Wee All Blacks there for the taking by Lions

The lions big problem always is the gel into a TEAM. They undoubtedly will have more talent than the hapless wee abs but need to get it all together ina relatively short period. Good luck Lions Ex Supersport

Eddie Jones said New Zealand were "there for the taking" after his England side's bid to better the All Blacks' record winning streak ended with a defeat by Ireland in Dublin.

Ireland, who had also ended New Zealand's run, won 13-9 at a rainswept Lansdowne Road on Saturday to deny England a 19th successive Test win and prevent them becoming the first side in the Six Nations era to win back-to-back Grand Slams. (A fact FORGOTTEN by the wee kbbs here!!)

Irish lock Iain Henderson scored the only try of the match, although England's defeat came after they had already retained the Six Nations title.

The British and Irish Lions travel to New Zealand for a three-Test series in June and July.

England, by contrast, are not scheduled to face the world champions until 2018, although reports this week suggested officials were looking at re-arranging the Twickenham fixture calendar to set up a November 4 clash between the international game's two top-ranked teams.

"I expect at least 15 of our guys to go on the Lions tour, I'd be disappointed if we don't have that many guys in," said Jones after suffering his first defeat in 18 Tests as England coach.

"And I think they'll have a massive shout (of winning a first series in New Zealand since 1971).

"New Zealand, as Ireland have shown, are there for the taking," the Australian added in a reference to Ireland's 40-29 win in Chicago in November that stopped the All Blacks' run at 18 victories in a row.

"I can can't wait for us to play them either. 

"We're very keen to play them, I've had a discussion with Ian (Ritchie, the chief executive of England's Rugby Football Union) and we're raring to go."

However, with the Lions squad not announced until April 19, Jones added: "There's a lot of discussions to go."

Before the match, Jones had suggested Ireland might play a 'kick and clap' game.

Ireland, understandably took issue with the implication they had a limited approach.

But in classic 'Irish' rainswept conditions, it was the hosts who produced the superior wet-weather rugby.

"Ireland played superbly and they were too good for us on the day," said Jones.

"We're all human beings, we're not perfect, and that's why world records finish at 18 games because it's hard to keep going. (Exactly Jones - CLASS ACT IS JONES!)

"They used the conditions superbly, we probably didn't."

'World Cup pressure'

Meanwhile Jones dismissed talk the loss had lifted a weight from England's shoulders, saying: "No, I think it's fantastic having the pressure to perform.

"To win the World Cup you've got to win seven in a row, you've got to cope with that pressure.

"That was like a World Cup final today and we weren't good enough."

Jones, appointed after England's World Cup flop on home soil two years ago, has long made it clear his ultimate goal is to win the 2019 edition in Japan.

"We're 14 months into a four-year project," he said. "Full credit to Ireland, they were brilliantly coached and executed their plan well.

"We'll have more setbacks as we move towards the World Cup," he added after England were denied a Grand Slam in Dublin for the third time since 2001.

Both Ireland and England were captained by potential Lions skippers in hookers Rory Best and Dylan Hartley respectively.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, asked whether his fellow New Zealander Warren Gatland, the Lions boss, should pick Best as captain of the combined side, replied: "My choice doesn’t count for anything, so I don’t really express it. 

"I'm incredibly proud of him (Best) and the way he leads the team. I'm delighted he’s our leader."

 
"New Zealand, as Ireland have shown, are there for the taking,"
that's an easy truism,.... every team, even the very very best is there for the taking,... there's no need of Ireland to show it

but the Lions won't take it,... and their problem won't be the lack of blending or gelling of the team but the fatigue of the players,... the I&B Lions tour comes after a very long campaign for the europeans (respective leagues and European Cup, November tests, 6N, and now the leagues and EC finals) to which add the 6 games against the kiwi SR franchises,... too much rugby

even in equal conditions for both teams, I think the AB would finally impose considering that btwin the 4 national teams they can form a pack that could match the AB's but their backline would still be far from the best in the world
this June they are going to lose the 3 games,... and even their game against the saders

Looking at the ABs, there are enough injuries and questions about the ABs plus the slow start the ABs usually have this will make it interesting. The Lions are drawing from a big player pool with some very good players. We will see if they can get the synergies needed for a good team. First test will be close.

 JW,

there are many injuries, especially in the outside back with Dagg, tamanivalu, NMS and Naholo, but all are expected to be back in 4-6 weeks (as SBW), in time to play some 4-6 games to get the form

about the slow start (something that affects every team), the coaching staff is planning a game before the series as they did in 2005

Hansen wants pre-Lions hitout

with that game (still to be confirmed) the AB will be in a good position to face the series,... most of their forward pack and 12 AB in total will face the I&B Lions playing with the saders, then this warm-up game for the entire squad and then the series,.... I think it will be enough to avoid the rustiness the AB use to have in their first game
in this sense I'm more worried for the saders' players who could be very tired after those 5 matches (test matches could be said) in 5 weeks time and fade like they did last year

and yeah, the first match will very probably be the toughest one

 It will be great to see the AB players return from injury ABF. I hope they have enough games before the test to get into top form. Very interested in how SBW will perform. On the positive side, his being out gave other players a chance to emerge & add depth to the ABs & also he will have had time to get over other niggles. 
The Lions tour has been questioned in recent years so it is good that there is some optimism on their side & it's also good Eddie is bleating on about the "All Blacks are there for the taking". Eddie reminds me of a circus promoter at times but the AB dominance can result in less interest so his drumming up interest is good for the sport - even of irritating at times.
Saders have been miracle workers much like the Highlanders were a few seasons ago. Good to see them off to such a winning start but the injuries are a concern but hopefully this means players will be coming back fresh & ready to deal with the five matches. Saders are no match for the Mighty Chiefs who are top of the table & of course Beenos wee stormers should not be mentioned in the same breath.

 Beandiks been dribbling on about the ABs demise since 2011.Still waiting dipsh!t.

 Hmmmm it seems I have my kbbs fans a little worried!!!! My concern for the Lions is the Nonu type of tackle we saw on Brian O'Dricoll that ended that brilliant centers tour. Be assured the bent kiwis will try everything in the book to prevent a fair contest and win for the Lions.The Lions can include players from both England and Ireland both of whom are capable of beating the wee abs. Hence it stands to reason the Lions are in with a shout even though its an away series for them. This kiwi arrogance is a sight to behold. A little humility goes a long way kbbs! 
Beeno warnin g the wee kbbs that the series has yet to be played and won.

 Cloudy I am not forgetting the obvious non penal;ty awarded to the wee abs re matfield that robbed the Boks of a win. Going into the finals we would certainly have beaten a poor OZ side.

 I hereby nominate JW praise singer in chief with ou warped DUD getting a mention.
Both these chest beating oaks are blowhards of note!

 Beeno, please take a second to mention the Boks as otherwise all this bleating & stirring looks like a Tr@umpish distraction

 Do you really think you have any Kiwi "fans " you dumb monkey ?JW and Cloudy are too polite to tell you what a sad little clown you really are but not me dikhead .So how are you getting on with your predictions about the ABs demise ? They have played about a hundred games since 2011 for about 4 losses so going by that your average dumbarse monkey tossing a coin would do better than you .Is that right beandik even your stupider monkeys know more about rugby than you ?