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VIDEO: 'We have trained them hard and fast' - Rowntree

Warren Gatland and Graham Rowntree

Graham Rowntree has welcomed the selection headache brought on by the British and Irish Lions’ 34-6 rout of the Chiefs ahead of the crunch first Test against New Zealand.

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The Lions were rampant in their final warm-up match in Waikato, with Elliot Daly, Courtney Lawes and Jack Nowell among those that particularly shone in an impressive performance.

And scrum coach Rowntree says those that played against Chiefs have put themselves in contention to line up against the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday.

“We are very pleased for that group,” he told reporters.

“A lot of those guys were disappointed the previous week against the Highlanders [a 23-22 defeat], so I was delighted with the performance for 80 minutes. They kept their foot on the throttle.

“There is a big game around the corner. Picking the squad every week has been tough and I think it is going to be even tougher now. A few guys put their hands up, and that won’t be ignored.

“It was always going to be a big debate because of the quality of the squad, but quite a few put their hands up.”

Rowntree, part of the Lions squad in 1997 and 2005, also praised the minimalist approach adopted by head coach Warren Gatland.

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“He’s very good at saying the right thing,” he added.

“He doesn’t say too much and in fact his mantra, as he would always admit, is less is more.

“That applies to coaching, to us, he keeps a leash on us and how much coaching we’re doing.

“He keeps the lads fresh but works them hard. I like working for him, he has a nice intensity about him, without being too open with that.

“He spoke exceptionally well to the group last night before we left the hotel, spoke with real passion.

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“But he’s measured, he knows how to pick the tone up, or bring it down. He’s a very experienced man.”

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AM 6 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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