British and Irish Lions Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

FellasFellas

irishbucsfan wrote: »

When has Henderson played 8?

Schools and Interprovincial levels. Apparently at school, he was playing 8 for BRA against Methody in the final in 2010 and the whole two weeks leading up to the final in Methody was training on how to stop this number 8 that BRA had.

the baby bull elephant

Deano7788 wrote: »

He also covers 2nd row so there is versatility still there

He doesn't really though yet. Yes he played their at u20's and I really hope someday he will be the secondrow we need but not now he isn't. Playing lock at professional level clearly takes far too much out of him and his impact is hugely diminished.

But that's beside the point I'm talking about him purely as a backrow sub as quite clearly there's already someone covering secondrow. And to whoever said no he can't cover 8 at this level at all. He will never ever play there again.

FellasFellas

the baby bull elephant wrote: »

He doesn't really though yet. Yes he played their at u20's and I really hope someday he will be the secondrow we need but not now he isn't. Playing lock at professional level clearly takes far too much out of him and his impact is hugely diminished.

But that's beside the point I'm talking about him purely as a backrow sub as quite clearly there's already someone covering secondrow. And to whoever said no he can't cover 8 at this level at all. He will never ever play there again.

You sound like you're gonna be the one to stop him playing 8. I'd like to see you try.

the baby bull elephant

FellasFellas wrote: »

You sound like you're gonna be the one to stop him playing 8. I'd like to see you try.

No bother to me.

What's the point in saying that? It's pretty clear coaches won't play him there and it's a pretty specialised position.

FellasFellas

the baby bull elephant wrote: »

No bother to me.

What's the point in saying that? It's pretty clear coaches won't play him there and it's a pretty specialised position.

Not that specialised in fairness, once you've played there a bit, you get the gist.

schools rugby

Gonna throw it out there - Nick Easter is a bolter for a starting place at 8. Doesnt fit into Englands system but he has been the best 8 in the Premiership this season by a mile . Interesting player and very debatable selection. Id be surprised if he was on the plane, then again i wouldnt be surprised if he started - Good thing im not the manager !

the baby bull elephant

FellasFellas wrote: »

Not that specialised in fairness, once you've played there a bit, you get the gist.

I'd presume with nearly every single good 8 I can think of playing solely there and players rarely moving there except for emergency (Tom Wood) that it does have something that makes to a certain degree specialist. But this is a bit of a tangent so I'll stop now.

FellasFellas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rogOf_V5Ee0#!

Liam Gill in the new ball advertisement, could mean something!

Dublin Red Devil

The ball isn't very creative. Bet it took the design department about 5 min to come up with that one

opinionatedfan

Henderson is a big unit, short term he might be a 6 but long term he is one hell of a TH lock.

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

schools rugby wrote: »

Gonna throw it out there - Nick Easter is a bolter for a starting place at 8. Doesnt fit into Englands system but he has been the best 8 in the Premiership this season by a mile . Interesting player and very debatable selection. Id be surprised if he was on the plane, then again i wouldnt be surprised if he started - Good thing im not the manager !

Agree, think he's probably the inform 8 in the Isles at the moment even over the last 2 seasons, he's saracens linchpin and would suit a Gatland style game, with an exceptional offloading ability

opinionatedfan

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny wrote: »

Agree, think he's probably the inform 8 in the Isles at the moment even over the last 2 seasons, he's saracens linchpin and would suit a Gatland style game, with an exceptional offloading ability

he plays for quins not sarries

Tigerandahalf

opinionatedfan wrote: »

Henderson is a big unit, short term he might be a 6 but long term he is one hell of a TH lock.

He is probably the best talent to come through since ODriscoll. He would remind you of a South African lock with his raw power. Seems to have all the skills. If he develops and stays injury free he should have a good future. Ire should be using him more off the bench.
With the hard ground and style the Wallabies play some players may not be suitable in Oz, Kearney being one. Ideal for S Africa. Wallabies will be hard to beat if they get their tails up. Backs are dangerous but the pack is poor. Would think the Lions will keep it tight and deny them the ball. Certain players will suit that gameplan. Be interesting to see how it develops. The games out there may decide a lot about the team. Good few Irish guys should make it.
Healy Best Ryan (especially if Gray is out) SOB Heaslip Murray Sexton ODriscoll Bowe Zebo all could be included.

Swiwi

FellasFellas wrote: »

If the Aussies put out a backline of Genia, Cooper, Mitchell, Giteau, Ioane, O'Connor and Beale, they could do serious damage. Pity Giteau isn't considered, good for the Lions though.

I don't think Cooper will be near the Aussie team. His glory days of SXV 2011 are a very distant memory at present. Beale or Christian Lealiifano or even Toomua who is playing 10 for the Brumbies and has pushed Lealiifano to 12. There is also the steady Berrick Barnes. Whatever the case, Deans needs to make his decision early and run with it.

Swiwi

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

He is probably the best talent to come through since ODriscoll. He would remind you of a South African lock with his raw power. Seems to have all the skills. If he develops and stays injury free he should have a good future. Ire should be using him more off the bench.
With the hard ground and style the Wallabies play some players may not be suitable in Oz, Kearney being one. Ideal for S Africa. Wallabies will be hard to beat if they get their tails up. Backs are dangerous but the pack is poor. Would think the Lions will keep it tight and deny them the ball. Certain players will suit that gameplan. Be interesting to see how it develops. The games out there may decide a lot about the team. Good few Irish guys should make it.
Healy Best Ryan (especially if Gray is out) SOB Heaslip Murray Sexton ODriscoll Bowe Zebo all could be included.

It's kind of become a truism, but I think there pack is somewhat better than the nadir of 2007. James Horwill is a good lock, and if there top front row players stay uninjured (much like Ireland) their scrum is solid enough. They should have a good backrow, although they haven't really had a world class 8 since Toutai Kefu.

Swiwi

.ak wrote: »

Although I'd love Maitland involved in the team. I think he's class, especially if he keeps his current form up.

I read that he went to the same High School as Gatland (Hamilton Boys). These kind of things count for less in NZ than Ireland, nevertheless I do think he is a potential bolter. He has had a reasonable 6N feeding off scraps of Scottish attacking ball.

Tigerandahalf

Was Maitland far off being capped for NZ. Read that he was v good for the Crusaders.

Swiwi

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Was Maitland far off being capped for NZ. Read that he was v good for the Crusaders.

Have posted a bit on this before, but probably yes. NZ is never short of wingers, it's probably the one position that is always competitive. He got injured and lost a bit of form at the wrong moment, and then obviously made the decision to go with Scotland rather than try (probably without success) to make the ABs on a consistent basis.

Tigerandahalf

http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/8228449/Former-Crusader-Maitland-settles-into-Scotland

Just read above online. Was a bit off alright.

Swiwi

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/8228449/Former-Crusader-Maitland-settles-into-Scotland

Just read above online. Was a bit off alright.

He was electric about 2 or so years ago, where I think he was the SXVs top tryscorer. I think he is a good player, and if he remains injury free should have a stellar career with Scotland. It's just getting the ball to him in space that is Scotland's (but hopefully not the Lions) problem.

schools rugby

Swiwi wrote: »

He was electric about 2 or so years ago, where I think he was the SXVs top tryscorer. I think he is a good player, and if he remains injury free should have a stellar career with Scotland. It's just getting the ball to him in space that is Scotland's (but hopefully not the Lions) problem.

Potential bolter for the squad but there is a lot of competition at wing. Gonna be tough to cut the wingers down

FellasFellas

Think Maitland was the first Crusader to score 4 in a game, the back 3 in 2011 of him, Dagg and Guildford ripped people up.

totallegend

Confirmed that Pocock out for nine months anyway. Great news for the Lions but I'd have liked to see the Aussies at full strength.

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

Think the sides for 1st test will be:

15. Halfpenny - Beale
14. Cuthbert - Folau
13. Manu - AAC
12. Brad Barritt - JOC
11. North - Ioane
10. Farrell - Cooper
9. Murray - Genia (c)
8. Easter - Mowen
7. Warburton - G. Smith
6. SOB - Higginbottom
5. Hines - Simmons
4. Launchbury - Timani
3. Coles - Alexander
2. Best - Moore
1. Healy - Kepu

Think going on head-to-head battles Lions have a better front and 2nd row, think the Oz and Lions backrow are on a par, Pocock would've tipped it in Oz favour. HB's, Genia the best 9 about, and it'll depend on what Cooper is playing at the time, can win or lose them a game! The centres and back 3 are so well matched, if these were the sides to clash i'd be expecting one of the best tour fixtures on a long long time!

twinytwo

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny wrote: »

Think the sides for 1st test will be:

15. Halfpenny - Beale
14. Cuthbert - Folau
13. Manu - AAC
12. Brad Barritt - JOC
11. North - Ioane
10. Farrell - Cooper
9. Murray - Genia (c)
8. Easter - Mowen
7. Warburton - G. Smith
6. SOB - Higginbottom
5. Hines - Simmons
4. Launchbury - Timani
3. Coles - Alexander
2. Best - Moore
1. Healy - Kepu

Think going on head-to-head battles Lions have a better front and 2nd row, think the Oz and Lions backrow are on a par, Pocock would've tipped it in Oz favour. HB's, Genia the best 9 about, and it'll depend on what Cooper is playing at the time, can win or lose them a game! The centres and back 3 are so well matched, if these were the sides to clash i'd be expecting one of the best tour fixtures on a long long time!

Re Highlighted.... I take it you dont watch much rugby?????

Swiwi

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny wrote: »

Think the sides for 1st test will be:

15. Halfpenny - Beale
14. Cuthbert - Folau
13. Manu - AAC
12. Brad Barritt - JOC
11. North - Ioane
10. Farrell - Cooper
9. Murray - Genia (c)
8. Easter - Mowen
7. Warburton - G. Smith
6. SOB - Higginbottom
5. Hines - Simmons
4. Launchbury - Timani
3. Coles - Alexander
2. Best - Moore
1. Healy - Kepu

Think going on head-to-head battles Lions have a better front and 2nd row, think the Oz and Lions backrow are on a par, Pocock would've tipped it in Oz favour. HB's, Genia the best 9 about, and it'll depend on what Cooper is playing at the time, can win or lose them a game! The centres and back 3 are so well matched, if these were the sides to clash i'd be expecting one of the best tour fixtures on a long long time!

Folaua hasn't been anything special to date, and not sure where all the love for Cooper is coming from. Likewise Hooper & Gill will be ahead of G Smith for the 7 jersey. And has JOC ever played 12? And their inspirational captain James Horwill - dropped from the lineup?

jamiedav2011

twinytwo wrote: »

Re Highlighted.... I take it you dont watch much rugby?????

Hines and Warburton are hardly off the wall calls!

Sexton will start at 10 and Barritt won't (and shouldn't) travel imo.

trouttrout

Swiwi wrote: »

Folaua hasn't been anything special to date, and not sure where all the love for Cooper is coming from. Likewise Hooper & Gill will be ahead of G Smith for the 7 jersey. And has JOC ever played 12? And their inspirational captain James Horwill - dropped from the lineup?

JOC has played at 12 for the force anyway

Dublin Red Devil

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

I'll stick with this one. its a good mix. 5 Welsh, 4 English, 4 Irish, 2 Scots

If they go 2 Scottish locks. Ford could get the nod over best

twinytwo

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

I'll stick with this one. its a good mix. 5 Welsh, 4 English, 4 Irish, 2 Scots

If they go 2 Scottish locks. Ford could get the nod over best

gray is out isnt he?