Lions v New Zealand - 2nd Test

[Simon Griffiths]

Well, after a resounding victory over Manawatu (in the grand scheme of things not too big a shock - although the size of victory was bigger than expected).

So, with the Lions yet to announce the team (as far as I'm aware) here's what I'd line-up with:

15. Murphy
14. Thomas (capt)
13. Lewsey
12. Henson
11. S Williams (he's proven me pretty much wrong - retention still a bit iffy)
10. Hodgson
9. Cusiter (works so well with Hodgson)

1. Jenkins
2. Thomson
3. White
4. O'Connell
5. Shaw
6. Corry
7. Back (one of the few who kept on 'fighting')
8. Jones

Bench:
Sheriden, Byrne, White, M Williams, Peel, Wilkinson, Smith/Cueto

Any other ideas? Personally I think it looks quite good (well I wouldn't have picked it otherwise).

It keeps the best half-back partnership (by a mile) together, a very strong back row with both Corry and Jones in there. The enforcer at lock alongside O'Connell. In the backs, Lewsey has been in sincilating form at centre for Wasps (with awesome pace, power and skills), Murphy has a knack of picking the right time and angle, with Thomas and Williams working well with very different styles.

[Bryan]

From the starting fifteen for this Saturday's match the new Lions theme song should be renamed "The Power of 3 (and a Scotsman, if he's lucky)".

NZ by 17.

[Simon Griffiths]

The actual line-up is (having now been announced):

a) Nothing like mine.
AND
b) The following:
15 LEWSEY
14 ROBINSON
13 THOMAS
12 HENSON
11 WILLIAMS (S)
10 WILKINSON
9 PEEL

1 JENKINS
2 THOMPSON
3 WHITE
4 O'CONNELL
5 O' CALLAGHAN
6 EASTERBY
7 MOODY
8 JONES (R)

Not too bad - not sure about the backs (more particularly who's playing where etc.) plus the back-row. Still think that Shaw should be used as the enforcer.

[Pablo]

NZ by 10, I'm afraid. The Test series is over...

[SimonSmith]

That selection is an absolute disgrace - everything that we need is a Lions' side has been overlooked. At leadt Cusiter and Shaw look like they give a damn and won't get bullied around.

Depends on the weather, but I agree with Pablo.

NZ by 12, and real problems heading into the Third Test.

[Simon Thomas]

New Zealand by 18 (I am sorry to predict - SCW seems to have lost the plot and wasted £10m !)

[Phil]

NZ to win by 25

[Mike Whittaker]

Words fail me.....

I don't think I shall be watching....

[didds]

nz by 15 points

[Waynepipmad]

NZ by 21 in another stroll

SCW has lost the plot and wasted £10M!

[HANSON7379]

Lions by 9
Simper Fi

[Chris Picard]

Lions by 9
Simper Fi
Brave soul. I hope your right.

[Simon Griffiths]

Better get my prediction in:

Lions by 4

[Robert Burns]

Erm....All Blacks by 30? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :D

[Mike Whittaker]

In the end I did watch. Minor gripe about the number of 'off the ball' incidents which the illustrious team of 3 didn't pick up... but it wouldn't have made any difference...

NZL were fitter, stronger, faster than anything in our squad.
SCW could not have picked a team to win
Our lads certainly gave the best they could... just not good enough.

However we do have some good players coming along such as Hodgson, Titterel, Cueto and Sheridan, to name but 4 from Sale...

The big test will be in 2 years time at the world cup ..

[HANSON7379]

Well this time i will get it right next test Lions to win by 6 :rolleyes:

[Pablo]

Bryan NZ by 17
Pablo NZ by 10
Smiffy NZ by 12
SimonT NZ by 18
Phil NZ by 25
didds NZ by 15
Wayne NZ by 21
Hanson Lions by 9
Noddy Lions by 4
Robert Burns, illustrious administrator LATE PREDICTION!

[Pablo]

Actual margin was NZ by 30. Scores are:

Bryan 13
Pablo 20
Smiffy 18
SimonT 12
Phil 5
didds 15
Wayne 9
Hanson 49
Noddy 44

No predictions come out to 33 points, late predictions are credited at 58 :eek:

[Robert Burns]

Can't believe I was penalised even when it was obviously and tongue in cheekily late, lol.

Harsh Predictathonmeister!

lol

[Pablo]

Rob, if it had been anybody else, I'd have counted it as a no prediction. But as a responsible member of the forum staff and the leader of our community, you should be setting a better example. :D Plus, you were ahead of me in the standings until this week :p

[Robert Burns]

Thats ok then, lol