Given the recent spat of injuries the team is a little more easy to call. But Certainly not straightforward. This however is the team i would like to see start out of the walking wounded.
However, I predict that in fact The idiot Mike Phillips will start the test and Murray will man the bench spot. Leaving Youngs out of selection totally as per Warren Gatland's style of play! Ridiculous i know!
You might also wonder why i choose Heaslip at 8. Simply because of his fitness and he's a far better lineout operator then Falitau. Not convinced the Falitau can make 80 mins. But on form i would have to give the edge to Falitau. However, I start Tom Croft at 6 with the view of bringing O'Brian in as an impact sub on 55 mins. Thats a monster ball carrier and a good fetcher to bring in and lay waste to a tiring Australia. In fact I think O'Brian coming off the bench and making an impact is possibly one of the most crucial strategical moves we can make. The reason Davis is at 12 is because Manu has been missing training last week and is looking like he's not fit. If thats not true then Manu Tuilagi in a heartbeat!!! I really do hope Gatland is playing mind games with the Australians. Keeping Manu away from the spotlight off the radar so to speak.
Alex Cuthbert at 14... yes he was found out in defence last week and Bowe should by rights be there but this choice is simply down to a lack of other options.
Tom Youngs at Hooker with Hibbard on the Bench. Its a 50/50 call on my part. To be honest I'm 95% sure gatland will go with Hibbard. But the line out has been shabby to say the least from all 3 hookers we have.
So below would be my team. But lets face the facts. Gatland is not going to go for this team. As i said above. Phillips and Hibbard are probably nailed on for Gatland. And This Business with Manu... is hard to tell what's going on there. But i certainly think we need more Irish and English players in this side and not just 1 or 2 diplomatic picks on Gatlands part while still keeping his buddies back at WRU HQ happy!
15:Leigh Halfpenny
14:Alex Cuthbert
13:Brian O’Driscoll
12:Jonathan Davies
11:George North (Just been confirmed Fit)
10:Jonathan Sexton
9: Ben Youngs
1: Mako Vunipola
2: Tom Youngs
3: Adam Jones
4: Alun Wyn Jones
5: Paul O’Connell
6: Tom Croft
7: Sam Warburton
8: Jamie Heaslip
Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Alex Corbisiero, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Sean O’Brien, Conor Murray, Owen Farrell, Simon Zebo
Lions 1st test 15(22) ???
posted on 21/6/13
Mex there are more props in the team and on the bench because we're the best!
posted on 21/6/13
HAHAHA....
Tell the truth sporty! Your a frustrated Scrum half underneath
posted on 21/6/13
The ref thing is interesting and I think it almost works on a national rather than Lions basis. As an Englishman I'd slightly watch out for Joubert in the second test, but thank god there's no Bryce Lawrence or Alain Rolland, I guess Irish fans would be delighted Barnes isn't there - not sure who the Welsh fear most?
All in all it doesn't look bad ref wise
Anyway, what's the score gonna be
I'm going Australia 17 - 24 Lions
posted on 21/6/13
By the way from Wikipedia, they named him well ....
Attacks on humans[edit]ISAF statistics records forty-two shortfin attacks on humans between 1980 and 2010, three of which were fatal, along with twenty boat attacks.[26] The MAKO is regularly blamed for attacks on humans and, due to its speed, power and size, it is certainly capable of injuring and killing people. However, this species will not generally attack humans and do not seem to treat them as prey. Most modern attacks involving mako sharks are considered to have been provoked due to harassment or the shark being caught on a fishing line.[27] Sharks can be attracted to spear fishermen carrying a stuck fish, and may slap them with cavitation bubbles from a swift tail flick. Divers who have encountered shortfin makos note that, prior to an attack, they will swim in a figure eight pattern and approach with mouths open.[27]
posted on 21/6/13
Hey SARS... what the hell you talking about man hahahaha
also just for laughs!
The reason Ireland always has a rubbish scrum! -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mywJe6sJJTE
posted on 21/6/13
Ding you know you dream of a 15 a side prop-a-thon just like the rest of us!
posted on 21/6/13
just finished watching the 1st test from 2001 on youtube, what a side that was
posted on 21/6/13
I liked the line ...
The MAKO is regularly blamed for attacks on humans and, due to its speed, power and size, it is certainly capable of injuring and killing people
I believe its a type of shark, well and prop forward - maybe they have them in Australia, could be Mako meets a Mako
posted on 21/6/13
LOL ye i got it mate.... But for sure Mex need the explanation.....Oh ye MEX!!! i said it mate!!!
PS
I believe Mako Shark is a tiger shark in human speak But don't quote me on that!
posted on 21/6/13
As its a Friday afternoon ...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/britishandirishlionsrugby/10054781/Lions-2013-Meet-Billy-the-fearsome-mascot-who-will-terrify-Australia-just-dont-call-him-cuddly.html