Official Unofficial Lions Blog

Boka Team Second test

2009-06-24T16:21:00.007+01:00

Boks one change- Burger in!

Also Hines the Scot band for 3 weeks.

Lions Vs Emerging Boks

2009-06-24T16:06:00.003+01:00

As I sat in the stands of a wet, wet Cape Towns Newlands looking at a game being played in the middle of the park with the stadium built with apatite in place I still could not help but think wow I what a great game and that true I found the hole time I been here there is some thing special about the Lions.

Well today's game the wet and wind stop them being to special but our front row played well, second row. I can be bothered to have ago at Worsley and Powell again but they where rubbish. Ellis was not at his best but still played well. Fluty had his best game of Tour and his D was smashing! Shane look good I don't no if it was good to tack the test spot as Monye came on and look good. Earls has had a bit of a bashing from this blog but I must say he played well. Same for Fitzie as normal he was OK.

O'Gara came off after 45 which makes me think he could be in a shout of a test spot. Vickery came on from Boos from one part of the stands, which made me angry but he put his critics to rest with a excellent 14 minuets.

So with all this what went wrong. First the brake down was slow and second we where slow in the rain.

First Test-What I think

2009-06-22T21:25:00.004+01:00

We can blame the Ref, we can blame Vickery, we can blame Jones and we can blame Myne but at then end of the day we lost, and it relay dose not matter how we lost or what we could of dune just that those things don't happen next week.
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I do remember people tell me that this is not like 1997 as our pack are much more match, boy they where wrong. Vickery I can say had the worse game of his life after beest destroyed him. After the first couple of scrum Vickery mind blow and never came back. Mears had a shakie game but I would not say it was a shocker and still see him starting the next test even after Rees played well when came on. Jenkins was the out standing player of the front row.
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Second Row all three had good games, Jones Reilly could of put his hand up for the way he played the first half. Our back row played well. Wolles was all over and his ball caring was topnotch. Hislip had a quite game we rill needed him to stand up but you can not say he had a bad game just good. Croft the man who was left at home who is fighting for a plays in the England team and his club think he not good to play on the flank, was the best player for the Lions.
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Phillips was on fire he showed the pride of the Lions when we where down he stood up and put in the exsta pace which lacked in the first half. Jones had a good game in open play and in the D but did not kick all his goles will Geech drop him because of the kicks when he others so much?
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Robertes and BOD where great again amazing rugby in the mid field. Before he was taken off for a knock Burn had a OK game not a good game but was ok. He did not make mistakes but did not do any thing mouth dropping as we might hope. Moyne played well, yes he had to disallowed trys but he did pass the line. Bows lines are great.
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Attack was good, our D was good but we gave to many penalties and our scum was week.

My Pick of Lions Test Team

2009-06-17T09:29:00.003+01:00

Today we will here from Geech on his team to take on the Bok this Saturday in the First test. I am going to go on record and put down the team I think he will pick, not nesery the team I would pick but the team he will.

My Lions Team:
Lee Byrne,Tommy Bowe,Brian O'Driscoll Jamie Roberts,Ugo Monye, Stephen Jones,M Phillips,G Jenkins, L Mears,P Vickery, A-W Jones , Paul O'Connell, T Croft, Martyn Williams, Jamie Heaslip.
Subs: Matthew Rees, Adam Jones,Nathan Hines,D Wallace, H Ellis,Ronan O'Gara, Riki Flutey.

I pick Wallace on the bench because Williams has to start and if he played 6 then AW Jones could not start as then we will not have a jumper at one. No Sheridan because I think Jenkins has been out standing in the open and we need a sub on the bench who can come on for Vickery as there no Murry Jones is that man. Shane Williams has not been on form.

Lions Vs Southern Kings -What I Think

2009-06-16T18:40:00.005+01:00

I think you will find I said "This could go wrong for the Lions". Well I was kind of right it was a crap game. The first half I felt like I prefer to watch paint dry. There where no death in attack and the pace of the game was slow, was this because no one wonted to be over dune for the test? People like Monye and Fitz had slow game but Monye probably has got that test shirt now. Earls was better he look good running before he bugged up, so at least he is doing some right before he messes up. I can not help if any of the other players who where playing fallback we would be tow more trys up.
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The boys in the Mid filed where boring and flat. Hook got a bad knock and O'Gara came on and played OK. I don't know why but he seems to be playing in a different style and I would like to see him play like he dues for Ireland and Munster even it boring he is danders instead of trying to be Cipiarni.
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Worsley and Powell the Barbarian did what they do and hang out in the mid Field and Waite for the ball. Hines had a great game he got stuck in and was keen infarct the other second rows Shaw D O'Callaghan also played well but at times you could tell we had three second row on the pitch. Could this mean that Hines will be on the test bench as a back row cover and second row?
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Our Front three today where great Murray came of early and I just hope he is OK. Sheridan R Ford and Jones; who came on for Murry. Where great I think Geech will be asking him self do I do for the power of Sheridan or do you go for the open play of Jenkins?
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The D was good again I think Edwards is doing a outstanding job. So could be said for the kicking. I don't know if they went slow and uncreative because they are tired or that they are just saving them self. I hope the latter. I think I can say it again but Job Done!

6 Bok down 4 to go. It the big 4 next come on BOYOS!!!

Springbok team for The First Test

2009-06-16T17:18:00.012+01:00

The Boks have put out there team for the first game. It a bloody good team to say the least! If I was going to pick I will have to say they don't have much pace off the bench, that me trying to find a weakness. I think with this team they will be hard running in midfield and looking for quick ball and drag defenders in and force the penaltys. They wont be eclectic just brutal and if they win it, its because of 80 minuets of fall on power and the kicks will win it.

Springboks 2009 first test Durban 20Th June:

3 John Smit (c), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira

5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha,

8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Heinrich Brussow,

10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Fourie du Preez,

12 Jean de Villiers,13 Adi Jacobs,

15 Frans Steyn, 14 JP Pietersen,11 Bryan Habana

Subs:16 Deon Carstens, 17 Gurthro Steenkamp, 18 Andries Bekker, 19 Danie Rossouw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Morne Steyn, 22 Jaque Fourie.

Lions Vs Southern Kings -Preview

2009-06-15T13:53:00.006+01:00

I done a write up on the Southern Kings Squid as there was a wee bit of gossip that Mike Catt was going to play for them. You can read it here. There have a good pool of players to pick from the pick being: Former Boks, De Wet Barry, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Solly Tyibilika and Bevin Fortuin . Springbok Sevens captain Mzwandile Stick and team mates from South Africa first IRB World Sevens Championship also join: Rayno Benjamin and Mpho Mbiyozo. Other Champions in the team are Derick Kuün, Jaco Engels and Francois Hougaard, recently crowned Super 14 champions with the Bulls. The Southern King is not yet a 'Super' team but hope that a good game against the Lions it will help them in there bid to be in a Super 15.

The Lions have pick what I would say is a B team. The player here are fighting for a place on the test bench with S Williams Vs Fitzgerald, Flutey Vs D'Arcy, Hook Vs O'Gara,Ford Vs Rees,Murray Vs Jones and Hines,O'Callaghan, Shaw all fighting for the second row first bench spot.

This could go wrong for the Lions but as a lot of the players are fighting it could go right. Murry still got a shot of a staring place he just need a excellent game to stop Vickery. In case the back row gos wrong Geech has put a class acts on the bench Croft,Wallace who could still be fighting for test shirt.

Southern Kings have played less together than the Lions so it could be a tryfest for the Lions or a slip up. You never know, we might find out Young Earls is the best 15 in the world. The game being played at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday at 1400 UK&Paddy time.

Lions Team to take on the Southern Kings:

K Earls (Munster); S Williams (Wales), R Flutey (England), G D'Arcy (Ireland), L Fitzgerald (Ireland), J Hook (Wales), M Blair (Scotland); A Sheridan (England), R Ford (Scotland), E Murray (Scotland), S Shaw (England), D O'Callaghan (Ireland-capt), N Hines (Scotland), J Worsley (England), A Powell (Wales).

Subs: M Rees (Wales), A Jones (Wales), T Croft (England), D Wallace (Ireland), H Ellis (England), R O'Gara (Ireland), U Monye (England).

Powell the Barian playing throw the pain.

2009-06-15T13:43:00.004+01:00

It is true, I did not bring you a lie last week on here. Andy 'the barbarian' Powell has broken his hand. O'Driscoll confirmed it to the BBC he said "tiny little crush fracture" in his hand, but that there is no risk to the number eight. "It is simply a question of pain," O'Driscoll said. "He will be sore for a couple of weeks but when you get into a game situation, the adrenaline kicks in and it's fine." So I stick to what I said before for all the new gossip on the Lions come to Official Unofficial Lions Blog.

Lions Vs Western Province - What I Think

2009-06-15T12:55:00.006+01:00

Well that was a close one! I think it safe to say the Lions D under Edwards is up to scratch. This was always going to the Lions hardest pre-test game as WP do not have as many Boks and are a good well drilled team.
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Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Ugo Monye all had a good game I said before the match that Bow just needs a 'OK game to see him on the team sheet'. Well I am happy that we got more than that, he showed us why he is a test player. Monye I would say has put his hands in the test shirt unless Fiz has a cracker on Tuesday or Geech go for out of form Willams. Monye hinted to the BBC that he like to play with Bow as they play better together "He is a great winger and with Rob Kearney there as well it has been easy to slot in between the two of them. Our attacking combinations seem to be coming on, we have got a really good pattern and shape, and without the ball our defence has also been strong." As Monye said Kearny play great I would say it to late for him to push Burn out the test side before the first test but could see him on the bench and maybe used in the other tests.
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Mid field was OK, Keith Earls and Riki Flutey had a OK game Flutey was not outstanding; and that what he had to be to push BOD or Roberts out the teem but he played OK. Earls did not do anything which would make you hit your head on the table, so a good game from the young gun. A quite game from Jones but did enuth for him to stay on pole for the test 10. Ellis showed his class I think we see more of him on this tour, Phillips test 9- for the first test at least.
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Back Row, Joe Worsley and Andy Powell did get to the brake down a bit more but still standing in the middle of the park to much, look for the TV cameras. I can not help think if Powell just stuck his head down and drive on their mull he could help stop it, instead of playing pater-cake with them. If it was not for Martyn Williams we probably be a lot more slow ball with more turn overs as he had the game of his life. He got stuck in at the brake down. Good with ball in hand, so good I think he might be the back up 12! Williams is given Geech and Co a hell of a tuth call. Wallace or Williams I would be happy ether way and I would not like to put any cash down on which one they go for, both class players.
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The second row where OK I would not say they did much to push AW Jone off the test team sheet. Andrew Sheridan, Matthew Rees,Phil Vickery the big 3 at the front. Sheridan I would say had a OK game but he need to match Jenkins great game so I think he lost his test place. Vickery was good, as Captain and as a player I think he will be in Pole for the test shirt unless Murry has a cracker on Tuesday. Rees and Ford (off the bench) showed why Meirs will get the test 2 shirt, that is because Meirs is the only one who can throw the ball in strait!
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We scored trys, our D was good. Players put there hands up. But they did get a couple of drop goles and the odd penalty but I would think Geech and Co be happy as there no meager problems. Job Done.

5 Boks Down 5 to go!

A good game the test team has written it self. Half way let carry on boys!

Hello,Goodbye, Ryan Jones.......

2009-06-12T16:57:00.003+01:00

Ryan Jones, who fly into South Africa on Tuesday, is out due to a couple of knock to the head he pick up in N. America tour with Wales I hope you had a good couple of day out in the sun Ryan.

The Docs said "On the advice of the neurosurgeon, it was determined that it was not safe for Jones to undertake any physical contact for a mandatory three weeks." and Jones said "I am very disappointed that on medical grounds I have been told that I am not currently fit enough to play an active role on the tour. I was looking forward to getting involved with the rest of the lads but I guess it wasn't meant to be. It has been an up and down year for me in many ways. I feel okay at present but obviously I have to listen to the neurosurgeon's advice in terms of my health, and to ensure I make a full recovery."

So Hello, Goodbye....

Lions Vs Western Province -Preview

2009-06-12T12:39:00.003+01:00

The Lions will take on the Western Province which is basically the Stormers S14 team but with out there Boks and notably they be with out, that man, Schalk Burger. It be a strung team as they get ready for this years Curry Cup and as there may not have as many players in the Bok set up as they would like, they will be a lot of good players and will be the best team the Lions have come up against yet. They do have the odd player out with injury but they still be a well drilled team.

The Lions have pick a stung team. It might not be as stung as the team who ran out against the Sharks. A lot of the players will be looking to put there hands up for a test shirt and after today's game most of the team sheet would have written it self. Stephen Jones is probably the only player who name is already down on the team sheet with Tommy Bow just needing a average game to see him throw.

The backs should be a good fast running line up with Jones as the General and Flutty showing why he could still be a name to start a test, maybe not the first test but if Roberts get a knock or even worse has a bad game Fluty might be the man to step in. Young Earls should benefit greatly by playing with Jones and Flutty who will take him under there wing and make some nice holes to put him throw. Wings as I said Bow just needs a OK game to see him on the team sheet and Monye needs to show that he a wee bit calmer and if he get stuck in he will be putting him self in that other shirt. Kearney is unlucky he up against Burn as he a good player, he should be should under the ball. Ellis I hope to see him play like he did last week. He is in good shape to play a part in the test series.

Sheridan and Vickry need to put there hands up today. Sheridan needs to look danders and match Jenkins in the open and Vickry need to show some of that great form. Murry off the bench will get a go Tuesday I expect him and Vickry in the test team but I don't no which one will start. O'Callaghan, Hines with Shaw; off the bench, a good game from ether one, can pall that shirt off A-W Jones. Worsley and the perfectly, non broken hand of Powell need to stop mucking around in the open, looking for big hits and the ball to crush up and get there hands dirty and hit the brake downs. Williams will be looking to play him self on the bench and keep his name alive for the other tests.

D'Arcy on the bench I think he will be playing on Tuesday to give BOG a rest but will come on for Earls at some point. Croft on the bench as back up in case Worsley and Powell play like they did last time, Geech learned his lessen and put a some back up back row there. Hook will come on to save Jones for the tests.

I said this last Saturday but I think this team could slip up as they will be up against a good team it all down to if they can have that amazing D like Wednesday and if they can boss the brake down. If they do it be a good lions win if they don't boss the brake down and if they are loose in the D we could be looking at a slip up.

Lions Team to take on WP:
Rob Kearney (Ireland); Tommy Bowe (Ireland), Keith Earls (Munster), Riki Flutey (England), Ugo Monye (England); Stephen Jones (Wales), Harry Ellis (England); Andrew Sheridan (England), Matthew Rees (Wales), Phil Vickery (Captain-England), Donncha O'Callaghan (Ireland), Nathan Hines (Scotland), Joe Worsley (England), Martyn Williams (Wales), Andy Powell (Wales).
Subs: Ross Ford (Scotland), Euan Murray (Scotland), Simon Shaw (England), Tom Croft (England), Mike Blair (Scotland), James Hook (Wales), Gordon D'Arcy (Ireland).

Western Province Team:
Joe Pietersen; Tonderai Chavhanga, Morgan Newman, Peter Grant, Gcobani Bobo; Willem De Waal, Dewaldt Duvenage; Wicus Blaauw, Tiaan Liebenberg, Brok Harris, Martin Muller, Anton Van Zyl, Pieter Louw, Duane Vermeulen, Luke Watson (captain).
Subs: Hanyani Shimange, JD Moller, De Kock Steenkamp, Zandre Jordaan, Conrad Hoffmann, JJ Engelbrecht, Gio Aplon.

Lions Vs Sharks- What I Think

2009-06-11T18:01:00.005+01:00

It was a good win 3-39 but it fills like we just scrap throw a win. I don't know if I was so lost it the game to not see we put 40 point (give or take) on them but it shows that even a well drilled team with a soled D we can score good trys and come away with a convincing win.

OK for my round up I will start with this man ROG or Ronan O'Gara before the game he told keo.co.za "It’s frustrating to watch from the bench. Nobody wants to watch from the bench," he said. "I felt like an imbecile in that first match in Rustenburg. I certainly underestimated the effects of altitude. The mind was telling me one thing, but the body wouldn't get into position to do it. "The boys took it up a fair few notches at Ellis Park, and I asked myself why there was an efficiency in that game that there wasn’t when I played," So it seems he know that Geech and Co where giving him the test 9,12,13 to let him show he what he can do with them. Well they did score trys from the mid Field and he did control the mid field unlike Hook but something lack he just could not make it work like Jones. ROG did not play like he dues in the Ireland or Munster shirt he seem to be trying to play with a bit of flare. I be happy to say ROG will be second filled to Jones now.

As I said before Phillips has the test 9 shirt, BOD has the test 12 shirt and Roberts has the 13 Fluty seem good when he came on but time is up to form a good combo with BOD. The others I be happy to say in the backs who have pined there test shirt who played Wednesday is the best 15 in the world Lee 'The Sunbed' Byrne top stuff from him again. Fiz look good on the wing and I would say his test shirt is all on how Monye plays on Saturday. Williams will be lucky man to make it in.

Alun-Wyn Jones, Tom Croft, David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip all I would say played them self on a test team sheet they where key to the win with line-outs, quick ball at the brake downs and got there hands dirty. I will not use my blog to undermine Paul O'Connell as a captain but he seems to be finding the job a wee bit harder than being Munster Captain .

Before the game Stephen Jones said in his daily e-mail from the Lions tour that "Latest discussions in and around the Lions camp surround the identity of the loose-head for the forthcoming Test series. The argument is rather obvious in one sense. Do they go for the incredible power of Andrew Sheridan, the man who sent the Lions scrum rocketing forward against the Cheetahs last Saturday?Or do they go for Gethin Jenkins, whose defence in the middle of the field against the Golden Lions was so remarkable? The point is that Jenkins is nothing like as powerful a scrummager at Sheridan. He is not a bad scrummager, just not a ferocious one.On the other hand, Sheridan is not nearly as active in the loose play as is Jenkins - although the ability of Sheridan to carry along the hard yards is significant." Well I think the debate on this one is still open Jenkins played well and his D was out of this world. He did give away the odd penalty but the South African ref seemed to give it to the Sharks even when the Sharks chap was not binding on and drooping his shoulder, I say no more. Lets just see how Sheridan plays on the weekend. Adam Jones played well but Vickry has been playing well and so has Murry. Mears as the only Hooker who can throw straight has got the test shirt but he has been playing well in the scrum and on the field.

4 boks down 6 to go!

Lets see how Jones, Ellis, Sheridan, Murray,Bow,D'Arcy, Fluty,Monye get on come boy let keep it going.

Gossip just in..

2009-06-10T15:59:00.005+01:00

Gossip just in it seems Andy 'the powerhouse' Powell has suffered two broken bones in his right hand! He would they call up to replace this one, Nick Easter?! or Taylor?

Keep an Eye on Official Unofficial Lions Blog for UpDates!

Hat Tip www.walesonline.co.uk

Update: Thanks WalesonLine there nothing wrong with Powell!

Good bye, since you have to go, go now....

2009-06-10T13:08:00.007+01:00

You, like I, would of woken to the news that 1/2 P is out. This makes me ask the question why did they bring him out in the first place if he was not 100%? I can only think they bought out the lady's man because Geech is finding it hard to find a starting wing to go with Tommy Bow for the tests. If Fitz plays well tonight he could be on pole but I think the wild card wing chose for Geech and Co will be Monye, let see how he plays on Saturday.

But it sad news to see any one leave a Lions tour Halfpenny is great talent and with any luck we will see him on many of a Lions tour to come. Lenny the Lion is now back in the slippery hands of the young gun Earls.

Here a song which I have here for the young wing Leigh Halfpenny.

Just for the record when I say young gun or young player I am only a year and 3 mouth older than Halfpenny and 20 days old than Earls.

Ferris OUT Jones IN

2009-06-09T18:58:00.004+01:00

Stephen Ferris was ruled out for up to six weeks with a grade two tear in his medial collateral ligament in his right knee he pick up in training. Ferris one of the Lions best hopes in the Back row will be a blow for Geech and the boys. Wales Captain fanatic, Ryan Jones has been call up. We need to see some of that form form 2008 and see if he can repeat what he did in 2005 when he came in for Dealleo.

I beat the BBC,SKY and the pappers with this one!

Cat will not play the Lions...

2009-06-09T12:27:00.002+01:00

It seems that Mike Cat and Brent Russell will not be playing the Lions on June 16Th. The Southern kings have announced a 27-man squad which is made up of a collation of ex-Boks and 7's stars.

Former Boks, De Wet Barry, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Solly Tyibilika and Bevin Fortuin come into the Southern Kings squad. Springbok Sevens captain Mzwandile Stick and team mates from South Africa first IRB World Sevens Championship also join: Rayno Benjamin and Mpho Mbiyozo. Other Champions in the team are Derick Kuün, Jaco Engels and Francois Hougaard, recently crowned Super 14 champions with the Bulls.

The Southern Kings play the Lions at the newly named Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. They are looking to play in a Super 15 in the near future.

Southern Kings Squad to play Lions:
De Wet Barry, Rayno Benjamin, Kevin Buys, Michael Coetzee, Jaco Engels, Bevin Fortuin, Josh Fowles, Henry Grimes, Francois Hougaard, Wylie Human, Sivuyile Kobokana, Derick Kuün, Tiger Mangweni, Mpho Mbiyozo, Darron Nel, Lungile Payi, Ross Skeate, Mzwandile Stick, Heinrich Stride, Solly Tyibilika, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Michael Vermaak, Ruan Vermeulen, Elgar Watts, Frikkie Welsh, Marco Wentzel, Simon Westraadt

Lions Vs Sharks-Preview

2009-06-08T13:54:00.008+01:00

This team looks good. I will not go as far as to say this is the test team but a lot of the player will be playing in the tests. I said this because there are a lot of players who, on past form, would be in a test team but need to prove them self. Geech must of read my blog and has listened to me and given S.Willams a run out to see if he can play into some form. Fiz gets a run out on the wing could he be Bows wing partner when test time comes? As always Bryne, sound. O'Drucoll and Roberts are building a good partnership, I hope if all gos to plan Geech puts on Flutey to see what him and BOD can do. O'Gara need to step up if he dose not wont to be found on the bench for the tests behind Jones. Phillips, sound.

In the front row Jenkins and Jones need to show why they should start instead of the other props and with luck they make life hard for the selectors, as all the props on tour are looking good. Mears, Sound. O'Connell and AW Jones ,could this be the test second row? Jones need to play like he did last time and if he dose he will have that test shirt. This back row of Heaslip, Wallace and Mr Croft this is the drees dress rehearsal for the test for them. They need to start playing together as our back row. As this will be the key to winning out here, this is the best back three from the British Isles. Vickery and Shaw coming off the bench are two tun impact subs. If 1/2P comes he will need to put his hand up. All the subs have something to prove when they get on as the beanch seems to be the test beanch and no one wont ot be siting on that come kick off for the test.

This is a good team a team who, I think, will run some trys past a weekend Sharks out fit who are missing there star Boks I think it about 8 players they do not have. This team has what the last Saturday team lacket and that a good back row and direction in the mid field. It be a good game for Lions fans.

Lions Team to take on the Sharks in Durban:

Lee Byrne (Wales); Shane Williams (Wales), Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland), Jamie Roberts (Wales), Luke Fitzgerald (Ireland); Ronan O'Gara (Ireland), Mike Phillips (Wales); Gethin Jenkins (Wales), Lee Mears (England), Adam Jones (Wales), Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales), Paul O'Connell (Ireland, capt), Tom Croft (England), David Wallace (Ireland), Jamie Heaslip (Ireland).

Subs: Matthew Rees (Wales), Phil Vickery (England), Simon Shaw (England), Joe Worsley (England), Mike Blair (Scotland), Riki Flutey (England), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales).

I hope you enjoy my art work...

Update:

Sharks Team:

Stefan Terblanche; Chris Jordaan, Andries Strauss, Riaan Swanepoel, Luzuko Vulindlu; Monty Dumond, Rory Kockott; Deon Carstens, Skipper Badenhorst, Jannie du Plessis, Steven Sykes, Johann Muller (capt), Jacques Botes, Jean Deysel, Keegan Daniel.

Subs: Craig Burden, Patric Cilliers, Albert van den Berg, Michael Rhodes, Charl McLeod, Guy Cronje, Lwazi Mvovo.

Jenkins made Lions kicking coach

2009-06-08T13:33:00.005+01:00

You would of seen Mr Jenkins is now the Lions team kicking guru. Gerald Davies the Lions boss said "We found out that Neil is going to be in South Africa during the latter stages of the tour,".

How funny hay, Neil just happened to be come to SA when the Lions and his co workers where out there. I can not help but think that Jenkins coming on at this late time is to keep the WFU happy as they have just knick there hole management set up. They probably did not let Jenkins go, so to save the Wales face they just played the game and bought him over after the Welsh America tour. Also it stop the press, in pre-tour columns, saying how much the management is made up of Taffs. What ever the reason it good to see him, we all know how much the kicks might cost us at test time.

Lions Vs Cheetahs- What I think

2009-06-06T18:59:00.011+01:00

"My first thought about this team is a worried one. I don't know why but I can't help think this team can slip up." "Fizgerald playing inside? Hook we all know Hook on his day is one of the best players on this green, green earth but, as we seen with the Ospreys, he can lack control and with a young guns out side him will he lose control?" "This won't be the Tryfest of Wednesday but we will all be looking for a good win. If our defence is good and stop them scoring Trys and if we get 2+ Trys and kick our goles I be happy with a low scoring win."
This is what I said in my Preview. Well yes I was right to be worried. Hook, Fiz and young Earls did look good for the first 20 but then Hook last control of the mid field. What we sore on the first game was no control at the brake down. Today we seen no control at the brake down and I put this down to Powell and Worsley they both seemed more interested in standing and waiting to make big hits or run with the ball then get there hands dirty and do the dog work what all great back rows do; you would not see Hill for games because he would be in the Ruck and Mulls doing the dirty work.

I will stick up Shane Williams, ok he had a bad game but you could tell he is trying to play himself into some form but he has lost his mojo, I think it would be worth playing him in the next game as I think some game time would help. The same with Halfpenny he needs some game time under his belt, he come good by test time. Wing is still the place the Lions are finding hard. Byrne was good but unlucky.

I have said that I think Powell and Worsley where rubbish today but I do think Ferris played well and is the inform flanker (other than croft), it showed how much of the dirty stuff he was doing when he got sent off as we lost a lot of ball. The other player I think needs a big gold sticker today was that English bulldog of Ellis he had a cracker of a game.

I do think the front row, apart from Ross Ford where great. I can not pick my test pack. Would you have Euan Murray starting with Vicky off the bench or the other way round? Sheridan Or Jenkins, mussel or passe? O'Callaghan the newest of second rows to played well, I can not make my mind up Hines, Jones or O'Callaghan, at this time I would say AW-Jones but the others are making it hard for me to say that. If any thing was first class today it was our scrum I think the Boks won't be so confident they boss us around there.

We did win and Earls did score, he is one for Australia 2013 not South Africa 2009.

Three Boks down 7 to go.
Job dune this was never our test team.

Lions Vs Cheetahs- Preview

2009-06-05T12:59:00.009+01:00

My first thought about this team is a worried one. I don't know why but I can't help think this team can slip up. I think it's because of the mid filled of Hook, Fizgerald and Earls. There all good players in there own right but rally are the Lions 3 chose mid field. I just hope they make me look silly to say this by being awesome. Young Earls has to play the game of his life and I hope he dose. I giving him some stick on here OULB and on rucku and I hope I will have to eat my words. Fizgerald playing inside? Hook we all know Hook on his day is one of the best players on this green, green earth but, as we seen with the Ospreys, he can lack control and with a young guns out side him will he lose control?

Back 3. Byrne we all hope to see some of the same, what a great player. 1/2P I hope will show us something special I hope he will bring some spark to add two Byrne. Williams needs to show some of his 2008 forum he look like to be riding the bench for the tests.

Powell, Worsley, Ferris a big 3! They need to use there power and bulk to boss the brake down, Ferris is looking good.

Sheridan and Murray if have a good game will be putting perisher on Geech to give them a test run out. Mr Ford and Ellis have not look bad and I expect them to look good. Is O'Gara on the bench in case Hook lose control and if he dose will hook play inside and bring on D'Arcy? No back row subs.

This won't be the Tryfest of Wednesday but we will all be looking for a good win. If our defence is good and stop them scoring Trys and if we get 2+ Trys and kick our goles I be happy with a low scoring win.

Lions Team to take on The Freestate Cheetahs:
Lee Byrne (Wales); Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Keith Earls (Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Ireland), Shane Williams (Wales); James Hook (Wales), Harry Ellis (England); Andrew Sheridan (England), Ross Ford (Scotland), Euan Murray (Scotland), Donncha O'Callaghan (Ireland), Paul O'Connell (Ireland,capt), Stephen Ferris (Ireland), Joe Worsley (England), Andy Powell (Wales).
Subs: Matthew Rees (Wales), Adam Jones (Wales), Simon Shaw (England), Nathan Hines (Scotland), Mike Blair (Scotland), Ronan O'Gara (Ireland), Gordon D'Arcy (Ireland).

Update:
Cheetahs team to take on Lions:
H Daniller; D Demas, C Uys, M Bosman, J W Jonker; J-L Potgieter, T de Bruyn; W Du Preez, A Strauss, K Calldo, N Breedt, D de Villiers, H Brussow, F Uys, H Scholtz (capt).
Subs: R Strauss, W P Nel, F Viljoen, K Floors, G Odendaal, L Strydom, F Juries.
Strongest team Lions have yet come across. Bring it on!

Gossip - Catt could play against the Lions

2009-06-04T17:44:00.009+01:00

Right I pick up a story I read on the great Rucku; Will Carling's gossip forum/rugby social network of a page. They got the story off planetrugby.com and it seems they got it off rugbyweek.com and they seem to got it off Port Elizabeth's local newspaper dispatch.

Now I have got it I will tell you all about it. That old git Catt seems to be a name in the mix for the Southern Kings ones know as Southern Spears and the Coastal XV. The Southern Kings (who play the Lions on 16Th June) who are looking to play in a Super 15 in the near future. Catt, who got boo by the South African crowd as he was born and bought up in South Africa and went to there top Rugby school Grays College, is one of many Euro playing players who seem they might have a run out against the Lions. The others in the mix are De Wet Barry, Neil de Kock, BJ Botha, Daan Human, Gary Botha, Faan Rautenbach and that man Brent Russell.

If Catt plays against the Lions will he be the first Lion to play against the Lions on a tour (as I know Lions play games agents England, Bar Bars etc in the Home Nations)? It be good to see but I do hope if he dose go up agents the Lions he gets nobbled.

The Southern Kings Team said to play Lions on the 16 June:
15 Tiger Mangweni, 14 Vuyo Zangqa, 13 Rudi Coetzee, 12 De Wet Barry, 11 Wylie Human, 10 Mike Catt, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Darren Nel, 7 Solly Tyibilika (c), 6 Trevor Hall, 5 Ross Skeate, 4 Mpho Mboyosi, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Hanyani Shimanga, 1 Daan Human.
Subs: 16 Gary Botha, 17 Faan Rautenbach, 18 Lungile Payi, 19 Robbie Diack, 20 Josh Fowles, 21 Mzwandile Stick, 22 Brent Russell.

Hat Tip: Rucku, planetrugby.com,rugbyweek.com,dispatch

Lions Vs Lions- What I Think

2009-06-04T10:47:00.004+01:00

What a game, I must say I am so happy as the tour starts now! I said at the end of last game's (Royal XV) 'What I think' that the boys needed to put a flag down to let the bok know the lions are in town and are looking to go hunting.

It was the same tactics they used in the last game but they did the small things which payed off. Good offloading, Munster Mull in there 22 work but probly needed more of the Munster pack in it. The forwards played out of there skin and especially that old Raging Bull Vickery.

So the Front row where alsom Mears and Vickery I would say have a test spot. Open side Sherdon Vs Jenkins for that shirt. Second row look good it will be a fight till the end to see who gets the second, second row shirt. If Croft has not shown why he should be on tour or to play flanker for Lester or make the England flanker shirt his with out fight with Haskell or even show why he is the man to start for the lions I don't know what he has to do. Heaslip, Wallace must be first choice.

Sound game from Jones-Phillips. BOD is the man. He is playing like he 22 again if he carrys on this way he wont just be seen as the best center in the world but be writing his name with the all time greats. Roberts has stuck his big hand up into the sleeve of a test shirt it not his to lose but Flutys to win. The back 3 played ok. I think the wings is the Lions biggest problem at this time no play has truly stuck there hand up yet.

You can't get excited the Golden Lions where week and this is where the Lions should be at nothing more. I would say thou Lions defence was top class as I think the Golden Lions had more persecution I hate to here what Mr Edwards said to the boys this week.

Two Bok's down 8 to go!

Lions Vs Lions-Preview

2009-06-03T16:18:00.005+01:00

As the British and Irish Lions take on the Golden Lions tonight the one thing that we all will be hoping is to see the boys win and win well to show that the Lions are here to play. The last game was rubbish, to sum it up. The Royal XV where nothing more than a part time team. Tonight they need to show us some us something so we can get our teeth into. Now the Golden Lions will be better than the Royals as they are a S14 side but they are one of the worst S14 team around, so we will be hoping for a big score.

I got a lot of hope faith in this side this could be a existing side. Jones and Phillips I hope they do what they do for Wales and I would both are siting in test spots at this time. O'Driscoll will add direction and some flare in the center. Monye I think is going to be the black horse on this tour I expect to see some good running,tackles and even the odd try?!

Jenkins -Mears -Vickery could this be the test front row? A-W Jones I would say is siting in a test spot but a good game from Hines could see him go top of the second, second row list. Croft, Wallace, Heaslip a fast existing back row I think this combo could be the money a good game from the 3 could be the key against the Boks.

British and Irish Lions:
R Kearney (Ireland); T Bowe (Ireland), B O'Driscoll (Ireland, captain), J Roberts (Wales), U Monye (England); S Jones (Wales), M Phillips (Wales); G Jenkins (Wales), L Mears (England), P Vickery (England), N Hines (Scotland), A-W Jones (Wales), T Croft (England), D Wallace (Ireland), J Heaslip (Ireland).

Subs: R Ford (Scotland), E Murray (Scotland), S Ferris (Ireland), A Powell (Wales), H Ellis (England), J Hook (Wales), S Williams (Wales).

Golden Lions:

L Ludik; M Killian, J Boshoff, D la Grange, D Noble; A Pretorius, J Vermaak; L Sephaka, W Wepener, G Muller, B Mockford, W Stoltz, C Grobbelaar, F van der Merwe, W Alberts.

Subs: E Reynecke, J Van Rensburg, E Joubert, T Clever, C Jonck, W Venter, E Rose.

Player News

2009-06-03T15:23:00.008+01:00

One for the lady's as 1/2 P is on back on tour and as he is now the young gun who will have to look after the lion cuddly toy.

Earls has palled up injured which might explain why he played like he did in that first game. The management have call up D'Arcy but why? If you cast your mids back we already have Hook who was bought into the team as a extra center cover. Or are Geech and co now thinking if they are going to play Jones and O'Gara they need a new flyhalf to play the game before the first test and before the second test. As Earls is not going home yet are they thinking that there gamble to bring Earls has not payed off, so they need to call in a old pro? It was a tuth one for Geech and co, if Earl played amazing they be called hero's but if it dose not work they be kill in the press so have have bought in D'Arcy back up there chips, time will tell.

Royals Vs Lions- What I Think

2009-06-03T15:08:00.005+01:00

What a game! Even when we where losing I had no dought we would win as the option was so week. I was thinking to my self before the game if we do not win by 35+ this might be a tuth tour. Could this be like Englan RWC in 2007?
.
So a quick brake down. First I think we do have the tactics right, quick ball, fancy offloading and it seems if in there 22 the Munster mull was used. So what went wrong first the altitude got to the boys you could tell by 20 min in they look out of shape but know after that game they should be better.
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The tow mean problems in the game that our backs lack spark, I would say that came from the centres. You had Robert's doing what Robert does and runs hard and fast and Earls had a bad game what they lack was a change on angles and direction from midfield; what you would get from BOD and Flutty. Second we where slow and ineffective at the brake down to many turn overs and the Royals where just stepping over the ball like u12 are shown. The need to be there quicker and get more physical even it means playing a bit more on the edge.
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Good thing: Shane Bryne shown why I think he is the best fall back in the world and that try of his is in my top try I have ever seen! The subs made a big impact, the pick of them Mears, who looking like a shoe in for the 2 shirt. Phillips was looking extremely good and strong at the brake down. Flutty opened up the backs when he came on must be a shoe in for a test place. Vickery add a lot of leadership when he came on, test starter or is Vickery the impact sub?
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Job done? Maybe but they need to put down the flag agents the Golden Lions!

1 Bok Down 9 two go.

Lions Team- Game one

2009-05-28T13:13:00.006+01:00

The team to take on the Royal XV in Rustenburg on Saturday at 1400.

Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland), Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales); Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Ireland), Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland); Andrew Sheridan (Sales Sharks/England), Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales), Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales), Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England), Paul O'Connell (Munster/Ireland - captain), Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales).

Subs: Lee Mears (Bath/England), Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales), Stephen Ferris (Ulster/Ireland), Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales), Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales), Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England)

I think this is the pack they will go for the tests, but with Wallace on instead of Worsley and I think it is the back 3 they go for. I think with Brian O'Driscoll out, the mid field they leave open to to play with before the next game. They need to win and the Royals will not be soft so they need to put out a big pack and it a good game to see what the young guns like Earls and Roberts can do and for Blair to show his name should of always been on the Lions squid list.

Halfpenny looking good- But this time only to the girls

2009-05-27T17:41:00.007+01:00

It seems that the little Welsh man is getting a lot of search results form lady's looking to see if the there any string attach to his scrum cap. When I was looking for a photo to go with my last post I found Google ask me if I was looking for 'Leigh Halfpenny girlfriend'.

Halfpenny looking good

2009-05-27T17:31:00.004+01:00

The Welsh flayer is on track to join up with his Lions team mates next week.

The Cardiff Blues physiotherapist, Tim Atter, said: "We're happy with the progress Leigh has made since returning to us,”

”He's running hard and is up to 80% and over the next two days we hope to get him back to full pace. We have worked mainly on strengthening and conditioning and Leigh has also done some light kicking".

"Leigh himself has been really positive and worked exceptionally hard - he is determined to get on the tour."
”Hopefully he can fly out to meet up with the rest of the Lions."

Royal Highveld XV

2009-05-27T17:09:00.004+01:00

The first team to take on the Lions:

Russell Jeacocks (Leopards); Egon Seconds (Griquas), Deon van Rensburg (Leopards), Hanno Coetzee (Griquas), Bjorn Basson (Griquas); Naas Olivier (Griquas), Sarel Pretorius (Griquas); Albertus Buckle (Griquas), Rayno Barnes (Griquas), Bees Roux (Griquas), Rudi Mathee (Leopards), Jacques Lombard (Griquas), Wilhelm Koch (Leopards, capt), Devon Raubenheimer (Griquas), Jonathan Makoena (Griquas).

Subs: Pellow van der Westhuizen (Leopards), Stef Roberts (Griquas), Rynard Landman (Leopards), RW Kember (Leopards), Jacques Coetzee (Pumas), Riaan Viljoen (Griquas), Jovan Bowles (Bulldogs)

11 played for the Vodacom Cup champions Griquas. Two players played for Super 14 side Cheetahs, scrum-half Sarel Pretorius and centre Deon van Rensburg.

They may not be a team of stars but they be putting in big hits and make life hard for the Lions. The Royal coach Chaka Willemse said "The Lions must know they are coming to South Africa for a first match that won't be easy,".

Lions team is out tomorrow will put it up ASAP. I expect a lot of the Welsh boys to play.

The Boys Are Back in Town

2009-05-25T15:56:00.000+01:00

Welcome to my new blog this is the Offcial UnOfficial Lions Blog to the 2009 tour to South Africa.

The boys are now in South Africa and after a welcome dance they have set up the first base camp. I have no new as yet from my man on the inside but when I do I will pop it up here.

HatTip to Sky Sports for Vid