Otago v Lions

Freddie Benson · Post by **Freddie Benson** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 1:57 pm

OTAGO: Glen Horton; Hayden Pedersen, Neil Brew, Seilala Mapusua, Matt Saunders; Nick Evans, Danny Lee; Carl Hoeft, Jason Macdonald, Craig Dunlea, Filipo Levi, Tom Donnelly, Craig Newby (Capt), Josh Blackie, Grant Webb.

Replacements: Jed Vercoe, Jeremy Aldworth, Andrew McClintock, Alando Soakai, Chris Smylie, Ryan Bambry, Jason Shoemark.

Certainly not as strong as Wellington side today.

It'll be interesting to see who SCW puts out.
Test side or another mishmash?

barney · Post by **barney** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 4:46 pm

Don't know much about Southland so not sure what sort of opposition they would provide.

I'm hoping for something approaching the test 22 for this one, with the dirtrackers returning on Tuesday.

Jackie Brown · Post by **Jackie Brown** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 4:49 pm

I agree Barney, about time he started playing two settled teams.

cjp · Post by **cjp** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 7:51 pm

He won't risk test players on wednesday well certainly not starting XV, so it will be the big names on saturday followed by the weaker side on wednesday.

Freddie Benson · Post by **Freddie Benson** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 10:50 pm

That'll mean a number of players, notably O'Driscoll, playing three games in a week. BO'D looks like he could do with another game anyway.

But I would like to see the Test side play this Saturday and then all get next Wednesday off.
Southland aren't much cop - normally in bottom half of NPC.

Freddie Benson · Post by **Freddie Benson** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 9:21 am

Lions team to face Otago: G Murphy; D Hickie, W Greenwood, G D'Arcy, S Williams; C Hodgson, C Cusiter; G Rowntree, G Bulloch (capt), M Stevens, S Shaw, D O'Callaghan, L Moody, M Williams, R Jones.

Replacements: S Thompson, A Sheridan, D Grewcock, S Easterby, M Dawson, O Smith, R O'Gara.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_u ... 097906.stm

hhhmmmmmm!!!!!!!

So it seems the Test side will not have played together until they run out at Christchurch on 25 June - I really can't see them all playing against Southland.

Players in this side with realistic chances of pushing for TEst selection - Murphy, O'Callaghan and to lesser extent D'Arcy and Bulloch.

cjp · Post by **cjp** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 9:36 am

I hope to god Ryan Jones plays the game of his life, as do Murphy D'Arcy and DO'C.

barney · Post by **barney** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 1:40 pm

Didn't see that one coming. Another curve ball from Sir Clive.

It will be interesting to find out that the players make of it all when the post-tour memoirs hit the shelves.

cjp · Post by **cjp** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:09 am

Moody out, Easterby in and a big performance could see him get a place on the bench for next saturday.

barney · Post by **barney** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:28 am

Good luck to Easterby, hope he has a great game and makes his case for the test side.

Freddie Benson · Post by **Freddie Benson** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 10:37 am

still think it'll be Hill at 6

barney · Post by **barney** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:00 am

13 -13 at half time.

Shocking missed tackles from Hickie and Hodgson let Otago in for a try.

Lions drew level with a clever cross-kicked penalty that got a nice bounce before Greenwood touched down.

Not a huge amount to cheer in the Lions performance. Murphy probably best of the Irish so far.

Post by **fermain** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:25 am

much better by the Lions. on 51 mins, OTG 16 - 24 Lions
just seen a Malone RFC banner!!

pwrmoore · Post by **pwrmoore** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:34 am

OMG they've grought Thompson on to "rescue" the match

barney · Post by **barney** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:40 am

Great score from Williams, probably the best backline move of the tour so far.

ROG is on for Henson now.