Page 25 - Blues v The Lions

PROFILE
Like many players and and indeed rugby fans he has found New Zealand impossible to to ignore ever since His earliest memories of of a a a a a a Lions tour are
of of 2005 and and “how Dan Carter just dominated the whole series ” and and he he rst visited in in in 2011 – although as as a a a a a a a a a tourist not not a a a a a a a a a a player “I wasn’t playing but I I did notice how similar it it was was to to Wales when it it comes
to to the the weather ” he he he he laughs “And I saw how whereas in in Wales everyone is kicking footballs around in in in New Zealand it’s all all about rugby rugby – every every kid boy or or girl is always playing rugby rugby or or having a a a a a a a game of touch It’s crazy how much they’re into it ” A A year
after that maiden visit to to New Zealand he’d face the the All Blacks for the the rst time in in a a a a a a a a a a 33-10 defeat in in Cardiff It was a a a a a a a a a a result almost identical to the the the one that followed two years later in the the the same stadium as they went down once again this time 34-16 Aside from the the 15 men in in in in black who racked up up the the the points in in in in those rst two games ever since the the the the 2011 World Cup it’s been the the the the Kiwis in in the the the the stand that have made an an impression on on the the the loose forward “I’m not quite sure why but they “I’ve been lucky enough to play at Eden Park a a a a a couple of times and it’s just an an amazing place It’s got a a a a a a a great atmosphere ” seemed to be supporting us [at the World Cup] ” he he he says “Perhaps it was because of how how we play or or how how the the boys carried themselves in New Zealand but they de nitely seemed to be more interested in in in in in supporting us us than slating us us – I’m not sure that’s going to be the case this time around though ” One thing Faletau won’t be doing is is taking the Super Rugby matches starting tonight for granted As one of of the the the the Welshman on on on the the the the end of of the the the the 40-7 drubbing against the the the the Chiefs during Wales’ 2016 New Zealand tour he he knows what’s in store “I can’t remember the the score to to be be honest but I I I know know they dominated us ” he he he says “I think you could say say we we were taken a a a a a a a a a bit by surprise The playing standard and and and the the power and and and pace they play play at is is going to to make it tough for us in in every game ” Of tonight’s opponents while acknowledging the the Blues’ quality throughout the the squad he he he does give a a a a a a nod to Sonny Bill Williams “He’s a a a a a a very successful player isn’t he?” says Faletau “He’s just got that X factor
of being able to to to make stuff happen ” He He also gives a a a a a a a a a a nod to to the the Coach Tana Umaga “He was one of the the the best out there in his
day ” Faletau says A nal nod too for Eden Park: “I’ve been lucky enough to to play there a a a a a a a a a couple of times and and it’s it’s just just an an an amazing place It’s got a a a a a a a a a a a great great atmosphere and and it’s it’s just just one of of the great great stadiums of of world rugby ” With 66 Tests to his
name Faletau is is now a a a a a a a mainstay of Warren Gatland’s Welsh out t t t t THE NO 8 CONTENDERS
JAMES HASKELL Union: England Although primarily a a No 7 for Eddie Jones’ England 75-cap Haskell
has plenty of experience at No 8 for both club and country including an appearance there in the the 2012 defeat of the All Blacks Never takes a a a step back – don’t be surprised if Haskell
ends up in the Test side ROSS MORIARTY Union: Wales Few on the world stage would
have heard of Moriarty before the Six Nations when he he made such an impression that England appeared to be relieved when he he was substituted during their match Also managed to keep the returning Faletau out of the starting line-up CJ STANDER
Union: Ireland
Stander plays No 8 for his
province and while he moves elsewhere for Ireland
due to the presence of Jamie Heaslip he did lock up the the the back of the the the pack in the the the nal Six Nations victory over England His carrying statistics are
immense and he’s potentially the biggest threat to Faletau DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS SERIES 2017 // 25
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