Team for Southern Kings

[Leinsterman]

Jeez what was the basis for being picked for this team? Looks like a very random selection to me!

If S.A. get another Super 14 spot, i.e. if it expands further - they would like a team based in Port Elizabeth. The Souther Kings consists of a few guys from that area but to be fair, the team is an utter shambles.

[Scott]

Does anyone know of a link where the previous tour matches can be viewed?

best i know of is the8/10 min highlights you can get on Rugbydump.com. TBH even 10mins is to much. The games have been muck & very hard to watch/get into

[len]

Does anyone know of a link where the previous tour matches can be viewed?

best i know of is the8/10 min highlights you can get on Rugbydump.com. TBH even 10mins is to much. The games have been muck & very hard to watch/get into

Diwana.org has the first 4 tour matches available to download - in HD as well.

[true blue 06]

i laughed when i heard DOC was captain... the lad is a messer!
mike blair is the only obvious other candidate but maybe someone like simon shaw. about time darce gets a run

[bootlace]

Congratulation to DOC,the third Irishman to captain the Lions this tour , and in fairness he has played well ,his lineout work has been really good,think he will have a blinder.

[downsouthdukin]

Congratulation to DOC,the third Irishman to captain the Lions this tour , and in fairness he has played well ,his lineout work has been really good,think he will have a blinder.

funny how the brits have been mentioning everyone else as a partner/replacement for POC other then DOC. think he can get himself on the bench for the first test with a good performance tomorrow

[suisse]

Jeez what was the basis for being picked for this team? Looks like a very random selection to me!

If S.A. get another Super 14 spot, i.e. if it expands further - they would like a team based in Port Elizabeth. The Souther Kings consists of a few guys from that area but to be fair, the team is an utter shambles.

Well, that's the thing - the S14 South African franchise will base themselves in Port Elizabeth, and, I think, East London. I believe they will be called the Southern Spears, so perhaps that's what this team should have been called. However, this team is almost like a South African Barbarians selection, and there seems little point in selecting most of these guys. Anyone familiar with the S14 over the past few years will recognise most of the guys, then throw in a few journeymen like Marco Wentzel. This has the potential to be a very sticky game for the Lions though. Whereas the Kings XV in Rustenburg were all journeymen pros hacking about in the lower levels of the Currie Cup, this team, and subs, has a smattering of former Boks and reasonably talent players. Tyibilika is ridiculously strong, and there is some positive points in the back line. You'd imagine the likes of JVDW and Human will have serious points to prove.

Also, I think the best hooker in the country, whether he be Irish, English, Scottish, Welsh or South African is playing in that position for this line up tomorrow, Derick Kuun. Anyone read the interview with Bismarck du Plessis in the ST? They singled him out as being one of the greatest Springboks ever by the time he retires. Kuun is a quality hooker too though. Reminds me a lot of Jerry Flannery

[ronk]

British & Irish Lions vs Southern Kings

15. Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland)
14. Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales)
13. Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England)
12. Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster/Ireland)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster/Ireland)
10. James Hook (Ospreys/Wales)
9. Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland)

8. Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
7. Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England)
6. Nathan Hines (Perpignan/Scotland)
5. Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster/Ireland) captain
4. Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England)
3. Euan Murray (Northampton/Scotland)
2. Ross Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland)
1. Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks/England)

Replacements

16. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)
17. Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
18. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England)
19. David Wallace (Munster/Ireland)
20. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England)
21. Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Ireland)
22. Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England

Looks very much like a (provisionally) 2nd string team. Not looking good for Luke. There's a very unusual shape to this squad, a few players may be find their versatility makes the difference in making the test side. Hines starting at 6 with Croft wearing 18.

Also interesting to see Flutey get a run at 13. But I suppose with Kearney injured, it made sense to put Earls 15.

[hugonaut]

I disagree that it looks poor for Luke – I'm of the opinion that he's giving him a second game at 11 to get another look at him. Playing 2 games in 5 days is definitely not impossible for a chap that's as young as Fitz, and winger is probably the least physically demanding position to play in terms of games in close succession.

Not saying that it's easy, but it doesn't have the same amount nor degree of collisions as the pack, and it certainly isn't as aerobically draining as the second row or backrow. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he has another good game and will get the call for the first test match.

[Dublinner]

I think DOC has done very well on tour. No silly stuff just getting on with the game and playing very well. The captaincy might actually be good for him. Fair Play

[Darce]

Williams out, Monye in, Bowe on the bench

[Broken Wing]

Delighted for DO'C. Captaining the Lions is a huge honour and I hope he makes the most of it.

[ceemec]

Congratulation to DOC,the third Irishman to captain the Lions this tour , and in fairness he has played well ,his lineout work has been really good,think he will have a blinder.

funny how the brits have been mentioning everyone else as a partner/replacement for POC other then DOC. think he can get himself on the bench for the first test with a good performance tomorrow

Similar to last tour I wouldn't bet against DOC making test appearances before the tour is out. Thought he was very good at weekend. Certainly as good as anything I've seen from other contenders so far.

[Donny B.]

Williams out, Monye in, Bowe on the bench

So potentially all of the test wingers are involved in today's match? Perhaps they should have gotten a replacement in for Halfpenny after all. (Hook wasn't a replacement he was an extra out-half).

While I appreciate they wanted a small, tight squad, I feel they should have gotten in proper replacements in time for Halfpenny and Ferris. Armitage and Strokosch should be starting today's match and next Tuesdays too.

[CiaranIrl]

Yeah, it is a worry to have Monye and Fitz both playing when one of them will be playing on Saturday.

[ratpack]

I believe they will be called the Southern Spears

Originally that was the name for the franchise but they've since changed it to Kings.

http://www.planetrugby.com/lions-09/sto ... 21,00.html

The preliminary squad for this match was quite strong. Featured players like Neil de Kock and Brent Russell.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 98,00.html

[Xanthippe]

Williams out, Monye in, Bowe on the bench

Now amended to: Monye in, Williams on the bench, Bowe out

[Isaac4leinster]

Congratulation to DOC,the third Irishman to captain the Lions this tour , and in fairness he has played well ,his lineout work has been really good,think he will have a blinder.

funny how the brits have been mentioning everyone else as a partner/replacement for POC other then DOC. think he can get himself on the bench for the first test with a good performance tomorrow

Similar to last tour I wouldn't bet against DOC making test appearances before the tour is out. Thought he was very good at weekend. Certainly as good as anything I've seen from other contenders so far.

Not an anti Munster thing but have felt DOC has looked really mediocre all tour. What's Ian Gough doing this weather? Is he injured. At least he would have added a bit of beef.

[BlueArmyOriginal]

Murray and Hook gone already, this match could prove very costly.

[sarah_lennon]

How bad is that?

Earls about the best player on the park, a few good breaks but the final ball lets him down.

Blair should be sent home on the next plane!!

Hook - taken off as a precaution. My eye - he doesn't know the day of the week!