Highlanders v B&I Lions
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given the, er, very flat rush defence is a key part of Gatlands teams, you'd hope that they will have a way to deal with it.
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@MiketheSnow said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:
@Pot-Hale said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:
@MiketheSnow said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:
@Stargazer said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:
British and Irish Lions:
1 Joe Marler, 2 Rory Best, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 Iain Henderson, 6 James Haskell, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 8 CJ Stander,
9 Rhys Webb, 10 Dan Biggar, 11 Tommy Seymour, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 14 Jack Nowell, 15 Jared Payne;Reserves: 16 Ken Owens, 17, Jack McGrath, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Alyn Wun Jones, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22, Owen Farrell, 23 Elliot Daly.
A number of real contenders playing for a 1st Test squad place
Marler, Sinckler, Warburton, Stander, Tipuric
Joseph, Nowell, Payne, DalyI'd have a slightly different mix of players hoping to squeeze into test thoughts - either starting or more likely bench.
Best, Sinckler, Lawes, Stander, Tipuric.
Joseph, Nowell, Daly, Biggar, Henshaw.The problem for Best and Sinckler is they are part of one of three constant trios.
The only way Best, Lawes, Nowell, Biggar and Henshaw are making the 23 is injury or suspension to the player - and in some cases two players - ahead of them in the pecking order.
Agreed on Best, Nowell, Lawes. Not sure about whether Sexton has fully stated his case to be on the bench assuming Gatland goes with Farrell to start at 10, unless Gatland likes the first/second five option it could bring in a match. And obviously Sexton is ripe for getting clattered, so Biggar might be a bench option. Similarly, assuming Farrell in the 10 shirt, then Henshaw at 12 is a good option for the test match - I don't see Te'o as having nailed that spot down.
I know Sexton has played in the first 3 matches, so Farrell is on the bench on Tues against Landers. Does that mean that Sexton might possibly start against Maori?
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@Pot-Hale said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:
I know Sexton has played in the first 3 matches, so Farrell is on the bench on Tues against Landers. Does that mean that Sexton might possibly start against Maori?
Depends if Biggar has a mare / injury. Both very realistic possibilities.
If Farrell plays significant amount of time tomorrow, then Sexton to start on Saturday.
Otherwise Farrell to start on Saturday. Now whether that's at 10, 12 or 13 remains to be seen.
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Ha ha
Fekitoa was like WTF!!!!
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@MiketheSnow Serious stinkeye!
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@MN5 said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:
The Island boys looked like they'd rather be at the dentist than sit through that skit and who could blame them.
I don't think I have ever so cringed so hard. That joke went on about a minute and a half too long and doesn't even make sense when you consider they are not playing England and Lions has some scottish and Irish players in the team.
You would have thought a club with a fan zone called the ZOO and a touring team called the lions would have given them near limitless options.
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@mooshld said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:
@MN5 said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:
The Island boys looked like they'd rather be at the dentist than sit through that skit and who could blame them.
I don't think I have ever so cringed so hard. That joke went on about a minute and a half too long and doesn't even make sense when you consider they are not playing England and Lions has some scottish and Irish players in the team.
You would have thought a club with a fan zone called the ZOO and a touring team called the lions would have given them near limitless options.
I wonder what was worse for Fekitoa: Getting dropped or appearing in this ?
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@MiketheSnow said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:
@Bovidae said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:
Warburton would be unlikely to play in the Maori game (a likely shadow test XV) after being named to play on Tuesday.
Is Moriarty carrying an injury? Stander will be involved in 3 games in a row.
I'm guessing a half for Warburton to see if his ankle is OK, then yanked to rest for Saturday. He is VERY much in Gatland's plans.
No word on Moriarty.
I think I read somewhere that Moriarty's had a back problem since the Baabaas game. They expect it'll take him another couple of days to be fit.
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Anyone giving the Landers a chance here? I feel like their style is one that could be effective against a Lions side a fair bit weaker than Saturday's team.
In the forwards there's enough experience to be able to win their set piece. Two guys who I'm expecting big games from are Whitelock and Ainley, they have a break after this so can really play like there is no tomorrow. Hemopo is the only new guy.
Aaron Smith is obviously a big loss as it's him that really organises and sparks those forward runners. But Hammington has been in the squad all year, there should be plenty of familiarity there.
But from 10 out there is talent aplenty, with a guaranteed dry ball I just don't think the Lions defence will be able to stop the Landers backs from scoring 2-3 tries. And if this Lions combination doesn't really click on attack, I could see this Clan team squeaking home.
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@Frye yup, I think they're in with a shot. I saw some NH headlines saying the "NZ way is not always the best way" after the Crusaders loss which shows a lack of knowledge of the 5 Super teams. The Highlanders style - accurate kicking game and fast paced attack with less reliance on forward dominance - should be more effective then the Saders who really have been grinding teams down all year with their pack.
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@No-Quarter said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:
The Highlanders style - accurate kicking game and fast paced attack with less reliance on forward dominance - should be more effective then the Saders who really have been grinding teams down all year with their pack.
Agree with all of that. They put up a lot of contestable kicks. Nowell will need to lift his form
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:
The Landers will give the Lions some of their own medicine too with the rush defence.
If the forwards can provide a decent platform they've got a chance. Gardner's style of refereeing will suit the frantic, fast-paced game the Highlanders play.
A frantic fast-paced game is useless if you aren't making yards. You can charge on in at any pace you like, but all you will do is tire yourself if you can't get over the advantage line. The Highlanders have found that sides who can tackle on the line give them lots of trouble for this reason.
I really hope they try something somewhat more sophisticated than just trying to out pace the Lions.
