British Loins Tour to Australia 2013 - Official Thread

Sidney · June 19, 2013, 12:45pm

I think it’s also important that we give our full, unconditional support to Warren Gatland and the coaching staff.

Gatty was appointed squarely on the recommendation of Sir Ian McGeechan, who worked with the former Connaught coach on the 2009 tour, and if there’s anybody that knows what it takes to win a Loins series, it’s the Geech.

Other posters should bear that in mind before steaming in with ill-informed statements, which I suspect (I can’t prove this, but I suspect it) are designed to stir up dissent.

We are three days away from the first test and now, more than ever, is the time for us Loins supporters to put on a united front.

As I’ve said several times, we’re all in this together.

myboyblue · June 19, 2013, 1:00pm

No Geech, no party. Gatty is no Geech, even if Geech claims Gatty is Geech.

Sidney · June 19, 2013, 1:13pm

Sir Ian McGeechan and Jim Telfer are enjoying a well deserved retirement. Their contributions to the rich history of the British Loins will live forever. But their real victory is in ensuring that the concept of the Loins, and the passion that players and supporters alike feel for that red jersey, will continue to flourish now that they’ve departed the scene.

Nobody is bigger than the British Loins, and no two people are more aware of that fact than Sir Ian and Jim.

myboyblue · June 19, 2013, 1:17pm

[quote=“Sidney, post: 788892, member: 183”]Sir Ian McGeechan and Jim Telfer are enjoying a well deserved retirement. Their contributions to the rich history of the British Loins will live forever. But their real victory is in ensuring that the concept of the Loins, and the passion that players and supporters alike feel for that red jersey, will continue to flourish now that they’ve departed the scene.

Nobody is bigger than the British Loins, and no two people are more aware of that fact than Sir Ian and Jim.[/quote]
While there’s air in their lungs and soil under their soles, they should be in the locker room.

carryharry · June 19, 2013, 1:26pm

o_O

Manuel_Zelaya · June 19, 2013, 1:45pm

Time moves on, Sir Ian and Jim are rightly classified as Lions living legends but their time has gone. Its worth remembering that eyebrows were initially raised when Jim Telfer was on the coaching ticket in 1997 after he coached one of the worst ever Lions teams, the 1983 vintage that were whitewashed 4-0 in New Zealand.

Sir Ian did a fine job on many levels in South Africa in 2009 but what I’m about to say may well be viewed as heresy in many quarter but here goes - I can’t help but wonder if there was a head coach in 2009 who wasn’t so far removed from front line coaching, could that series have been won. The first two tests were narrowly lost and it was a very bad mistake selecting Lee Mears and Phil Vickery in the front row for the first test.

Gatty has been the top coach in the British Isles for over a decade now and deserves his chance. Its nonsense to talk of dispensing with him now. Just look at the underachievement of the Ireland side in the 12 years since the crazy decision of the IRFU to fire him.

Little_Lord_Fauntleroy · June 19, 2013, 1:54pm

Israel is likely to start on the wing

Fitzy · June 19, 2013, 11:27pm

[quote=“Manuel Zelaya, post: 788864, member: 377”
Moderators, can that clown/failed comic Fitzy be removed from the serious rugby discussion that’s going on here.[/quote]

“Serious rugby”. :D:D:D:D

Sidney · June 19, 2013, 11:43pm

[SIZE=16px]Expect O’Connor at 10 to be like a rabbit in the headlights in the face of a marauding Sam Warburton. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=16px]Australia have picked James O’Connor at outhalf for Saturday’s opening Test against the British Loins in Brisbane with Kurtley Beale included on the bench.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has named three debutants in his starting XV in right wing Israel Folau, blindside flanker Ben Mowen and inside centre Christian Leali’ifano.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]Folau is competing in his first season in professional rugby union, having already represented Australia at rugby league and played in the AFL.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]Folau has been in stunning form at fullback for the Waratahs, but has been chosen on the right wing with Digby Ioane, who has recovered from knee surgery, lining up on the opposite flank.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]With Beale deemed not ready to start against the Loins following his return from alcohol-related problems, Deans has opted for O’Connor at outhalf with Berrick Barnes taking the number 15 jersey.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]It will be only the second time O’Connor has played a Test at 10, with the other appearance taking place alongside Will Genia against Wales in 2011.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]Scrumhalf Genia and the selection of Adam Ashley-Cooper were the two certainties in the Wallaby backline, with the presence of Leali’ifano one of the main talking points in the build up to tonight’s team announcement.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]The 25-year-old playmaker also features at outhalf for the ACT Brumbies and has edged the more defensive Pat McCabe to form a centre partnership with Ashley-Cooper.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]Leali’ifano’s inclusion indicates the Wallabies are seeking to play a more expansive game against the Loins at the Suncorp Stadium.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]AUSTRALIA: Berrick Barnes (Waratahs); Israel Folau (Waratahs), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), [B]Christian Leali’ifano /B, Digby Ioane(Queensland Reds); James O’Connor (Melbourne Rebels), Will Genia (Queensland Reds); Benn Robinson (Waratahs), [B]Stephen Moore /B, [B]Ben Alexander/B; Kane Douglas (Waratahs), James Horwill (Queensland Reds, capt);Ben Mowen (Brumbies), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs).[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]Replacements: Saia Fainga’a (Queensland Reds), James Slipper (Queensland Reds), [B]Sekope Kepu /B, Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds), Liam Gill(Queensland Reds), Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels), Pat McCabe (Brumbies),Kurtley Beale (Melbourne Rebels).[/SIZE]

Sidney · June 19, 2013, 11:49pm

[SIZE=16px]Expect O’Connor to be like a rabbit in the headlights in the face of a marauding Sam Warburton.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16px]Australia have picked James O’Connor at outhalf for Saturday’s opening Test against the British Loins in Brisbane with Kurtley Beale included on the bench.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has named three debutants in his starting XV in right wing Israel Folau, blindside flanker Ben Mowen and inside centre Christian Leali’ifano.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]Folau is competing in his first season in professional rugby union, having already represented Australia at rugby league and played in the AFL.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]Folau has been in stunning form at fullback for the Waratahs, but has been chosen on the right wing with Digby Ioane, who has recovered from knee surgery, lining up on the opposite flank.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]With Beale deemed not ready to start against the Loins following his return from alcohol-related problems, Deans has opted for O’Connor at outhalf with Berrick Barnes taking the number 15 jersey.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]It will be only the second time O’Connor has played a Test at 10, with the other appearance taking place alongside Will Genia against Wales in 2011.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]Scrumhalf Genia and the selection of Adam Ashley-Cooper were the two certainties in the Wallaby backline, with the presence of Leali’ifano one of the main talking points in the build up to tonight’s team announcement.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]The 25-year-old playmaker also features at outhalf for the ACT Brumbies and has edged the more defensive Pat McCabe to form a centre partnership with Ashley-Cooper.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]Leali’ifano’s inclusion indicates the Wallabies are seeking to play a more expansive game against the Loins at the Suncorp Stadium.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]AUSTRALIA: Berrick Barnes (Waratahs); Israel Folau (Waratahs), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), [B]Christian Leali’ifano /B, Digby Ioane(Queensland Reds); James O’Connor (Melbourne Rebels), Will Genia (Queensland Reds); Benn Robinson (Waratahs), [B]Stephen Moore /B, [B]Ben Alexander/B; Kane Douglas (Waratahs), James Horwill (Queensland Reds, capt);Ben Mowen (Brumbies), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs).[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]Replacements: Saia Fainga’a (Queensland Reds), James Slipper (Queensland Reds), [B]Sekope Kepu /B, Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds), Liam Gill(Queensland Reds), Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels), Pat McCabe (Brumbies),Kurtley Beale (Melbourne Rebels).[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px][/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px] [/SIZE]

fistoffury · June 20, 2013, 6:26am

British and Irish Lions: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Brian O’Driscoll, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 George North, 10 Jonny Sexton, 9 Mike Phillips, 1 Alex Corbisiero, 2 Tom Youngs, 3 Adam Jones, 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 5 Paul O’Connell, 6 Tom Croft, 7 Sam Warburton, 8 Jamie Heaslip. “Replacements:” 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Geoff Parling, 20 Dan Lydiate, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Sean Maitland

myboyblue · June 20, 2013, 9:00am

Gatland hasn’t a fucking clue. This is most worrying. Hopefully the Loins mythology and the bulldog spirit can carry the boys through this test.

Sidney · June 20, 2013, 9:26am

The writing was on the wall for O’Brien when he was taken off after 55 minutes on Tuesday along with Best, Stevens and Grant.

The selection at loose head is the big talking point. Mako has been superb so far but clearly Gatty feels Corbs’ scrummaging will enable us to better attack the Aussies where the are weakest.

myboyblue · June 20, 2013, 9:35am

[quote=“Sidney, post: 789340, member: 183”]The writing was on the wall for O’Brien when he was taken off after 55 minutes on Tuesday along with Best, Stevens and Grant.

The selection at loose head is the big talking point. Mako has been superb so far but clearly Gatty feels Corbs’ scrummaging will enable us to better attack the Aussies where the are weakest.[/quote]
Poly was eaten alive by a poor Aussie scrum last time out, so Corbi makes sense, I just seen no impact on that bench and picking Warbsy as captain in the first place has now been compounded again. I’m worried Sidney, I truly am.

I just hope the lads remember the rallying call of '97 prior to the fateful 3rd Test “For Crown and Glory”. This is bigger than all else.

Sidney · June 20, 2013, 9:41am

O’Brien gave away two penalties in scoring areas against Australian Capital Territory. Gatty will have looked at that, and thought to himself, “no thanks”. I thought O’Brien had played well on this tour until Tuesday but he let himself down then. And he has form in giving away stupid penalties with Ireland.

Wrigley_Field · June 20, 2013, 10:35am

[quote=“Sidney, post: 666994, member: 183”]Incredible to think that we’re less than 15 months away from doing it all again. There hasn’t been a victorious tour since Martin Johnson’s men conquered South Africa in 1997. But this time the worm looks to have turned. Australia look beatable and with the recent upturn in British rugby, the Empire will be favourites. There will be incredible support for the Loins with a huge travelling Barmy Army expected to make the trip, augmenting the hundreds of thousands of emigrants already living the dream.

Warren Gatland looks a certainty to be apointed as Commander of the expedition and he’ll be a sure and steady voice of encouragement from behind the trenches.

A 37 man squad if picked today would for me look something like as follows:

Test XV:
15: Halfpenny (Wales)
14: Bowe (Ireland)
13: Davies (Wales)
12: Roberts (Wales)
11: North (Wales)
10: Priestland (Wales)
9: Phillips (Wales)
8: Faletau (Wales)
7: Warburton (Wales)
6: Croft (England)
5: O’Connell (Ireland)
4: Gray (Scotland)
3: Cole (England)
2: Hartley (England)
1: Corbisiero (England)

8 Wales, 4 England, 2 Ireland, 1 Scotland

Second XV:
15: Foden (England)
14: Cuthbert (Wales)
13: Tuilagi (England)
12: Barritt (England)
11: Ashton (England)
10: Farrell (England)
9: Youngs (England)
8: Morgan (England)
7: O’Brien (Ireland)
6: Lydiate (Wales)
5: Evans (Wales)
4: Jones (Wales)
3: Jones (Wales)
2: Best (Ireland)
1: Jenkins (Wales)

Others:
Kearney (Ireland)
Sexton (Ireland)
Murray (Ireland)
Ferris (Ireland)
Lawes (England)
Ross (Ireland)
Ford (Scotland)

Overall squad: 14 Wales, 12 England, 9 Ireland, 2 Scotland

Brian O’Driscoll if fit and back to something approaching his best will still contend for a test spot.

Looking at it from a longer term point of view there are other wild cards such as Danny Cipriani and Danny Care who could come back into contention.

The debates will be fierce with strong and less than impartial opinions from every corner of the British Isles pleading for their men to be chosen to go into battle. There will be differences, but when the troops are chosen, nothing can be more certain than that we will unite behind our boys. Let the long build up commence.[/quote]

Interesting to look back 15 months to the very first post on this thread chronicling the evolution of this magnificent sporting odyssey. Not a bad effort Sidney in picking the British Lions team 15 months out. 8 of your selected starting XV back then will start on Saturday. Of the rest of your predicated starters, Dan Cole is on the bench, Jamie Roberts & Tommy Bowe would surely have started on Saturday only for injuries and Toby Faletu lost out to Jamie Heaslip in probably the tightest call of all. Equally Richie Grey must surely have narrowly missed out in a tight call with Geoff Parling for a place on the bench. Of the rest, Dylan Hartley (a likely test starter as recently as 6 weeks ago) never made it on the plane after been initially selected to tour for well documented reasons and Rhys Priestland had his season wiped out with serious injury.

Alex Cuthbert from your B team gets in for Saturday ahead of the injured Tommy Bowe. Adam Jones & Alun Wyn Jones on your B team have also played themselves onto the test team on tour and Dan Lydiate, Ben Youngs and Owen Farreel from your B team will all be on the bench on Saturday.

This is clearly the thread for the most informed and insightful analysis of the British Lions.