Watching the Lions

[Iain]

Impressive second half so far

[JackFlashJonny]

Impressive second half so far

It has been better yes but this is for me the weakest side they have played so far with not really many of their frontline involved...still good to see them score some good tries for once and actually beat some defenders though

[Iain]

Well you can only beat what's in front of you, and they did it well tonight. Nice to see the back three playing as a unit, some lovely lines cut and some good support running.

The last two games we've been pretty good. I still can't see anything other than a big All Blacks win, but I don't think it's all doom and gloom - contrary to the popular consensus.

[Seal]

Cole had an absolute stormer of a game.

Shame on the player making the (completely unpenalised!) dirty hit on him.

[LE18]

Judging from today's non starters, likes of George North are going to be selected on Saturday, how, why, what has he done to deserve this?

[strawclearer]

Judging from today's non starters, likes of George North are going to be selected on Saturday, how, why, what has he done to deserve this?

Well, for a start, he was born to a Welsh mother! Then, after that...well...a while ago, he...well...yes...see what you mean...

[westwinds31]

Selection by reputation....dangerous if you ask me.

[G.K]

Selection by reputation....dangerous if you ask me.

No Gatland is far more thorough in his process than that - it's selection by reputation or by place or birth or by where you happened to be last weekend.

[Mark62]

Coley was immense. Rightly Furlong starting test match tight head, and Sinclair better finisher. If anything happens to Furlong expect Coley to move into the starting berth

[drc_007]

Cole had an absolute stormer of a game.

Shame on the player making the (completely unpenalised!) dirty hit on him.

Cole was excellent, whilst Marler did his best to end his own tour early.

[TomWeston]

Cole had an absolute stormer of a game.

Shame on the player making the (completely unpenalised!) dirty hit on him.

Game already lost, it was late on, effect of a yellow wasn't going to make any difference to the result - of that match.

It could have done some damage to Big Dan and the Lions for future matches though!

[drc_007]

New Zealand squad for first Test
Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, Kieran Read (capt).

Replacements: Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden/Lima Sopoaga, Anton Lienert-Brown.

[Spicer]

Backs: 15 Liam Williams (Wales); 14 Anthony Watson (England), 13 Jonathan Davies (Wales), 12 Ben Te'o (England), 11 Elliot Daly (England); 10 Owen Farrell (England), 9 Conor Murray (Ireland);

Forwards: 1 Mako Vunipola (England), 2 Jamie George (England), 3 Tadhg Furlong (Ireland); 4 Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), 5 George Kruis (England); 6 Peter O'Mahony - captain (Ireland), 7 Sean O'Brien (Ireland), 8 Taulupe Faletau (Wales).

Replacements: 16 Ken Owens (Wales), 17 Jack McGrath (Ireland), 18 Kyle Sinckler (England), 19 Maro Itoje (England), 20 Sam Warburton (Wales), 21 Rhys Webb (Wales), 22 Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), 23 Leigh Halfpenny (Wales).

[Spicer]

Some surprises. I thought Itoje was a certainty. As for North again a bit surprised. I suppose Daly got the nod due to his kicking game.

[drc_007]

Some surprises. I thought Itoje was a certainty. As for North again a bit surprised. I suppose Daly got the nod due to his kicking game.

I think Daly has been in much better form than North on this tour.