How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?
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Short fragment of an interview with Boyd about Coles: http://soundcloud.com/user-178595377/boyd-gives-the-latest-on-dane-coles
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@taniwharugby said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
justhear on the Radio that Dane Coles is now suffering headache and concussion like symptoms, despite being out of rugby due to knee and calf issues, and they do not know the source of the issue which complicates things.
At this rate, many will get their wish with JABs getting back in action suiting up for the Lions, albeit as the ABs
Bugger. This is becoming a concern now. All we need is an injury to BB or one of SW and BBBR and we are sliding into poo territory.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@taniwharugby said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
justhear on the Radio that Dane Coles is now suffering headache and concussion like symptoms, despite being out of rugby due to knee and calf issues, and they do not know the source of the issue which complicates things.
At this rate, many will get their wish with JABs getting back in action suiting up for the Lions, albeit as the ABs
Bugger. This is becoming a concern now. All we need is an injury to BB or one of SW and BBBR and we are sliding into poo territory.
I rate Coles, SW, BBBR and Read as our four most important players. The drop off to the next best is massive and it hurts us bad. As good as BB is if he is out we at least have a proven performer in Cruden to rely on. The others... not so much.
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@taniwharugby said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
justhear on the Radio that Dane Coles is now suffering headache and concussion like symptoms, despite being out of rugby due to knee and calf issues, and they do not know the source of the issue which complicates things.
At this rate, many will get their wish with JABs getting back in action suiting up for the Lions, albeit as the ABs
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This sounds like a pretty significant problem for Coles and the likelihood of him being available for the Lions.
Broken thumbs have a pretty well-defined recovery rate, concussions don't.
I think the form of Taylor, Harris, Coltman etc has suddenly become pretty important.
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Meanwhile I see a Ratpoo headline (I won't link it) where he has used his vast medical knowledge to declare that Charlie Ngatai should have retired instead of returning to play.
I think I should email him and ask about vaccinations and flouride as well.Funny how writers like Ratpoo keep declaring that all rugby players that get concussed should give up the game yet also purport to be experts about boxing and who should fight who in a sport where the aim is to smack the head of your opponent.
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We still have a big wait to see how many of the Lions fail to make the first test, let alone the 2nd & 3rd. Its an utter carcrash of a tour & I'd be amazed if they are anywhere near full strength by about halftime in the Maori game. I thought before it was a strong possiblity we would lose the first test, but after that we should be fine for the next 2 as the lions start Cipriani, Jamie Roberts & Thomas Waldrom in the 2nd & 3rd
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@gollum said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
We still have a big wait to see how many of the Lions fail to make the first test, let alone the 2nd & 3rd. Its an utter carcrash of a tour & I'd be amazed if they are anywhere near full strength by about halftime in the Maori game. I thought before it was a strong possiblity we would lose the first test, but after that we should be fine for the next 2 as the lions start Cipriani, Jamie Roberts & Thomas Waldrom in the 2nd & 3rd
That's true, but a lot of our ABs have a bit of a car crash schedule to negotiate as well.
Owen Franks, for example, who is fairly important has Bulls, Hurricanes, Chiefs, Rebels, Highlanders, B&I Lions, Samoa lined up before he gets to the first test - and the NZ derbies and B&I Lions games will likely be pretty brutal encounters.
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@Chris-B. said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@gollum said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
We still have a big wait to see how many of the Lions fail to make the first test, let alone the 2nd & 3rd. Its an utter carcrash of a tour & I'd be amazed if they are anywhere near full strength by about halftime in the Maori game. I thought before it was a strong possiblity we would lose the first test, but after that we should be fine for the next 2 as the lions start Cipriani, Jamie Roberts & Thomas Waldrom in the 2nd & 3rd
That's true, but a lot of our ABs have a bit of a car crash schedule to negotiate as well.
Owen Franks, for example, who is fairly important has Bulls, Hurricanes, Chiefs, Rebels, Highlanders, B&I Lions, Samoa lined up before he gets to the first test - and the NZ derbies and B&I Lions games will likely be pretty brutal encounters.
I doubt he plays against Samoa and for the Crusaders against BIL. He may get a bench spot (or even rested) for the Rebels game as well. Yes they are brutal games to come, but again he's not playing the full 80.
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Kaino's minor knee surgery was deemed successful and he continues to target a return in four to six weeks.
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@ACT-Crusader I would have used Sam Whitelock, but Sammy has an enforced two week rest, which certainly won't help the Crusaders, but I reckon Hansen will be quite happy about.
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Looks like some have gone Amish...
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@gollum said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
We still have a big wait to see how many of the Lions fail to make the first test, let alone the 2nd & 3rd. Its an utter carcrash of a tour & I'd be amazed if they are anywhere near full strength by about halftime in the Maori game. I thought before it was a strong possiblity we would lose the first test, but after that we should be fine for the next 2 as the lions start Cipriani, Jamie Roberts & Thomas Waldrom in the 2nd & 3rd
I think the car crash schedule thing has been a bit overdone. And lost its meaning.
It's a car crash in that they are playing teams capable of beating them.
It's not a car crash in that these poor meek gentle tourists will get physically bashed up before the series starts.
The attrition is because they've just finished their own stupidly structured attritional season. Not because they've got a 5 week tour instead of the normal 3 week June international window series.
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@Rapido said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@gollum said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
We still have a big wait to see how many of the Lions fail to make the first test, let alone the 2nd & 3rd. Its an utter carcrash of a tour & I'd be amazed if they are anywhere near full strength by about halftime in the Maori game. I thought before it was a strong possiblity we would lose the first test, but after that we should be fine for the next 2 as the lions start Cipriani, Jamie Roberts & Thomas Waldrom in the 2nd & 3rd
I think the car crash schedule thing has been a bit overdone. And lost its meaning.
It's a car crash in that they are playing teams capable of beating them.
It's not a car crash in that these poor meek gentle tourists will get physically bashed up before the series starts.
The attrition is because they've just finished their own stupidly structured attritional season. Not because they've got a 5 week tour instead of the normal 3 week June international window series.
Mate, the tour schedule is pretty full on. They're playing two games a week against pretty much top opposition - each game. Most of the best provincial sides in the world and oh three games against the world champions and no 1 (by a a fair margin) international team. Car crash is a bit emotive, but that is one tough tour.
Your point about our crazy domestic season is well founded. it is nuts. It is also part of the reason the Lions tour is so short, but is still one tough itinerary
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@Catogrande said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@Rapido said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@gollum said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
We still have a big wait to see how many of the Lions fail to make the first test, let alone the 2nd & 3rd. Its an utter carcrash of a tour & I'd be amazed if they are anywhere near full strength by about halftime in the Maori game. I thought before it was a strong possiblity we would lose the first test, but after that we should be fine for the next 2 as the lions start Cipriani, Jamie Roberts & Thomas Waldrom in the 2nd & 3rd
I think the car crash schedule thing has been a bit overdone. And lost its meaning.
It's a car crash in that they are playing teams capable of beating them.
It's not a car crash in that these poor meek gentle tourists will get physically bashed up before the series starts.
The attrition is because they've just finished their own stupidly structured attritional season. Not because they've got a 5 week tour instead of the normal 3 week June international window series.
Mate, the tour schedule is pretty full on. They're playing two games a week against pretty much top opposition - each game. Most of the best provincial sides in the world and oh three games against the world champions and no 1 (by a a fair margin) international team. Car crash is a bit emotive, but that is one tough tour.
Your point about our crazy domestic season is well founded. it is nuts. It is also part of the reason the Lions tour is so short, but is still one tough itinerary
I don't think you can ignore the fact that the only limitations on the BIL squad is what they place on themselves. They have the resources of 4 top level international sides to draw on so finding fit and fresh players should not be an issue.
There is no requirement for a great number of players to play twice a week. Weekly games are the norm during a tour (eg a Grand Slam) and with deep reserve benches now playing time can be managed.
Also add in the fact that both the Blues and Chiefs games are likely to be against weakened sides and the "toughness" doesn't look so bad
