Ch-ch-changes? Your team for the 2nd Test

[Mikey Brown]

Didn't Stom say exactly that, regarding his defence? It's also debateable how well he used that space on the break but he got the pass away and the try was scored. I can see why there's a split on whether he has played well to be honest.

Picking players to fit an ill-conceived gameplan doesn't seem like the best approach, but it's certainly not a surprising one.

[Sandydragon]

Lawes off after 53 minutes having played very well. Henderson also playing very well. Wouldn't surprise me if the starting locks were Itoje and Lawes with Henderson on the bench.

Tommy Seymour just became the leading try scorer, maybe enough for a bench spot. North is making meters, but is playing in the centre.
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Tipuric playing superbly, but has no chance.

[Sandydragon]

Didn't Stom say exactly that, regarding his defence? It's also debateable how well he used that space on the break but he got the pass away and the try was scored. I can see why there's a split on whether he has played well to be honest.

Picking players to fit an ill-conceived gameplan doesn't seem like the best approach, but it's certainly not a surprising one.

But there is a reality here that with one test game down, the game plan won't alter radically before next Saturday. It would be nice to see northern hemisphere rugby become more about supporting breaks than hitting rucks, but on a short tour that is unrealistic.

[Banquo]

Midweek side putting their hand up- good lads.

[Banquo]

Lawes off after 53 minutes having played very well. Henderson also playing very well. Wouldn't surprise me if the starting locks were Itoje and Lawes with Henderson on the bench.

Tommy Seymour just became the leading try scorer, maybe enough for a bench spot. North is making meters, but is playing in the centre.
\
Tipuric playing superbly, but has no chance.

sounds that way, though leaving Henderson on may say otherwise....who came on for Lawes? If Kruis, you could well be right.

[Sandydragon]

Lawes off after 53 minutes having played very well. Henderson also playing very well. Wouldn't surprise me if the starting locks were Itoje and Lawes with Henderson on the bench.

Tommy Seymour just became the leading try scorer, maybe enough for a bench spot. North is making meters, but is playing in the centre.
\
Tipuric playing superbly, but has no chance.

sounds that way, though leaving Henderson on may say otherwise....who came on for Lawes? If Kruis, you could well be right.

Yes ,it was Kruis. Im wondering if Gatland might replace Henderson in the next few minutes and use him on the bench.

North making more meters but screwed up a try scoring change with a foot in touch.

[Lord Llandaff]

Midweek side putting their hand up- good lads.

They certainly are. I suspect we are now seeing the benefit of the players having gelled. It just demonstrates the problem for the Lions in the pro era. By the end of the tour, we may just about have a team!

[Sandydragon]

Midweek side putting their hand up- good lads.

They certainly are. I suspect we are now seeing the benefit of the players having gelled. It just demonstrates the problem for the Lions in the pro era. By the end of the tour, we may just about have a team!

I totally agree. Lots of midweek players are playing well.

Henderson is about to get carded - so I think he has just pissed on his chips.

[Lord Llandaff]

Midweek side putting their hand up- good lads.

They certainly are. I suspect we are now seeing the benefit of the players having gelled. It just demonstrates the problem for the Lions in the pro era. By the end of the tour, we may just about have a team!

I totally agree. Lots of midweek players are playing well.

Henderson is about to get carded - so I think he has just pissed on his chips.

He's had by far his best game, it's a shame.

[Lord Llandaff]

Mental note: no more positive posts...

[Adder]

What is the point of putting subs on the bench if you are not going to play them.

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[Sandydragon]

Lawes and Henderson both put their hands up (even with Henderson's yellow card which was a bit unfortunate).

Tipuric should be involved, even from the bench.

Bigger played well, but also has no chance.

Mixed bag from North, made meters but also made mistakes, not all of which were down to being in the centre.

JJ - nice kick for North's near miss. Nothing eye catching.

Halfpenny. Probably did his chances more harm than good. A few errors creeping in.

Nowell probably hasn't done enough.

Seymour might have done enough for the bench.

[Banquo]

What is the point of putting subs on the bench if you are not going to play them.

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yes, Gatland's strategy of calling up non playing extras was an utter travesty and likely cost them a win here.

[skidger]

What is the point of putting subs on the bench if you are not going to play them.

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yes, Gatland's strategy of calling up non playing extras was an utter travesty and likely cost them a win here.

I did not want them out there in the first place but if they are there then surely you play them. Looks like Kruis has gone from starter to out of the 23 for the Lions after this game.

[Banquo]

What is the point of putting subs on the bench if you are not going to play them.

Sent from my SM-J500FN using Tapatalk

yes, Gatland's strategy of calling up non playing extras was an utter travesty and likely cost them a win here.

I did not want them out there in the first place but if they are there then surely you play them. Looks like Kruis has gone from starter to out of the 23 for the Lions after this game.

Maybe, but iirc AWJ was on the bench last Tuesday.

[skidger]

yes, Gatland's strategy of calling up non playing extras was an utter travesty and likely cost them a win here.

I did not want them out there in the first place but if they are there then surely you play them. Looks like Kruis has gone from starter to out of the 23 for the Lions after this game.

Maybe, but iirc AWJ was on the bench last Tuesday.

He was but i think he only came on very briefly. Lawes,Itoje and Henderson have all gone past him and could well see both starting locks out of the 23.......maybe.

[Sandydragon]

Based on performances, you have to start Itoje and Lawes with Henderson on the bench. Henderson had a superb game today.

Just seen that Geech would have Kruise and Henderson on the bench for Saturday. I'm not so sure; Id rather have an out and out back rower on the bench, either to support a looser game (Tipuric) or to provide additional carrying power (Stander).

[Timbo]

I suppose it all depends on how confident the Lions management are in Itoje running the lineout. Following England and this tour Maro not nailed that particular skill yet.

[Banquo]

Based on performances, you have to start Itoje and Lawes with Henderson on the bench. Henderson had a superb game today.

Just seen that Geech would have Kruise and Henderson on the bench for Saturday. I'm not so sure; Id rather have an out and out back rower on the bench, either to support a looser game (Tipuric) or to provide additional carrying power (Stander).

I don't see the point of Kruis on the bench tbh; his strongest contribution is in running the lineout, rather than an impact sub. Starter, or not in the squad imo.

[Timbo]

Unless you're worried the lineout could completely fall apart without him...

[Cameo]

I think Henderson on the bench makes sense but not with another second row. If starters are looking good he is a useful option to cover a flagging back row

[Banquo]

Unless you're worried the lineout could completely fall apart without him...

as in bring him on after 5 minutes if it goes horribly wrong. Hmm, maybe

That'd be Bad Manners

[Stom]

Didn't Stom say exactly that, regarding his defence? It's also debateable how well he used that space on the break but he got the pass away and the try was scored. I can see why there's a split on whether he has played well to be honest.

Picking players to fit an ill-conceived gameplan doesn't seem like the best approach, but it's certainly not a surprising one.

But there is a reality here that with one test game down, the game plan won't alter radically before next Saturday. It would be nice to see northern hemisphere rugby become more about supporting breaks than hitting rucks, but on a short tour that is unrealistic.

Even when it's obviously the wrong option against the opposition that we face?

Well, with Gatland, we know that it won't change, but we all knew we'd struggle on this tour with this coaching team.

BTW, Marler was excellent today, no? I would so have him on the bench on Saturday.

[Sandydragon]

Didn't Stom say exactly that, regarding his defence? It's also debateable how well he used that space on the break but he got the pass away and the try was scored. I can see why there's a split on whether he has played well to be honest.

Picking players to fit an ill-conceived gameplan doesn't seem like the best approach, but it's certainly not a surprising one.

But there is a reality here that with one test game down, the game plan won't alter radically before next Saturday. It would be nice to see northern hemisphere rugby become more about supporting breaks than hitting rucks, but on a short tour that is unrealistic.

Even when it's obviously the wrong option against the opposition that we face?

Well, with Gatland, we know that it won't change, but we all knew we'd struggle on this tour with this coaching team.

BTW, Marler was excellent today, no? I would so have him on the bench on Saturday.

Both props did well today - well enough though to force out someone from last Saturday's squad? McGrath has a fair bit of credit left in the bank after previous performances. If I were to bring in one of today's props it would be Cole, but Sinkler has that x factor that the coaches would want off the bench so I can't see that happening.

Given that New Zealand are probably the best counter attackers in the world, why would a more open game plan necessarily have worked? Gatland has his critics, myself included, but with such a short period of time to gel a team, there is merit in keeping things simple and we did create 5 try scoring opportunities last Saturday - only converting 2 is as much an issue about composure as it is about tactics.

You might wish to remember that this is one of the hardest coaching gigs in the world and for a damn good reason.

[Timbo]

How much credit does McGrath have in the bank? Seems to me like he's been pretty inconspicuous all tour.