Squirt,
Thanks again...had a read and I cant believe Rico Gear is not in the squad and Dougie made it...hence my reservations about Henry and Co...as for Ali Williams-the guy on recent performances is over-rated and a liability...got to be better players around??!!!

Conrad Smith while potentially exciting is not ready and Nonu should start- the way he has been playing...made the black (AB trial) backline defence look ordinary...a bunch of drunken traffic officers could have done better ...

Hooker and lock (other than Jack) seem to be a weakness so the lineouts again will be where the opposition will be targetting and no. 8 is a question mark...would like to have seen Nick Williams given a go as he has size and a lot of enthusiasm (work on the brain later)...the Lions are big and strong so it would be good to be able to meet them head on...can see them starting off with a 10 man rugby style in the tests (not the expansive start as against BoP) they have quality forwards and a set of world class first fives to choose from and then opening up when they begin to get a roll on...you have to take them head on and then shift out wide and then gain some early points to force them to change their mauling style...their backline will not know what hit them if the ABs shift on a counter attack (if Henry will allow them to)...varying play is the key...

The basis is there for a very good AB side although I can still see some areas where the Lions will work to exploit and then use their strengths to take advantage of...agree with Marshall that the Lions would have no excuses regarding team cohesion and match fitness as they will be given an excellent build up with the NZ Maori and provincial teams compared to the ABs...winning the test series is all that matters mate!!!!!!

Go Mooloo and the Chiefs lol!!! Mate lets hope we can get back on track and win some games (remember Arthur Stones try to take the Ranfurly Shield away from the Aucks- wonderful stuff -sigh- go you beauty!