Lions Test XV Prediction game.

First topic message reminder :

Its a long way out. We have a season, minus two games, ahead of us that will display the form of players in contention.

Let's see if you can name a Lions Starting XV for the first test now and see how close you to what the actual starting XV will be in the first test on Saturday 22 June 2013 at the Suncorp.


Let's say

3 points for guessing the correct First XV starter
2 points for a match day 22 player
1 point for a definite first XV player who suffers injury on tour.

I would say that adding a replacements bench is in necessary. It would also give you a better chance of guessing the XV with a list of 22.

So PLEASE ONLY NAME YOUR XV, not your 22.

I'm sure many of you will want to criticise and analyse each others teams, but please refrain from doing so until you have posted your own selection.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:'Shocked - I think Ryan is too much one of Gats go to guys to be left out. I would hazard a guess that Ryan Jones and James Hook will be shoe-horned into the squad as versitility players, whether they deserve to or not.

Hook doesn't deserve to go. But Ryan does at the moment, he is Wales first choice 8 and his form over the last 12 months has been absolutely fantastic.

Bolter 15 - This is more of a scattergun approach so I'll have 10 points please for each who makes the squad
1.Jackson
2.Strauss
3.Hagan
4.Toner
5.Hynes
6.Shingler
7.Tupuric
8.Denton
9.Knoyle
10.Madigan
11.Wade
12.North (you heard it here first) I'll settle for 5 points if he's picked here
13.Twelvetrees
14.Simpson Daniel
15.Hogg

Agree wales606. Jones has been excellent for Wales recently, and if he keeps up that form, he'll definitely be in contention.

Submachine wrote:Bolter 15 - This is more of a scattergun approach so I'll have 10 points please for each who makes the squad
1.Jackson
2.Strauss
3.Hagan
4.Toner
5.Hynes
6.Shingler
7.Tupuric
8.Denton
9.Knoyle
10.Madigan
11.Wade
12.North (you heard it here first) I'll settle for 5 points if he's picked here
13.Twelvetrees
14.Simpson Daniel
15.Hogg

If you take Hines out then that could well be the line up for the 2017 Lions. If the internet is still fashionable by then and 606v2 is still runnig i think you should get 10 points per player for the 2017 Lions predictions too

15- Kearney
14- Halfpenny
13- Tuilagi
12-Roberts
11- North
10- Sexton
9- (urgh) Philips
8- Denton
7- Warburton
6- Ferris
5- O'Connell
4- Gray
3- Jones
2- Best
1- Healey

I'd like to note that I don't think this is what the team should be and I think it would struggle in some areas but it is what it will be

Submachine wrote:Bolter 15 - This is more of a scattergun approach so I'll have 10 points please for each who makes the squad
1.Jackson
2.Strauss
3.Hagan
4.Toner
5.Hynes
6.Shingler
7.Tupuric
8.Denton
9.Knoyle
10.Madigan
11.Wade
12.North (you heard it here first) I'll settle for 5 points if he's picked here
13.Twelvetrees
14.Simpson Daniel
15.Hogg

5 points will be awarded for big selection calls mate...!

The Casartelli Champagne Rugby XV;

Halfpenny, North, Tuilagi, Roberts, that Visser fella, Hook, Phillips, Morgan (for first 20 mins at least, until he runs out of puff), Warbs, Tipuric, one Irish + one English, Jones, Hibbard and Jenkins.

The Gatland chip, chase and smash brigade;

Kearney, North, O'Driscoll, Roberts, Ashton/Bowe, Sexton, Phillips, Heaslip, Warbs, O'Brien/Ferris, two English, Jones, Ford/Hartley, an English.

Castrrelli are you entering both teams or just one?

Entering what? I only read the last few posts. What contractual obligations have I made here Maes???

Right, sorry, I'm up to speed now. I'll enter Gatland's Likely Chip and Chasers, so;

Kearney, North, O'Driscoll, Roberts, Ashton, Sexton, Phillips, Heaslip, Warbs, O'Brien, Lawes, Gray, Jones, Hartley, Corbisiero.

with a 35 ish man squad Hook and R Jones are fairly safe bets, both cover 3 positions each. 1/2 penny for the same reason - kicking and wing/fb

Hook and R Jones? I dont think so.

Halfpenny, well yes he may well go.

If there are enough injuries that Hook has to play any of his positions (except maybe 10), I'm sure someone good can be brought in as cover. Whoever isn't picked would do well to go on holiday to Australia though just in case!

but you are forgetting that Gats is coach and lurves his utility players. I actaully think R Jones shoudl go on merit but he wil need to produce the same form this autumn and 6 nations. Hook i agree is a less likely pick but the fact is the complete supersub for the back div.

I'm fine with R Jones going- he is useful to have on the bench, certainly, as it allows you to pick a more specialised second lock on the bench and even a specialist 7 there if you want. Utility backs aren't exactly rare though, hence my confusion at why Lancaster is refusing to put any on his benches, despite apparently loving them when he was Saxons coach

because it destroys them as players....Hook never made a pos in the red jersey his because he was a 7s generalist who could do a job anywhere but excelled nowhere, he nearly ousted wellies but his propensity to float invitation passes in midfield cost him that spot and his frailty on the counter made him a 2nd rate 15. he should have been bedded in at centre where his ability to create space is his greatest skill.

majesticimperialman wrote:Hook and R Jones? I dont think so.

Halfpenny, well yes he may well go.

Maj

Where is your suggested team...???

Play by the rules or clear off

Mowgli mate...!

You too. Where's your team


READ THE OP FOR THE RULES LADS

Jenkins, Best, Jones,
Gray, POC,
Lydiate, Warburton, Heaslip,
Philips,
Flood,
Norf, Roberts, Manu, Bowe
Kearney

Cheers mate

1. Jenkins
2. R. Ford
3. A. Jones
4. R. Gray
5. C Lawes
6. T Lydiate
7. S. Warburton
8. T Faletau
9. M. Phillips
10. T Flood
11. A Cuthbert
12. J. Roberts
13. J. Davies
14. G. North
15. L halfpenny


 

15- Kearney
14- Bowe
13- Tuilagi
12-Roberts
11- North
10- Priestlin
9- Young's
8- Denton
7- Warburton
6- Lydiate
5- Jones
4- Gray
3- Ross
2- Best
1- Haley

As much as I am thankful for Mike Ross, i don't see any way he is a Lions test starter ahead of Adam Jones who is a better scrummager, and more mobile.
Or Dan Cole who is at least as good in the scrum and gets through twice as much work in the loose.
Whats your thinking there Pot?

1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best
3. Adam Jones
4. Richie Gray
5. AW Jones
6. Tom Croft
7. Ross Rennie
8. David Denton

9. Mike Phillips
10. Jonathan Sexton
11. Tim Visser
12. Jonathan Davies
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. George North
15. Leigh Halfpenny

Subs: Jenkins, Ford, O'Connell, Heaslip, Youngs, Flood, Hogg

1) Gethin Jenkins
2) Dylan Hartley
3) Dan Coles
4) Courtney Lawes
5) Richie Gray
6) Sean O'Brien
7) Sam Warburton
8) Jamie Heaslip

9) Ben Youngs
10) Johnny Sexton
11) Tommy Bowe
12) Jamie Roberts
13) Manu Tuilagi
14) George North
15) Ben Foden

Pot hale which team do you want to enter?

1) Cian Healy
2) Rory Best
3) Dan Cole
4) Richie Gray
5) Paul O'Connell
6) James Haskell
7) Sam Warburton
8) Ben Morgan
9) Danny Care
10) Johnny Sexton
11) Tommy Bowe
12) Jonathan Davies
13) Manu Tuilagi
14) Alex Cuthbert
15) Ben Foden

1 Cole
2 Ford
3 Jones
4 Gray
5 Jones
6 O'Brien
7 Warburton
8 Jones
9 Youngs
10 Sexton
11 North
12 Roberts
13 Bowe
14 Ashton
15 Halfpenny

Good to see a few more teams on the list their guys...!

Ah shoite I meant to put Faletau at 8. Same difference, it will be a Welsh man anyways.... .....

Looking through the sides I am surorised at how many have picked AWJ. Think hes a good solid player but not the best 2nd row around or IMO the best in Wales.

Team I would pick right now:

Corbisiero
Best
Cole
O'Connell
Gray
O'Brien
Warburton
Faletau
Phillips
Sexton
North
Davies
BOD
Bowe
Kearney

Gatland's team come summer 2013:

Jenkins
Strauss (if he qualifies)
Jones
O'Connell
Gray
O'Brien
Warburton
Heaslip
Phillips
Sexton
North
Roberts
BOD
Bowe
Kearney

I acknowledge the bias, but why on earth are people leaving out Kearney?
Comfortably Ireland's best player in the 6N, and European Player of the Year....?

im not a regular poster on the rugby boards, but i am a fan of rugby...am i too late to join the prediction game?

ok here's my go

1. Healy
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Grey
5. I Evans
6. Lydiate
7. SOB
8. Denton
9. Care
10. Sexton
11. Bowe
12. JD2
13. Tuilagi
14. Halfpenny
15. Goode

I'm sure some will agree and some will pick it to pieces claiming all the players are crap. Oh and i know ive left North out as im still not thinking hes as good as the hype/Welsh posters want us to belive. I do still think hes a good player but have gone for an extra front line kicker in Sexton has an off day

No mate, the Lions isn't for months so predict away!

Goode a real bolter there, KnackeredKnees!

ok i shall post my 15 players

1.Healy
2.Hartley
3.Cole
4.Gray
5.I Evans
6.Lydiate
7.Robshaw
8.Faletau
9.Youngs
10.Farrell
11.Bowe
12.Roberts
13.Tuilagi
14.Ashton
15.Halfpenny

Seriously though, what does Kearney have to do to get into the team?
He's not like Sexton - doesn't just play for Leinster, anypne remember the 2009 tour as well?

theslosty wrote:Seriously though, what does Kearney have to do to get into the team?
He's not like Sexton - doesn't just play for Leinster, anypne remember the 2009 tour as well?

Why have you picked two teams. Can only enter one mate.

what do people think of the side i picked?

theslosty wrote:Seriously though, what does Kearney have to do to get into the team?
He's not like Sexton - doesn't just play for Leinster, anypne remember the 2009 tour as well?

Nothing against him, just didnt fit my starting 15.

Goode has a pretty big boot, can tackle just as well, but can also slide in at flyhalf and do a good job. Gives a chance to run more moves for JD and Tuilagi to hit at a disorganised defence

I like the back 3 and front 5. Not sure Farrell/Youngs works as a
HB combo. Roberts and Manu quite similar, might be devastating though. Backrow could work, wouldn't be my first choice in any position or as a balance either. Faletau would be free to do a lot of carrying though

1. Cian Healy
2. Ross Ford
3. Jones
4. Gray
5. O'Connell
6. Ferris
7. Warburton
8. Denton
9. Youngs
10. Sexton
11. North
12. Roberts
13. Tuilagi
14. Visser
15.Kearney

KK

It's not just you, but I just can't believe that how such an outstanding player last season isn't even second choice for some people. Kearney IMO was (and sort of is) the best FB in the world, or at least on par with I Dagg.
Ireland had a poor 6N, but I thought some neutral observers would still appreciate our only current world class player - and that's before we even discuss his Leinster form.

Knackeredknees wrote:

I'm sure some will agree and some will pick it to pieces claiming all the players are crap. Oh and i know ive left North out as im still not thinking hes as good as the hype/Welsh posters want us to belive. I do still think hes a good player but have gone for an extra front line kicker in Sexton has an off day

You say this after selecting that player at 15...

Morgannwg wrote:

Knackeredknees wrote:

I'm sure some will agree and some will pick it to pieces claiming all the players are crap. Oh and i know ive left North out as im still not thinking hes as good as the hype/Welsh posters want us to belive. I do still think hes a good player but have gone for an extra front line kicker in Sexton has an off day

You say this after selecting that player at 15...

Alex!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! not the Andy "the Pieman" Goode

Cant see many hyping Goode up at all. In fact im the only one whos picked him.

He's got to nail his England spot first and the competition for the Lions 15 place includes:

Likely- Kearney, Halfpenny, Foden
Possible- Brown, Byrne, Murphy?, Hogg
Bolters- Goode, May, Jones? Liam Williams, Miller etc

Lots of competition. Really really rate Goode though, nice dilemma for England to have