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Jones to lead experienced Lions against Crusaders

By Dejan Kalinic
British and Irish Lions lock Alun Wyn Jones

Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones will captain an experienced British and Irish Lions side against Crusaders on Saturday.

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Jones, a veteran of 110 Tests for Wales, leads the Lions as they look to bounce back from Wednesday’s 22-16 loss to Blues.

Jonathan Davies, Conor Murray, George North and Sean O’Brien are all set to make their first appearances of the tour.

Lions head coach Warren Gatland is continuing to give his squad a chance to impress ahead of the Test series against the All Blacks.

“The aim was always to start everyone in the first three matches and this selection ensures that we achieve this,” Gatland said.

“This is an experienced team with nine of the starting 15 players having featured in 2013.

“Our squad is working hard and we are seeing improvement in their performances both at training and in the games.

“Last night’s result against the Blues was disappointing and we know we can’t afford to give away so many penalties.

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“We are looking forward to the clash against the Crusaders and we expect a tough game against the most successful team in Super Rugby history.”

Crusaders have been in stunning Super Rugby form, winning all 14 of their matches so far this season.

The Lions have made an unconvincing start to their tour, edging the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians before their loss to Blues.

British and Irish Lions: Stuart Hogg, George North, Jonathan Davies, Ben Te’o, Liam Williams, Owen Farrell, Conor Murray; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Tadhg Furlong, Alun Wyn Jones, George Kruis, Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien, Taulupe Faletau.

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Replacements: Ken Owens, Jack McGrath, Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, CJ Stander, Rhys Webb, Johnny Sexton, Anthony Watson.

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Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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