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Tomorrow's Lions team close to full strength - Keith Wood

On Wednesday Night Rugby a key question was posed: Does Warren Gatland know his best side yet? Th...
Newstalk
Newstalk

11.16 14 Jun 2013


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Tomorrow's Lions team...

Tomorrow's Lions team close to full strength - Keith Wood

Newstalk
Newstalk

11.16 14 Jun 2013


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On Wednesday Night Rugby a key question was posed: Does Warren Gatland know his best side yet?

The first test against Australia takes place next Saturday but before then there is a match against the Waratahs tomorrow and a midweek game against ACT in Canberra.

Lions Head Coach Gatland named a strong team for tomorrow's match and Keith Wood who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast's Oisin Langan feels that line-up will form the basis of the team that will start against the Wallabies in a eight days time.

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"Traditionally the last Saturday tends to have 10 or 12 of the test team in it and you're looking for the final sense of combinations," said Wood.

"I think it's very close [to the strongest team] but there are a couple of guys definitely up for positions."

Here is the Lions XV for the Waratahs match:

Leigh Halfpenny; Sean Maitland, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Simon Zebo; Jonathan Sexton, Mike Phillips; Mako Vunipola, Tom Youngs, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Paul O'Connell , Tom Croft, Sam Warburton (capt), Jamie Heaslip.

However Wood felt it is unlikely that Simon Zebo will be a starter against Australia, despite getting his chance tomorrow.

"I think it would be unlikely that he would get a nod in unless he did something magnificent," said Wood.

"What Gatland has done is to try and give all his players a starting slot just to make certain that they get game time in a number 1 to 15 jersey and Zebo's been picked out and gets the chance to play. But there are doubts hanging around the backline with some injuries and potential injuries."

Listen to the full chat below: 

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan


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