Tri-Nations 06: Game Five: Great Britain Lions v New Zealand Kiwis

[Grimmace]

Tri-Nations 2006: Game Three

NEW ZEALAND KIWIS vs GREAT BRITAIN LIONS


Game Notes:


KIWIS

Brent Webb
Shontayne Hape
Iosia Soliola
Steve Matai
Manu Vatuvei
Nigel Vagana
Stacey Jones
David Fa'alogo
Simon Mannering
David Kidwell
Roy Asotasi
Dene Halatau
Ruben Wiki (captain).


Interchange:Motu Tony, Nathan Cayless, Adam Blair, Frank Pritchard.




LIONS

Paul Wellens
Leon Pryce ( Replacing Brian Carney)
Keith Senior
Kirk Yeaman
Gareth Raynor
Danny McGuire ( Replacing Leon Pryce).
Sean Long
Stuart Fielden
Terry Newton
Adrian Morley
Gareth Ellis
Gareth Hock
Jamie Pea**** (captain) ( Replacing Sean O'Loughlin)

Interchange: James Roby, Lee Gilmour, Jon Wilkin, Gareth Carvell

***Please use this thread for Tri Nations Game Two information and game day spoilers***

[Grimmace]

Kiwis name Test team
From staff writers
November 07, 2006

THE New Zealand team to play Great Britain in the Tri-Nations match in Wellington on Saturday is:

Brent Webb, Shontayne Hape, Iosia Soliola, Steve Matai, Manu Vatuvei, Nigel Vagana, Stacey Jones, David Fa'alogo, Simon Mannering, David Kidwell, Roy Asotasi, Dene Halatau, Ruben Wiki (captain).
Interchange: Motu Tony, Nathan Cayless, Adam Blair, Frank Pritchard.



Source: FoxSports.

[Poida]

GO LIONS .
pick lions to get up by 5

[Grimmace]

Kiwis Vs Lions Preview
Monday, November 6, 2006 - 2:36 PM

When the Lions take on the Kiwis in windy Wellington on Saturday night there will be plenty more fireworks on display as two passionate teams scrap for the right to meet Australia in the finals.

Adding fuel to the simmering tensions will be the fact that the Kiwis were stripped of the two points they had gained after defeating the Lions last time. This was a direct result of them fielding an ineligible player in Nathan Fien. The action was quickly condemned by the Lions and the Kangaroos, giving weight to the idea and eventual result of them being stripped of the points from the game.

Seen they no longer have those points the Kiwis will be keen to once again beat the Lions, and to do so convincingly to prove that it was no fluke and to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive.

If the Kiwis are to do this, they will have to succeed where the Kangaroos failed on the weekend, and to do that they must stop the likes of Morley, Fielden and Pea**** from getting a roll on up the middle and laying a platform for Sean Long to unleash the backline or drive the ball long with his kicking game.

The ferocity of the Kiwi defence should be able top put a stop to the go forward that the Lions achieved against the Kangaroos, and the sheer size and ability to dominate from the engine room through the likes of Wiki, Asotasi and Pritchard will give them the slight advantage in the forward battle.

While Wiki and Asotasi are hard as nails and capable of pulling off big hits, the man who has the X-Factor in this match is big Adrian Morley. He is the enforcer in the Lions squad and his ability to iron out opponents can change the complexion of the match. Despite the loss the last time they met, Morley pulled his weight and caused ructions in the Kiwi camp when he monstored their own inspirational front rower Ruben Wiki and landed what he described as a ?cat slap? on Brent Webb.

That man, Webb cut the Lions to shreds last time, and his combination on the kick return with Manu Vatuvei has proven deadly on more than one occasion. Aside from this the Kiwi fullback is a brilliant support player and great dummy half runner who is not only able to find a gap, but make a gap on his own and is a point scoring machine.

To shut Webb down Sean Long?s kicking game will have to be on the money again, and he will have to make a habit of not only turning the Kiwi fullback around but also making sure he is less likely to link up with the devastating ball running of Vatuvei; especially out wide as the defence of Brian Carney can occasionally be fragile.

Sean Long, looked much more at home with his St. Helens halves? partner Leon Pryce outside him last week, but to leave Danny McGuire out of the side again would not be plausible; he brings so much talent to the Lions team. Iwould expect this partnership to cause the Lions trouble. Long has a great football brain, and despite his recent remarks there is no taking away from the fact that Pryce simply bristles with talent.

Conversely the pairing of Stacey Jones and Jerome Ropati, worked for the Kiwis last time out and Ropati had a big influence on the game, however the Lions will be better prepared for the emerging star this time, though if he and Jones really click they may be able to dominate the Lions in attack.

Key Match Ups:

Stacey Jones V Sean Long

Both players are coming towards the end of brilliant careers but they still are capable of being dominant as has been shown in this series. They run the plays for their teams and when they have the ball in hand are capable of turning a game. Their kicking games will be instrumental to the outcome.

Stuart Fielden v Roy Asotasi

Fielden is hard as nails and super fit, and despite having his nose broken by Willie Mason, you would imagine he would play this week. He provides an unparalleled level of fitness in the front row and is more than capable of hurting the Kiwis through brutal defence or a bullocking run. Asotasi has not seemed as brilliant as usual this campaign, but if he hits his stride in this game, he could dominate through his ball running and ability to use his feet to beat defenders.

Best Bet:
Riding a wave of emotion after Granny Gate the Kiwis will know the best way to put the saga behind them is to win and win well. They had the Lions measure last time and I would expect them to have it again. Back them to win by 13 plus.

Source: NRL

[Grimmace]

Even though i dont go for these two teams im still hoping to see a great game of footy produced.

[Poida]

the key matchup of jones and long will be a good one.
i do think long is a better halfback though

[DIEHARD]

I'll make this a sticky.

Go Lions!

[DIEHARD]

Will McGuire be returning for the Lions?

I don't agree with Long being a better halfback than Jones. Jones is a proven legend at every level, including International. I'd rather have the little Kiwi in my team than Long.

[DIEHARD]

Carney in fitness race for Lions

Carney was voted the best wing in the NRL last season
Winger Brian Carney is the only major doubt for Great Britain for Saturday's Tri-Nations match with New Zealand.

Carney damaged a hamstring in the win over Australia but coach Brian Noble is not ruling him out of the Kiwis clash.

Leon Pryce switched to the wing from stand-off against Australia, but Huddersfield's Martin Aspinwall could make his debut if Carney is ruled out.

Stand-off Danny McGuire could also return after missing the Australia game because of a thigh injury.

"The biggest worry is Brian Carney. He trained at 60% today (Monday). He says he is confident he will get right for the weekend but we won't take any risks.

"These players know their own bodies. Generally when they give you a wink or a nod on Monday they are going to be somewhere near on Friday."

BBC

[Go_The_Doggies]

I hope Carney isnt fit lol

Not happy with Nigel back at 5/8th, and also not happy about Lance Hohaia not being in the side, he was absolutely outstanding on Saturday against the NZ Residents side, don't know how Bluey could leave him out!!

Also: WELCOME BACK SHONTAYE!!! <3

[jenny]

Go the KIWIS! :win:

[DIEHARD]

Nigel at 5/8th isn't good for the Kiwis. Could be proven wrong though.

[Go_The_Doggies]

*chants* Ho-high-a *chants* Ho-high-a, he SHOULD be in the side!, Ropo should be 5/8th!! I also think Awen should be in the side also, he had a great game on Saturday.

[davo]

THIS IS IT FOR THE KIWIS, DO OR DIE,GO THE KIWIS !!!!!!!!

[jenny]

THIS IS IT FOR THE KIWIS, DO OR DIE,GO THE KIWIS !!!!!!!!

YEP!!!!!! GO THE KIWIS! :box: