Lions v Taranaki latest

**Macy** · 08/06/2005, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by CLIFFORD

The midweek lads have a great chance of inclusion if their performances are up to scratch.

There's a theory, and a history, that you're better off being a starter in the midweek 15, than a sub for the weekend 15. You're match sharp should there be an injury...

**swinfordfc** · 08/06/2005, 10:51 AM

bulloch, byrne or the man who throw the ball straight?

**joeSoap** · 08/06/2005, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by Macy

I think the "modern day" front row play is over stated, mainly by people from Limerick it has to be said.

.

Well....I'm shocked at that statement

Originally Posted by Macy

You still need the platform that the scrummage can give you, and you can't get that platform without old style front rowers. Unfortunately for Horan, that still means fat bast�rds like myself that don't get mashed at scrum time.

Yes Macy, but its a lot to do with technique more than brute force, as surely you well know..

**joeSoap** · 08/06/2005, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by swinfordfc

bulloch, byrne or the man who throw the ball straight?

Thompson for his sheer power, and generally awesome work around the park will get him the nod. However if his throwing fails him, as it invariably does, I'd say the mullet will sub.

**Aberdonian Stu** · 09/06/2005, 12:20 PM

It's a tough call. In open play you have to say Thompson but his throwing is so bad that the Mullet has a good chance of getting the nod although I reckon Woodward will back Thompson.

**pete** · 09/06/2005, 1:53 PM

I don't watch the Lions but is the saturday team looking like the Test team now?

Has Henson played yet?

**joeSoap** · 09/06/2005, 2:14 PM

Originally Posted by pete

I don't watch the Lions but is the saturday team looking like the Test team now?

Has Henson played yet?

Henson played against Bay of Plenty and to be honest , looked quite poor...definitely not test standard.
The Saturday team has quite a few test defo's like Lewsey, O'Driscoll, Hill, Williams, O'Connell, Thompson and White. The rest are very much in the running, but will need to stamp their authority on this game as its being touted as the unofficial '4th' test.The Maoris have a very strong side out, as mentioned in another thread here

**Macy** · 09/06/2005, 2:30 PM

Thompson will get the nod, as the All Blacks perceived to be weak upfront - have my doubts, think it's all relative to their reputation. Think the Lions will try and batter them up front in the first test - and the pack for this game suggests that.