Lions squad announced

[nmartyn]

can't believe neither CROFT or ARMITAGE are included. if he has gone for form these are the two form players from the last couple of months. i find it baffling. especially when you look at the number of wingers and 2nd rowers included - surely they both offer so much versatility and in SA - on hard pitches there mobility (and Croft's lineout presence) would be priceless. a baffling ommisson.

any thoughts?

 

[Dodger]

Can't believe the fuss over what is just a touring match series with nothing at stake...yep a touring match series against not even the best team in the world(may be WC holders but aren't no.1 in world).It is just a jolly with nowt at stake,aint the World Cup or the Euro Champs equivalent,it is just a jolly with a fair amount of a pish up going on during it.Between the 'test' games they play teams of poor standards so that the reserve players get a chance to run the ale off.
Utter farce the amount of coverage this gets.

 

[nmartyn]

hold on a minute - don't know if you're on a wind up but the Lions tour is huge! a chance for the best players in GB to get together and have a good crack at a top side, the tradition of it all.
i for one can't wait for it to start and as for saying SA aren't the top side - the All Blacks may consistenly win, but when it comes to the biggest stage they always bottle it. thats like saying Sergio or even Monty are the top golfers, on there day they play brilliantly but when the pressure is on in the majors they always blow up.

getting over the finishing line, when it counts most, is what separates the good from the best. and unless NZ can do this in a WC they'll be the bridesmaids forever more.

 

[HTL]

The Lions tour is the pinnacle of all Rugby players career. Dodger are you a football fan? Because I have never heard a rugby fan pontificate over a Lions tour.

 

[Dodger]

Pinnacle?? It's a representative bloody tour!

 

[nmartyn]

so whats the difference with playing in a rep tour for the lions and playing in the ryder cup, for example?

 

[jammydodger]

I totally agree about Croft and Armitage..unbelievable omissions IMO , what the hell is that irish chap Curls doing in there instead of Armitage ???

Why Worsley instead of Croft ?? All he does is tackle , does nothing in attack

oh well at least that mug Henson isnt going

 

[Dodger]

who mentioned anything about the RC?

I don't have a problem with them playing rep matches I just don't think these matches warrant the coverage they get and to say it is the 'pinnacle' of their career is a joke surely?Playing against a bunch of 2nd rate guys in the side shows while watching the main games from the stand the 'pinnacle' of a career give me a break,alot of the squad will only play the joke matches...playing with a bunch of guys in a team that gets put together every so often for a commercial reason against whichever team is picked to play against that year with no prize but pride a 'pinnacacle' of the career....no you'll have to tell me more to convince me that it is more than just a jolly for players and fans alike and a money making tour.

 

[nmartyn]

if thats what you think then fair enough. i mentioned the RC because it follows the exact same principle and ethos as the Lions tour - the best players from a continent combining to take on the best of another country. money isn't a motivator for those involved its the pride of being picked, simple as that.

but as for a lot of players just being there for the jolly - the only reason a squad of 30odd is taken (and some players only play during midweek) is to cover for injuries etc. you can't just take the bare 20 match day players and hope no-one picks up a knock (this is RUGBY not table tennis!) and as for a booze up - christ rugby players are proffessional athletes now, you think they'll be out on the lash before facing the bokkes in SA? don't make me laugh.

of course theres a commerical aspect but thats only a recent thing - and is the same in ALL sports.

you forget the Lions tours started off many years ago when they hopped on a boat and travelled to the other side of the world to play.

 

[Dodger]

I'm not forgetting that they jumped on the boat and went for a jolly all those years back,some things in the game have never changed only the fact they now go by plane.

 

[nomadpaul]

The one problem i foresee is at 10 . Only two recognised out halves ? Get one injury on those hard African pitches and there's no decent 3rd choice . I know Flutey can play there but i think they should have taken a 3rd no 10...and not Cipriani . Maybe Flood or even Chris Patterson for his versatility and kicking ability.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I don't care about the ins and outs of the squad. To me it is a highlight in the sporting calender and I'll definitely be watching. I think if you talk to Johnson etc they'll tell you that after the World Cup representing the Lions was a huge honour. Given the strength of the players from the different countries it is a pretty good job done to get picked for the squad but even better to play in the Test team.

If I remember last time didn't they have two separate squads almost. One for the games against the province sides and then a Test team.

 

[Imurg]

Havn't seen the full list but I listened to the press conference. Sounded like the Irish Lions to me!!

 

[nomadpaul]

If I remember last time didn't they have two separate squads almost. One for the games against the province sides and then a Test team.

Its been that way for a couple of tours now HJS. In actual fact , the mid-week team is as important as the test side. Many ex-Lions had been quoted as saying this and it was interesting reading Dallaglio's autobiography . He stated that the mindset of the test team was almost set by the mid-week teams results and performances.

A lot of the 37 man squad know that they won't be in with a sniff of the weekend side but their attitude in playing the provincial sides is so important for the outlook for the whole tour.

I can't wait

 

[GB72]

It is a really big error not taking Croft. He can offer cover at both second row and back row so could have freed up another spot (not enough cover at fly half) and offered the option of 3 specialist jumpers in the line out. Also, having watched him at the Tigers many times this season, he is lightning fast and would have a ball on the dry pitches

 

[toonarmy]

Croft not going is insane. Clearly Geech is going for attrition and not game (hence Worsley) but Williams will be a bloody liability in defence and the Boks will know how to shuffle him out to touch and his form is poor.

Let's face it, the NH players just aren't up to the grade across 15 and regardless of who we take, we are likely to get beaten.

Dodger, you clearly know squat about rugby so don't bother posting in a thread about it, there's a good chap. Rep tour my 'arris...

 

[rgs]

I totally agree about Croft and Armitage..unbelievable omissions IMO , what the hell is that irish chap Curls doing in there instead of Armitage ???

Jammydodger you could at least get Keith Earls name right. Earls is playing super rugby for Munster and can cover centre, wing and full back.

One area of concern is the lack of either cover or options at fly half-Jones & O'Gara are similar players-could have done with a different option but neither Hook, Flood or Ciprani played well enough to make the cut.

 

[Gustavo]

WTF are some of you drinking/smoking ????

Croft and Armitage in the Lions squad ? Are you having a laugh ? I can't remember which of you mentioned Flood should be in the squad, but again I ask myself how much have you been drinking to think any of the above mentioned players are anywhere near good enough to be in the squad.

And as for Flutey !!! My God, he's had 2/3 half decent outings recently, and you lot think he has the right to be in the squad ?????

And what about Ellis, Sheridan, Vickery, Shaw or Worsley ?!?!?!?!?! The mind boggles as to how their names have got on the list, methinks McGeechan has made a mistake by including 7 out of those 8 names.

Maybe I'd have taken Flutey, I'd definitely take Mears, but as for the rest of the English players, they don't deserve to be there. Let's be honest here, there are better players available, but could you manage the fuss kicked up by the RFU if only 1/2 English players were taken on the tour ! After the money the English RFU/sponsors/TV companies spend on the whole Lions Tour, they expect there to be included a number of English players in the squad, regardless of merit or ability.

Rant Over

 

[GB72]

Not saying that those other English players deserve to be there but I just feel that Croft would have been a useful addition to the squad for his pace and versitility.

 

[Gustavo]

How did I forget Ugo Monye ???

Has he been taken to clean boots/ carry drinks ????


Mark Jones is far better at attack and defence, absolute joke that Monye is there.

Rant over, for now.