The Lions have landed...

[Coldkiwi]

hate rugby indeed. So you hate the national identity too? Come on, lighten up! The lions only come every 12 years or something so at least feign an interest in them getting thrashed.

I've logged in with a recently arrived Pom at our work too on the beer betting 250L. 18 Monteiths coming my way if all goes well

[Coldkiwi]

What??!! Are you sure you're a Kiwi. That's like a Frenchman saying he hates wine, or garlic, or cheese, or blowing up boats in the harbours of foreign countries.

... or 'No, we won't surrender to your tiny expeditionary force!'

[Oscar]

I dunno about you jokers, but I'm looking forward to this tour!
As an Anglo/Kiwi I don't actually care who wins, I just wanna see good rugger. I support whichever side is going to wind up the most people in the vacinity - Lions at work (and here), All Blacks when talking to the folks back in Blighty. There was a half red, half black supporters jersey available, but I changed my mind - I'd prolly get into twice as many stoushes wearing dat.

I think that this may be the nearest thing NZ ever gets to a RWC, so I've got tickets to the Maori game, the test in Wellington and I'm werking on Auckland.

[Biff]

There was a half red, half black supporters jersey available, but I changed my mind - I'd prolly get into twice as many stoushes wearing dat.

I asked Ms Biff to get me one of those jerseys - but they were around $250!!
The guy in the shop said they were, "limited edition". "Limited to 15,000". Not limited enough for my liking!

But I'm with you on the wind up front. I'm currently wearing my Lions fleece for work, but when I talk to my family (the English half) I tell them I'm supporting the AB's. I mean how could a Welshman ever support a team with English players in!

Class rugby is all I want to see. After all, it's not the taking part it's the winding up of as many people as possible that counts. And these Kiwi's are a tad sensitive about their rugby, so this is going to be soooooo easy.

The lions only come every 12 years or something so at least feign an interest in them getting thrashed.

Thrash us?

Look, there's a hetrosexual catholic bishop.

[Oscar]

I mean how could a Welshman ever support a team with English players in!

Are there Taffy's in the team?
How many do they need to carry the water?

[Biff]

How many do they need to carry the water?

Not many, the English are wet enough.

[gav]

The Lions, hope they can live up to the hype, shame they're not playing Canterbury, scared, huh? Actually all the Super 12 reinforced was a lack of depth of quality international players, now in NZ. I mean seriously who is the back up 1st 5 to Dan Carter? Is it Mehrts or Mauger? Halfback behind Justin Marshall? Peri Weepu, maybe, Byron Kelleher, when was his last game? Why isnt Richie McCaw named as AB captain? Who are the locks, Chris Jack and .....Full back's going to be Leon McDonald isnt it? Wingers? Rico Gear and that Cheifs bloke Sevevatu? Who's the #8? OK, Rodney Soiolo, back up ummm.....
BUt saying all that, so long as Carter, McCaw and McDonald survive the test against Fiji, we'll be looking pretty good against the Lions Most those old buggers are only over here on a busmans holiday, Martin Johnson, Dallilio, Back etc ohh and doesnt that Welsh bloke dating Charlotte Church wear a fake tan, wazhisname? Gavin Henson ....

[Biff]

The Lions, hope they can live up to the hype, shame they're not playing Canterbury, scared, huh? we'll be looking pretty good against the Lions Most those old buggers are only over here on a busmans holiday, Martin Johnson, Dallilio, Back etc ohh and doesnt that Welsh bloke dating Charlotte Church wear a fake tan, wazhisname? Gavin Henson ....

The story in the UK press is that Canterbury turned down the offer to play the Lions. And pretty much the whole of the UK, including some of us ex-pats and the media is baffled as to why all these so called 'retired' players were selected to tour.

One train of thought is that it'll add experience to the side, helping the younger players out, another view is that Clive Woodwood is attempting to re-create the world cup winning side. We'll see if his logic is correct, but as it stands it appears like a bit of a biased selection from where I'm standing.

As for Gavin Henson, I'd rub myself down with gravy browning if I had a chance of dating ms Church. And keep an eye out for this guy, because if he fires on all cylinders he's going to be brilliant. But he reminds of Carlos Spencer a bit - a little too arrogant and selfish at times, but has a rare natural talent.

[Hitcher]

And I prey for a memorable series.

Bloody vulture...

[k14]

The Lions, hope they can live up to the hype, shame they're not playing Canterbury, scared, huh? Actually all the Super 12 reinforced was a lack of depth of quality international players, now in NZ. I mean seriously who is the back up 1st 5 to Dan Carter? Is it Mehrts or Mauger? Halfback behind Justin Marshall? Peri Weepu, maybe, Byron Kelleher, when was his last game? Why isnt Richie McCaw named as AB captain? Who are the locks, Chris Jack and .....Full back's going to be Leon McDonald isnt it? Wingers? Rico Gear and that Cheifs bloke Sevevatu? Who's the #8? OK, Rodney Soiolo, back up ummm.....
BUt saying all that, so long as Carter, McCaw and McDonald survive the test against Fiji, we'll be looking pretty good against the Lions Most those old buggers are only over here on a busmans holiday, Martin Johnson, Dallilio, Back etc ohh and doesnt that Welsh bloke dating Charlotte Church wear a fake tan, wazhisname? Gavin Henson ....

Yeah you're quite right there. We have quite a good variety of centre's, front rowers and loose forwards though, goes around in circles, but quite bare in other departments.

I'd say that there will be some surprises in the team that gets named to play fiji. Firstly because of the chance of injuries, the pacific islanders are renowned for their boarderline tackling and also can get a bit hot under the collar. Secondly we don't want to give away any secrets to Mr Woodward and co do we, they will be keeping all their cards very close to their chests (henry and co that is).

Also, why on earth does everyone think that the bay is going to beat them?? In my mind they haven't got a shit show, even if they did bring out some from from last year. I will be very surprised if the lions loose one game to any of the provinces, let alone a minnow like the bay, i have seen stranger things happen though.

All will be revealed on sat, can't wait.

[Mooch]

Come on Biff, you can do better than this, your always winding up us Kiwi's with a NZ / UK debate. So why are you sitting on the fence. Could it be because you're really expecting a "Lion thrashing" by the Allblacks. Or has NZ won you over and have realised than NZ is a far superior to the UK in every way including motorcycling, rugby and cheap beer.

[gav]

1. Simms Davison
2. Aleki Lutui
3. Ben Castle
4. Mark Sorenson
5. Bernie Upton
6. Wayne Ormond Captain
7. Nili Latu
8. Colin Bourke
9. Kevin Senio
10. Murray Williams
11. Anthony Tahana
12. Grant McQuoid
13. Allan Bunting
14. Filimone Bolavucu
15. Adrian Cashmore

16. John Pareanga
17. Taufa’ao Filise
18. Paul Tupai
19. Warren Smith
20. Charles Hubbard
21. Robert Moon
22. Apoua Stewart

TAB has Bay at $5.50
Not a bad line up, pity they don't have Glen Jackson anymore, but may catch the Lions on the hop, be one hell of a start to the tour, though, aye!!
I'm sure Auckland gave them no chance of lifting the Ranfurly Sheild either last year
Lions havent picked Jonny so they've no chance.....

British & Irish Lions vs Bay of Plenty
Saturday 4th June 2005
International Stadium, Rotorua, KO 7.10pm

Sunday 29th May 2005

Lions Head Coach Clive Woodward, today named the Lions side to play the Bay of Plenty.

15 LEWSEY Josh (London Wasps, England)
14 CUETO Mark (Sale Sharks, England)
13 O’DRISCOLL Brian (Leinster, Ireland) CAPTAIN
12 HENSON Gavin (Neath Swansea Ospreys, Wales)
11 SHANKLIN Tom (Cardiff Blues, Wales)
10 O’GARA Ronan (Munster, Ireland)
9 PEEL Dwayne (Llanelli Scarlets, Wales)
1 JENKINS Gethin (Cardiff Blues, Wales)
2 BULLOCH Gordon (Glasgow, Scotland)
3 STEVENS Matt (Bath, England)
4 O’CONNELL Paul (Munster, Ireland)
5 KAY Ben (Leicester Tigers, England)
6 HILL Richard (Saracens, England)
7 WILLIAMS Martyn (Cardiff Blues, Wales)
8 DALLAGLIO Lawrence (London Wasps) VICE CAPTAIN

16 THOMPSON Steve (Northampton Saints, England)
17 SHERIDAN Andy (Sale Sharks, England)
18 O’KELLY Malcolm (Leinster, Ireland)
19 CORRY Martin (Leicester Tigers, England)
20 DAWSON Matt (London Wasps, England)
21 HODGSON Charlie (Sale Sharks, England)
22 D’ARCY Gordon (Leinster, Ireland)

Clive Woodward said: “There is a huge sense of excitement and anticipation now that our first game in New Zealand is so close. Because it is the first game, Bay of Plenty will want to give us a very tough match, and we have selected a strong side who will give us a good start to the Tour.”

Eddie O'Sullivan said “It was good to get out on the training field today for the first time since the long flight out. It always takes time to gell when players come together for the first time like this but the team selected for the first match is raring to go.”


Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll said: “After all the waiting and the preparation it will be great to get out there and play the first match in New Zealand. This is a strong side and we can't wait to get out in front of the New Zealand public and show what we can do on the rugby field.”

Winger Mark Cueto said: “I was thrilled to hear I was selected. Just over a week ago I didn't think I'd be here at all. To be in the team for the first match of the Tour is fantastic. I can't wait to get out there.”