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Roberts and McBryde awaiting Lions call
By Peter Thompson
Jamie Roberts said he is "waiting for the call" to join the British and Irish Lions squad and Wales coach Robin McBryde is braced for Warren Gatland to request cover.
Roberts missed out on a place in Gatland's touring party to take on New Zealand, but the experienced centre has not given up hope of facing the world champions.
The 30-year-old captained his country in a 24-6 win over Tonga in Auckland on Friday and is eager to return to Eden Park to take on the All Blacks next Saturday.
"I'm still waiting for the call," Roberts said with a smile. "If we lose some then we have to adapt accordingly.
"We have a squad of 32, so nine players missed out today and if we lose a few, others will get an opportunity, that's what we're about.
"We have to develop that strength in depth among the senior playing group in the Welsh squad, especially with 12 away with the Lions and a few injured players as well.
"We're doing that well at the moment and if that happens in the week, we've the artillery to come in and perform for us."
McBryde said: "We'll have to wait and see,
"We'll see how the boys rock up tomorrow and the Lions play tomorrow as well [versus the Maori All Blacks]. We will wait for that phone call."
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Latest Comments
My ‘fantasy’ team V Ireland,
Including options from ABXV if needed, as V Mun better V Ireland better prep than England.
The most important aspect V Ireland is AB need ALL their loosies AND 'loosie capable locks' on ALL match [except IF(?) any tiring ie the aging & slowing eg Cane]. As follows,
{starting} bench (3rd choice)
1 {De Groot} / Tu’ungafasi (Williams)
2 { anyone that can throw!! }/ Aumua (Brodie McAlister)
Ryan! coach lineouts & Aumua to throw!
3 {Lomax}/ Tosi (Newell )
Tosi immense strength V England
4,5 Locks { P.Tuipulotu, S.Barrett }, Vaa’i, Darry
( Isaia Walker-Leawere)
Vaa’i off V Eng. Assumed due to leg injury(?)
6,7,8 Loose forwards { Sititi, A.Savea, Cane } Vaa’i, S.Barrettm, P.Tuipulotu back up (Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi )
9 {Roigard } Ratima ( TJ )
10 {D.McK} Perofeta ( Plummer)
12 {J.Barrett } ALB ( Q.Tupaea )
13 {Proctor} Ioane ( AJ Lam )
Ioane (off V England ) but Irish experience (NO not Sexton!)
14 { Tele’a} Reece (bkup W.Jordan )
11 {C.Clarke} Narawa (K.Naholo)
15 {W.Jordan} Love (Stevenson)
Go to commentsI guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
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