British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand (2017)

[Quick Hands]

^^^^They certainly packed them in at Lancaster Park on that day.

 

[Dan54]

^^^^Unbelievable that nothing has yet been done about this.

Not really QH, much as I love rugby and sport there are more important things to still be rebuilt in Christchurch.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I hope they pick the entire England squad and they get belted by the Blecks. If we're going to be deprived of the top two teams playing each other in a series for what seems like forever, I want the next best thing.

 

[KevinO]

^^^Surely they are playing on EOYT 2017.Plus they would claim it does not count with Gatland in charge anyway.

 

[USARugger]

^^^Surely they are playing on EOYT 2017

Nope

 

[zer0]

Pretty sure I recall reading that only the very top tier AB's will be held back, with most being available for the franchise games. Will try and track down a source (assuming it exists and I'm not mis-remembering) tomorrow.

Can't find anything from earlier in the year when I recall reading about it, but just came across this:

While it will be a "case by case basis", [Scott] Robertson is expecting to have most of his All Blacks available for his team's match against the British and Irish Lions in Christchurch on June 10.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...n-past-to-drag-crusaders-out-of-title-draught

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^Surely they are playing on EOYT 2017.Plus they would claim it does not count with Gatland in charge anyway.

Steve Tew says they've already got three games "locked & loaded" & are looking at a fourth, none of which will be v England.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11760179

I'd have thought an out-of-window barn-burner would be win/ win, maybe Steve's still miffed about the "build a bigger stadium" jibe from the Old Fart In Chief earlier in the year.......

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/27/england-twickenham-cash-australia-new-zealand

 

[Quick Hands]

^^^Have to say that I agree with Ritchie on this one.

 

[Highlander35]

Salty, salty Gatland.

http://www.skysports.com/watch/vide.../10688401/gatland-questions-townsend-omission

Yes, you've only been able to secure crap assistants.

But no, don't shit on England and Ireland not releasing their long standing experienced coaches and assistants, when they will probably not be doing full tours.

Cry over the Union undertaking the three match tour with the brand new international coach.

Enjoy the shit show that will be Howley as attack coach.

 

[Quick Hands]

Salty, salty Gatland.

http://www.skysports.com/watch/vide.../10688401/gatland-questions-townsend-omission

Yes, you've only been able to secure crap assistants.

But no, don't shit on England and Ireland not releasing their long standing experienced coaches and assistants, when they will probably not be doing full tours.

Cry over the Union undertaking the three match tour with the brand new international coach.

Enjoy the shit show that will be Howley as attack coach.

Gatland is kidding himself. He's the boss - the buck stops with him.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Potential B&IL skipper Dylan Hartley has been red-carded again, this time for a swinging arm to the head of Sean O'Brien, just SIX MINUTES after coming on as a replacement for Saints v Leinster:

http://www.planetrugby.com/news/mallinder-expects-decent-ban-for-hartley/

Carrying plenty of baggage with his multiple suspensions adding up 54 weeks. Never thought Gatland would make him (c) but next to impossible for him to do so now IMO & surely England have to dump him as captain if not altogether.

 

[Quick Hands]

Surely they couldn't make someone like Hartley captain?

Even in the professional era, there must still be some sort of character test to be given a leadership role?

Or maybe I'm just old-fashioned.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^ the weird thing is, I don't think he's ever committed an atrocity whilst captain But, yes, you'd hope Gats has drawn a big red line through Hartley's name in his "Captain?" list (assuming he was on it to begin with).

 

[Highlander35]

^^^^^^^ the weird thing is, I don't think he's ever committed an atrocity whilst captain But, yes, you'd hope Gats has drawn a big red line through Hartley's name in his "Captain?" list (assuming he was on it to begin with).

You forgot my favourite atrocity. The lovely "Ignore the refs very specific instructions twice in 2 minutes then call him a fucking cheat potentially costing your team the final and definitely costing yourself a place on the BILs tour"

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^ 'twas a mere misunderstanding & mostly Barnes' fault, "can" & "can't" (not to mention the other similar-sounding but unmentionable on a familyish-oriented website word) sounding so alike when one grows up in RotoVegas

 

[KevinO]

Well that's one nil to Murray v Youngs in the battle of the 9 jersey. Expect it to be 2-0 next week, can't see the Tigers bouncing back from that defeat. Munster are undefeated since the death of Foley which is an amazing effort.

Ulster getting the job done against Clemont also a huge result. Glasgow against Racing as well.

I love this back to back fixtures though. Re-match only a week away.

 

[GTPIH]

Not condoning any of Hartley's previous actions and I don't think he should be captain of any team, but in this instance he was careless and a tad unlucky as the tackled player was falling. However given his record he should've been doubly careful. Maybe he just wants to miss another BIL Tour

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Gatland talking up Rory Best's leadership qualities:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11764783

Still think it'll be Warburton if fit or AWJ if not. Best would make a good VC/ pack leader, though.

 

[KevinO]

Gatland talking up Rory Best's leadership qualities:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11764783

Still think it'll be Warburton if fit or AWJ if not. Best would make a good VC/ pack leader, though.

I think Gatlands well aware that no Walsh player at the moments form is good enough to start. They really need massive improvement in the 6N.

Warburton would be behind 3rd or 4th picked 7 at the moment. Would be about the same on the Blindside.

 

[teach]

Pretty sure I recall reading that only the very top tier AB's will be held back, with most being available for the franchise games. Will try and track down a source (assuming it exists and I'm not mis-remembering) tomorrow.

Blues, Crusaders and Highlanders should be near full strength as there is a bit of a gap before the first ABs game. And they get to play all 3 within 7 days. A nice warm up to the Maori All Blacks game 3 days later.

http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11703794