Lions v Barbarians (Official Match Thread)

[mrzimmerman]

First topic message reminder :

The team has been named. What do you think? Predictions for the match?

British & Irish Lions:
S Hogg (Scotland); A Cuthbert (Wales), J Davies (Wales), J Roberts (Wales), S Maitland (Scotland); O Farrell (England), M Phillips (Wales); M Vunipola (England), R Hibbard (Wales), A Jones (Wales), R Gray (Scotland), P O’Connell (Ireland, capt), D Lydiate (Wales), J Tipuric (Wales), T Faletau (Wales).

Replacements: T Youngs (England), C Healy (Ireland), M Stevens (England), A W Jones (Wales), J Heaslip (Ireland), C Murray (Ireland), J Sexton (Ireland), G North (Wales).


Barbarians:
15 Jared Payne, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Casey Laulala, 11 Taku Ngwenya, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Sergio Parisse,
7 Sam Jones, 6 Samu Manoa, 5 Dean Mumm, 4 Marco Wentzel, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Paul James.

Replacements: 16 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Jim Hamilton, 19 Imanol Harinordoquy, 20 Andrea Lo Cicero, 21 Kahn Fotuali'i, 22 James Hook, 23 Mike Tindall.

[stevetynant]

What timing lol

[RDW]

One of Gray’s weaknesses is his scriumaging at 4, but that shouldn’t be much of an issue with the props we’ve got and the fact that the Aussie scrum isn’t a world beater (although has got a lot better). He is an absolute beast though and massively athletic for someone who is 6ft 10– a great foil for O’Connell’s aggression and dirty work.

[Tramptastic]

I actually think a lot of Gray's lineout work is underrated, he steals so many! I mean it's obviously easier for him being 6 10 but during the six nations I think he was the Front Jumper and because of his extra height he could often as not steal the ball straight away! Gray and Hamiltons lineout in the six nations was awesome!

[SecretFly]

Yeah, 6' 10" does help a little in that one.

[Hound of Harrow]

Players are their to take their opportunities.. if Vunipola for instance was able to dominate a prop like Castrogiovanni whilst still being as useful in the loose then it would certainly make Healy and Jenkins claims weaker.

Its natural that players in big games will have more of a chance to prove their worth... this is a big game.

Castrogiovanni? The player let go by Leicester? The player who couldn't get regular enough playing time at Leicester?
Dominate him and you're a Lion's test natural?

Me don't think so, fa0019.

Except he didn't say Vunipola would be a 'test natural'. He said a strong game against a prop like Castro* would weaken the claims of the other two. By that I read that Vunipola could give Gatland a nice problem of hopefully having three loose heads worth their place in the test team.

* Castro is playing more on reputation these days.

But with the way you like to twist words SF, are you a politician by any chance.

[RDW]

IMO based on Healy’s performances the last 4 games Jenkins and Vunipola are a long way off and fighting for the bench spot!

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Nothing Vunipola does on Saturday will weaken the claims of Healy and Jenkins. All he can hope to do is strengthen his own claims. He can't make his rivals for the Test jersey worse players, but he can make himself better in relation to them.

[thebluesmancometh]

Nothing Vunipola does on Saturday will weaken the claims of Healy and Jenkins. All he can hope to do is strengthen his own claims. He can't make his rivals for the Test jersey worse players.

Unless he goes ankle stamping in training

In reality Vunipola is in a decent position, getting the first start and the first chance to show what he's capable of, thats about it really, the opposing team doesn't make much difference unless they dominate or fall to peices!

[Luckless Pedestrian]

An extreme measure, Bluesman, but it would work!

[thebluesmancometh]

An extreme measure, Bluesman, but it would work!

Don't mention it to Healy

[GunsGerms]

Still think test front row will be Healy, Best and Cole.

Hope so anyway.

[munkian]

Healy, Best, Jones.

Gethin, Hibabrd, Cole on the bench.

You feicin knows it

[red_stag]

Healy, Hibbard, Jones

Vunipola, Best, Cole on the bench

[thebluesmancometh]

What I like now is that there is at least competition to Hibbard for the test spot, no offence to Hartley or Youngs but neither were really going to oust him, Best might just be able to.

[Jimpy]

There are adverts for the tour on the BBC, but are they actually showing any matches?

[SecretFly]

Emmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..... no.

[munkian]

Post game footage maybe ?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Theyre probably advertising live radio commentary.

[GunsGerms]

The match isnt a sell out. Still a third of the tickets up for grabs. Probably because ticket prices are off the richter scale.

http://blogs.espnscrum.com/latest-news/archives/2013/05/tickets_hard_to_sell_for_lions.php

[munkian]

Thats a pitty, but yeah, prices are probably retarded

[boomeranga]

"""Is that all you've got?"""

[munkian]

Will be more than enough till the rest of the squad arrive

[boomeranga]

I agree mate. Just walking down memory lane.

[Submachine]

Why all the optimism for Best's prospects? Hard to see him going from 4th choice to 1st just because he eventually got his plane ticket. Gats obviously doesn't rate him.

[MarcusHalberstram]

Prices high, but it's not as if the expat community in Hong Kong are starving! If there's anywhere that can afford those kind of prices it's HK. Very surprised it's not sold out yet. If word gets around there are still tickets, I'd expect the rest to go.

[munkian]

Yeah, on the flip side they are more on the Leinster side of the financial scale than the Dragons one

[SecretFly]

Why all the optimism for Best's prospects? Hard to see him going from 4th choice to 1st just because he eventually got his plane ticket. Gats obviously doesn't rate him.

His quotes don't exactly confirm that, Sub. Gatland isn't a man to say he was or is wrong, but he just about admitted he's been feeling he might have been wrong about Best's selection right from the moment he didn't select him. Gatland doesn't say things like that in public. He doesn't graciously say he might have been wrong when he thinks he's mostly always right.

[Pal Joey]

Anyone heard more about this?

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/british-and-irish-lions-skipper-sam-warburton-an-injury-doubt-for-clash-against-barbarians/story-fn5k35fo-1226653424405#.Uac6L9jm7Md

It says he got it last week in training... maybe a beat up of sorts?

[Submachine]

Or he could just be trying to make Rory feel welcome in the squad and try to heal some wounded pride.
Very single minded man. I think Rory needs to outperform both other hookers at line out time and be close to 100%. Otherwise he will have weekends off during the tour.

[Mickado]

Anyone heard more about this?

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/british-and-irish-lions-skipper-sam-warburton-an-injury-doubt-for-clash-against-barbarians/story-fn5k35fo-1226653424405#.Uac6L9jm7Md

It says he got it last week in training... maybe a beat up of sorts?

Bit late on the draw there Breaker, the team is out, Sam aint in it.

[RubyGuby]

Healey Hibbard Cole for 1st test. Best was Gat's 4th choice so not sure how someone can elevate him straight into the team. Healey's temperament is also key here.

[dragonbreath]

Why all the optimism for Best's prospects? Hard to see him going from 4th choice to 1st just because he eventually got his plane ticket. Gats obviously doesn't rate him.

Why is it hard? he is probably the best Hooker on tour, his omission for Hartley was puzzling at best and Youngs playing for England ahead of Hartley was in itself debatable. IMO he was largely responsible for Coles poor scrummaging performances in a white shirt this year. Sure he a busy bee but too small ala Lee Mears at this level

[Submachine]

Why all the optimism for Best's prospects? Hard to see him going from 4th choice to 1st just because he eventually got his plane ticket. Gats obviously doesn't rate him.

Why is it hard? he is probably the best Hooker on tour, his omission for Hartley was puzzling at best and Youngs playing for England ahead of Hartley was in itself debatable. IMO he was largely responsible for Coles poor scrummaging performances in a white shirt this year. Sure he a busy bee but too small ala Lee Mears at this level

First point - Because three other hookers were selected ahead of him, two of whom are still there.

Second point - Not being smart but your opinion doesn't matter a whit to anyones prospects of making the test team.

[Pal Joey]

Anyone heard more about this?

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/british-and-irish-lions-skipper-sam-warburton-an-injury-doubt-for-clash-against-barbarians/story-fn5k35fo-1226653424405#.Uac6L9jm7Md

It says he got it last week in training... maybe a beat up of sorts?

Bit late on the draw there Breaker, the team is out, Sam aint in it.

Jeezuz... that'll teach me to gloss over it. Probably a blessing in disguise, no?

[red_stag]

Wasn't that the same for Tom Croft in 2009?

Did not make the original squad. Got in when another player got suspended.

Played in all three tests and started two of them.

Hibbard is in the driving seat but Best is a bigger rival than Tom Youngs I would think.

[SecretFly]

Or he could just be trying to make Rory feel welcome in the squad and try to heal some wounded pride.
Very single minded man. I think Rory needs to outperform both other hookers at line out time and be close to 100%. Otherwise he will have weekends off during the tour.

Well...we'll see. You might turn out quite right about his weekend rest periods. My point remains, Gatland doesn't do the kissing and hugging and suggesting he was wrong in the first place just to make a player feel welcome. Gatland ain't that kinda ass-kisser. Rory feels welcome enough simply by being in Hong Kong right now.

[Guest]

I was watching an old QOS with Rory Best on last night. Best didn't even know who the Lions Head Coach was. These kind of things will have stuck in Gatland's mind.

[Notch]

Last night, Rory Best was on a question of sport which is pre-recorded. Got an embarrassing question wrong apparently.

"Who is Head Coach for the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia?"

It's not Graham Henry Rory. Plenty to do if you want to make that test side!

[dragonbreath]

Why all the optimism for Best's prospects? Hard to see him going from 4th choice to 1st just because he eventually got his plane ticket. Gats obviously doesn't rate him.

Why is it hard? he is probably the best Hooker on tour, his omission for Hartley was puzzling at best and Youngs playing for England ahead of Hartley was in itself debatable. IMO he was largely responsible for Coles poor scrummaging performances in a white shirt this year. Sure he a busy bee but too small ala Lee Mears at this level

First point - Because three other hookers were selected ahead of him, two of whom are still there.

Second point - Not being smart but your opinion doesn't matter a whit to anyones prospects of making the test team.

and yours even less judging by your comments. Hey England can keep picking Youngs as long as they like, that is if Cole doesn't bury him under his patio so that he can stop being made to look a mug by his pint sized pal.

[Guest]

Last night, Rory Best was on a question of sport which is pre-recorded. Got an embarrassing question wrong apparently.

"Who is Head Coach for the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia?"

It's not Graham Henry Rory. Plenty to do if you want to make that test side!

[GunsGerms]

Last night, Rory Best was on a question of sport which is pre-recorded. Got an embarrassing question wrong apparently.

"Who is Head Coach for the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia?"

It's not Graham Henry Rory. Plenty to do if you want to make that test side!

Perhaps a sly dig at Warren G? He obviously thought they were talking about the last Lions tour to Oz which was Graham Henry.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Adam Jones had a stormer when he was on a Question of Sport. It's just as well, because he's a lousy tight head.

[Pal Joey]

Last night, Rory Best was on a question of sport which is pre-recorded. Got an embarrassing question wrong apparently.

"Who is Head Coach for the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia?"

It's not Graham Henry Rory. Plenty to do if you want to make that test side!

I saw one QoS recently where George North didn't know how many tries he had scored for Wales. I think he said "about 8? " but he's scored 12. Also had no idea of Wales winning % when he's played for them. Lovely bloke though... so humble and softly spoken.

[Notch]

I don't think you can nail down a test spot in the first game, bit you can lose it- I'm thinking back to Keith Earls in 2009.

[Rugby Fan]

Wasn't that the same for Tom Croft in 2009?

Did not make the original squad. Got in when another player got suspended.

Played in all three tests and started two of them.

Hibbard is in the driving seat but Best is a bigger rival than Tom Youngs I would think.

Croft needed Ferris to go down as well before getting selected to start. It also helped that Ferris never got replaced because of the farce over Ryan Jones.

Hookers are a little different because two of the three are always going to be in a match day squad. Not only that, the bench player will very likely get a decent amount of game time. It'll be a bit easier to make comparisons, which should mean that Best will have a good chance to change the pecking order.

I suspect lineout throwing in will be key. Arguably, Hartley was the more accomplised of the three original choices. If we are looking for an advantage at this set piece, then accuracy may be at more pf a premium than scrummaging.

I don't think you can nail down a test spot in the first game...

Corry and Croft started the first Test in 2001 and 2009 respectively.

[munkian]

Keith Earls...Hape...Monye.... Slim pickings that Lions year

[stevetynant]

The lions line out should be better than anything best has had to aim at for a long time. In all other aspects of his game he is the best all round hooker there. Would not surprise me a bit to see him return with 3test caps

[BlueNote]

What seems like a long time ago, a young Ryan Jones came out as a replacement in NZ and made such an impact he was into the test team.

[maestegmafia]

What seems like a long time ago, a young Ryan Jones came out as a replacement in NZ and made such an impact he was into the test team.

Think he was nominated player of the tour too. I can see Best getting some big accolades for this tour.

[RubyGuby]

I can see Ian Evans emerging as the player of the tour

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