The British and Irish Lions play their last non-Test opposition for the 2017 tour this evening, visiting Wellington to play the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium with kick-off scheduled for 5.35pm (AEST).
While the majority of the focus has been on the upcoming second Test in Wellington on Saturday, this match does shape up as important in the context of the tour with several fringe players from both sides with an opportunity to push their claims for a Test spot.
The Lions have named a very strong line-up, particularly in the forwards where a few players may fancy their chances of pushing for a bench role come Saturday night. In particular Courtney Lawes, CJ Stander and James Haskell may be able to push Coach Warren Gatland’s hand in promoting themselves this evening.
The Lions’ midfield and back three will certainly be trying to impress and land themselves a utility position on the bench, Jack Nowell one to watch as he has shown an appetite for the try line.
A win tonight for the Lions will be a significant morale boost for the squad after losing the first Test and will provide significant cheer for many of the travelling supporters, many of whom have only just arrived on tour.
The Hurricanes also have plenty to play for, the franchise’s first opportunity to play an international side and they will be desperate to join the Blues and Highlanders with a Lions scalp.
Despite some big names missing this evening through All Black duties they have still been able to put together a strong side and have been able to secure a few of their fringe All Black squad members.
Most notably, Julian Savea, Ngani Laumepe, Jordie Barrett and Vaea Fifita will bolster the side and with Nehe Milner Skudder and Cory Jane also named in the 23, they can call upon plenty of strike power capable of troubling the Lions, if the forwards can match it with their strong opposition.
With several injury concerns within the All Blacks camp, this shapes as a grand opportunity for the likes of Jordie Barrett and Julian Savea to impress Steve Hansen and co and perhaps earn a call up to the 23 for Saturday night.
Prediction
Canes by 7. Just because, no rhyme or reason from me this evening!
Join us here on The Roar as we cover all the action live from 5.35pm (AEST) and please feel free to use the comments section below.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
It would only have been a 'carbon copy' if both players had lifted Barrett into a completely vertical position and then driven his head and neck into the turf with all the force they could muster, followed by the whole of Britain and Ireland blaming the victim...I see a few differences.
Northkiwi
Guest
Yep Kirky, on that aspect he was useless, he let both sides dive over and hold on on the ground. He did warn and penalise the Lions once or twice for it. Marler is a classic at it, he lives there. But IMHO the offside line has a bigger impact than slowing ruck ball, as they can't always slow ruck ball, but can always be offside if allowed to be. Seems a bit weird that when the AB's tour the NH, we are told that we just have to adapt to their way of reffing. But when the Lions tour down here, they bring NH refs with them, - accepting that Peiper and Gardner have done a couple of games for SH. Now that I think about it, we do get the dd SH ref when up in the NH. I reckon its' just life, swings and roundabouts. SH and NH refs see things differently, that is not surprising, and the team that adapts best will get the rub of the green. The NH fans think their refs are right and ours are wrong, and vice versa, when in fact it is like arguing whether blue is a better colour than green really. No point in getting tied in knots over it, no matter how frustrating it can be.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
West~ the Hurricanes were absolutely flogged by that French Ref' to the extent that Brad Shields the Skipper had a word to him to the effect that they were frustrated to hell and couldn't understand most of his rulings, you have to remember, the Northern types Referee differently from down here where proper rugby is played, and it showed in that first half, ~ I even felt a tad sorry for the Hurricanes as I and a heap of rabid keg drinking New Zealanders couldn't understand his rulings either, wouldn't pay to mention what type of Referee he was described as generally!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
North Kiwi! Cuz', sorry mate I for one don't share your enthusiasm regarding Mr, Poite, he was god awful and the sad part about it was he's the same as all other Refs adjudicating on this tour in letting the Lions lie all over the ball in rucks and mauls, and let them live offside, ~ he couldn't make a decision relying on the TV to sort out his problems thereby holding up the game time and again, ~ sub standard Northern type, typically bad!
Lara
Guest
The game followed a certain script. The Lions played in a certain way n the Canes played in a certain way. The result was fantastic game of rugby in front of a appreciative crowd of rugby supporters.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
That one or two Canes will be YC'ed
Misha
Guest
Jordie is getting most people's vote for MoM
System of a Downey Jr
Roar Rookie
I guess form wise NMS has more competition. He generally makes sound decisions but he hasn't done anything this year that screams for him to be included in the team. Considering his past though I'd be ok with him being included - but form wise he feels off a step or two. But with the Canes run into the finals of Super Rugby I expect to see him in the conversation for the Rugby Championship ABs team. Although as much as I'm a fan of Mackensie he had a nightmare at 10 for the Maori so I'd be reluctant to throw him in against the Lions too. But the reason Hansen is rushing the other injured players back is that Kaino, Read and Coles are irreplaceable - not only with experience and decision but it's not like any NZ 6s, 8s or hookers form has been undeniable in Super Rugby this year (especially with Squire injured too). And Ben Smith and Crotty's form in Super Rugby has been top draw so it makes sense for them to be there.
Northkiwi
Guest
Poite was OK I reckon, the reason it was an entertaining game is that he was firm on the offside line, as with any game of rugby, or touch. No offside police = crap game every time. Even then both sides regularly crept over it, but at least there was some room. Poite got most calls right, although if he had not carded Henderson - best player on the park - for the O'Driscoll tackle, there would have been a big spotlight in that. Did Laumape neck roll at the end there? Don't think so, unless good old G Ayoub had a different angle. George does regularly see or not see things that others do. But he did well to get Poite to change his mind and card Hendo. I saw Laumape driving the Lion back, both in the same position as props in a scrum, but it was another cleaner who pushed the Lion sideways. That penalty killed off the Canes somewhat.
Northkiwi
Guest
Yep, Dan Biggar has enhanced his reputation, was brave as hell last night and has been all tour. The mind of a 6 in a 10 jersey. I'd take that commitment over Sexton any day. Farrell can defend as well. Unless Biggar somehow fails the no dickheads rule, which seems very unlikely, he would be my first pick, even allowing for his slightly lower skill set than some of the others.
Northkiwi
Guest
Yep, don't mind the other three but Kays is a hard watch even for a kiwi.
Adsa
Guest
+50
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes, reminded me of the same, wonder if we'll hear about that one in 20,000 years? At least our boys are made of tougher stuff. ?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes, His logic was to save his forwards for the test. I mean not even fifteen minutes? Sometimes you can overthink things in this game. They came thousands of miles to play rugby. They put them on the bench to not play them? Couldn't they have put non test players from a squad of over 40?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Gats refused to use his bench to save them for the test match. I think that probably made a bit of a difference with the comeback.
Coconut
Guest
It does go to illustrate how these kind of two man tackles (or cleanouts) can go wrong... that tackle was almost a carbon copy of the O'Driscoll tackle, with the only exception being the player was not seriously injured, and did not dislocate his shoulder when being dumped headfirst into the turf.
Can't stand stand Poite
WEST
Roar Guru
Wow!! I don't know how the Lions blew that game.. But well done to the Hurricanes for fighting back in the second half. Lions should have won this game, the Hurricanes were ridiculously bad in the first half with... I lost count of the penalties after 6 or 7. Jordie Barrett was average for the most part, Laumape had a pretty good game and Savea. But was it enough for a black jersey?? Not so sure
Colin N
Guest
They got 'pushed' by the fresher team more like. Remember Gatland didn't use four of his forward replacements and the whole front-row did 80 minutes. They were shattered.
Cal
Guest
Dang it!! So so close. Some silly mistakes but they made up for them..what an entertaining game. Now bring that game to the SR boys!!