6 International appearances before the end of the 2009/10 season.

Since 1 June 2010, he's played 81 club games and 71 International games. Is there anyone else with such a low club:international ratio?

Wingers on form

George North scored his first try of the 2017 Lions tour against the Hurricanes
There were also gains to be made by the likes of George North, perhaps a surprise omission from the first Test squad in Auckland.

The Welshman crossed for a classic winger's try, despite playing much of the game in the centre following an early injury to Robbie Henshaw.

Forced into a partnership at inside centre with Jonathan Joseph outside him, North popped up on Henderson's shoulder in the first half and accelerated away from the cover defence for his first try of the tour.

He could have had two tries, but for a foot in touch. It was a positive audition from a player out of position, whose explosive power and ability to make yards beyond the tackle could be used by Gatland on Saturday.

Scotland winger Seymour, despite not being a real threat to the Test team, also profited in Wellington in what was probably his final game in a Lions shirt in New Zealand.

After a mixed few weeks, his double on Tuesday means he is now the leading try scorer on the 2017 tour.

TJ wrote:Nope - he has been treated disgracefully as have the rest of the scots ( and a few others)

I really fear this could be the end of the lions.  Its certainly no longer the British and Irish lions.    Its the english and Welsh lions with a few irishmen

robbo277 wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Warburton is an amazing player and an amazing captain, but perhaps he should have done a Billy V, and decided, I'm not fit for this tour.

He gambled on finding fitness and form on tour and it hasn't paid off, it's a shame because I really like him as a player and a person.

Saying that; after this he has 4 months to get himself right for the November series. It interested me, so I ran the numbers.

He has 105 club appearances and 77 International appearances. This is also somewhat distorted by 24 club appearances and 6 International appearances before the end of the 2009/10 season.

Since 1 June 2010, he's played 81 club games and 71 International games. Is there anyone else with such a low club:international ratio?

RDW_Scotland wrote:

robbo277 wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Warburton is an amazing player and an amazing captain, but perhaps he should have done a Billy V, and decided, I'm not fit for this tour.

He gambled on finding fitness and form on tour and it hasn't paid off, it's a shame because I really like him as a player and a person.

Saying that; after this he has 4 months to get himself right for the November series. It interested me, so I ran the numbers.

He has 105 club appearances and 77 International appearances. This is also somewhat distorted by 24 club appearances and 6 International appearances before the end of the 2009/10 season.

Since 1 June 2010, he's played 81 club games and 71 International games. Is there anyone else with such a low club:international ratio?

Sexton must be close!

robbo277 wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

robbo277 wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Warburton is an amazing player and an amazing captain, but perhaps he should have done a Billy V, and decided, I'm not fit for this tour.

He gambled on finding fitness and form on tour and it hasn't paid off, it's a shame because I really like him as a player and a person.

Saying that; after this he has 4 months to get himself right for the November series. It interested me, so I ran the numbers.

He has 105 club appearances and 77 International appearances. This is also somewhat distorted by 24 club appearances and 6 International appearances before the end of the 2009/10 season.

Since 1 June 2010, he's played 81 club games and 71 International games. Is there anyone else with such a low club:international ratio?

Sexton must be close!

Quick glance at the numbers and I've got 175 club appearances and 70 International appearances. 40 of those games were up to 2008-09, when he made his international debut, so since his debut he's played 70 Internatioanl games and 135 club games, or just over 1 International every 2 club games.

Looking at someone like Robshaw, he's got 56 caps and 207 club games. Despite making his international debut in 2009, 55 of those caps have come since 2012. In that time, he's played 113 club games - so just under 1 international game for every 2 club games.

1 against 2 easily scans to 10 tests and 20 club games, which sounds about right for an International player. That Warburton has played so many internationals with so little club rugby is a serious anomaly.

TightHEAD wrote:Could anyone blame Russell if he did walk off down the tunnel around the 70min mark?

Cyril wrote:Dis Russell actually storm off before the end?

RDW_Scotland wrote:Impartial from the BBC as always - North gets several paragraphs and apparently could be back in the test team, whereas Seymour barely gets a mention and his tour is now over apparently!

Wingers on form

George North scored his first try of the 2017 Lions tour against the Hurricanes
There were also gains to be made by the likes of George North, perhaps a surprise omission from the first Test squad in Auckland.

The Welshman crossed for a classic winger's try, despite playing much of the game in the centre following an early injury to Robbie Henshaw.

Forced into a partnership at inside centre with Jonathan Joseph outside him, North popped up on Henderson's shoulder in the first half and accelerated away from the cover defence for his first try of the tour.

He could have had two tries, but for a foot in touch. It was a positive audition from a player out of position, whose explosive power and ability to make yards beyond the tackle could be used by Gatland on Saturday.

Scotland winger Seymour, despite not being a real threat to the Test team, also profited in Wellington in what was probably his final game in a Lions shirt in New Zealand.

After a mixed few weeks, his double on Tuesday means he is now the leading try scorer on the 2017 tour.

David-Douglas wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Impartial from the BBC as always - North gets several paragraphs and apparently could be back in the test team, whereas Seymour barely gets a mention and his tour is now over apparently!

Wingers on form

George North scored his first try of the 2017 Lions tour against the Hurricanes
There were also gains to be made by the likes of George North, perhaps a surprise omission from the first Test squad in Auckland.

The Welshman crossed for a classic winger's try, despite playing much of the game in the centre following an early injury to Robbie Henshaw.

Forced into a partnership at inside centre with Jonathan Joseph outside him, North popped up on Henderson's shoulder in the first half and accelerated away from the cover defence for his first try of the tour.

He could have had two tries, but for a foot in touch. It was a positive audition from a player out of position, whose explosive power and ability to make yards beyond the tackle could be used by Gatland on Saturday.

Scotland winger Seymour, despite not being a real threat to the Test team, also profited in Wellington in what was probably his final game in a Lions shirt in New Zealand.

After a mixed few weeks, his double on Tuesday means he is now the leading try scorer on the 2017 tour.

Who wrote that rubbish?

Cyril wrote:Perhaps Howley ghostwrites for the Beeb?

RDW_Scotland wrote:

robbo277 wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

robbo277 wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Warburton is an amazing player and an amazing captain, but perhaps he should have done a Billy V, and decided, I'm not fit for this tour.

He gambled on finding fitness and form on tour and it hasn't paid off, it's a shame because I really like him as a player and a person.

Saying that; after this he has 4 months to get himself right for the November series. It interested me, so I ran the numbers.

He has 105 club appearances and 77 International appearances. This is also somewhat distorted by 24 club appearances and 6 International appearances before the end of the 2009/10 season.

Since 1 June 2010, he's played 81 club games and 71 International games. Is there anyone else with such a low club:international ratio?

Sexton must be close!

Quick glance at the numbers and I've got 175 club appearances and 70 International appearances. 40 of those games were up to 2008-09, when he made his international debut, so since his debut he's played 70 Internatioanl games and 135 club games, or just over 1 International every 2 club games.

Looking at someone like Robshaw, he's got 56 caps and 207 club games. Despite making his international debut in 2009, 55 of those caps have come since 2012. In that time, he's played 113 club games - so just under 1 international game for every 2 club games.

1 against 2 easily scans to 10 tests and 20 club games, which sounds about right for an International player. That Warburton has played so many internationals with so little club rugby is a serious anomaly.

I'm surprised at that, although I suspect if you looked over the last 3-4 years his ratio would be much more skewed towards internationals.  Certainly the last season or two he only seems to play big games for Leinster or games to give him a warmup for Ireland.

George Carlin wrote:

Cyril wrote:Perhaps Howley ghostwrites for the Beeb?

Probably. He has a lot of time on his hands, given that it only takes half an hour, two beers and six Powerpoint slides to impart what he knows about attacking play.

IanBru wrote:Every good Howley PowerPoint has a title page, content page, bibliography, acknowledgements and a wacky 'the end' slide.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

IanBru wrote:Every good Howley PowerPoint has a title page, content page, bibliography, acknowledgements and a wacky 'the end' slide.

And Warren Gatland emerging from a birthday cake.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

IanBru wrote:Every good Howley PowerPoint has a title page, content page, bibliography, acknowledgements and a wacky 'the end' slide.

And Warren Gatland emerging from a birthday cake.

robbo277 wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Warburton is an amazing player and an amazing captain, but perhaps he should have done a Billy V, and decided, I'm not fit for this tour.

He gambled on finding fitness and form on tour and it hasn't paid off, it's a shame because I really like him as a player and a person.

Saying that; after this he has 4 months to get himself right for the November series. It interested me, so I ran the numbers.

He has 105 club appearances and 77 International appearances. This is also somewhat distorted by 24 club appearances and 6 International appearances before the end of the 2009/10 season.

Since 1 June 2010, he's played 81 club games and 71 International games. Is there anyone else with such a low club:international ratio?