NZ Provincial Barbarians v B&I Lions (Whangarei, 3 June 2017)

[mariner4life]

@Stargazer really? shit, i missed that.

[KiwiMurph]

Not sure how much ball they'll see but the back 3 that are starting plus the 2 off the bench are all dangerous ball in hand.

[mariner4life]

@KiwiMurph given the pack that the Lions have named, i would say nothing that isn't kicked to them. They are in for a long night

[SammyC]

@Bovidae said in NZ Provincial Barbarians v B&I Lions (Whangarei, 3 June 2017):

Who is Inga Finau? @SammyC

2nd 5, played a few games last year for Canterbury. Mainly off the bench

[Bovidae]

There are 4 locks in that pack so they should have enough tall timber to win some lineout ball.

[Frye]

I love that McMillan has effectively picked four locks. Boshier isn't a small lad either so the pack has some size to it.

@Bovidae snap

I wouldn't be surprised if the game isn't as one sided up front as expected and the Lions willl need their heavy cavalry off the bench before they really get dominance in the forward battles.

[antipodean]

@mariner4life Agreed. Mitre 10 Cup guys against Lions that need a run and have been in camp. The Barbarians won't get much ball to play with. Lions should embarrassed if they don't put on 50.

[taniwharugby]

not all of them are even starters for thier MItre Cup team either are they?

Huge occasion for the guys, while the Baabaas wont give an inch and will smash everything, there is a big step up in class to that Lions team.

[Bovidae]

I remember being in Rotovegas in 2005 and the first 10 mins in that game where the Lions started so strongly. I would imagine Gatland wants this Lions team to hit the ground running.

[antipodean]

@Bovidae I'm guessing the Lions are hoping history doesn't repeat and Faletau walks off fit.

[Chris B.]

I can't believe Ta$man don't get a player in the starting XV.

Meanwhile BoP get two and Waikato get three.

Talk about rewarding mediocrity!!!

[ACT Crusader]

@Chris-B. said in NZ Provincial Barbarians v B&I Lions (Whangarei, 3 June 2017):

I can't believe Ta$man don't get a player in the starting XV.

Meanwhile BoP get two and Waikato get three.

Talk about rewarding mediocrity!!!

And only 4 Cantabs????

[Chris B.]

@ACT-Crusader Could be worse - we could be Manawatu!

When this team was initially selected it looked like they were making a specific effort to pick someone from every M10 Province, plus a Heartland guy.

How hard would it have been to pick Alex Nankivell to play 2nd five? He's most likely in Hamilton.

[KiwiMurph]

@Chris-B. Alex Nankivell I think is one injury away from playing for the Chiefs so I'd imagine he is with the Chiefs gameday squad.

[Chris B.]

@KiwiMurph Yeah - but, so is Makalio (even more definitely) with the Crusaders and he's sitting on the bench.

[Gunner]

That Baabaas team really is pretty shit.
Matich should be starting, throw the locals a bone would ya!

[cgrant]

What is the weather forecast ?
If it's raining a lot, then the defeat could be ordinary. If it's fine, this team should be thrashed.

[Stargazer]

@cgrant If you go back several posts, you'll find your answer.

[Frye]

@Chris-B. said in NZ Provincial Barbarians v B&I Lions (Whangarei, 3 June 2017):

@ACT-Crusader Could be worse - we could be Manawatu!

Two Feilding High lads there mate.

Of course when Rowe went there it was still called Feilding Ag

[taniwharugby]

@cgrant pissing down at moment, supposed to be a few showers tomorrow but clearing in the afternoon...pitch is always good.