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'Robin McBryde was trying to get us to agree to an 8/0 split'
Saturday’s hastily arranged Lions match with the Sharks resulted in the South African franchise asking the tourists if it would be okay if they selected eleven replacements on their bench, three more than the usually permitted eight reserves.
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The Lions defeated the Sharks 54-7 in Johannesburg and they will now face-off again in Pretoria just four days later, something that is the first time since 1910, when Border were taken on twice in four days at East London and King William’s Town, that the Lions have had consecutive matches against the same non-Test opponent.
The Lions readily agreed to the Sharks request for eleven replacements to be named, especially when the South Africans insisted they only plan to use a maximum of eight. Warren Gatland turned down the opportunity for the Lions to reciprocate and also select eleven replacements. However, he did report an unusual discussion was had on the make-up of this weekend’s Lions bench.
Forced into making eight late changes last Wednesday to his originally chosen 23, it left the Lions fielding a replacements bench that consisted of seven forwards and just a single back and the tourists ultimately went on to finish the match with 13 players when tight hamstrings forced off Louis Rees-Zammit and Duhan van der Merwe with the whole bench already unloaded.
For Saturday’s rematch, the Lions have elected to go with six/two forwards and backs split on their bench, but not before they had to talk assistant Robin McBryde around from his radical selection suggestion.
The Lions tour was branded a farce back in Wales when it became known Gatland's squad would stage a rematch this Saturday with the Sharks #LionsRugby #CastleLionsSeries #LionsSA2021
https://t.co/V8oGEe4rMc— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 9, 2021
“I was asked about that [the Sharks’ eleven replacements] and it was no issue with me,” said Gatland before getting on to the notion floated by Lions assistant McBryde. “They said they would still only use the eight subs. We were given the option to have eleven on the bench as well but we rejected that. We have stuck with the eight on the bench and we feel we have got enough cover. Robin McBryde was trying to get us to agree to an eight-zero split but we rejected that temptation. We have stuck with a six-two split because we have got a number of backs who have played quite a few matches and we needed to rest them Friday (at training) and they are getting a break Saturday. That is why we have gone with the six-two split.”
Having ignored the McBryde suggestion, the Lions go into the Sharks rematch having had just a single training session since Wednesday, but that situation doesn’t bother Gatland. “We had a day off Thursday and players had a couple of walkthroughs. They have been absolutely fantastic in doing their homework and learning things really quickly.
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“It’s made it easier on the coaches as well and Friday we had a really good run, an extended captain’s run. It was quite a bit longer as we needed to get through things. The players knew that was going to happen. I can say they were sharp and the fantastic thing about this group of men at the moment is they are facing a few challenges but they are incredibly excited about playing for the Lions.
“We saw that on Wednesday with the energy that was in the changing rooms, how vocal they were in the warm-up and on the pitch. I can only take a barometer from what I see from the players and they know they are some challenges, but they are excited about playing the Springboks and hopefully winning the Test series.”
LIONS LATEST:
Warren Gatland has hinted Test venue changes are on the cards… and the Lions could also be playing a different opponent next Wednesday #LionsRugby #CastleLionsSeries #LionsSA2021https://t.co/2F38wSxnQU
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 9, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
8 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
8 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
8 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
8 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to comments