Should Gavin Henson be in?
 

Well has Woody made a mistake by leaving Gavin Henson out of the squad for the first test? I'm not a Welsh fan, but he does provide a lot of options, particularly with the long range penalties. Is Jonny really match fit at the moment, or is Woody just opting for something tried and tested, which went off the rails since the World Cup?

Lions team for saturday

15-Jason Robinson; 14-Josh Lewsey, 13-Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12-Jonny Wilkinson, 11-Gareth Thomas; 10-Stephen Jones, 9-Dwayne Peel; 8-Martin Corry, 7-Neil Back, 6-Richard Hill, 5-Ben Kay, 4-Paul O'Connell, 3-Julian White, 2-Shane Byrne, 1-Gethin Jenkins

As much as it pains me, I think Henson should start, Wilko on the bench. We'll see if he's made the right choice.

Mind you, I do like the back row :D

I think Wilko should start, look at the game he had against the Argies - he's a safe bet.

Henson is a good player and should probably have a run at 12. The only player I'd like to see at 12 more, but hasn't got the form at the moment is D'Arcy. His combination with O'Driscoll at 13 is a potential match winner.

Who?

Surprised he would look to play JW at inside centre. As much as it also pains me to say it that metrosexual Henson should start ahead of him at that position. He's a much harder hitter and does not have a string of injuries behind him at the moment.

Can't beleive that Henson is not on the bench at the very least. As Peel and Jones are playing, you would have thought that the synergy of having Henson at 12 would have been worth something. Bit of a gamble with Wilkinson, I hope it pays off.

...and another thing, should Lewsey be at fullback and Robinson on the wing?

I thinks he's the daft git usually found hanging out the back of Charlotte Church JPM .....

I'd heard that about you!!

Cheers!

I would definitely have Lewsey on the wing and Robinson at fullback, Robinson needs the freedom to inject himself into the backline in any position.

I agree that Henson should be on the bench, and I think it's a huge gambe playing Wilkinson at 12 and not 10, he's not a 12. Henson is a much better 12 and so is D'Arcy (the Irish 12 who was one half of the best midfield pairing in the 6 nations).

The All Blacks are in form and I think that a pairing without experience playing together will find it more difficult to come up against the AB's.

If I was a betting man, I'd have money on the All Blacks.

As much as I hate to say it...I can see the AB's trouncing us on Sat...

I was watching re-runs of the Lions tour of Australia last night and that was a great team...oooozed quality...no real weak links..and they were still beat in the test series overall.

This lions team this year appears to have too many weak links for me...to many players not on form but being picked for their reputation...to many players playing out of position because they have no-one better to play there...and just a general overall lack of quality through the side.

Thats fine against the provincial sides...but against the AB's whose strike power is truely a class above at the moment...the Lions will need to keep things very very tight in order to stay in the game.

I'm off down the bookies!!

He spent three days last week doing exactly that, instead of concentrating on therugby.

You know what Woody is like, hence he didn't get picked!

Surprised he has anytime to be available what with all of his work with the muppets? ;)

If I wasn't going to Italy tonight, I would be banning you from this site :P

Cheeky git :lol:

:lol:

Whats a Gavin Henson when its at home!:(

There's always a player who relishes the Lions tour and steps up their game - Henson could be the man, I think he's playing well and in the right frame of mind, which others are not. I'd have him on the bench and bring him on for Wilko in the second half. Wilko is not on form and not tackling well, which the AB's will exploit big time with the back row playing in the centre in open play. AB's will will easily.

WeeJohnyB

I agree. Henson's a big hitter, which is what we want for the AB's, and he gives kicking options too (from hand as well as penalties/conversions).

Just smacks of "had to find a place for JW somewhere".

Glad to see Byrne in.

Who *is* on the bench for when Johnny limps off?:P

Whatever happened to that old-fashioned idea of playing a full-back at full-back?

But what happens if we win the series and Byrne is the player of the tournament? You won't be able to move for "look-a-like" mullets. is it worth the risk?

New Zealand: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Tana Umaga (captain), 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Justin Marshall, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Derren Witcombe, 17 Greg Somerville, 18 Jono Gibbes, 19 Sione Lauaki, 20 Byron Kelleher, 21 Rico Gear, 22 Mils Muliaina.

I can't believe Henry's gone for Marshall over Kelleher! Gear doesn't start! Muliaina was their form player last year and he's on the bench ... and Rokocoko doesn't even make the squad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think that emphasises the depth they have - I wish we had that in Oz, especially in the forwards which we never seem to have many of.

All Blacks by 10

Tony Woodcock - he must be getting on a bit, I thought he just retired rom football not switched to rugby:lol:

On of the sickest guys must be Shanklin who is playing well and didn't make the squad.

Also noted that Dawson is on the subs bench and not Cusiter who is playing far better.

What happened to Carlos Spencer? Is he not in the frame these days?

Nup - he's out of the frame. He's brilliant when he's on, no better flyhalf to watch, but when he's not he has his problems, especially defensively.

The good news is, he's coming to the Premiership but I don't know which club. Should be good :D

King Carlos is coming to Northampton ...now halfbacks Sharky Robinson and spencer..........linking up with Reihana..OOOH, lets hope we can give them the ball!:(

Will you still have Cohen? Who have you guys got in the midfield?

Wilkinson is not only a true professional,but has also proved himself to be genuinely world class.I would have him as an automatic choice in any team,regardless of position.Anyway,did he not begin his career playing rugby at inside centre?
COME ON YOU LIONS :sing:

Certainly can't dispute that Wilkinson is world class, just not sure that he's the best in the sqaud at inside centre. On the other hand, the threat of his goal kicking should dissuede the All Blacks from conceding too many penalties in their own half. Although, if that's a powerful argument, Henson at Inside Centre and Wilkinson at Fly Half would be a really potent kicking combination.

...and another thing...I love the New Zealand press; as soon as we start competing at the breakdown, we are a bunch of cynical cheats. No doubt that it, the All Blacks are, and almost always have been, an awesome team, but they are masters of pushing the rules to the absolute limit (building up to a Saturday afternoon excuse here!) Ooooh the hypocrisy of it !! :flame: