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Otago v Lions
Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 1:57 pm
by Freddie Benson
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?
Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 4:46 pm
by barney
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.
Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 4:49 pm
by Jackie Brown
I agree Barney, about time he started playing two settled teams.
Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 7:51 pm
by cjp
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.
Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 10:50 pm
by Freddie Benson
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.
Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 9:21 am
by Freddie Benson
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.
Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 9:36 am
by cjp
I hope to god Ryan Jones plays the game of his life, as do Murphy D'Arcy and DO'C.
Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 1:40 pm
by barney
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.
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:09 am
by cjp
Moody out, Easterby in and a big performance could see him get a place on the bench for next saturday.
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:28 am
by barney
Good luck to Easterby, hope he has a great game and makes his case for the test side.
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 10:37 am
by Freddie Benson
still think it'll be Hill at 6
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:00 am
by barney
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.
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:25 am
by fermain
much better by the Lions. on 51 mins, OTG 16 - 24 Lions
just seen a Malone RFC banner!!
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:34 am
by pwrmoore
OMG they've grought Thompson on to "rescue" the match
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:40 am
by barney
Great score from Williams, probably the best backline move of the tour so far.
ROG is on for Henson now.