NZ Super Rugby Spy Report

Much has been made about which players will board the plane to the Land of the Long White Cloud come end of May, which players are certainties, which players could be bolters from nowhere, and the best makeup of the team to beat the Kiwi's. Even here at Tackle Pad I've put forward my pick for the test match team. Meanwhile, Super Rugby has been chugging along, over looked by many, the results and performances of the five New Zealand based franchises will provide an inkling into the state of All Black rugby. So just how are they doing?

The Hurricanes swept to the Super Rugby title in a Kiwi dominated season last year, will it be the same in 2017?

Lions Team for 1st Test

Everyone it putting forward their ideas has to who they think should take the field for the first test against the All Blacks on the 24th of June. So why should this blog be any different? Below is the 15 (+ substitutes) that I would pick for the first test, based on 6 Nations form, consistent talent, and assuming everyone is fit.

Hogg was voted Player of the Championship for the second year running, clearly showing his class.

Fullback - Stuart Hogg

Who else? One of the best attacking fullbacks in world rugby, and that sort of eye for a try will be needed against the Kiwi's, who possess the greatest fullback in the game in Ben Smith. Hogg offers brilliantly balanced running, with the ball in two hands, causing defenders endless problems. Combine that with his lethal acceleration which can see him scorch past international wingers if needed and he is likely to be the Lion's main threat outwide.

Lions - who has work to do?

With one final set of fixtures to go and players will be looking to have a storming final game to get that ticket on the plane to New Zealand this summer. Players that went on the last tour, that many assumed would be certs four years later, are looking below par. Als,o players hoping to get their first taste of a Lions tour will want to put in one final noticeable performance on the international scene. There are six players in particular that I feel have the biggest point to make on "Super Saturday".

Gatland will be having some sleepless nights as he tries to narrow down who he is taking to New Zealand.

Talupe Faletau

Faletau has been injured most of the season.

Four years ago Faletau was started the final test, and was ready to take off internationally, and no one can argue that he didn't. He has been one of the most consistently high-performance players in world rugby for Wales over the last four years. Excellent with ball in hand, brilliant link play with his scrum-half, exceptional from the back of a (retreating) scrum, and an incredibly hard grafter in the tight
exchanges too. However, this season has been a patchwork one for the Bath player, spending most of the year injured he has been supplanted by Ross Moriarty in the Welsh backrow all 6 Nations.

Death of the Dragon

Wales players look dejected after loss to Scotland at Murrayfield.

What happened to Wales? From 2008-2013 Wales have arguably ruled the roost in the Northern Hemisphere, under Warren Gatland and co. Winning three 6 Nations titles, two via Grand Slams and their players dominating the Lions tours across that period. Players became household names not only west of the Severn, but across Europe. Jamie Roberts, George North, Sam Warburton, Leigh Halfpenny to name a few. However, since the last World Cup barring a few memorable performances, there has been a steady noticeable decline across the last 12-15 months, what has been the cause, and what can be done?