Lions 2021 |
Post Reply | Page <1 3031323334 50> |
Author | ||
SA14
Moderator Group Wwwww mince Joined: 15 August 2004 Location: Pemberton Status: Offline Points: 23830 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
It’s not as if he’s there with the child. I think it’s a ridiculous excuse.
|
||
Sponsored Links | ||
dyniol53
Veteran Joined: 08 April 2018 Location: Llundain Status: Offline Points: 1949 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
What I read from that is that Gatland was looking for an excuse not to pick one of the players and that was it.
It could have been a missed tackle, a bump in training or one occasion that VdM/Adams/Watson got turned over - but none of those came so the emotional rollercoaster of Adams’ week ended up being the justification. Personally I think Gats has never liked small wingers (dropped Shane Williams, loved North and Cuthbert) as he feels they are vulnerable under the high ball. Van Der Merwe being that bit taller than Adams gives the Lions a chance to attack Kolbe with Biggar’s kicks. Gats likes predictability and you know what you’re getting with Duhan. (In defence is another question)
Edited by dyniol53 - 22 July 2021 at 1:34am |
||
https://twitter.com/exile_podcast?lang=en
|
||
scarletnut
Veteran Joined: 28 April 2009 Status: Offline Points: 14170 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
|
||
I still wake up late at night and think of what might have been when tim stimpson hit that jammy penalty1
|
||
aber-fan
Veteran Joined: 25 October 2004 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 18857 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Yes, I agree - and there is very little to choose between Adams and Watson in terms of size - Adams is a couple of kg heavier, Watson a few cm taller - but Adams is good in defence (probably better than the other two) and is one of the most alert players I've seen in a long while - he rally does seem to make the most of any chances that come his way. Is he distracted by the birth? I don't know - but it would be the only reason not to pick him, IMO. I'm not convinced!
|
||
“You cannot reason a man out of what he never reasoned himself into.” (Jonathan Swift)
|
||
NobbySosban
Veteran Joined: 30 June 2010 Location: Sir Berk Status: Offline Points: 6278 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
"16 - Ken Owens..."
Not the number the Sheriff probably wanted to hear, but he's in the 23 and will no doubt play an important part on Saturday. Great insight in his chat with Will Greenwood earlier this week: |
||
Fscarlet
Moderator Group Joined: 26 January 2015 Status: Offline Points: 8871 |
Post Options
Thanks(1)
|
|
Watched this last night, was very good & quite funny. As always Ken spoke well. I know he will be gutted not to be starting but LCD has been the best hooker on tour so I'm sure he will understand & be ready to get on the pitch.
|
||
dyniol53
Veteran Joined: 08 April 2018 Location: Llundain Status: Offline Points: 1949 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Yeah I think the Townsend thing might have come into it.
When I say gatland doesn’t like small wingers, I think that’s him thinking about targeting Kolbe, not a reflection on Adams. With VdM being 193cm and Kolbe 171cm there’s just an immediate mid-match that Gatland can exploit. Whereas Adams and Watson are 183cm and 188cm respectively. Then I think Adams and VdM are both normally left wingers whereas Watson is normally right so that gives Watson a bit of a simple plus in that space.
Edited by dyniol53 - 22 July 2021 at 10:56am |
||
https://twitter.com/exile_podcast?lang=en
|
||
dyniol53
Veteran Joined: 08 April 2018 Location: Llundain Status: Offline Points: 1949 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
The most confusing one for me is Conan.
With 90 cap Faletau there, and European player of the year/premiership top try scorer Simmonds, or even the option of Curry & Watson 7 & 8 - I thought there were 3 better options than Conan, but obviously there’s something there that Gatland/McBryde like.
|
||
https://twitter.com/exile_podcast?lang=en
|
||
dyniol53
Veteran Joined: 08 April 2018 Location: Llundain Status: Offline Points: 1949 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Interestingly Conan was the bookies least favourite to start the 1st test before the tour - 17/1. Next lowest we’re: Rory Sutherland and Jonny Hill at 11/1 Elliot Daly and Zander Faegerson at 9/1 Bundee Aki 5/1 Lawes, Cowan Dickie and George 4.5/1 Top faves were: Hogg 1.04 Henshaw & Itoje 1.1 Furlong 1.12 & Faletau 1.16
|
||
https://twitter.com/exile_podcast?lang=en
|
||
Fscarlet
Moderator Group Joined: 26 January 2015 Status: Offline Points: 8871 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I'm not sure Faletau has played amazingly well enough on the tour to warrant a start if that makes sense, Conan has been busy & stood out though I thought Simmonds would start if Faletau didn't.
Having Curry or Watson is a no starter for me.
|
||
GPR - Rochester
Veteran Joined: 01 December 2014 Location: Rhydcymerau Status: Offline Points: 18784 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Now I thought Conan was the guy to pick on form but I thought Gats would have gone with Faletau. Conan has carried more and harder than either of the other 8's in fairness.
|
||
GPR - Rochester
Veteran Joined: 01 December 2014 Location: Rhydcymerau Status: Offline Points: 18784 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
To take advantage of Kolbe's lack of height you have to kick to him. That didn't work out too well last time. Huge pressure on Biggar, Townsend & Daly to get that part of the game spot on - one mistake it could be game over.
|
||
Fscarlet
Moderator Group Joined: 26 January 2015 Status: Offline Points: 8871 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Marius Jonker has been appointed as the TMO for the series following the news that Brendon Pickering, from New Zealand, couldn't travel to South Africa for COVID reasons.
|
||
GPR - Rochester
Veteran Joined: 01 December 2014 Location: Rhydcymerau Status: Offline Points: 18784 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Totally get why Gatland is furious. Games are won/lost on TMO decisions - the guy should be a neutral full stop.
|
||
Dai38
Veteran Joined: 15 April 2009 Location: Llanelli Status: Offline Points: 2886 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I totally agree with the fact Jonker shouldn't be the TMO, but I also feel Gatland is playing games, and we all know that he is a past master on that. He is angry but how angry, and what is he telling the players behind close doors.
It is ridiculous that they can not find a neutral TMO. The IRB (or whatever the current name is) should have foreseen this and had a few in the country for a few weeks in readiness for the series.
|
||
Be careful when you pick up the stick.........IT MAY BE THE WRONG END!!!!!!!!!!
|
||
Gate12
Veteran Joined: 10 November 2008 Status: Offline Points: 14966 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I'm not sure why they even need to be in the country. Surely they can get to somewhere with the appropriate facilities.
|
||
Post Reply | Page <1 3031323334 50> |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |