General Chat

TODAY'S TEAMS

THE HOSTS

THE ALL BLACKS!

CAPTAIN: KIERAN READ

Backs:
15. Ben Smith
14. Israel Dagg
13. Ryan Crotty
12. Sonny Bill Williams
11. Rieko Ioane
10. Beauden Barrett
9. Aaron Smith

Forwards:
1. Joe Moody
2. Codie Taylor
3. Owen Franks
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Sam Cane
8. Keiran Read (Captain)

Replacements:
16. Nathan Harris, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Charlie Faumuina, 19. Scott Barrett, 20. Ardie Savea, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Aaron Cruden, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown


THE "TOURISTS" :-D

THE LIONS

CAPTAIN: PETER O'MAHONY (Ireland)

Backs:
15. Liam Williams
14. Anthony Watson
13. Jonathan Davies
12. Ben Te'o
11. Elliot Daly
10. Owen Farrell
9. Conor Murray

Forwards:
1. Mako Vunipola
2. Jamie George
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Alun-Wyn Jones
5. George Kruis
6. Peter O'Mahony (Captain)
7. Sean O'Brien
8. Taulupe Faletau

Replacements:
16. Ken Owens, 17. Jack McGrath, 18. Kyle Sinckler, 19. Maro Itoje, 20. Sam Warburton, 21. Rhys Webb, 22. Johnny Sexton, 23. Leigh Halfpenny

A BIG DAY for Rugby Fans today!

The BRITISH & IRISH LIONS will be taking on the MIGHTY ALL BLACKS at EDEN PARK Auckland, New Zealand shortly!

WILL THE LIONS BREAK THE ALL BLACKS 23 YEAR UNBEATEN RUN AT EDEN PARK?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-4627130/All-Blacks-incredible-winning-record-Eden-Park.html

Do you know ...... I JUST HAVE THIS FEELING!!!! :-0 :-0

I seldom go into any big game like this thinking we will win ..... especially a game involving New Zealand ....... but this year? Just Maybe!!! ;-) ;-) :-D :-D :-D


Tune into Radio Jem's Lions Channel to share in this HUGE GAME
Kick Off O 8.35 AM in the UK & Ireland
and 7.35PM in New Zealand

Good Morning / Evening to All Rugby Fans tuning in to Radio Jem Today ;-) :-D :-D

Not long to go ...... and RADIO JEM IS NOW LIVE!


HERE's RADIO JEM's LIONS TOUR THEME SONG
with alternative words :-D

To the tune of Katy Perry's Roar!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CevxZvSJLk8

THE LIONS’ ROAR!

They’re gonna put us to the test
We’ve really got to play our best
Not gonna play quietly,
Not gonna play “politely”
We really haven’t got much choice
Must push ourselves to breaking point
We’ll stand for nothing
We’ll try out everything

They hold us down, but we get up (hey!)
Already brushing off the dust
They hear our voice, they hear that sound
Like Thunder, gonna shake their ground
They hold us down, but we'll get up
Get ready cos we’ve had enough
We see it all, we see it now .....

We’ve got the might of a lion, a fighter,
Dancing through the fire
CAUSE WE ARE THE LIONS .....
.....AND YOU’RE GONNA HEAR US ROAR
Louder, Louder than 1 lion
CAUSE WE ARE THE LIONS....
.....AND YOU’RE GONNA HEAR US ROAR !

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh


RRRROOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRR ;-):-D :-D :-D :-D

THIS IS THE 1 HOUR WARNING EVERYONE! :-D

ALL BLACKS v LIONS Kicks Off at 8.35 AM (UK)
Details last post :-)

12 HOURS TO GO TO THE FIRST TEST GAME!


Tomorrow- Saturday June 24

Live from Eden Park, Auckland .....
NEW ZEALAND ALL BLACKS v BRITISH & IRISH LIONS


UK & Ireland ...... Kick Off 8.35 AM
New Zealand ..... Kick Off 7.35 PM



LIVE TV ~ SKY SPORTS 1
Live Radio: TalkSPORT (Live Online Radio)
http://talksport.com/radioplayer/live/


................AND RADIO JEM ;-) :-D :-D :-D



We've had most of the "Friendlies" .............
............... NOW IT'S TIME FOR THE SERIOUS STUFF! ;-)


So...
WHETHER YOU ARE GOING TO DO THE HAKA ...........
................. or WHETHER YOU ARE GOING TO BE A ROARING LION........

Join Jem and The Gang to cheer on the team of your choice .... but please leave your handbags in the lockers provided! ;-) :-D :-D :-D :-D

I am so sorry Robert. As a Scot it must be very upsetting and infuriating.

The Scotland Team have been doing ever so well over the last few years, even to the point of beating the Australian Wallabies last week. A huge achievement!
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jun/17/wallabies-fall-to-defeat-as-spirited-scotland-gain-degree-of-revenge

I am surprised that there is not even one Scot in the team this time.
Having said that, I do not believe in numbers filling, but the best person for the job.



I started the rugby threads (actually it was for the last Lions Tour) for a bit of fun, to cheer the boys on. I have learned quite a lot while doing so, BUT I AM BY NO MEANS AN EXPERT!

From what I am trying to work out, there would be at least 3 potential players for each KEY POSITION in the squad - I would think this would include the THREE FRONT ROWERS - the two Props and the Hooker (1,3 & 2 positions). There must be trained and experienced men in the front row for safety reasons.

Then in each squad there would be THREE FLY-HALFS(10) and THREE SCRUM-HALFS (9)
The rest of the Squad would be made up of Wingers, Full Backs, Centres, Eightmen, Flankers with many of them able to take on a variety of positions.


When the Coaching Staff have chosen their squad, they must then pick the best players (or sometimes combinations of players) for the match day.....
For the game, the team would have two players for each of the key positions explained above - one to start and one as a reserve on the bench.
The rest of the reserves would be players from the other categories.

SO FOR EXAMPLE: THE SCRUM-HALFS - Choice of Conor Murray, Rhys Webb and Greig Laidlaw (Ireland, Wales and Scotland respectively)

At the moment, Ireland's CONOR MURRAY is hailed as the best Scrum Half out of the British and Irish Teams certainly, if not the Northern Hemisphere. RHYS WEBB is usually rated as next in skills to him.
SO IT WORKS LIKE A KIND OF "SKILLS PECKING ORDER"
The players would have had ample opportunity in training and on the field to prove otherwise.





Personally, I am gutted that my Little LEIGH HALFPENNY is on the bench and probably won't get a game on Saturday, even though he has 100% kicking success so far on this tour.

WHY? ....
Well, because although he's a phenomenal kicker and a great Full Back, he's probably NOT THE BEST Full Back.

Many think that LIAM WILLIAMS is a far more exciting, game changing player, and although he is usually put on the WING in the WALES Team, he plays FULL BACK for his CLUB (Scarlets until recently, in the Autumn he will play for the Saracens).
That being said, Liam can be a bit of a loose cannon, whereas Leigh is a steadying force.

If Scotland's STUART HOGG had not been injured out of the Tour, I am pretty sure he would have taken the number 15 shirt! What a fantastic Full Back he is.

When you have the likes of OWEN FARRELL and JOHNNY SEXTON in the squad, who are also fantastic kickers, not to mention DAN BIGGAR and GREIG LAIDLAW, the Lions' "Powers That Be" may have decided to risk not having The Halfpenny Boot in favour of more potential Try Scorers.


My OH is Northern Irish, and like many Northern Irish, he just loves to slate the English .... EVEN THOUGH HE SUPPORTS MAN U AND ENGLAND IN THE FOOTY! :-S (I tell him he's a big hypocrite!):-D
But like I told him, I don't believe in numbers filling......... If 15 England players were the proven best men for the job, then so be it!;-)


But it's always lovely to have a mix of nationalities playing together and it's up to each and every one to up their game. Scotland are definitely on the UP and I would really like to see the endearing FINN RUSSELL get a game! :-) and Greig too! :-)

The Lions Team- Welshmen, English and Irish. NO SCOTSMEN.

And here's the news that all Lions Fans have been waiting for ...........

............. THE LIONS TEAM TO FACE THE ALL BLACKS ON SATURDAY!



THE LIONS

CAPTAIN: PETER O'MAHONY (Ireland)

Backs:
15. Liam Williams
14. Anthony Watson
13. Jonathan Davies
12. Ben Te'o
11. Elliot Daly
10. Owen Farrell
9. Conor Murray

Forwards:
1. Mako Vunipola
2. Jamie George
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Alun-Wyn Jones
5. George Kruis
6. Peter O'Mahony (Captain)
7. Sean O'Brien
8. Taulupe Faletau

Replacements:
16. Ken Owens, 17. Jack McGrath, 18. Kyle Sinckler, 19. Maro Itoje, 20. Sam Warburton, 21. Rhys Webb, 22. Johnny Sexton, 23. Leigh Halfpenny




FIRST TEST GAME:
This Saturday June 24 .... Kick off 8.35am (UK Time) as usual


NEW ZEALAND ALL BLACKS v BRITISH & IRISH LIONS ....... Kick Off 8.35am (UK)


LIVE TV ~ SKY SPORTS 1
Live Radio: TalkSPORT (Live Online Radio)
http://talksport.com/radioplayer/live/


................AND RADIO JEM ;-) :-D :-D :-D




We've had most of the "Friendlies" .... now's the time for THE SERIOUS STUFF! ;-)

Join Jem and The Gang to cheer on the team of your choice .... but please leave your handbags at home! ;-) :-D :-D :-D :-D

NEW ZEALAND TEAM TO FACE THE LIONS ON SATURDAY IS ANNOUNCED

Here they are ......

THE ALL BLACKS!

CAPTAIN: KIERAN READ

Backs:
15. Ben Smith
14. Israel Dagg
13. Ryan Crotty
12. Sonny Bill Williams
11. Rieko Ioane
10. Beauden Barrett
9. Aaron Smith

Forwards:
1. Joe Moody
2. Codie Taylor
3. Owen Franks
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Sam Cane
8. Keiran Read (Captain)

Replacements:
16. Nathan Harris, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Charlie Faumuina, 19. Scott Barrett, 20. Ardie Savea, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Aaron Cruden, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown




FIRST TEST GAME:
This Saturday June 24 .... Kick off 8.35am (UK Time) as usual


NEW ZEALAND ALL BLACKS v BRITISH & IRISH LIONS ....... Kick Off 8.35am (UK)


LIVE TV ~ SKY SPORTS 1
Live Radio: TalkSPORT (Live Online Radio)
http://talksport.com/radioplayer/live/


................AND RADIO JEM ;-) :-D :-D :-D

CHIEFS v LIONS ..... IN PICTURES

Jack Nowell goes over for the Lions
http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/keepsafe/asset/details/52453276


Elliot Daly Tackled by Solomon Alaimalo
http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/keepsafe/asset/details/52453288


Jack Nowell Try for The Lions
http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/keepsafe/asset/details/52453322


Dominic Bird Wins A Chiefs Line Out
http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/keepsafe/asset/details/52453345


Lions "Held Up" leading to Penalty Try!
http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/keepsafe/asset/details/52453360


Jack Nowell Does It Again!
http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/keepsafe/asset/details/52453400


Jared Payne ~ 4th Lions Try!
http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/keepsafe/asset/details/52453419


Liam Williams v The Chiefs!
http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/keepsafe/asset/details/52453428


FINAL SCORE:

CHIEFS 6 ~ BRITISH & IRISH LIONS 34

Hope you manage to keep cool / coolish Kandj, Have a good day <3

Game finished and the Lions have WON....... ROARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Chiefs 6 and Lions 34....... a brilliant performance. WELL DONE LIONS.

Congratulations to Lions team and fans. The boys did good!!
Commiserations to the NZ Chiefs...... I think we were too good for them???

Thanks as always to Radio Jem for a wonderful commentary. Thanks also to
Cyprus Pat and to Magic Wales Shaun.... I enjoyed our usual good humour.

Off now to make another cuppa. Have a lovely day all who look in to this thread.

Thank You once again to my lovely Friends who love the Rugby like I do -
Pat <3 Kandj <3 Shaun <3


IT'S THE TEST GAME NEXT SATURDAY EVERYONE

IT'S THE ALL BLACKS TIME :-D :-D :-D <3

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS :-) :-) <3

SKY COMMENTATOR's "STAR MAN" .... LION COURTNEY LAWES (England)

Commiserations to The Chiefs :-)
AND TO OUR NEW ZEALAND FRIEND .... SUSAN NZ :-)

RRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRR

They’re gonna put us to the test
We’ve really got to play our best
Not gonna play quietly,
Not gonna play “politely”
We really haven’t got much choice
Must push ourselves to breaking point
We’ll stand for nothing
We’ll try out everything

They hold us down, but we get up (hey!)
Already brushing off the dust
They hear our voice, they hear that sound
Like Thunder, gonna shake their ground
They hold us down, but we'll get up
Get ready cos we’ve had enough
We see it all, we see it now .....

We’ve got the might of a lion, a fighter,
Dancing through the fire
CAUSE WE ARE THE LIONS .....
.....AND YOU’RE GONNA HEAR US ROAR
Louder, Louder than 1 lion
CAUSE WE ARE THE LIONS....
.....AND YOU’RE GONNA HEAR US ROAR !

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh


RRRROOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRR ;-) ;-) :-D :-D :-D :-D

Hooter has gone but ball still in play.

Last play and Blacks are trying to make a last flourish

Messam .... blocked by Marler

Laidlaw tackles his counterpart

Dan Cole turns over

LIAM WILLIAMS KICKS THE BALL OUT

IT'S ALL OVER


FINAL SCORE:

CHIEFS 6 ~ BRITISH & IRISH LIONS 34

RRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRR

DUMMY FROM BLACK ...... TRYING TO MAKE GOOD GROUND ..... AND SUCCEEDING

BUT AGAIN TURN OVER BALL

Biggar

oooo noooo back with Chiefs

PEN LIONS


OOOOO 19 BLACK -LIAM MESSAM - ATTACKING A LION... DAN COLE!:-0 :-0 :-0



CLOCK GOES RED

Chiefs 6 and Lions 34 with just 1 min left to play.

COME ON LIONS........... hang on in there!!!!!!!!!!!!