Finnegan Posted 30 May 2013 Posted 30 May 2013 So, it begins at the weekend (well, sort of) and we've got more Scotsmen in the first named fifteen than Englishmen. Bit odd. Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Alex Cuthbert (Wales), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Jamie Roberts (Wales), Sean Maitland (Scotland); Owen Farrell (England), Mike Phillips (Wales); Mako Vunipola (England), Richard Hibbard (Wales), Adam Jones (Wales), Richie Gray (Scotland), Paul O'Connell (Ireland), Dan Lydiate (Wales), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Toby Faletau (Wales) That said, can't see this being an accurate reflection of the test side. There's a few in there that'll certainly be involved (unless they become injured) come the first game against the Wallabies (Phillips, Hibbard, Jones, Faletau) and a few that surely won't (Maitland and Hogg) and I imagine the exclusion of Ulster, Leinster and Tigers players is to give them some recuperation. The fixtures are as follows: Saturday 1st June 2013BRITISH & IRISH LIONS - TOUR Barbarians v British & Irish Lions 12:30 Wednesday 5th June 2013BRITISH & IRISH LIONS - TOUR Western Force v British & Irish Lions 11:00 Saturday 8th June 2013BRITISH & IRISH LIONS - TOUR Reds v British & Irish Lions 10:30 Tuesday 11th June 2013BRITISH & IRISH LIONS - TOUR NSW-Queensland Country v British & Irish Lions 10:30 Saturday 15th June 2013BRITISH & IRISH LIONS - TOUR Waratahs v British & Irish Lions 10:30 Tuesday 18th June 2013BRITISH & IRISH LIONS - TOUR Brumbies v British & Irish Lions 10:30 Saturday 22nd June 2013BRITISH & IRISH LIONS - TOUR Australia v British & Irish Lions 11:00 Tuesday 25th June 2013BRITISH & IRISH LIONS - TOUR Melbourne Rebels v British & Irish Lions 10:30 Saturday 29th June 2013BRITISH & IRISH LIONS - TOUR Australia v British & Irish Lions 11:00 Saturday 6th July 2013BRITISH & IRISH LIONS - TOUR Australia v British & Irish Lions 11:00 And the full squad can be found here.
SOCCERROO FOX Posted 30 May 2013 Posted 30 May 2013 Probably going to the Rebels Lions game and maybe the 2nd test but it's alot hard to get a ticket.
Finnegan Posted 31 May 2013 Author Posted 31 May 2013 Probably going to the Rebels Lions game and maybe the 2nd test but it's alot hard to get a ticket. I've always wondered what kind of excitement the Lions brings to the Southern Hemisphere populace. Is it very big news down there? We tend to hype it up for a good eighteen months before hand and the last twelve months is all about getting on the Lions tour for the players.
The Doctor Posted 5 June 2013 Posted 5 June 2013 http://mancave.cbslocal.com/2013/06/03/an-americans-guide-to-rugby/ - thought I'd provide this for those who don't quite get rugby...
Finnegan Posted 5 June 2013 Author Posted 5 June 2013 For example, you can’t pass the ball forwards so the only way to make up territory is a) run as fast as possible towards your opponents try-line and then try to pass the ball back to a buddy before one of the Uruk-Hai on the opposing team body-slams you into the turf or b) kick it ahead of you and hope you reach it before one of the aforementioned orcs disembowels you first. Shame to see Healey off today in pretty bad shape but otherwise it's all started routinely well for the Lions. Tigers fans will be glad to see Croft and Parling on the scoresheet and Tuilagi featuring well.
Guest Posted 5 June 2013 Posted 5 June 2013 http://mancave.cbslocal.com/2013/06/03/an-americans-guide-to-rugby/ - thought I'd provide this for those who don't quite get rugby... Brilliant Worth a read even if you love Rugby.
SOCCERROO FOX Posted 6 June 2013 Posted 6 June 2013 I've always wondered what kind of excitement the Lions brings to the Southern Hemisphere populace. Is it very big news down there? We tend to hype it up for a good eighteen months before hand and the last twelve months is all about getting on the Lions tour for the players. Yeah there is a resonably amount of media and hype but i'm in Melbourne where Rugby isn't that popular with the AFL taking the first dozen pages of the sport. Plus at the moment there has been state of Orgin and Soccerroos are playing.
Guest MattP Posted 6 June 2013 Posted 6 June 2013 I've always wondered what kind of excitement the Lions brings to the Southern Hemisphere populace. Is it very big news down there? We tend to hype it up for a good eighteen months before hand and the last twelve months is all about getting on the Lions tour for the players. Do you support the Lions or is it more about watching good rugby for you? Just wondered because I know you pretty much consider yourself Welsh rather than British and I would wonder how that affects the support for this.
Finnegan Posted 8 June 2013 Author Posted 8 June 2013 Game of the tour, so far. Leicester's Ben Youngs scores a great little scrum-halves' try to put the Lions in to the lead, robbing the ball from the scrum to dab down. 7 - 13 Lions. Do you support the Lions or is it more about watching good rugby for you? Just wondered because I know you pretty much consider yourself Welsh rather than British and I would wonder how that affects the support for this. I support the Lions, yeah. I disagreed with the British Olympic Football Team. Not overly vocally, I certainly wouldn't cheer against them, I just regarded it with large indifference. I'm glad Bellers had a good time and played well but I felt the whole thing was forced together to be political (England the inventors of football need to be represented at their own Olympics.) But there's no precedent for us playing together in football, the rivalries are a lot more bitter (if less relevant because Scotland and Wales are shit) and there was a genuine belief it would jeopardize our status as independent associations with Blatter refusing to be consistent and committed on the issue. The Lions is a little bit different. It's a long standing precedent of good-mannered co-opperation that clearly doesn't hold any threat to four of the oldest and most important unions in the sport. It's also fair to see that all four nations (well, three and a half) contribute equally and all have something independent to offer where as you have to feel a "British" football team is largely a farce. There's a couple of Welshmen that'd make an impact but it's otherwise largely just England posturing to represent "everyone." I appreciate these are very washy arguments but that's how I view it. I just couldn't at all feel attached to the Olympic football team. In addition, I'd say my view of being predominantly Welsh and not at all British fades with age. I'm a long way from waving Union Flags and singing Rule Britannia because I loathe the overall image of "Imperial" Britain but I'm not exactly the militant separatist I was when I was eighteen, either. That was just typical teen rebelliousness.
Guest MattP Posted 8 June 2013 Posted 8 June 2013 Game of the tour, so far. Leicester's Ben Youngs scores a great little scrum-halves' try to put the Lions in to the lead, robbing the ball from the scrum to dab down. 7 - 13 Lions. I support the Lions, yeah. I disagreed with the British Olympic Football Team. Not overly vocally, I certainly wouldn't cheer against them, I just regarded it with large indifference. I'm glad Bellers had a good time and played well but I felt the whole thing was forced together to be political (England the inventors of football need to be represented at their own Olympics.) But there's no precedent for us playing together in football, the rivalries are a lot more bitter (if less relevant because Scotland and Wales are shit) and there was a genuine belief it would jeopardize our status as independent associations with Blatter refusing to be consistent and committed on the issue. The Lions is a little bit different. It's a long standing precedent of good-mannered co-opperation that clearly doesn't hold any threat to four of the oldest and most important unions in the sport. It's also fair to see that all four nations (well, three and a half) contribute equally and all have something independent to offer where as you have to feel a "British" football team is largely a farce. There's a couple of Welshmen that'd make an impact but it's otherwise largely just England posturing to represent "everyone." I appreciate these are very washy arguments but that's how I view it. I just couldn't at all feel attached to the Olympic football team. In addition, I'd say my view of being predominantly Welsh and not at all British fades with age. I'm a long way from waving Union Flags and singing Rule Britannia because I loathe the overall image of "Imperial" Britain but I'm not exactly the militant separatist I was when I was eighteen, either. That was just typical teen rebelliousness. Nice post I enjoyed the read, Completely understand the points you have made and makes perfect sense, I didn't support the Great Britain football team either, to be honest it's hard enough supporting that group of overpaid arrogant wankers in England shirts so throwing them together with a couple of tokens for a political point never was going to go down well with me. Don't blame any of the players for playing though, I'm a hypocrite and I would, the chance to win an Olympic medal is something too amazing to pass up. Keep modernising, I'll take you to the Swalec to watch England and Wales play one day. Back to the rugby. 16-6 at HT and surely the greatest line of commentary ever delivered with "Stevens looking to get over the white line".
Finnegan Posted 8 June 2013 Author Posted 8 June 2013 So, this man: Just ran forehead first in to this man's forehead: How can you not love rugby?
marko Posted 8 June 2013 Posted 8 June 2013 Not likely, I fukken hate cricket. I don't know how anyone can't like cricket. Essentially, it's sitting in the sun, drinking with friends and abusing the Australians - what's not to like? Anyway, back on topic, at least today's a bit more interesting as a spectacle as opposed to the one-sided try fests of the last two games.
Finnegan Posted 8 June 2013 Author Posted 8 June 2013 Reds are putting in an absolute monster performance, massive credit to them. Running everything, like the Ba Bas of the 70s. Mental.
Staff Posted 8 June 2013 Posted 8 June 2013 Reds are putting in an absolute monster performance, massive credit to them. Running everything, like the Ba Bas of the 70s. Mental. Very good game. I was impressed with Bowe and then North, both run very good lines and there was some fantastic defending by Bowe to prevent a try. I hope Bowe's and Tuilagi's injuries are not serious, Tuilagi creates holes and chances so easily. Also, I think Halfpenny will be starting full back in the first test. Nothing against Hogg, just feel Halfpenny's kicking is such an advantage.
Finnegan Posted 8 June 2013 Author Posted 8 June 2013 Right now I'd probably pick a back line of something like. Halfpenny, North, Tuilagi, Roberts, Bowe*, Sexton, Phillips. (Cuthbert if Bowe's broken his hand.) I'm not sure about the pack, it depends largely on injuries after today. Looked like a few hefty bangs. Adam Jones has to start and I think I'd have an all-Welsh back row (sorry.) I think I'd be half tempted to give Warburton-Tipuric pairing another shot after the Six Nations, though, although with specialist Dan Lydiate getting back to form I appreciate that's unlikely and risky. With respect, I don't see an Englishman or Irishman that's a better option than any of those four right now though. If he stays unhurt, Vunipola's looking like he's got to start as well, really. We'll see though. I'm not too sure about the second row. I feel Richie Gray gets in almost on a sentimental vote more than anything, as the standout Scot. I don't think we're short of ball-carriers which is something he does well. I get a feeling he'll get a test place anyway but I think I'd be tempted by AJW and Parling.
Finnegan Posted 8 June 2013 Author Posted 8 June 2013 http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-match-report/morahan-steals-coopers-thunder-in-lions-defeat-20130608-2nxbd.html Some low-res highlights here. Worth watching for Morahan's unbelievable worldy.
The Doctor Posted 8 June 2013 Posted 8 June 2013 Game of the tour, so far. Leicester's Ben Youngs scores a great little scrum-halves' try to put the Lions in to the lead, robbing the ball from the scrum to dab down. 7 - 13 Lions. I support the Lions, yeah. I disagreed with the British Olympic Football Team. Not overly vocally, I certainly wouldn't cheer against them, I just regarded it with large indifference. I'm glad Bellers had a good time and played well but I felt the whole thing was forced together to be political (England the inventors of football need to be represented at their own Olympics.) But there's no precedent for us playing together in football, the rivalries are a lot more bitter (if less relevant because Scotland and Wales are shit) and there was a genuine belief it would jeopardize our status as independent associations with Blatter refusing to be consistent and committed on the issue. The Lions is a little bit different. It's a long standing precedent of good-mannered co-opperation that clearly doesn't hold any threat to four of the oldest and most important unions in the sport. It's also fair to see that all four nations (well, three and a half) contribute equally and all have something independent to offer where as you have to feel a "British" football team is largely a farce. There's a couple of Welshmen that'd make an impact but it's otherwise largely just England posturing to represent "everyone." I appreciate these are very washy arguments but that's how I view it. I just couldn't at all feel attached to the Olympic football team. In addition, I'd say my view of being predominantly Welsh and not at all British fades with age. I'm a long way from waving Union Flags and singing Rule Britannia because I loathe the overall image of "Imperial" Britain but I'm not exactly the militant separatist I was when I was eighteen, either. That was just typical teen rebelliousness. Oi, we're nowhere near that good.
Finnegan Posted 11 June 2013 Author Posted 11 June 2013 Even against the weakest side on the tour, I don't see the logic in playing the third (possibly harsh) choice full back at stand off when he's never played a professional game there in his life. Should have taken either Dan Biggar or, at very least, a recognized utility back. Should be less physically intense than Reds, though, which is good news for injuries.
ACF Posted 11 June 2013 Posted 11 June 2013 Have decent tickets for the Rebels game, cannot wait for it!
Finnegan Posted 11 June 2013 Author Posted 11 June 2013 Have decent tickets for the Rebels game, cannot wait for it! Very jealous. Would love to do a Lions tour. Have to start saving my pennies for the next New Zealand trip.
Finnegan Posted 11 June 2013 Author Posted 11 June 2013 Glad Morahan's been called up by Australia, was very surprised he wasn't in the initial squad. Good start for the Lions but this is a training match.
ACF Posted 11 June 2013 Posted 11 June 2013 Very jealous. Would love to do a Lions tour. Have to start saving my pennies for the next New Zealand trip. Look it helps and is a lot when they come to you! Don't worry I'll post pictures for you.
Guest MattP Posted 11 June 2013 Posted 11 June 2013 Just watched the highlights. That was as pointless as it gets. Bring on the Tests, let's batter the Australians at everything this year.
SOCCERROO FOX Posted 11 June 2013 Posted 11 June 2013 Have decent tickets for the Rebels game, cannot wait for it!
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