Peter O’Mahony will captain the British and Irish Lions in the first match of the Test series against New Zealand, this Saturday, 24th June.
It is a huge honour for O’Mahony, but well deserved. The Munster captain led the Lions in style in their win over the Maori All Blacks last Saturday and played a pivotal role in defeating the Crusaders the week before.
He’s joined in the back row by Sean O’Brien and Toby Faletau. Tour skipper, Sam Warburton is on the replacements bench. Warburton claimed before the tour started he knew he wasn’t assured a place in the starting Test team, despite his role as Lions tour captain. Warburton is a great impact sub though, being able to play at both the blindside and open side flanker roles.
George Kruis and Alun Wyn Jones are at second row. This will be Jones’ seventh Test for the Lions, having played in both the 2009 and 2013 series. Jones narrowly shunts out young star Maro Itoje to the bench. Itoje is another great impact sub, being able to play at both second row and No.6.
Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Tadgh Furlong make up the front row. All three played in both the wins against the Maori and Crusaders. They are ably supported by Ken Owens, Jack McGrath and Kyle Sinkler on the bench.
Owen Farrell gets the nod at out-half, where he’ll be partnered by Conor Murray. Murray was a shoo-in for the Test team, but Farrell edges out Jonny Sexton for the pivotal spot. Sexton covers on the bench, along with Rhys Webb for Murray.
Ben Te’o and Jonathan Davies reunite their centre partnership from the wins against the Crusaders and the Maori. The big surprise is the back three of Elliot Daly, Anthony Watson and Jim Williams. Leigh Halfpenny fills out the replacement bench, while George North fails to make the 23.
North is probably the biggest player to miss out, though the giant wing has been quiet so far on tour. Daly and Williams had great games in Wednesday’s 34-6 win over the Chiefs, while Watson put in strong performances against the Maori and Crusaders.
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It’s a strong squad, with the best available players. They bring some real credentials. All but Webb featured in both the wins over the Maori and Crusaders.
Vunipola, George, Kruis, Farrell, Te’o, Watson, Sinkler and Itoje won back to back Six Nations titles with England and played a huge role in England’s record-equalling run of 18 consecutive victories.
Furlong, O’Brien, Murray, McGrath and Sexton helped Ireland beat New Zealand last November. Vunipola, Jones, O’Brien, Falateau, Murray, Farrell, Davies, Sexton and Halfpenny all played in the Lions’ Test series win against Australia four years ago.
Still, the odds are stacked against them, quite heavily. New Zealand are back to back World Champions. They’ve won two consecutive Rugby Championships.
They’ve had a run of 18 consecutive victories against the best teams in the world. They haven’t lost a home game since 2011 and they haven’t lost at Eden Park, where the first Test is being played, since 1994.
History is also on New Zealand’s side. The Lions have faced the All Blacks in 11 Test series over the years, and the Lions have only won one, in 1971. The Lions have also been whitewashed three times, in 1966, 1983 and 2005.
The Lions shocked a lot of people by winning the games against the Crusaders and the Maori, quite comfortably too, but New Zealand are a different matter entirely. The Lions have yet to show much strength in attack, which could be fatal against the All Blacks, who ran in 12 tries recently against Samoa.
It will be another shock if the Lions manage to overcome New Zealand. It’s fair to say the only New Zealander who will be having sleepless nights before the Test on Saturday is Warren Gatland.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Ha ha, he may be Frankenstein but he's OUR Frankenstein. ? Go Brodie!!!
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Yes. Retallick is truly the stuff of nightmares… he makes Frankenstein look like Brad Pitt. Nah, I think Brodie look like an educated fellow. Like someone who teaches at the University or works in a library. He reminds me a lot of an amazing Russian wrestler called Alexander Karelin. A total beast when competing, but the softest and most mellow guy you can imagine in private. Karelin would have made a fine lock or front rower in rugby.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Ireland is no NZ, that is for sure. Those losses against Wales and Scotland in the 6N took them back to earth. I think Irelands problem is that they don't have good enough backs to constantly push for wins. Sometimes - even the AB's - needs some magic from the backline to bail out an average forward perfromance.
moaman
Guest
Marto; Some facts.Firstly I am not quite sure how you get three people out of "a couple" unless one of them has a split personality....maybe working with you would cause that? Secondly; They live abroad, have chosen to make their lives in Oz so really...they have lost a little bit of what made them kiwi in the first place....effected their judgement! Lastly, if it's the best they have seen in their "lifetime" then they must be whipper-snappers who weren't around for the team of '71 and therefore--what do they really even know?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Wouldn't be the first time at Eden park Jimmy. I went to the 78 third test after the ABs had gone two nil up in the series. Four Cornelsen tries and thirty points later... If the Lions can do something like that it will truly be memorable.
taylorman
Roar Guru
No, but there is something about their ability to repeat that sort of form. ABs did it every match before and after if, where Ireland fell over, more than once.
taylorman
Roar Guru
After Chicago they lost the ABs, got beaten by Wales 22-9, and lost to Scotland, a side that has never beaten them. Lower? I think so. They beat England.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Ireland has played the AB's 29 times in 112 years. Can't stop laughing that you think they have played 90 times. And there is nothing lucky about scoring 40 points on the AB's.
Waxhead
Guest
ahahaha all you guys are in fantasy land :) Ireland have played NZ - what is it 80 times now - 90 ?? They have won once only - in Chicago. That day they played the best I've ever seen an Irish team play - well done. NZ had a B team on the field and had a very bad day. Ireland had to get lucky sometime. If you hang around long enough eventually everyone does. And its unlikely to happen again for another 50 or 80 years. Lion's have a better chance than Ireland did but they'll still need luck to get NZ on a bad day at the office. If not NZ will unlock the Lions rush defense in the 2nd half and win comfortably imo.
John
Roar Rookie
All Blacks to win by 8+ points.
Goatee
Guest
West - 'Retallick will be giving George Kruis sleepless nights before the first Test.' Yes. Retallick is truly the stuff of nightmares... he makes Frankenstein look like Brad Pitt. Though, I suspect our more aesthetically pleasing 'gorgeous' George, will not be losing too much sleep. As one of the best locks (and reader's of the lineout) in the NH, he will back himself to negate the influence of this very fine player.
Henry honey balls
Guest
Lions 18 - NZ 5
Henry honey balls
Guest
I think O'Mahoney owes Sean O'Brien a pint. SOBs form has effectively kept Warburton out of the team and therefore Gatland had to look for another captain. POM was one of the obvious choices and given his good form was probably nailed on to start anyway.
Homer Gain
Guest
Blimey, I know we've got some carpetbaggers in the squad, but if we are reduced to playing Jim Williams in the back three we are in deep trouble!
Fionn
Guest
I hope you're right but I reckon you're wrong, Jock. New Zealand by 20.
Hello Everybody.
Guest
Scotlands had a few "one offs" against Aus in recent years. Rankings are about consistancy. NZ is ranked higher than other teams. That doesnt mean other teams victories against NZ should be undermined by calling them "lucky", "one offs" or anything else. That makes NZers look like they cant give credit to other nations because they feel the need to down play any other teams success. Well done Ireland, you outplayed NZ. That wasnt hard for me to say and I feel no need to qualify the statement by adding "but you were lucky" or "but it was only one win and if you were actually better than NZ you wouldnt have lost so...". The Lions are in with a chance for this game. Theyll be a huge challenge for the ABs.
superba
Guest
@West Retallick a great player . Out thought . Out jumped . By one Victor Matfield.
superba
Guest
In the long grass the Lion waits . The lion is ready .
moaman
Guest
Out-thought, out-fought and out-taught!
Scott the Aussie
Guest
They only would go on and win all thier matches after beating NZ if all thier opponents were a class below them. For Ireland - the best 6 N team this year (England) are not - they are on a par. Its like saying (in another sport) that any team that beats the Kangaroos should be able to go on winning forever. They can't, because NZ and England are pretty close in quality and fitness and skill, so beat each other regularly.