Lions Tour

Remove all ads!

I've heard of the name, Sydax. Not heard anything about results or anything like that though, sorry!

 

Not to mention the Lions coaching/support team! All 27 of them.

 

Sydax - the Argentinian sevens rugby team has been doing pretty well lately. The 15-a-side team hasn't played for a while, though.

 

The poor old Lions are gonna get hammered! And the get thrashed in the rugby, provided Mr McCaw is fit naturally. My current team (I'm from the Blues area but hate them) would be

1. Tony Woodcock (Best scrummagger in New Zealand, outstandingly bad moustache )
2. Anton Oliver
3. Carl Hayman
4. Chris Jack
5. Greg Rawlinson (Ali is a moron, and there is no one else)
6. Craig Newby
7. Richie McCaw
8. Mose Tuiali'i
9. Justin Marshall
10. Daniel Carter
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
12. Aaron Mauger
13. Tana Umaga
14. Rico Gear
15. Leon MacDonald

Lock is the big problem we should start buying them from somewhere or get Troy Flavell back!

 

I don't think the Lions are going to hammered. They've put too much into this to get hammered.

And I can't say I agree with your team, either.

I'd have:
- So'oialo in place of Tuiali'i
- Rokocoko in place of Sivivatu
- Muliaina in place of McDonald
- Williams in place of Rawlinson

Lock is definitely a problem. There's even talk of Rueben Thorne having a go there. I think there is a fair chance that a loosie will end up filling in there at some point this year - unless they chuck one of the young boys like Ryan or Kennedy in.

Blindside is another interesting one. It depends on whether they choose a specialist #6 or just choose the next best loose forward they can find.

Actually, I think the selections will be based specifically on the types of players they need to match up to the likely Lions line up and game plan.

It's going to be huge.

 

Why are the Lions going to get hammered? What an absolutely ridiculous thing to say.

Some of the best players around today are in that squad. Also, Lord Wilko is fit again and scoring freely.

If I may say so Harbs, I think you're over-estimating this tourney a bit! Not many people here give a flying rats arse about rugby. And even less when England 'aren't very good any more'.

Because there will be a lack of football this Summer, a few people might tune into the Ashes to burn time. But the Lions tour is just a kind of "want to watch this Lions game? It's that thing with the egg-shaped ball I reckon", "Don't be stupid, eastenders is on in 15 mins".

 

Barmy - it's huge for us, and for rugby fans, because it doesn't happen very often (once a decade at best), because of the proud history, because the Lions tour of Australia produced some of the best rugby seen in years, and because 30,000 British rugby fans are going to descend on our country and drink our beer (they're setting up huge beer tents in each city to house all the Brits). Also, because it is a proper tour, like the old days, where the team is actually going visit towns and cities all over the country. For some of the kids in the small towns the Lions will visit, that could be one of the biggest events of their lives. I would compare it to the Brazil soccer team going to visit a school in Grimsby and having a chat to the kids there.

So, to me, it's huge.

And it's anyone's series to win. I can't see anyone getting 'hammered' (other than the blokes in the beer tent).

 

It's huge for me. My eyes will be glued to the screen.

 

You guys a dreaming, the Lions are a pretty average squad and good old Sir Clive is gonna do it tough in choosing what style the Lions should play. Logically the should play like the Welsh did in the Six nations - attacking, exciting rugby, but can you really imagine a man whose sole focus has been on playing 10 man rugby (mind you very good 10 man)really adopting a new style? At the end of his career? And Harbour you gotta bow down to the might cantabs even if you don't want to! Sivivatu
is to exciting to leave out, he is a lot more creative than Rocko and Mulis just ain't been playing that good recently (although Leon does tend to get hit in the head to often)

 

Since when was Sivivatu a "mighty cantab"? He's good but he's not a complete enough player and there's far too much competition on the wing for him to get a look in. Rokocoko, Gear, Howlett, and Nonu would all be ahead of him on the selection list.

 

I was talking about Mose Tuiali'i and Leon MacDonald which did not make your team. You are right that Sivivatu probably wont make the team but his ability to sum up a situation and do the right thing ie attack or pass is way better than the auckland boys. Nonu had another great game last night but I would seem him more as a bench player. And I cant say I have ever been a big Howlett fan, he cant kick is a bad passer and recently over runs the ball way to often. Although he is not helped by Aucklands god awful pack...

 

I like Collins and/or Kaino as our blindside flankers. We need big intimidating ball runners and ferocious tacklers. I wouldn't like to be playing against either of those two.

 

Yeah, Jerry Collins did some good work last night and must be pushing hard for that spot. Kaino's still a bit green, in my opinion. This is the Lions. We need someone tough as nails playing at No. 6.

 

It's funny if you think that the likes of Gethin Jenkins, Paul O' Connoll, Danny Grewcock et al, are going to be intimidated by, well, anyone.

I'll enjoy watching these matches, looking forward to it. I just wish they would get a bit more coverage over here.

 

This from today's NZ newspapers as Lions fever builds on both sides:

The Barmy Army has warned All Black fans that they face ridicule unless they get into the spirit of war-painted, over-the-top, patriotism-fuelled fandom.

The British fan club, which is orchestrating a New Zealand-wide festival during next month's tour, is renowned for loud chants, round bellies and 24-hour beer sessions.

Freddie Parker, project manager of the Barmy Army's British and Lions tour, has said that British fans expect Kiwis to show equal passion for their team.

"There's going to be two battles – one's on the pitch and the other's with the fans. I think we're going to be overwhelming gold-medal winners."

Mr Parker said the Barmy Army would arrive in droves next month, throwing their weight behind their team and showcasing their "win or lose – we booze" attitude.

"We will get behind the boys on the pitch and be the 16th man."

 

Well the thing is Jerry Collins averaged an injury to the opposition per game at the world cup. Good stats! LOL

Craig Newby? Ehhh.....

And someone bring back Kees Meeuws.

 

From today's NZ newspapers, a story about the song that the Barmy Army plan to sing on tour:

. . . . the army - usually English fans but expanded to include Irishmen, Welshmen and Scots for next month's British Lions tour - has composed a derogatory song about the All Blacks.

Sung to the tune of Lonnie Donegan's My Old Man's a Dustman, the lyrics poke fun at the team's past World Cup performances, alleged local habits and general sporting ability.

One of the stanzas goes as follows:

You failed in the Tri Nations,
In the World Cup went to sleep,
The All Blacks all should stay at home,
And stick to shagging sheep.

Lovely. Bring it on.

 

Heh. I just love the Barmy Army. They have to be the worlds best sport followers. Always there, giving it the big one, having friendly banter and most importantly: Getting royally pissed!

 

NZ's beer companies are looking forward to a bumper month. It's going to be a great party, especially in the big cities where there will be beer tents and big screen TVs. Even the non-rugby supporters will be out partying with the Barmy Army. This will be a great example of sport as it should be watched. Passionate fans and bitter rivals during the game, enjoying a friendly beer together afterwards.

 

Scraped a draw from Argentina in the warm up game.

Looking good. NOT!

Where was Driscoll? Where was Peel? Where was Henson? Where was Lewsey? Why didn't Dally even play?
Wilko's goal-cking was solid as ever, but some of his tactical kicking went nowhere. Too many droped passes. Not enough runs. Shane Williams the only guy willing to make incisive runs and got isolated. Moody the only guy chasing the bloody restarts.

That was painful to watch. New Zealand will destroy us if we play like that against them.