2009 Lions Tour
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Soldato
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- 13 May 2003
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The team is exactly as I expected tbh. My only concern is Phillips distribution he is sometimes too slow moving the ball away from the breakdown, he nearly got ROG stuffed with this against the Cheetahs. If the Springboks are up fast he'll neuter our back play. If we're getting a little time then his offensive and defensive strengths will come into play.
Soldato
We'll need an extra player with Du Preez behind the Bok pack. Funnily enough, he shares his name with one of my favourite scrumhalfs of all time, Robert Du Preez, who played for Northern Transvaal (now the Blue Bulls, who Fourie plays for - and the same side as Joost van der Westhuizen) many years ago. I dunno how or why, but that province/team just produces some of the best scrum halves I've ever seen play. Anyway, a little off-topic there
I think the pack is fine, size-wise. Brute strength is not what the Lions require, it's a bit more guile around the breakdown and a lot of hard work. They'll need to be on form if we're to get anything from this series.
I was a little disappointed to see Hines not make the bench. I thought he's shown a lot on tour so far, but you can't really argue against either O'Callaghan or Williams, so it was a tough call.
As for Phillips' slow ball from open play, unfortunately he's way ahead of Ellis on that count and Mike Blair has shown precious little so far (I personally think Cusiter is a far more annoying little git - which is how I rate scrum-halves
).We'll need an extra player with Du Preez behind the Bok pack. Funnily enough, he shares his name with one of my favourite scrumhalfs of all time, Robert Du Preez, who played for Northern Transvaal (now the Blue Bulls, who Fourie plays for - and the same side as Joost van der Westhuizen) many years ago. I dunno how or why, but that province/team just produces some of the best scrum halves I've ever seen play. Anyway, a little off-topic there
I tip my hat to you sir, excellent post
Soldato
Thanks
I V+'d "Lions 1974 - The Invincibles" on Sky Sports the other night and just settled down to watch it - only to find out that the speedway which was on before it had been delayed for an hour, so I missed out because of that utter rubbish. Thoroughly ****ed off. So I checked for any repeats and the only one I could find was this morning at half 2. ARGH!
Soldato
My feelings exactly. I feel it's more justification for naming a 'Tour Captain' but not naming the playing captain until the first test squad is announced. O'Driscoll should be captain tomorrow and Hines or Shaw should be starting (I'd prefer Shaw for his beef).
On the final friendly game on Tuesday I would love to see Shaw and Hines paired in the second row. Something like this.
Sheridan Rees Hayes
Williams Shaw Hines Worsley
Powell
Whilst that seems fairly one dimensional, I think it will be pretty difficult to stop.
Sheridan Rees Hayes
Williams Shaw Hines Worsley
Powell
Whilst that seems fairly one dimensional, I think it will be pretty difficult to stop.
Soldato
That's one powerful pack, but has major mobility issues
The Springboks would run rings around that lot!
Soldato
McGeechan prefers his captains to come from the forwards - or at least he has when he's been coach of the Lions. It's a philosophy I've always agreed with - lead from the front. For a forward, no matter how good or big or powerful a back is, they'll always be a fairy
and that's coming from a man who moved from open-side flanker to fullback during his rugby playing days 
Soldato
McGeechan prefers his captains to come from the forwards - or at least he has when he's been coach of the Lions. It's a philosophy I've always agreed with - lead from the front. For a forward, no matter how good or big or powerful a back is, they'll always be a fairy
Did you come out the closet at the same time?
Soldato
I revolutionised rugby (in our club) with my lightning speed (compared to the other fat boys in the backs) and unmatched power (cos no-one else could be arsed). Oh, the glory daysDid you come out the closet at the same time?
Really looking forward to this afternoon. The banter has already started flying by text and FB, so I just know it's going to be a good day, no matter what happens!
Soldato
really looking forward to this..........
Soldato
bugger 10-0 down in 10 minutes.
but we almost scored. hell of a defensive manouver to stop monye from scoring.
edit. yes croft in for 5 ppints! and jones converts!
13-7
but we almost scored. hell of a defensive manouver to stop monye from scoring.
edit. yes croft in for 5 ppints! and jones converts!
13-7
Last edited:
Caporegime
Well, i predicted a 20 point loss and said (to the welsh in work) that that was me being optimistic
Soldato
could be a very interesting finish!!!!
Associate
It was Vickery and Mears you should have been worrying about!!! Both had stinkers.