Steve
06-22-2009, 03:02 PM
The rugby sages in RSA don't hold much hope for the outcome of this game? ? ? http://www.africansouth.net/forum/Smileys/classic/sad.gif
Emerging Springbok team to play the British & Irish Lions: (Not confirmed)
15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Luzuko Vulindlu, 13. Deon van Rensburg, 12. Morgan Newman, 11. Bjorn Basson, 10. Earl Rose, 9. Jano Vermaak, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Jean Deysel, 6. Dewald Potgieter (captain), 5. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Bandise Maku, 1. Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16. Tiaan Liebenberg, 17. Patric Cilliers, 18. Franco van der Merwe, 19. Jacques Botes, 20. Heini Adams, 21. Willem de Waal, 22. Danwel Demas
Lions pick team for Newlands
2009-06-22 14:31Email | Print
Ronan O'Gara
Cape Town - Replacement props John Hayes of Ireland and Tim Payne of England will both make their tour debuts for the British and Irish Lions against the Emerging Springboks at Newlands on Tuesday.
With Andrew Sheridan suffering from a back injury, Lions head coach Ian McGeechan picked the newly-arrived duo, with hooker Lee Mears and prop Phil Vickery, who suffered a torrid time in the 26-21 loss in Saturday's first Test, on the bench.
The team for the final midweek fixture of the 10-game tour will be captained by Ireland flyhalf Ronan O'Gara, who is partnered by England scrumhalf Harry Ellis.
The backline otherwise mirrors that which turned out against the Southern Kings, Riki Flutey and Gordon D'Arcy in midfield, with Shane Williams and Luke Fitzgerald on the wings and Keith Earls at fullback.
Up front, No 8 Andy Powell and openside flanker Martyn Williams both have their chance to press their claims for a starting berth for the second Test in Pretoria on Saturday.
Joe Worsley starts at blindside, with Nathan Hines and Donncha O'Callaghan in the engine room. Scotland's Ross Ford complements the front row.
"Following the disappointment of Saturday's result against South Africa in Durban, the squad is now concentrating on the next challenge and getting the tour back to winning ways," said Lions tour manager Gerald Davies.
"The Emerging Boks represent the perfect opportunity for the squad to put the first Test behind them and to create a focus for the second Test on Saturday."
Head coach Ian McGeechan said that selection for the second Test was by no means finalised, although the absence of Welsh front row forwards Gethin Jenkins, Mathew Rees and Adam Jones hints at Test starts for the trio.
"It's quite important for us to play some of the players and give them game time with a view to selection for Saturday," McGeechan said.
"We are not picking the Test team until Wednesday. The way the players trained today, there is no doubt they want to put themselves in the front line as much as possible. For a coach it's ideal.
"There is still a lot to play for and the players know that."
McGeechan said that the Lions could take "many positives" out of the first Test, when they clawed back into the game from 26-7 down with two late converted tries.
It represented a "massive" missed opportunity, McGeechan said.
"But you have to give South Africa credit for their last-line defence, which was outstanding.
"I admit we were second best. We've no complaints"
Turning to the Emerging Springboks, nine of whom have played against the Lions in warm-up games, the Scot added: "We know them as players quite well.
"We need to step up our performance against a talented outfit whose players, like ours, will be determined to show that they are worthy of a Test place. It should be a great match."
Lions:
Keith Earls (IRL), Shane Williams (WAL), Riki Flutey (ENG), Gordon D'Arcy (IRL), Luke Fitzgerald (IRL), Ronan O'Gara (IRL, captain), Harry Ellis (ENG), Andy Powell (WAL), Martyn Williams (WAL), Joe Worsley (ENG), Nathan Hines (SCO), Donncha O'Callaghan (IRL), John Hayes (IRL), Ross Ford (SCO), Tim Payne (ENG)
Replacements: Lee Mears (ENG), Phil Vickery (ENG), Simon Shaw (ENG), David Wallace (IRL), Mike Blair (SCO), James Hook (WAL), Ugo Monye (ENG)
Emerging Springbok team to play the British & Irish Lions: (Not confirmed)
15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Luzuko Vulindlu, 13. Deon van Rensburg, 12. Morgan Newman, 11. Bjorn Basson, 10. Earl Rose, 9. Jano Vermaak, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Jean Deysel, 6. Dewald Potgieter (captain), 5. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Bandise Maku, 1. Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16. Tiaan Liebenberg, 17. Patric Cilliers, 18. Franco van der Merwe, 19. Jacques Botes, 20. Heini Adams, 21. Willem de Waal, 22. Danwel Demas
Lions pick team for Newlands
2009-06-22 14:31Email | Print
Ronan O'Gara
Cape Town - Replacement props John Hayes of Ireland and Tim Payne of England will both make their tour debuts for the British and Irish Lions against the Emerging Springboks at Newlands on Tuesday.
With Andrew Sheridan suffering from a back injury, Lions head coach Ian McGeechan picked the newly-arrived duo, with hooker Lee Mears and prop Phil Vickery, who suffered a torrid time in the 26-21 loss in Saturday's first Test, on the bench.
The team for the final midweek fixture of the 10-game tour will be captained by Ireland flyhalf Ronan O'Gara, who is partnered by England scrumhalf Harry Ellis.
The backline otherwise mirrors that which turned out against the Southern Kings, Riki Flutey and Gordon D'Arcy in midfield, with Shane Williams and Luke Fitzgerald on the wings and Keith Earls at fullback.
Up front, No 8 Andy Powell and openside flanker Martyn Williams both have their chance to press their claims for a starting berth for the second Test in Pretoria on Saturday.
Joe Worsley starts at blindside, with Nathan Hines and Donncha O'Callaghan in the engine room. Scotland's Ross Ford complements the front row.
"Following the disappointment of Saturday's result against South Africa in Durban, the squad is now concentrating on the next challenge and getting the tour back to winning ways," said Lions tour manager Gerald Davies.
"The Emerging Boks represent the perfect opportunity for the squad to put the first Test behind them and to create a focus for the second Test on Saturday."
Head coach Ian McGeechan said that selection for the second Test was by no means finalised, although the absence of Welsh front row forwards Gethin Jenkins, Mathew Rees and Adam Jones hints at Test starts for the trio.
"It's quite important for us to play some of the players and give them game time with a view to selection for Saturday," McGeechan said.
"We are not picking the Test team until Wednesday. The way the players trained today, there is no doubt they want to put themselves in the front line as much as possible. For a coach it's ideal.
"There is still a lot to play for and the players know that."
McGeechan said that the Lions could take "many positives" out of the first Test, when they clawed back into the game from 26-7 down with two late converted tries.
It represented a "massive" missed opportunity, McGeechan said.
"But you have to give South Africa credit for their last-line defence, which was outstanding.
"I admit we were second best. We've no complaints"
Turning to the Emerging Springboks, nine of whom have played against the Lions in warm-up games, the Scot added: "We know them as players quite well.
"We need to step up our performance against a talented outfit whose players, like ours, will be determined to show that they are worthy of a Test place. It should be a great match."
Lions:
Keith Earls (IRL), Shane Williams (WAL), Riki Flutey (ENG), Gordon D'Arcy (IRL), Luke Fitzgerald (IRL), Ronan O'Gara (IRL, captain), Harry Ellis (ENG), Andy Powell (WAL), Martyn Williams (WAL), Joe Worsley (ENG), Nathan Hines (SCO), Donncha O'Callaghan (IRL), John Hayes (IRL), Ross Ford (SCO), Tim Payne (ENG)
Replacements: Lee Mears (ENG), Phil Vickery (ENG), Simon Shaw (ENG), David Wallace (IRL), Mike Blair (SCO), James Hook (WAL), Ugo Monye (ENG)