2013: The Lions Tour Look Ahead

[RedsHappy]

IMO, good article from Cully re this tour as it's roughly shaping up post-RWC 2011.

Sort of ironically amusing headline: "...the next big test for the Wallabies...".

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...ig-test-for-the-wallabies-20111019-1m6wx.html

Btw, here are the provisional dates for the 2013 Tests:

Saturday 22 June 2013, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Saturday 29 June 2013, Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
Saturday 6 July 2013, ANZ Stadium, Sydney

 

[WhoDaresWin]

He forgot to add Euan Murray of Scotland to that crucial position of tighthead. He was one who really impressed me a lot with his scrummaging.

Rate him above Dan Coles.

 

[No4918]

I'd only change 2 or 3. Kearney at 15, Youngs at 9 and depending on how you think Tuilagi and Roberts combine Davies may be a better option at 13.


Possible British and Irish Lions XV in 2013 (Team and current age)

15 Leigh Halfpenny (Wales, 22)

14 Chris Ashton (England, 24)

13 Manu Tuilagi (England, 20)

12 Jamie Roberts (Wales, 24)

11 George North (Wales, 19)

10 Rhys Priestland (Wales, 24)

9 Mike Phillips (Wales, 29)

8 Toby Faletau (Wales, 20)

7 Sam Warburton - captain (Wales, 23)

6 Sean O'Brien (Ireland, 24)

5 Courtney Lawes (England, 22)

4 Alun Wyn-Jones (Wales, 26)

3 Adam Jones (Wales, 30)

2 Matthew Rees (Wales, 30)

1 Cian Healy (Ireland, 24)

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...e-wallabies-20111019-1m6wx.html#ixzz1bFkykATw

 

[DPK]

Excuse my tmesis, but this will be in-fucking-credible.

 

[waratahjesus]

We should get a group together to go on tour for this, mid week matches and all, can't wait for it

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

Fair way away yet, but that is a bloody Lions team. My man-crush for Roberts though might be an influencing factor.

I think looking at that team, I'd back the Lions at the moment! But then again, a week ago, I probably wouldn't have.

 

[tigerland12]

Don't know about everyone else but currently I'd have Luke Chateris and Richie Gray way ahead of Lawes in the second row.

 

[Braveheart81]

We should get a group together to go on tour for this, mid week matches and all, can't wait for it

I am certainly planning on at least going to all the tests. Very much looking forward to it.

 

[Scotty]

We really are looking ahead aren't we.

I'd prefer they started concentrating on winning each and every test match, and make it a goal to retain the 3N and win back the Sloe next year. Lets worry about the Lions this time next year!

PS I agree it will be a great tour though.

 

[Melbourne Terrace]

Definitely going to be at every game. will be in gold for the tests, blue for the rebels match and in red for all other mid week matches hoping they flog the fuck out of nsw, wa and act.

 

[RedsHappy]

We really are looking ahead aren't we.

I'd prefer they started concentrating on winning each and every test match, and make it a goal to retain the 3N and win back the Sloe next year. Lets worry about the Lions this time next year!

PS I agree it will be a great tour though.

Couldn't agree more, Scotty. But my fear is that the 2013 BILT will soon be categorised as a new Deans/Wallabies 'building' project, that 'strategies' and selections will be designed for.

 

[chasmac]

After yet another end of season tour, inbound june tests, trinations in 2012 I think the lions in 2013 will be a breath of fresh air. It was in 2001. And, that team listed above look like a massive challenge. Yep, lions tours for me are mor eexciting than Tri nations and bledisloes, simply because of their frequency.

 

[Nusadan]

Would prefer to see a two weeks' break between the two of the three test matches...three tests in 3 weeks is bit too much, methinks...the ARU should extract as much coin from the tour, the hotels and pubs would be happy with an extra week's spending by the touring fans!

 

[Rob42]

Would prefer to see a two weeks' break between the two of the three test matches...three tests in 3 weeks is bit too much, methinks...the ARU should extract as much coin from the tour, the hotels and pubs would be happy with an extra week's spending by the touring fans!

Agree, Nusadan. The 2001 tour was a bit quiet in its build-up (I suspect because everyone thought we'd give the Lions a shellacking), and then when it started, and was so competitive, it caught everyone's attention but was suddenly over within a fortnight, it seemed. Definitely a two-week break between the second and third games, I reckon.

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

Based on that line up for the lions and the two years they've got to improve, I'd be backing the lions for that.

What a team!

 

[rugbyfollower]

I hope the lions appoint a good coach up to the task, as graham henry in 2001 was dreadful. I have a behind the scenes documentary of that tour and he really was ordanairy and his motivational speeches were cheesy. I feel he is the most overrated coach in the world! however ian mcgeechan in 09 was good i thought even if they lost the series.

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

you could almost guarantee it will be Gatland unless he coaches the all blacks.

 

[Richo]

I hope the lions appoint a good coach up to the task, as graham henry in 2001 was dreadful. I have a behind the scenes documentary of that tour and he really was ordanairy and his motivational speeches were cheesy. I feel he is the most overrated coach in the world! however ian mcgeechan in 09 was good i thought even if they lost the series.

It's a long time since 2001. Henry has acknowledged that his experience with the Lions changed him radically as a coach.

 

[Geeves]

From what I can see the wallabies are going to be in huge trouble for this series. If you look at next years draw and the proposed times for the Lions tour (both here) its right smack bang in the middle of the Super 15 comp.

So does robbie get to play with the wallabies 1 week before they arrive or 2 weeks before they arrive and what the hell is going to happen to the clubs sides during the Super 15 with the loss of their stars. Or is the Super 15 draw going to be altered yet again to compensate this with 6 week gap in the middle.

 

[Gnostic]

I am hoping (and the feeling is getting stronger) that Robbie wont be getting any Wallabies next year let alone 2013.