How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?
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I'm not saying it's not going to be hard, as in technically difficult to score points then their opposition both weekend and midweek. It will be their hardest ever.
It's the assumption/assertion that everyone's going to get injured ,because it's a tough tour of NZ, that I have a problem with.
NPC coaches play a 5 week 10 game comp every season now. It's not impossible for (just some) of these poor widdle pros to play 20 mins off the bench in a midweek match. This isn't a dig at the Lions/NH. I just reckon fans have become accustomed to no midweek games and assume it's too tough. But this is a squad specifically big enough for this exact thing.
I'm not sure how it will go as it all depends on how quickly they gel, otherwise I reckon they might ace it.
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Its a tough tour ,
But i also think its a pretty strong squad of players the lions have put together ,
How they handle it will be interesting ,
I really do think its how they gel that will determine how well they go
We almost know beforehand the overall standard of the NZ sides ,
But the Lions come with a bit of a question mark
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@Catogrande said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@Crucial I take your point in comparing this tour to many others but... tell me of a harder itinerary available today. Sure a couple of the super sides may not be at full strength, but with the possible exception of the first game the Lions play a Super side on Saturday and midweek, the Maori and three games v the ABs. All in five weeks. Yeah we have the resources of four international sides but they can still only take so many players. No other international side would face such a schedule.
This is not a complaint, or a get your excuses in early type of thing (might come in useful mind) but just a statement of fact. Touring SA or Australia there is simply not that depth of quality - there are always a few "easy" games. Touring NZ in previous times there would be games v some of the provinces which were not as arduous. Not so this time. Nevertheless, this is where we are and it is up to us to cope with it and hopefully get some sort of result.
No, I am not confident.
The point I was making was that it isn't necessarily the same guys running out on Saturday as on Wednesday and the few that might will likely be rotated off the bench.
The majority of the Test 23 will probably play 5 games in 6 weeks with some having one of those games against a very easy opposition in the first game. -
@Crucial I wouldn't argue with any of that. The squad is big enough for two games each week. My point was the quality of the opposition over such a short period (no easy games barring possibly the first). Something else that I didn't articulate was that in a normal touring squad, the players pretty much know where they are in the pecking order. With the Lions that is or at least should, be different, so it isn't quite as simple as "you guys play Saturdays and you guys play mid-week" with the odd exception due to injury or form. There are no squad members that are there for the experience or what have you.
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@Crucial said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
The point I was making was that it isn't necessarily the same guys running out on Saturday as on Wednesday and the few that might will likely be rotated off the bench.
The majority of the Test 23 will probably play 5 games in 6 weeks with some having one of those games against a very easy opposition in the first game.My arguement would be these guys just played a long season, they turn up & play those 5 games against very good teams looking to knock shit out of them & sure they can sub guys in, but they won't have combinations, like Cato says,. this is by far & away the toughest schedule any team has face in probably 20 odd years. Maybe further back than that.
I'm not trying to make excuses for the Lions, more to put a rose tinted edge on the ABs injury issues. We may front up our 3rd choice blindside in the 3rd test, but the Lions will be subbing in a totally new guy too
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@gollum said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@Crucial said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
The point I was making was that it isn't necessarily the same guys running out on Saturday as on Wednesday and the few that might will likely be rotated off the bench.
The majority of the Test 23 will probably play 5 games in 6 weeks with some having one of those games against a very easy opposition in the first game.My arguement would be these guys just played a long season, they turn up & play those 5 games against very good teams looking to knock shit out of them & sure they can sub guys in, but they won't have combinations, like Cato says,. this is by far & away the toughest schedule any team has face in probably 20 odd years. Maybe further back than that.
I'm not trying to make excuses for the Lions, more to put a rose tinted edge on the ABs injury issues. We may front up our 3rd choice blindside in the 3rd test, but the Lions will be subbing in a totally new guy too
The Lions advantage is that most of their players are military medium so if you lose one you can just parachute in another pretty good, test standard (but not world class) player.
For instance if they lost Rory Best to injury they'd lose some abrasiveness in the tight loose, but on the plus side they might win some lineouts.
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There's a pretty good Youtube channel with an Irish dude and Kiwi fella talking rugby and the Lions. Will find the link.
Anyway, Irish dude was talking about a midfield with SBW and Giraffe Barrett. Obviously too late to see that now, but the mere thought makes me salivate. I really hope it happens one day.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel Have you seen Jordie's tackle stats? Not good reading, especially if you want him in the midfield now.
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@Bovidae said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@Rancid-Schnitzel Have you seen Jordie's tackle stats? Not good reading, especially if you want him in the midfield now.
As a fullback. Massive difference.
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@Stargazer I don't see the rush .,
Some more experience and some hardened muscle on those bones over the next couple of seasons should have him well prepared .
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@Stargazer said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Not responding to anyone in particular, but I sometimes get the feeling that people expect way too much from Jordie Barrett this year. He only just turned 20, give him some time. The same applies to the other 20-year-old, Rieko Ioane.
It is weird that there's speculation he will start at 15 against the Lions. Obviously never going to happen.
But, there's no harm in being excited about a future (and I stress future) combo with SBW.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@Stargazer said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Not responding to anyone in particular, but I sometimes get the feeling that people expect way too much from Jordie Barrett this year. He only just turned 20, give him some time. The same applies to the other 20-year-old, Rieko Ioane.
It is weird that there's speculation he will start at 15 against the Lions. Obviously never going to happen.
But, there's no harm in being excited about a future (and I stress future) combo with SBW.
Hmm, but SBW is at the other end of the spectrum. He turns 32 this year.
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@Stargazer said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@Stargazer said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Not responding to anyone in particular, but I sometimes get the feeling that people expect way too much from Jordie Barrett this year. He only just turned 20, give him some time. The same applies to the other 20-year-old, Rieko Ioane.
It is weird that there's speculation he will start at 15 against the Lions. Obviously never going to happen.
But, there's no harm in being excited about a future (and I stress future) combo with SBW.
Hmm, but SBW is at the other end of the spectrum. He turns 32 this year.
Yes, but he keeps himself in terrific shape and is a non-drinking, non-banking Muslim. He could keep on playing until he's 40.
In all seriousness, there's no reason he can't play at the next RWC.
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@gollum I guess the tale will be in the tape, but I'll be surprised if the Lions don't lose a significant number of players to injury. We'll be lucky not to lose several, as well.
You only have to look at the casualty wards of our Super rugby teams to see that it's pretty standard to lose one or two players to injury per match.
But, let's hope both teams are close to full strength and that the series doesn't end up being decided by injuries, cards or other blatant refereeing errors.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@Stargazer said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Not responding to anyone in particular, but I sometimes get the feeling that people expect way too much from Jordie Barrett this year. He only just turned 20, give him some time. The same applies to the other 20-year-old, Rieko Ioane.
It is weird that there's speculation he will start at 15 against the Lions. Obviously never going to happen.
But, there's no harm in being excited about a future (and I stress future) combo with SBW.
I'm more excited about a Jordie-ALB combo for years to come (ALB is only 22! and a much better player than SBW). Throw Rieko into the mix and we have three extraordinarily talented midfielders coming through.
You're right about defending at fullback too, it's a bloody difficult position as you often have to make one-on-one tackles with nobody either side of you to help. Dagg isn't fantastic in this regard either, Ben Smith is generally pretty good. Probably the best we've had in modern history is Cullen who was an expert at it - his express pace and light feet being an asset in that regard. But as you say, it's not Jordie's long-term position.
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@No-Quarter said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@Stargazer said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Not responding to anyone in particular, but I sometimes get the feeling that people expect way too much from Jordie Barrett this year. He only just turned 20, give him some time. The same applies to the other 20-year-old, Rieko Ioane.
It is weird that there's speculation he will start at 15 against the Lions. Obviously never going to happen.
But, there's no harm in being excited about a future (and I stress future) combo with SBW.
I'm more excited about a Jordie-ALB combo for years to come (ALB is only 22! and a much better player than SBW). Throw Rieko into the mix and we have three extraordinarily talented midfielders coming through.
You're right about defending at fullback too, it's a bloody difficult position as you often have to make one-on-one tackles with nobody either side of you to help. Dagg isn't fantastic in this regard either, Ben Smith is generally pretty good. Probably the best we've had in modern history is Cullen who was an expert at it - his express pace and light feet being an asset in that regard. But as you say, it's not Jordie's long-term position.
Yes, that is very exciting! Didn't even think of Giraffe and ALB/Ioane. Damn shame the Lions series will be over and done with before we see any of these combos.
Laumape is great, but I really wish Boyd would give Jordie a run at 12. Hopefully next year.
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Not sure in which other thread to post this ...
The British and Irish Lions tour is going to be even more Kiwi than expected, with news three of Super Rugby franchises to play the tourists will perform the haka. The Blues, Crusaders and Chiefs will perform a pre-match haka unique to each side, while the Highlanders and Hurricanes players decided against it. (...) Only the Chiefs have their own haka. He Piko, He Taniwha was performed after the 2012 and 2013 Super Rugby final victories. It was composed by haka exponent Ora Kihi from the cultural group from Te Wharekura O Rakaumanga School. He piko, He Taniwha means "at every bend a Chief". In 2016 it was performed before the game against Wales, who are coached by Waikato stalwart Warren Gatland. (...) "We have been talking to our other teams about whether they would like to perform a haka or have some other form of ceremonial presentation," Cass said. The Highlanders were likely to go with a Scottish-themed pre-match while the Hurricanes were still working on their pre-match rundown. -
facepalms
Really? Why?
