Finally, the British and Irish Lions have named their team for the game on Saturday against the Boks in Durban and there are a few surprises! The biggest shock is the omission of IRB Player of the Year Shane Williams. The Irish winger does not even make the match day 22. Instead the Lions have opted for Ugo Monye and Tommy Bowe on the wings. Monye in my opinion is not a bad winger at all and based on current form he is better than Williams. But I believe that Williams just has that x-factor that could unlock the Boks…just ask Brian Habana.
Head Coach Ian McGeechan has also decided to go with Alun-Wyn Jones to partner captain Paul O’Connell in the locks when many had expected Donncha O’Callaghan to partner O’Connell. I am also a bit surprised about the choice of flyhalf. The Lions have opted to start with Stephen Jones and left Ronan O’Gara on the bench. There is also no place for Andrew Sheridan in the front row so John Smit will not have as tough a time.
I am a tad disappointed with this Lions team as I do not think they are the right XV to beat the Boks but nonetheless lets see what happens.
The Lions team in full is: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O’Driscoll, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 David Wallace, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Paul O’Connell (capt), 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 3 Phil Vickery, 2 Lee Mears, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Adam Jones, 18 Donncha O’Callaghan, 19 Martyn Williams, 20 Harry Ellis, 21 Ronan O’Gara, 22 Rob Kearney.
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9 comments
Pieter says:
Jun 18, 2009
If the Lions ever thought they were going to win a single game before this tour then they can actually forget about it now based on this team they have named.
Instead of the Boks winning by 25 points, i think it will be a good 40 odd now. How can u leave out Williams and sheridan???? Go Bokke!!!!
BP says:
Jun 18, 2009
i agree with leaving out shane williams is a mistake, he wouldve added that spark
i think martyn williams shouldve started coz brussouw will be a threat at the breakdown
dont enjoy stephen jones as he’s so one dimensional, but his accuracy for poles is undeniably one of the best in the world, and mac-g knows that it’ll come down to conversion/penalties and the boks are short a reliable kicker with the lack of game time for both ruan and f.steyn (obviously m.steyn is the solution but he’s on the bench so cant do much from there)
Manny says:
Jun 18, 2009
Have to agree with the general sentiment of this forum. The Lions may have picked the wrong team. Im dissapointed that Sheridan hasn’t been picked to put pressure on Smit, and I would’ve gone with Williams at openside given that Broussouw is starting for the Boks. Williams isn’t versatile enough to be on the bench so I can understand why he is not in the match day 22. Bowe has been in scintillating form and desrves to start, and Monye has impressed me so far, safe under the high ball, decent boot, and bags of pace. Williams wouldve been picked on name not on form so fair call by The Geech.
Jones is a better goal-kciker than O’Gara so BP raises a valid point about his inclusion, if it comes down to a kick you want Jones to be taking it.
Lions may not be composed of the XV I expected but they’re still good enough to win the first test, albeit in a close encounter.
BP says:
Jun 18, 2009
i think the injury to james hook swung the fly half decision, if he wasnt injured they have started with o gara and then have hook to come on and kick in the last 20-30mins…
monye is ace, built like a brickhouse too…
only problem with vickery is the penalties he gives away, but i guess when you playing russian roullette with your kickers in ruan and f.steyn, its not too bad for the lions
still be a close one as manny says
Guru says:
Jun 18, 2009
What a let down!!!! No Shane Williams, No Martyn Williams and No Donncha O’Callaghan, No Ronan O’Gara in the starting XV. Ah well, the boks will just have to face whoever is placed in their path. This is not the best Lions side available and given that the boks are still rusty and with limited match fitness this test is what the Lions needed to ensure they win. A loss in the 1st test will spell disaster for them. Shane Williams may not be in the best form but surely his experience would be invaluable.
I have to disagree with all who say Jones is a better option coz he has a better place kicking ratio. I actually do not think the goal kicking attempts will be as much for the Lions as they would have been if Schalk were playing. Heinrich plays a much more educated and smart fetching game and if you look at the Cheetahs game, he hardly gave penalties away. O’Gara on the other hand is a better kicker out of hand, plays the running game better and I feel his overall thinking game is sharper. I cannot agree with you here and given that Ruan has been out for a while, I am sure he would prefer facing Jones than O’Gara anyday.
This is the worst possible Lions combination that could have been picked, especially given the importance of either side winning the first test. From a Bok supporter’s perspective, I am glad coz this side is not the best available. From a neutral rugby lovers’ perspective, I am disappointed.
BP says:
Jun 18, 2009
the only thing jones is better at is place kciking, the rest of his game is pie compared to o gara, but unfortunately without hook and possibly the fact that mike philips is scrumhalf are probably the reasons why jones was chosen over o gara….think that a fit ruan would have circled him
sheridan wouldve been a better option
the only thing in the lions favour i feel is the lack of game time for the boks…otherwise i am having doubts about this test 22
BP says:
Jun 19, 2009
the more i think about it the more i am concerned that PDV shouldve started with the bulls pairing of fourie and morne, think that cuold be key against the pairing of philips and jones, anyways….time will tell
Fraz says:
Jun 22, 2009
So let me see…..Ruan was a terrible let down and weakness for the team!!! oh no he wasn’t was he…in fact if not for one of the other weaknesses he would have been man of the match?!!?!? Shit that worries me for the next few tests….
2nd weakness John smit…..shit he struggled as did the rest of the front row against the mighty men from north…..oh no shit he didn’t did he?? was the beast man of the match and did the front row absolutely destroy the lions???!?! surely not!!!
3rd weakness Steyn at the back…..ya he was surely terrible mistakes everywhere and all….. oh shit that didn’t happen either!!!!
My my my lads so all of the weaknesses in the bokke were actually their major strengths!!!!! I REALLY REALLY HATE SAYING I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
So please never again doubt talent because you will only have to eat humble pie!!
Yes PdV made some mistakes with subs etc but that is a whole new story……I just love that all the so called “weakness” in the BOKKE turned around a klupped the lions properly!!!
BP says:
Jun 22, 2009
kudos to ruan and smit for proving myself and others wrong. i still think frans steyn was terrible, dropping the high ball and making some stupid decisions, i still wouldve chosen kirchner.
the bok forwards dominated the loose play in the first half, leading to smits try as well. he was solid in the scrums where i thought he’d faulter, but he did his job. while enjoy the beast, i felt that he was allowed to get away with murder in the scrums and that was neutralised when jones came on and didnt allow him to bore in. im sure this issue will be contested bitterly by a lot of people tho
i think the boks were aragont to make all the subs so early into the 2nd half, many believe this to be the reason for the lions coming back into the game. but i think they were just able to hold onto more possession and do somethin with it
the boks defence is usually great but they let through 3 tries, the lions centres absolutely drilled the boks in this area. Jdv can improve and adi let him down terribly.
brussow was immense as always and will be a bright star for them if Pdv and co give him the chance
the lions showed they can play rugby and with mcgeech they’ll be interesting for the next test…