The good news is CJ Stander is starting. The bad news is, well, CJ Stander is starting.
The Lions have one more warm-up game before that pivotal second Test against the All-Blacks and CJ Stander has been chosen to start at number eight.
Ireland and Munster fans probably would not have liked to see the forward make Warren Gatland’s starting XV for the game against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Tuesday. Ideally, Stander would have been rested to ensure that he gets to feature in the important match against New Zealand.
However, all hope may not be lost, especially when you take Gatland’s comments into consideration.
“A few players put their hands up for selection from the Chiefs game and played their way into the Test team so they know that there is another opportunity for them on Tuesday against the Super Rugby champions.”
"Against the Highlanders, I saw CJ Stander do something he hasn't done all season" https://t.co/NsjfzlSN1T
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 17, 2017
50 solid minutes against the Hurricanes could well stand to him, especially if he was going to be a substitute next Saturday.
Also, Elliot Daly and Liam Williams both played for the Lions last Tuesday and made the starting line-up for the first Test against the All Blacks.
Stander is the type of character that would want to earn his place in the team, and now he has a golden opportunity to show that he deserves it.
Rory Best will lead the Lions for the second time this tour, while Robbie Henshaw and Iain Henderson will also start. Jared Payne has been named on the bench.
British & Irish Lions to play the Hurricanes
15. Jack Nowell – Exeter Chiefs, England
14. Tommy Seymour – Glasgow Warriors, Scotland
13. Jonathan Joseph – Bath Rugby, England
12. Robbie Henshaw – Leinster, Ireland
11. George North – Northampton Saints, Wales
10. Dan Biggar – Ospreys, Wales
9. Greig Laidlaw – Gloucester, Scotland
1. Joe Marler – Harlequins, England
2. Rory Best (c) – Ulster, Ireland
3. Dan Cole – Leicester Tigers, England
4. Iain Henderson – Ulster, Ireland
5. Courtney Lawes – Northampton Saints, England
6. James Haskell – Wasps, England
7. Justin Tipuric – Ospreys, Wales
8. CJ Stander – Munster, Ireland
Replacements:
16. Kristian Dacey – Cardiff Blues, Wales
17. Allan Dell – Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland
18. Tomas Francis – Exeter Chiefs, Wales
19. Cory Hill – Newport Gwent Dragons, Wales
20. George Kruis – Saracens, England,
21. Gareth Davies – Scarlets, Wales
22. Finn Russell – Glasgow Warriors, Scotland
23. Jared Payne – Ulster, Ireland
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