Unacceptable but wholly predictable
Sir Ian McGeechan would make three changes to the starting XV for the second test.
Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes for Alun Wyn Jones and George Kruis in the second row, and Sam Warburton for Peter O’Mahony at 6.
In fact Sir Ian would leave O’Mahony out of the 23 and bring Iain Henderson onto the bench instead of him.
Jones would also drop out of the squad with Kruis remaining on the bench.
Sir Ian’s other change is Jack Nowell to the bench for Stephen Leigh Halfpenny.
He’s losing his marbles slowly
Gatland left all his motley crew of call ins on the bench barring Russel as a blood sub for 10mins. So when game was in the mixer and hurricanes brought on the fresh legs he had nothing to respond with. Didn’t even bring on the outstanding Gareth Davies for laidlaw
Net result is North, Stander, Henderson, Best, Tipuric, Nowell, Joseph…all of whom were at least in a conversation for the test 23 had to play the full 80. So he has probably limited his options again for the weekend. Let alone the negativity of not winning the game from a commanding position
Absolutely outstanding management Warren. Again. Wholly predictable.
Incorrect. Following the emergence of Josh Kronfeld, the last 16 of Michael Jones 55 caps were all at 6. Jones was particularly outstanding at blindside in South Africa in 1996 when New Zealand won their first ever test series there.
POM isn’t really a great bench option so wouldn’t disagree on that be either starts it isn’t in 23 IMO.
That match turned on two things that happened at 31-17.
i) North butchering what should have been the clinching try by stepping into touch. He’d done the hard part by chasing down Joseph’s kick.
ii) Henderson’s yellow card. In the time he was off the pitch, Wellington capitalised by running in two tries and should have scored a third.
Itoje and Henderson will be the Loins’ starting second row pairing not just for 2021, but 2025 too. And maybe for the third test in 2017.
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I didn’t see it so will take your word for it. But I couldn’t tell you the last time I saw a front row play the full 80. Ditto the back row. Id suggest its years rather than months since of seen it. Cannot allow a side that impetus with nothing in response off the bench
Right now Lawes, Itoje and Henderson are the form picks, but Henderson has no chance of being involved as he will be bucked after that game today.
Best was very good by all accounts, but I have a feeling Rowntree has a lot of influence on the hooker selection and he doesn’t seem to really rate him. But his breakdown work alone means he should be seriously considered.
Stander seems to have played very well also, but has little chance of forcing Faletau out.
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So he was a filler at six yet their greatest 6 in the professional era? Josh Kronfeld was regarded as better than him in his natural position when jones was past his peak, that I get. Just admit you are doing the all star trick of accommodating and I’ll accept it.
Gatland has said in the press conference that he took the criticism of the players added to squad on board and decided not to use them unless absolutely necessary.
He’s fucking lost it
The reality is that few players who played today are in the conversation for the 23, at least as far as management is concerned.
None of the front row are in the conversation for the test squad, and none of the back row are either.
In fact Lawes is really the only player today who has a realistic shot at making the leap to the test squad.
North and Nowell might have had an outside shot at making it, but really the die is probably cast at this stage as far as Gatty is concerned.
Kruis and Halfpenny were the only squad members from Saturday who were pressed into service today. Halfpenny won’t start the second test and Kruis’s place looks very dicey.
A few of today’s team will likely make it in for the third test if it’s a dead rubber - Henderson probably would be one.
The Dad’s Army on the bench today aren’t there to play. They’re there to hold tackle bags.
That’s my whole point from the outset on this thoigh. He didn’t need to call them up. He could have easily called up decent alternatives he just decided not to
Stander was shit, Mousey, or should I say @bilston.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=103921632&postcount=247
I prefer Mousey on here.
There were a few boys who would have fitted the bill in Japan too, and that’s not that far away relatively speaking.
And england were in Argentina which would have been no issue coming over. The super rugby sides make that trip all the time. Scotland were in Oz. He could have brought in Johnny Gray or a few decent back rows
I said it 4 years ago that Warren was a wojus choice. He has ruined the entire concept. Willie John will be turning in his grave
I don’t believe any non brits or Irish should be involved with the lions. Stander, Teo and the likes shouldn’t be eligible and Gats shouldn’t be coach. It’s makes a mockery of it imo
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That is shambolic stuff from Gatland.
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