Lions Tour 2025

[cyclopath]

Biggest question around Gordon as Captain is probably who is going to be the VC - it's unlikely he'll be out there for more than 60 minutes per game, so it's a going to be of similar importance to when we've had prop captains in the past. Seems likely it'll be between Wilson (either as a starter going 80 or the bench back row) or maybe Tate/Slipper coming off the bench. Ala'alatoa is the other obvious backup, but he'll almost certainly be leaving the field at about the same time as Gordon in most matches.

Whoever starts as captain, I think probably McReight will finish.

 

[Ignoto]

Ala'alatoa is the other obvious backup, but he'll almost certainly be leaving the field at about the same time as Gordon in most matches.

Knowing we're light in the TH department, I could see Taniela being the starting prop with Alan on the bench. Only for the fact that we know Alan could play an entire 80 whereas, we can't say the same for Taniela i.e. if Alan went down in the 10th minute, there's no way Taniela would be effective over the remaining 70, whereas, if Taniela went down in the 10th minute, Alan would no doubt put a shift in for us.

Sounds like we're going down the Hurricanes route and have 6+ "captains" in the squad.

 

[wamberal99]

Whoever starts as captain, I think probably McReight will finish.

You could be mcright!

 

[Heavyd]

Do we have a date when the Wallabies squad will be announced? I’d also like Phil Waugh to come out and say he understands that it is important for the paying public and players that anyone outside the 23 member squad + maybe two props will be made a available for their super rugby franchises. Watching C grade lineups runout for the Force, Waratahs or Reds will be a disaster for all involved.

 

[Tomthumb]

Do we have a date when the Wallabies squad will be announced? I’d also like Phil Waugh to come out and say he understands that it is important for the paying public and players that anyone outside the 23 member squad + maybe two props will be made a available for their super rugby franchises. Watching C grade lineups runout for the Force, Waratahs or Reds will be a disaster for all involved.

According to Doran it will be announced on Monday if the Brumbies are dumped out or the following Monday if they make the final

 

[Brumby Runner]

According to Doran it will be announced on Monday if the Brumbies are dumped out or the following Monday if they make the final

As mentioned previously in, I think, this very thread.

 

[PhilClinton]

What date will the names of the players being selected for the Australian team be announced?

 

[Yoda]

Biggest question around Gordon as Captain is probably who is going to be the VC - it's unlikely he'll be out there for more than 60 minutes per game, so it's a going to be of similar importance to when we've had prop captains in the past. Seems likely it'll be between Wilson (either as a starter going 80 or the bench back row) or maybe Tate/Slipper coming off the bench. Ala'alatoa is the other obvious backup, but he'll almost certainly be leaving the field at about the same time as Gordon in most matches.

Tate as VC. No brainer.

 

[rugbyAU]

What date will the names of the players being selected for the Australian team be announced?

Monday

 

[Spamnoodle]

Of course having anyone as captain who has led a winning team is great, but compared to the past, before we had 8 subs and "bomb squads" todays game is quite different. Most, if not all teams talk about and establish leadership groups to keep continuity when injuries / subs etc happen. Much of what they decide within a game (take the 3, go for a lineout and maul, take the scrum) has probably been discussed and planned within a group and the coaches pre-game, so I think the guy with the "C" next to his name is less critical than it was in the past. Which is why I think any of the named options in my previous post would do a good job.
Personally I think Wilson would be a great option, but we don't even know if he will play yet.

I reckon one of the main jobs of captains is their communication abilities with referees.

 

[wamberal99]

I reckon one of the main jobs of captains is their communication abilities with referees.

Richie McCaw being the exemplar. He managed the whistle blower amazingly well.

 

[Strewthcobber]

The main job of an international rugby captain is to turn up to every press conference, which is probably why the likes of McReight don't want to do it!

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

Kind of wild that the lions squad has 8 foreign raiders in it.
seems quite likely there could be 1/3 of the starting team being sanzaar born and raised