Amateur Poker Association & Tour
Non Poker Forum => Sports Betting & Discussion => Topic started by: duke3016 on June 13, 2009, 14:11:04 PM
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Phil Vickery leads the side out today and he will want to nail down the tight-head slot, and if Andrew Sheridan has a monster day at the scrum he could yet oust Gethin Jenkins at loose-head. Ugo Monye needs a powerful outing, particularly in defence, to keep Luke Fitzgerald out of the left-wing slot while Nathan Hines and Donncha O"Callaghan are pushing for inclusion alongside Paul O"Connell in the second row.
Rob Kearney needs a solid game today in order to clinch the test spot ahead of Byrne who has shown one or two signs of frailty in the last two games -- notably the mistake that nearly allowed the Cheetahs to sneak victory last Saturday.
After an injury-disrupted tour, Martyn Williams will be bulling to make his case ahead of David Wallace at openside, while Tommy Bowe needs only a solid showing to cement his place at 14. Keith Earls gets another run at 13 and a big game may lead to a surprise selection on the bench, given his ability to cover wing, centre and full-back.
So, lots to play for then against decent opposition, with the Lions looking to build a collective performance around individual incentive.
Verdict: Lions - odds of 11/4 not that generous though
Team selection next Tuesday will be interesting
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Based on what I have seen so far my pick for the test side would be
15. Rob Kearney
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Brian O'Driscoll
12. Brian D'arcy
11. Shane Williams
10. Ronan O'Gara
9. Mike Philips
8. Jamie Heaslip
7. David Wallace
6. Martyn Williams
5. Paul O'Connell
4. Nathan Hines
3. Phil Vickery
2. Ross Ford
1. Gethin Jenkins
Tough one was Heaslip over Powell but I think he shades it.
feel free to discuss
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Based on what I have seen so far my pick for the test side would be
15. Rob Kearney
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Brian O'Driscoll
12. Brian D'arcy
11. Shane Williams
10. Ronan O'Gara
9. Mike Philips
8. Jamie Heaslip
7. David Wallace
6. Martyn Williams
5. Paul O'Connell
4. Nathan Hines
3. Phil Vickery
2. Ross Ford
1. Gethin Jenkins
Tough one was Heaslip over Powell but I think he shades it.
feel free to discuss
Ger,
is Roberts injured, thought he was a lock in for number 12 ? Thought Gethin Jenkins got a mauling mid week, has he got any competition ?
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Based on what I have seen so far my pick for the test side would be
15. Rob Kearney
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Brian O'Driscoll
12. Brian D'arcy
11. Shane Williams
10. Ronan O'Gara
9. Mike Philips
8. Jamie Heaslip
7. David Wallace
6. Martyn Williams
5. Paul O'Connell
4. Nathan Hines
3. Phil Vickery
2. Ross Ford
1. Gethin Jenkins
Tough one was Heaslip over Powell but I think he shades it.
feel free to discuss
Ger,
is Roberts injured, thought he was a lock in for number 12 ? Thought Gethin Jenkins got a mauling mid week, has he got any competition ?
Number 12 was an emotional pick TBH - however Jenkins is the only front row forward that can clear out the mauls and that is what we require right now.
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I think your 15 is pretty close, I expect Roberts to get the nod for number 12
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Roberts has to play if fit,no way Ford starts as hooker his throwing in at line outs is poor. Cant have Hines either.Moyne starts on the wing for me in place of williams ,who has looked out of sorts on the tour so far.
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Roberts has to play if fit,no way Ford starts as hooker his throwing in at line outs is poor. Cant have Hines either.Moyne starts on the wing for me in place of williams ,who has looked out of sorts on the tour so far.
Ok emotional pick prob wrong and I agree with Roberts, However I think Hines has the agressive game required for the springbox as has Ford whose all round mobility was good when he came on today. His throw in might be suspect but he will have O"connell & Heaslip to aim at and that will make a big diff. Jury is out on Moyne IMO, if I had to chose another I would pick Luke Fitz.
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Roberts has to play if fit,no way Ford starts as hooker his throwing in at line outs is poor. Cant have Hines either.Moyne starts on the wing for me in place of williams ,who has looked out of sorts on the tour so far.
Ok emotional pick prob wrong and I agree with Roberts, However I think Hines has the agressive game required for the springbox as has Ford whose all round mobility was good when he came on today. His throw in might be suspect but he will have O"connell & Heaslip to aim at and that will make a big diff. Jury is out on Moyne IMO, if I had to chose another I would pick Luke Fitz.
The only thing that Moyne will give us is more of a physical presence, I"d go with Williams he could be the match winner, not many of them about and he can turn a game.
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My starting 15 for the first test..
15.Byrne
14.Bowe
13.O'Driscoll
12.Roberts..If fit If not Flutey
11.Monye
10.Hook
9.Blair
8.Heaslip
7.Williams
6.Croft
5.O"Connell
4.Shaw
3.Vickery
2.Mears
1.Jenkins
Sorry But I think Shane Williams should have been left back in Swansea...He done out in South Africa nor did he in the 6 nations campaign he not the same player as he was last year...the little Welsh wizard has lost his magic this season.
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Okay this is my team
15.Byrne
14.Bowe
13.O'Driscoll
12.Roberts11.Monye
10.Jones
9.Phillips
8.Heaslip
7.Williams
6.Croft
5.O"Connell
4.Alun Wyn Jones
3.Vickery
2.Mears
1.Jenkins
Sleeves.... Blair and Hook? What ya been drinking!!!!
Real dilema in the second row, Hines or Jones and also at 7, Williams and Wallace, give it to Williams he has a bit more game going forward than Wallace imo. Shane Williams is no where near the starting 15, I would go with Fitzgerald before him.
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Lol Mikeyboy yeah I had been drinking...and yeah ya right Phillips should get the No 9 jersey god knows why I said Blair but I will still stick with Hook at fly half there so much more to his game then Jone"s...And his Kicking been superb and extra kicking range.Also did consider Hines in at second row as he had a grt tour so fare but I feel every time Shaw been on the field he had so much impact.
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Jones will get the nod for his experience, but Hook will be on the bench for his added flair, and as you say his extra kicking range.
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Your probably correct same goes with Shaw there bring him on later for more of an impact
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Your probably correct same goes with Shaw there bring him on later for more of an impact
Jones will get the nod for his experience, but Hook will be on the bench for his added flair, and as you say his extra kicking range.
I have a feeling that impact will have to be from the first whistle and a lot of power and aggression will be required early doors to keep the Boks in check. That is why I think my Pack pick is a right balance of speed and agression with Shaw/O"Callagahan/Mears in reserve to keep the power (and raw aggression) going.
The backs is more difficult as I see the main game in a tight 10 from the Boks. I will concede that a fit Roberts in the center should be the pick with Flutey/D"arcy as back up as they are both good impact players.
Tough call to be honest
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1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Lee Mears
3. Phil Vickery
4. Simon Shaw
5. Paul O"Connell (on reputation, not current form ldo)
6. Tom Croft
7. Martin Williams
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Mike Phillips (just)
10. Stephen Jones
11. Ugo Monye
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Brian O"Driscoll
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Lee Byrne
16. Euan Murray
17. Matthew Rees
18. Alan Wynn Jones
19. David Wallace
20. Harry Ellis
21. Ronan O"Gara
22. Rob Kearney
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is croft over wallace emotional (or is my wallace emotional) as I feel Wallace"s ball carrying is immense
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It may be a slightly imbalanced perspective. I see so much of Tigers (from the recliner ldo) and rate him as one of the best around.
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I think Croft will start, for the line out option he gives, and I agree O,Connell plays cos he is skipper, but on current form he probs wouldn"t have made the starting 15.
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I think Croft will start, for the line out option he gives, and I agree O,Connell plays cos he is skipper, but on current form he probs wouldn"t have made the starting 15.
second that...O"Driscoll should have been made captain
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Hmm The team has been picked for today"s match and traditionally the match before the test is the "B" team which should give us some indication of the final team. That knocks three of my picks on the head. Must give the management a ring ;D n.b. Williams is suffering from a tummy bug tho and might not feature
K Earls (Munster & Ireland);
S Williams (Ospreys & Wales),
R Flutey (Wasps & England),
G D"Arcy (Leinster & Ireland),
L Fitzgerald (Leinster & Ireland),
J Hook (Ospreys & Wales),
M Blair (Edinburgh & Scotland);
A Sheridan (Sale Sharks & England),
R Ford (Edinburgh & Scotland),
E Murray (Northampton & Scotland),
S Shaw (Wasps & England),
D O"Callaghan (Munster & Ireland) (capt),
N Hines (Perpignan & Scotland),
J Worsley (Wasps & England),
A Powell (Cardiff Blues & Wales).
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Wow those boys know they,ve been in a game. A real warning about the physicality that awaits on Saturday. Simon Shaw had a good game as did Worsley and Powell, Blair did well without protection, and I still like Fitzgerald for a spot on the bench. O"Gara kicked well off the floor, but was iffy out of hand, and doesn"t get the back line moving the same as Jones.
So still happy with my 15. ;)
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Sometimes I dispair.
Quote from Ronan O"Gara after yesterdays match "They were more interested in kicking lumps out of us than scoring or keeping the score down," he told BBC Sport.
It"s the nature of the game - deal with it, stop moaning, it"s the way the Southern Hemisphere is, get your retaliation in first FFS.
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No more debate about Hook, injured and not available for the 1st Test. I reckon Jones will get the nod with O"Gara on the bench.
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Trouble is with getting your retaliation in first Ger, is that on this tour you could then be sent off, and your tours over, where as the Kings could do what they wanted with no repercussions.
But I understand where your coming from, it is going to be even tougher on Saturday.
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So the starting 15 is pretty much as predicted, just Wallace for Williams, which was a big decision. Can"t believe Fitzgerald isn"t on the bench, gone with Kearney instead, other than that no complaints.
Now bring it on..... can"t wait!
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[X] Armchair booked
[X] Fridge re stocked
[X] TV commandered (Not easy to pry the x box off the wee man, still being bigger than him helps)
- Confident - its a lttle x -- I think it"s a must win at sea level if we have any chance of the series
This game will be won at the base of the scrum with Roberts and the flankers getting in the face of the rusty SA halfbacks. I think Kearney is on the bench for the options he bring to the backs in case of injury. The SA fullback is not a specialist full back and is suspect under the ball, expect a shiite load of high balls early doors. O"Connell will have to raise his game against Matfield, agruably the best lineout player in the world at the moment. Jenkins must get stuck in to Smit whose move from Hooker to tighthead was not really surprising given Du Plessis"s fine form.
Will be in fine voice and 80 minutes of pain and pressure is required....
bring it on
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Ref isn"t doing us a lot of favours and it doesn"t look good against very good boks side. Not all over but we will need to use the ball better in the 2nd half too much aimless kicking.
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Once we got the scrum sorted ,we looked dangerous.Phillips ,Roberts and O"Driscol put in big performances. Still a great game to watch and roll on the 2nd test.
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Great commentary Ger. We were mulla"d in the first half.. Mears couldn"t hit his jumpers, the scrum collapsed quicker than a cheap deck chair and the ref..... well the least said.
We got better when they got the English out of the front row!! ODriscoll and Roberts were awesome, causing problems all over and Monye was a handful ( he didn"t drop the ball, it was terrific defence). I like Philips at 9, and even though Jones didn"t have his best game I would stick with him at ten.
Great last 15 mins, but this did happen when the Boks were resting their stars, hope for next week though. Oh and I am English!
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Monye was a handful ( he didn"t drop the ball, it was terrific defence).
Ok but at that level you must score, he"s a strong lad and should have protected the ball - croft did beautifully for his first try
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Watched the test again last night and Ger you are correct Monye should have scored! I coach my under 17 team to either hold the ball in two hands, or in the hand away from the tackler. Basic stuff.
So what are your changes for the next test, a few players can play their way in today, but only a few.
I think the front row will start the way it finished, there will be changes in the second row, and possibly in the back row also.
O"Gara for Jones? Lets see how he plays today. Williams for Monye? I would stick with Ugo. Other than that the backs are fine.
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Watched the test again last night and Ger you are correct Monye should have scored! I coach my under 17 team to either hold the ball in two hands, or in the hand away from the tackler. Basic stuff.
So what are your changes for the next test, a few players can play their way in today, but only a few.
I think the front row will start the way it finished, there will be changes in the second row, and possibly in the back row also.
O"Gara for Jones? Lets see how he plays today. Williams for Monye? I would stick with Ugo. Other than that the backs are fine.
The finishing Front row looked solid, Outhalf is a problem I think, lets see how O"Gara gets on. Second row is a little weak with no real backup. Lets see how the match pans out tonight.
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"Mishandling by EB (ball ust be like a bar of soap)"
Well thats Lifebuoy ;)
Great review Ger, awful conditions for a decent game of Rugby, we didn"t learn much from this game I"m afraid.I still like Fitzgerald for the bench, williams didn"t show enough, Ellis just confirmed he isn"t as good as Philips. Lets hope for decent weather and a better performance on Saturday.
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Okay so here we go -
15 Kearney still doubts about Byrnes fitness and not much between them any way
14 Bowe was a certainty
13 O"Driscoll ditto
12 Roberts ditto
11 Fitzgerald I didn"t think Monye would get the chop, but Fitz is a top player, happy with him on the wing
10 Jones just got the nod O"gara on the bench
9 Phillips no competition at the moment
8 Heaslip always playing
7 Wallace gets the nod over Williams again. Nothing between these two
6 Croft couldn"t possibly be dropped
5 O" Connell Will come to the party this week
4 Shaw In for Jones wii bring massive presence in the loose
3 Jones Always playing after Vickerys destruction
2 Rees Bigger and stronger than Mears
1 Jenkins Top player
So bring it on, I am confident that we have shored up the set piece, and we can definately beat them in midfield and out wide. Come on!
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With the team picked for Saturday I feel we have a great chance to make it 1 a piece....awesome to see Big Simon shaw in...his presence will be massive on the field should have been there in the first test. Still think Hook would be the best man in at 10
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At work all day tomorrow FML - I have a feeling that this game will be a corker from the first whistle with the pack out to prove that they can keep the pressure on for the whole 80 not the last 35. And given quality ball the backs have the class.
I think we will do it and with the lions at 5/2 I might have a flutter
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Getting ready for this now, house full for the rugby, followed by BBQ, followed by a home game.
Looking like a good Saturday ;D
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reduced to looking at the BBC text updates while the software upgrade goes ahead. Not the same but it will have to do
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Just watched the game on Sky Plus without knowing thw score. What a game!! So disappointed for the guys, what a great performance, but in the end the injuries disrupted us too much. Kearney was awesome, Shaw inspired, Jones immense, but in the end you have got to hand it to the Boks, they know how to win.
Only good thing about today was we won at cricket, we had Brendan Nash sub pro ing for us he scored an un beaten 100 , he only picked up one wicket but bowled really well. And what a really nice guy.
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A win is a win - dissapointing when the series was there. Nice win all the same
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Great win ... massive for all the players when it comes to the World Cup ...
L