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Steve wants to know: |
"What do you think of tomorrow's squad?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
I think the squad selected for tomorrow is full of talent and has a real chance of beating the All Blacks if they can dominate up front and exploit the weaknesses in the New Zealand pack. I think that Woodward has got it just about right in most areas. He’s a very pragmatic person and it’s certainly a pragmatic selection. He has gone with a number of players he trusts from his England days and that was fairly predictable. The main area I disagree with is the selection of Wilkinson ahead of Henson at inside centre. This is not because I don’t rate Jonny, he is a fantastic player and if it’s a tight match which comes down to drop goals or penalties, everyone would want Jonny in the side as you can be sure he will never let anyone down. But for me Henson is the real play maker and always makes that extra one or two yards. He hasn’t put a step wrong and in my opinion deserved a place in the starting line up. |
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Nick wants to know: |
"What’s your prediction for the score tomorrow?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
My prediction for the score tomorrow is for the Lions to win anything from six to ten points. |
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Stuart M wants to know: |
"Will Greenwood at 12… Inspired move by Clive or total madness?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
Will Greenwood is not playing at 12, Jonny Wilkinson is! I personally would have selected Gavin Henson because I believe he has been the form centre on the tour. Unfortunately for him he doesn't fit into Woodward's game plan |
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Bryan wants to know: |
"Where are the strengths in tomorrow’s line up?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
I think the squad is a good mix. The forwards in particular look strong. There has been a lot of talk on the aging English back row. That these players have been there and done it at the highest level. I like the selection of Dwayne Keel, he has been one of the form players on the tour. Bryan O'Driscoll at centre is due a big game and I can't wait to see it. Steven Jones must be very pleased he deserves his place after his performances during the Six Nations. Jason Robinson at 15 is a world class player and he needs to show that. Generally I like the selection and I think they’ve got a good chance in winning. |
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Lee wants to know: |
"Who are the Lions' key players for the tests against New Zealand?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
One is definitely Neil Back No. 7. His contest with Richie McCaw New Zealand No.7 will go a long way to determining the outcome of the test series. Another key battle is between the two captains, both number 13. Brian O'Driscoll looks very sharp and Tana Umaga is another world class performer. It's a battle that I am looking forward to watching. Another key area is the line out with O'Connell and Kay against Williams and Jack. |
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Eoin in Dublin wants to know: |
"Who if any of the Lions test team on the bench will be able to make an impact when it will almost certainly be needed after 60mins??." |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
Steve Thompson, Danny Grewcock, Matt Dawson are players that can make an impact. |
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A Moderator said: |
"Do you think Graham Henry is over the moon with the side that Clive Woodward has announced. If I was the All Blacks coach I would be. " |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
To be brutally honest the selection of the Lions team wouldn't have mattered too much to Graham Henry. No matter who the Lions picked Henry's team would still be the same. With the selection of Jonny at 12, he knows what to expect. There will be tactical kicking and unless it's precise then New Zealand have a back three that will punish any wayward kicking. |
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Jon wants to know: |
"How does this Lions squad compare with the 1997 squad that you played in?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
It's very difficult to make comparisons and I don't want to go there. "laughs" But it would be interesting to see who out of the squads would make the team. You can't compare eras very easily… |
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Keith wants to know: |
"Do you miss playing competitive rugby?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
I do miss it but at the same time I know I am not physically able to play. I absolutely loved it with a passion and now luckily through my work I enjoy watching. |
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Andrea wants to know: |
"Jerry. You looked like you didn't sweat much, but were you ever seriously afraid on the rugby pitch?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
I don't think anybody would enter a game of rugby afraid, certainly not at first class level but you certainly can be intimidated playing in a Rugby mad country like New Zealand, it can be a bit much because they eat, drink and sh*t rugby! |
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Josephina wants to know: |
"My friend Nicola is worryingly obsessed by a certain Jonny W. I've always thought you're far better looking. Do you agree?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
"laughs" I'm flattered! |
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Clare wants to know: |
"Which was your favourite lion's tour out of the three you took part in and why was this so memorable? " |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
I have to say each one was memorable in each way. In 1989 it was my first trip, so I loved it! In 1993 to New Zealand, socially it was fantastic and in 1997 in South Africa with a drop goal and winning the series was special also. So I have special memories of all tours. |
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Julia wants to know: |
"Top hits you've ever seen? Mine are Micky Skinner on Cecillon and Josh Lewsey ruining Matt Rogers' rib cage. Yours?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
My big hit would be Jonny Wilkinson in the Six Nations on Emile N'Tmack even watching on telly you winced! And any hits Scott Gibbs put in really! |
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Beatrice wants to know: |
"Assuming you were 10/15 years younger, would you like playing in this Lions team with the back 3 talent we have at our disposal?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
Yeah, to be fair I don't think they are going to see a lot of the ball. There is no doubt I would like to play alongside of Thomas, Lewsey and Robinson. |
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Sarah C wants to know: |
"I see the Kiwis as 10-15 points better than us. First Test crucial. How do we beat them? 10 man game would be tedious in the extreme, but I reckon it offers the best chance." |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
Absolutely right and it doesn’t matter how tedious it is, as long as we win! |
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Garry wants to know: |
"The Maori match was closely fought but we lost in the end, do you really believe we can beat the All Blacks tomorrow?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
If the game is tight and close, I believe we will win. If the game is loose and open, it would be harder to win. |
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Gary wants to know: |
"What do you make of the press coverage of unrest within the squad? Are there too many players for morale to be optimised?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
Coverage is wrong. Certainly from what I've seen, the squad seems happy. |
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Gordon wants to know: |
"As far as I'm concerned Richard Hill is the greatest English player of the modern era. Better than Deano, better than Johnno, better than Lawrence, better than Wilko and shading even Mike Teague and that fella who used to burn them up on the outside from Outside Centre. But should Clive pick him ahead of Ryan Jones?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
I would have liked to see Ryan Jones in the side. He was magic in his last game. But if you ever want to rely on one player, Richard Hill won't let you down. |
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Adam wants to know: |
"Do you think that Steve Thompson’s game play makes up for his lack of consistency in the set pieces?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
Steve Thompson is on the bench because he is clearly seen not be playing as well as Shane Byrne and I think it's a nice position to be in to have someone of the calibre of Steve Thompson to come on. |
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pat46 wants to know: |
"Do you think that Jason Robinson has made the transition from league look easier than it is?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
Absolutely 100%! Look at all the players that have come and not clearly done as well. Harris was another high profile player that didn't make a huge impact. It just shows how difficult the transition can be. |
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Paul wants to know: |
"What's your view on rugby players such as Andy Farrell switching codes from league to union? " |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
I know he really wants to be successful, but I have an issue with the fact that the money can be used more effectively with development in our younger players. |
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Nikki wants to know: |
"Jerry. I am a Shed regular and have witnessed more defeats by Bath than I care to remember. What did Bath have in your day, which Gloucester seemingly never had?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
We were fortunate that we had a great deal of talent all around in the same era and we had a great mix of hard forwards and quick backs. But despite that every victory over Gloucester was hard fought. |
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Mike wants to know: |
"What tactical approach do you think Sir Clive Woodward will take to the three tests? " |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
They will be very simple. It will be almost 10 man rugby. I think they will compete very strongly in the set piece. Slow down as much ball as they can for the All Blacks and then kick for position and pressure in defence. I think you will see the Lions play a very a territorial game not wanting to play rugby in their own half and rely on Jonny to punish them with his boot. |
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Tim wants to know: |
"Will the Lions suffer without having Gavin Henson in the team for the First Test?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
I think he will be an important loss because he is a real playmaker and has proven himself. You can always rely on him to make an extra yard or two. But at the same time, for me he deserves to be in the starting line up, but I have also played alongside Jonny who was at an inside centre and you can be sure he won't let anybody down. |
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Hetta wants to know: |
"Jerry. I remember the try v the Wallabies in 89 and the drop v the South Africans in '97. You always looked the coolest person on the pitch - what's the secret?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
In my capacity as SURE for Men Ambassador you won't be surprised to hear I was relying on SURE for Men keeping me sweat free! But seriously, I was always quite laid back as player and actually find it more nerve racking watching rugby than playing it. |
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David wants to know: |
"Jerry. Let's get real. 3-0 to the All Blacks?" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
I would have to disagree. I have backed the Lions to win 2 - 1 and I'm still confident they can do it. Although the first test will be extremely important because I think whoever wins the first test will probably win the series. I think the fact that the All Black followers are confident of a 3 - 0 win it could work for the Lions advantage because the All Blacks could become complacent and the attitude will galvanise the Lions resolve. The All Blacks over confidence will motivate the Lions even more to produce a win. |
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Harry wants to know: |
"I can't wait till tomorrow morning! As someone who gets more nervous watching the sport than playing in it how do you recommend the supporters keep cool, calm and collected???" |
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Jeremy Guscott said: |
Stock up on your supplies of SURE for Men - it won't let you down during the most nerve racking moments. Sit back and just enjoy the unique Lions experience and the excitement that a Lions vs. Blacks encounter always provides. |
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