Gatland blasts critics...good on ya Gats

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:i seriously think some people think of bod when in bed with their wives  

rainbow-warrior wrote:So many man sausage's on this forum hahahaha

Gatland was luck.

Australia could have won if they had kicked better.

Aussie should have won 3 - 0.

Scotland should have had 23 players in the squad.

BOD should have played at both 12 & 13 in the last test.

Sour grapes with a dash of wum = cocks

Sin é wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote: Its going to be a very long time before any future Irish Rugby player can exceed the fame of BOD, in fact will it ever happen?

Dropping BOD controversially like Gatland did certainly helped that infamy. When you have players like Dan Carter & Sonny Bill tweeting about it.


Great interview about the Tour from Paul O'Connell last night on Off the Ball. Looks like he studied carefully Gatland's training methods (even getting tackling training from Lydiate). One interesting comment he made was that unlike in Ireland, non of the players (senior or otherwise) had any input into training.

Is that why Wales keeps bombing against SH opposition - the players just do what they are told to do.

http://www.newstalk.ie/player/podcasts/Off_The_Ball/Rugby_on_Off_The_Ball/26893/0/the_paul_oconnell_interview

Sin é wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote: Its going to be a very long time before any future Irish Rugby player can exceed the fame of BOD, in fact will it ever happen?

Dropping BOD controversially like Gatland did certainly helped that infamy. When you have players like Dan Carter & Sonny Bill tweeting about it.


Great interview about the Tour from Paul O'Connell last night on Off the Ball. Looks like he studied carefully Gatland's training methods (even getting tackling training from Lydiate). One interesting comment he made was that unlike in Ireland, non of the players (senior or otherwise) had any input into training. Is that why Wales keeps bombing against SH opposition - the players just do what they are told to do.

http://www.newstalk.ie/player/podcasts/Off_The_Ball/Rugby_on_Off_The_Ball/26893/0/the_paul_oconnell_interview

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Also interesting that he hadnt experienced doing training sessions that last 39 or 43 minutes before, I think he must have learnt a lot off Gatty and Andy Farrell.

SecretFly wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Also interesting that he hadnt experienced doing training sessions that last 39 or 43 minutes before, I think he must have learnt a lot off Gatty and Andy Farrell.

He loves pulling off the big ol' Shrek deal - the gentle big buffoon - who learned Africaans (well a little ) to work out South African line out calls a few years back.  He's a smart Shrek, is Paulie.  

flyhalffactory wrote:

rainbow-warrior wrote:So many man sausage's on this forum hahahaha

Gatland was luck.

Australia could have won if they had kicked better.

Aussie should have won 3 - 0.

Scotland should have had 23 players in the squad.

BOD should have played at both 12 & 13 in the last test.

Sour grapes with a dash of wum = cocks

Such a consistently classy poster

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Sin é wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote: Its going to be a very long time before any future Irish Rugby player can exceed the fame of BOD, in fact will it ever happen?

Dropping BOD controversially like Gatland did certainly helped that infamy. When you have players like Dan Carter & Sonny Bill tweeting about it.


Great interview about the Tour from Paul O'Connell last night on Off the Ball. Looks like he studied carefully Gatland's training methods (even getting tackling training from Lydiate). One interesting comment he made was that unlike in Ireland, non of the players (senior or otherwise) had any input into training. Is that why Wales keeps bombing against SH opposition - the players just do what they are told to do.

http://www.newstalk.ie/player/podcasts/Off_The_Ball/Rugby_on_Off_The_Ball/26893/0/the_paul_oconnell_interview

 Also interesting that he hadnt experienced doing training sessions that last 39 or 43 minutes before, I think he must have learnt a lot off Gatty and Andy Farrell.

aucklandlaurie wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Also interesting that he hadnt experienced doing training sessions that last 39 or 43 minutes before, I think he must have learnt a lot off Gatty and Andy Farrell.

He loves pulling off the big ol' Shrek deal - the gentle big buffoon - who learned Africaans (well a little ) to work out South African line out calls a few years back.  He's a smart Shrek, is Paulie.  

 Yes Fly, similar thoughts passed through my mind, but thought Id be better off not to mention it in case Sine die took it the wrong way. I must admit I wasnt sure of what to make of the "Dan Lydiate is the best tackler in the World" comment ????

aucklandlaurie wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Also interesting that he hadnt experienced doing training sessions that last 39 or 43 minutes before, I think he must have learnt a lot off Gatty and Andy Farrell.

He loves pulling off the big ol' Shrek deal - the gentle big buffoon - who learned Africaans (well a little ) to work out South African line out calls a few years back.  He's a smart Shrek, is Paulie.  

 Yes Fly, similar thoughts passed through my mind, but thought Id be better off not to mention it in case Sine die took it the wrong way. I must admit I wasnt sure of what to make of the "Dan Lydiate is the best tackler in the World" comment ????

SecretFly wrote:

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:i seriously think some people think of bod when in bed with their wives  

Better fantasy than being in bed with your wife and imagining her as Gats

Notch wrote:I found the point about quieter dressing rooms and players just focused on doing their jobs interesting- that may not work in Ireland/for Irish players. 15 Irishmen- 15 passionate opinions. Whilst we need the same professionalism in our approach as everyone else we will always need guys like BOD and POC, Sexton and Heaslip, whoever else to be talking at half time, to be summoning up that emotion and passion. It's our way. I don't think 15 guys not talking, just focusing on doing their jobs will ever work for us.

SecretFly wrote: Ruby's right - to be applauded,

Notch wrote:Ruby you've not been on 606v2 until you've been Sin Ed. He's the biggest WUM on these boards  

Try not to take everything he says at face value.

SecretFly wrote:Ruby is no dandelion in a field of Thistles.  He's man enough for anything Sin é might get out of his filing cabinet.

RubyGuby wrote: Sin - Stop the bleating, you're making this up as you go along. Foxy Davies didn't feel any additional pressure; he just went out there and did his job; did pretty well to - If BOD's mates want to cry about it then that's their perogative, albeit a bit unprofessional. Can't agree with you on Sexton as he didn't want to come off and sit by his pal. I liked that attitude though.

As for demotivating SOB - Well that clearly backfired

The Ireland and Lions out-half spoke emotionally about the devastation and shock the veteran centre and his team-mates experienced when O'Driscoll was dropped from the team for Saturday's deciding third Test against Australia.

"Because I'm so close to Brian, when he wasn't selected it was tough for me. I almost felt like I was dropped myself because he wasn't going to be there for it," said Sexton (above).

"For Brian to miss out, it was obviously devastating for him. As a close friend, I was really sad not to see him there.

"But he was delighted in the dressing-room. That shows the mark of the man. He spoke in training during the week even though he wasn't playing and wanted us to win.

"It would have been very easy for him to be bitter and throw the toys out of the pram but the way he reacted shows the true mark of the man."

Sexton believes that the pain and disappointment experienced by O'Driscoll at his shock omission can be channelled and used to Ireland's advantage over the coming 12 months and the last year of O'Driscoll's playing career.

Sexton gave an insight into just how stunned the whole Lions squad was on learning O'Driscoll's fate – "we all pictured him being captain and lifting the trophy and that would have been a great way for him to go" – but has predicted a few more highs yet to come.

"Maybe it's going to finish on a different note. Maybe he's going to lift another Grand Slam. We'll do everything as Irish players for him to finish on a high. He deserves that. And then there's the All Blacks too. Maybe the All Blacks in November and then a Grand Slam."

SecretFly wrote:

Notch wrote:Ruby you've not been on 606v2 until you've been Sin Ed. He's the biggest WUM on these boards  

Try not to take everything he says at face value.

Ruby is no dandelion in a field of Thistles.  He's man enough for anything Sin é might get out of his filing cabinet.

optimist wrote:I'm a Wales supporter, have been since the mid-'50s, and recall the devastated feeling amongst Welsh fans in 1978 when Gareth, Phil and Gerald all retired - no surnames needed, a bit like BOD in that respect.

Unlike BOD, those 3 weren't really waning stars, though they would have been in another couple or so years.  When asked, they all more or less said they'd just had enough.  The effort no longer seemed worth it to them.

They got out with their playing reputations undiminished, which sadly - I really mean that - may end up not being the case for BOD.

Because of the storm over his non-selection for the final Lions test, which is still going on in interviews, etc, he may feel obliged to carry on beyond the moment when he would be wiser to retire.

I hope not, and feel that much of what is being said will in the end do BOD a disservice.  He's been an all-time great player. Let's just think of him as that.

Sexton gave an insight into just how stunned the whole Lions squad was on learning O'Driscoll's fate – "we all pictured him being captain and lifting the trophy and that would have been a great way for him to go" – but has predicted a few more highs yet to come.

optimist wrote:I'm a Wales supporter, have been since the mid-'50s, and recall the devastated feeling amongst Welsh fans in 1978 when Gareth, Phil and Gerald all retired - no surnames needed, a bit like BOD in that respect.

Unlike BOD, those 3 weren't really waning stars, though they would have been in another couple or so years.  When asked, they all more or less said they'd just had enough.  The effort no longer seemed worth it to them.

They got out with their playing reputations undiminished, which sadly - I really mean that - may end up not being the case for BOD.

Because of the storm over his non-selection for the final Lions test, which is still going on in interviews, etc, he may feel obliged to carry on beyond the moment when he would be wiser to retire.

I hope not, and feel that much of what is being said will in the end do BOD a disservice.  He's been an all-time great player. Let's just think of him as that.

optimist wrote:

optimist wrote:I'm a Wales supporter, have been since the mid-'50s, and recall the devastated feeling amongst Welsh fans in 1978 when Gareth, Phil and Gerald all retired - no surnames needed, a bit like BOD in that respect.

Unlike BOD, those 3 weren't really waning stars, though they would have been in another couple or so years.  When asked, they all more or less said they'd just had enough.  The effort no longer seemed worth it to them.

They got out with their playing reputations undiminished, which sadly - I really mean that - may end up not being the case for BOD.

Because of the storm over his non-selection for the final Lions test, which is still going on in interviews, etc, he may feel obliged to carry on beyond the moment when he would be wiser to retire.

I hope not, and feel that much of what is being said will in the end do BOD a disservice.  He's been an all-time great player. Let's just think of him as that.

RubyGuby wrote: Fly - The new Irish ciach hads begged him to stay 'cos he doesn't have Roberts and Davies to call on - C'mon that's a pretty straightforward one - Seems a retrograde step to me - A fully fit BOD and you finsih bottom but one, a 35 year old BOD - Mmmmm that's worrying

As always with fondness

RubyLion

optimist wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

optimist wrote:I'm a Wales supporter, have been since the mid-'50s, and recall the devastated feeling amongst Welsh fans in 1978 when Gareth, Phil and Gerald all retired - no surnames needed, a bit like BOD in that respect.

Unlike BOD, those 3 weren't really waning stars, though they would have been in another couple or so years.  When asked, they all more or less said they'd just had enough.  The effort no longer seemed worth it to them.

They got out with their playing reputations undiminished, which sadly - I really mean that - may end up not being the case for BOD.

Because of the storm over his non-selection for the final Lions test, which is still going on in interviews, etc, he may feel obliged to carry on beyond the moment when he would be wiser to retire.

I hope not, and feel that much of what is being said will in the end do BOD a disservice.  He's been an all-time great player. Let's just think of him as that.

Don't quite understand how BOD's reputation should take a hit because another humanbeing dropped him from a side?  What had he to do with that or the aftermath?  
Of course his reputation will suffer and has done already.  It started the moment Gatland made his decision and has continued through the serious media coverage and the more humourous media coverage.  But that's not something O'Driscoll or his career has to worry about, that's for the people who like to goad the goaders to think about.  The Irish hit out, the others hit back.  We're the culprits - all of us.  

Do I feel guilty?  Not a bit of it.  The 'shock horror' of the reaction is laughable.  Gatland has had much tougher times getting through the aftermath of his serious accident.  He made the call, he admitted he knew it would cause a stir, he hoped and thought the stir might die down by that weekend - he guessed wrong.  It was he who was the conductor of the controversay, not BOD.  BOD just turned up at a meeting, like the other players who were chosen or not.

Why either should he end his career in a Lions shirt?  Because Gatland wills it so?  A tad offensive to assume so too, Optimist.  He has a coach, the present Irish coach virtually begged him to stay on another year.  Whether he has anything left in the tank worthwhile is for Schmidt to decide, not the Welsh coach.  

One more year.  He mightn't even get one more game if injury hits him... but the Irish coach in consultation with him will decide when it's best to hang up his boots.  Gatland's decision certainly made it easier for him to hang in there.

You've missed my main point.  BOD's retirement from international rugby should have nothing to do with Gatland, or anyone else bar BOD himself, and his family.  I merely hoped that he won't feel obliged - compelled, whatever word is apt - by the current storm over his non-selection for the final test to continue playing beyond the moment when it would be wiser to retire.  He's an honourable man who may feel he owes something more to the fans than he does.

Over nearly 60 years following international rugby, I've been lucky enough to see many great players. There's no doubt BOD has been one of the greatest. If he wants and thinks he can continue contribute as a player to his national side, and his national coach thinks likewise, good luck to him.

Sin é wrote:

optimist wrote:

optimist wrote:I'm a Wales supporter, have been since the mid-'50s, and recall the devastated feeling amongst Welsh fans in 1978 when Gareth, Phil and Gerald all retired - no surnames needed, a bit like BOD in that respect.

Unlike BOD, those 3 weren't really waning stars, though they would have been in another couple or so years.  When asked, they all more or less said they'd just had enough.  The effort no longer seemed worth it to them.

They got out with their playing reputations undiminished, which sadly - I really mean that - may end up not being the case for BOD.

Because of the storm over his non-selection for the final Lions test, which is still going on in interviews, etc, he may feel obliged to carry on beyond the moment when he would be wiser to retire.

I hope not, and feel that much of what is being said will in the end do BOD a disservice.  He's been an all-time great player. Let's just think of him as that.

Optimist, most people don't remember the number of games Shane Williams got on the '09 tour when he was in terrible form and his reputation didn't suffer.

I don't think Davies (from test matches) and Roberts (all tour) form was any better than O'Driscoll, certainly deserving of a bench spot at least. Pretty much every neutral from Dan Carter to Sonny Bill Williams) were shocked that he was dropped. They wouldn't have been shocked if his form was that poor.

Gareth Edwards has a huge number of caps for Wales for someone playing in the amateur era. Players of that period tended to retire earlier or if they wanted to continue playing, move to Rugby League.

Notch wrote:

MrsP wrote:That was the main problem, that quite a few of us did not think it was a good rugby decision. I understand that some folk do and that is fine. But please don't call me a xenophobic fool or bitter or deluded or "not a [i]real rugby/Lions fan just because I disagree with you.

That has been the worst thing about the last few weeks. The witchhunt against people who simply disagreed with the call.

red_stag wrote:Hasn't O'Driscoll ruled out the RWC?

He had planned on retiring after the Lions but Joe Schmidt convinced him in May to give it another season as Ireland is now under new management.

http://www.espn.co.uk/ireland/rugby/story/183183.html

"I really am not ready for a year of speculation. It is going to be just the one year. I can't handle that in every interview that I do," said O'Driscoll to The Irish Times.

"I know with my wife, I did agree to do just one more. I did say as well when I was talking about a World Cup, that means three pre-seasons. I don't have another three pre-seasons in me."

Seems pretty definitive. He'll retire in May 2014; one year later than scheduled.

Spoiler: