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Post by hallmackem on Nov 4, 2008 14:32:28 GMT
I think Tom Shanklin should be starting, I really rate him as one of the best centres in the world. Alongside Henson Wales have one of the best midfields around.
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Post by Bismarck on Nov 4, 2008 15:18:11 GMT
I agree...perhaps it's just to keep him in reserve?
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Post by Lukiebakercafc on Nov 4, 2008 22:48:06 GMT
I agree Shanklin is a very good centre - one of the best in Britain, not sure about the world though.
Neatly linking - what would be your Lions starting XI for the Saffie tour next year? I'll post mine tomorrow...
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 4, 2008 23:23:01 GMT
1. Andrew Sheridan (England) 2. Matthew Rees (Wales) 3. Duncan Jones (Wales) 4. Paul O'Connell (Ireland) 5. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) 6. James Haskell (England) 7. Tom Rees (England) 8. Ryan Jones (Wales, Captain)
9. Mike Blair (Scotland) 10. Danny Cipriani (England) 11. Shane Williams (Wales) 12. Gavin Henson (Wales) 13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland) 14. Paul Sackey (England) 15. Lee Byrne (Wales)
Too early to be selecting really though.
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Post by Lukiebakercafc on Nov 5, 2008 18:22:28 GMT
Maybe so Ben but here's mine:
1. Andrew Sheridan (England) 2. Jerry Flannery (Ireland) 3. Duncan Jones (Wales) 4. Paul O'Connell (Ireland) 5. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) 6. Martyn Williams (Wales) 7. Tom Rees (England) 8. Ryan Jones (Wales, Captain)
9. Eoin Reddan (Ireland) 10. Ronan O'Gara (Ireland) 11. Shane Williams (Wales) 12. Gavin Henson (Wales) 13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland) 14. Sean Lamont (Scotland) 15. Chris Paterson (Scotland)
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 7, 2008 17:37:21 GMT
Gavin Henson is injured.
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Post by Lukiebakercafc on Nov 7, 2008 18:53:55 GMT
Not good news.
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 8, 2008 10:34:55 GMT
An interesting one here Luke, who would you pick in a Northern Hemisphere XV and a Southern Hemisphere XV to face each other?
I'd pick:
Northern.
1. Andrew Sheridan (England) 2. Dmitri Szarzewski (France) 3. Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy) 4. Paul O'Connell (Ireland) 5. Alun Wyn-Jones (Wales) 6. Thierry Dusatoir (France) 7. Tom Rees (England) 8. Ryan Jones (Wales, Captain)
9. Jean Baptiste-Ellisalde (Scrum Half) 10. Danny Cipriani (England) 11. Shane Williams (Wales) 12. Yannick Jauzion (France) 13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland) 14. Cedric Heymans (France) 15. Lee Byrne (Wales)
Southern.
1. Tony Woodcock (New Zealand) 2. John Smit (South Africa, Captain) 3. Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa) 4. Bakkies Botha (Souh Africa) 5. Victor Matfield (South Africa) 6. Schalk Burger (South Africa) 7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand) 8. Ryan Kankowski (South Africa)
9. Fourie Du Preez (South Africa) 10. Daniel Carter (New Zealand) 11. Bryan Habana (South Africa) 12. Conrad Smith (New Zealand) 13. Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand) 14. Lote Tuqiri (Australia) 15. Juan Martin Hernandez (Argentina)
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Post by Bismarck on Nov 8, 2008 10:53:03 GMT
It's a blow but we can still win!
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 8, 2008 11:59:58 GMT
I think i'll be watching the Wales game today.
I would watch the England game but as I don't have sky sports i'd have to go to the Rugby Club to watch it and if I do that then they'll force me to play for them. Which I can't do because of bit of an injury.
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 8, 2008 14:04:28 GMT
It's a blow but we can still win! You have a good chance. There's definately a great chance to stop the Bokke scrum because of the ridiculous decision to play their captain and hooker John Smit at tighthead prop. It'll still be bloody hard with Schalk Burger and Juan Smith at the breakdown.
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 8, 2008 14:51:46 GMT
You're definately hammering Smith in the scrum, its just that they're playing better everywhere else.
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 8, 2008 14:58:17 GMT
Andy Powell looks a good player. Mind you he must have been to displace Ryan Jones from the back of the scrum.
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Post by Bismarck on Nov 8, 2008 15:31:44 GMT
2nd half concentration needed!
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 8, 2008 15:35:17 GMT
An added problem has arisen for Wales, South Africa have brought on their 6'10 lock Andre Bekker.
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 8, 2008 15:42:29 GMT
What is James Hook playing at?
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 8, 2008 15:54:03 GMT
Wales right back in it. 9-20 with a penalty to be taken and Jack Fourie has just been sin binned.
All came from Andy Powell who has been phenomenal.
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Post by Bismarck on Nov 8, 2008 16:08:17 GMT
Wales 15 - 20 (3 - 13) South Africa L Tries: Jacobs, de Villiers Penalties: Halfpenny, Hook 4 Penalties: Pienaar 2 Conversions: Pienaar 2
Come on!!!
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 8, 2008 18:09:45 GMT
Good start for the Martin Johnson era.
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 8, 2008 18:29:59 GMT
Not looking good for Scotland, 6-25 down with New Zealand's two best players waiting on the sidelines to be brought on.
What a luxury to have Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter on the bench.
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 8, 2008 18:33:03 GMT
McCaw is on, say goodbye to the ball and the match Scotland.
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Post by Bismarck on Nov 8, 2008 18:40:36 GMT
McCaw is on, say goodbye to the ball and the match Scotland. Could be a complete rout...
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 8, 2008 18:43:48 GMT
They've held out thus far, impressive.
Although New Zealand did monkey's up when they were actually over the line.
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 8, 2008 18:48:53 GMT
There it is.
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 8, 2008 18:51:14 GMT
And hang about... Carter is playing at scrum half!
When will this ridiculous experiment end? Carter is arguably the best player in the world and he is a first five-eighth, not a second five or scrum half. Why are the AB's persisting with playing Steve Donald at first five instead of Carter?
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 9, 2008 13:04:49 GMT
Based on yesterday Andy Powell might be the Lions number 8 and Ryan Jones might not even get a look in.
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 13, 2008 10:04:25 GMT
Can anyone else sense the Australian front row quaking in their boots?
For once they have a good hooker but their props are as poo as ever.
Sheridan and Vickery will have a great time on Saturday.
Also, wait until we play South Africa, they'll have John Smit at tighthead prop, haha!
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 21, 2008 9:16:21 GMT
Well I was wrong about Australia.
And South Africa have been forced to put John Smit back to hooker and play a real tighthead in Janie Du Plessis. England could have a torrid time of it unless they are more disciplined and clinical.
Out of all the touring sides (bar the Pacific Islanders) South Africa have looked the least potent, this may be our only chance of a win.
For inspiration look at Munster, the All Blacks required a try from star winger Joe Rockokoko in the dying minutes to beat them. It can be done if you play with pride.
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Post by Lukiebakercafc on Nov 21, 2008 17:06:09 GMT
However Ben, the Saffies have one of the best lineouts in the world and because England refuse to play THE best lineout technician in the Prem in Nick Kennedy we are likely to get hammered there, which may well cost us the game. Our lineout was a shambles vs the Ozzies...
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Post by hallmackem on Nov 21, 2008 17:44:49 GMT
Kennedy should play based on that try involving him and Danny Care.
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