Cross-Kick Chaos

Ahead of the first test on June 24th, you can guarantee that the Lions coaches and analysts will have poured over every last detail of the All Blacks gameplay since the World Cup, and a fair amount before then too. However, there is one play, one weapon, one devastating skill the Kiwi's seem to have that is making a mockery of all attempts to stop it. The cross-kick or kick pass has proven to be lethal in this season's Super Rugby, especially at the hands of All Blacks king-in Beauden Barrett. Just take a glance at the compilation video put together by the All Blacks Youtube Channel below:

Lions Squad Talking Points

Well after months of proposed selections, arguments between fans about who's the better player, and whether Gatland would descend into nepotism, we finally got the 41 man squad which will have the privilege of pulling on the famous red shirt and traveling to New Zealand. To say it caused a stir on social media is probably one of the biggest understatements of the year. So amidst all the disagreements, celebrations, and expectation here are the main things that caught my eye.

Gatland finally released his final tour squad yesterday (19th April).

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?