General Rugby talk thread

[Imaginary Threats]

Just re-watched the 2nd test of the Lions South Africa 2009 tour, O'Gara

[Morozov]

Greatest Lions tour moment was when the Maori team beat them in 05

[Imaginary Threats]

Originally Posted by Morozov

Greatest Lions tour moment was when the Maori team beat them in 05

I also re-watched the 1st and 2nd tests of that tour, they were completely dominated. The 2005 Lions team really was not good, too many of Clive Woodward's past-it players from his 2003 England team, even then I'm not sure who should have been taken instead.

[HabsByTheBay]

Well there was this team that had just pulled off the Grand Slam.

Let's not understate how bad the 2005 Lions were. They got smashed in all three Tests, lost to the Maori, and drew the 2nd team of Argentina. They picked at least ten out-of-form England players who shouldn't have traveled and had Alistair Campbell as their in-house spin doctor. Woodward decided the Lions should have an anthem and paid a songwriter to write The Power of Four. It was a disaster.

[Imaginary Threats]

Originally Posted by HabsByTheBay

Well there was this team that had just pulled off the Grand Slam.

Let's not understate how bad the 2005 Lions were. They got smashed in all three Tests, lost to the Maori, and drew the 2nd team of Argentina. They picked at least ten out-of-form England players who shouldn't have traveled and had Alistair Campbell as their in-house spin doctor. Woodward decided the Lions should have an anthem and paid a songwriter to write The Power of Four. It was a disaster.

Who do you think should have toured but wasn't picked? I was about 13 at the time so I don't remember who else was around then

[Morozov]

Originally Posted by Imaginary Threats

I also re-watched the 1st and 2nd tests of that tour, they were completely dominated. The 2005 Lions team really was not good, too many of Clive Woodward's past-it players from his 2003 England team, even then I'm not sure who should have been taken instead.

and Carter played some of the greatest Rugby in history.

[HabsByTheBay]

Originally Posted by Imaginary Threats

Who do you think should have toured but wasn't picked? I was about 13 at the time so I don't remember who else was around then

Adam Jones
Duncan Jones
Mefin Davies
Kevin Morgan

Ryan Jones came into the team before the first test, but he was an egregious miss. Brent Cockbain and Simon Easterby were also mistakes, although they later toured due to injury.

To be honest, the backs were better than I thought, but Woodward stuffed the team with far too many questionable England players. Remember, there were 44-45 players on the squad, as Woodward decided the midweek and Test XVs needed to be separate. That suggests he had his Test XV picked before they even left the UK, which goes against all previous expectations for a successful tour. Lions Test sides always feature midweek warriors who played themselves into the Test XV and good communal spirit is important.

[darko]

Originally Posted by Morozov

Hayne out is a huge blow for NSW game 2 if he can't play.

If they lose both him AND Farah for game 2 then they are stuffed.

Hayne ruled out. Josh Dugan is in.

[Morozov]

Dugan is under an injury cloud himself

and now caught up in this incident with Ferguson apparently sexually assaulting a women in a nightclub.

Tack on Tamou drink driving, Minichiello committed to Italy, Gordon being out injured so he couldn't get a look at him, Stewart out injured already.

Pretty rough time for Daley

At least it appears Farah will be good to go.