What was Sexton thinking?

First topic message reminder :

The Lions won by such an overwhelming margin that largely, thoughts of the judgement failure riddled performance has been forgotten.

My first question on this topic is in the title.

19-3 up, with the lions dominant in all aspects Sexton elected to try a drop goal.

Now the Lions had front foot ball approaching the Wallaby 22. The biggest threat was loss of ball control, a knock on, a scrum and a 95% chance that halfpenny wood get an easy shot at goal.

Why the dodgy half witted pot at goal? It just have the ball back to Australia who proceeded to score shortly after and call the result back into question.

When you have found the weakness : keep plugging it.

RubyGuby wrote:

 You might have a point there AD - Personally I prefer a bottle in front of me as opposed to a frontal lobotomy- That was the best advice Ive ever heard from an eminent scottish Psychiatrist  

  I agree.

Obviously a bit of a WUM from the OP. At the time the Sexton's missed drop goal was a bit unlucky, as others have said right (maybe) decision, wrong execution. He only just missed to be fair, good contact, but drifted left. The context wasn't helped perhaps by his missed tackle on O'Connor just after half time but he had a pretty good game overall.

My view on Sexton's lions tour - excellent 10, his talents not best suited to the Gatland game plan but did a good job. Couldn't help thinking his frustration at being substituted wasn't just being taken off but was perhaps being taken off after being asked to execute a game plan which was more limited than he's capable of. No doubt he will relish playing under Schmidt for Ireland.

Other side of the coin - what do Wales need at 10 (both in personnel and game plan) to challenge for the World Cup in 2015? It's not a straightforward question having seen someone as talented as Sexton playing well but looking slightly... uncomfortable playing the Gatland way.

Obviously a bit of a WUM from the OP.  At the time the Sexton's missed drop goal was a bit unlucky, as others have said right (maybe) decision, wrong execution. He only just missed to be fair, good contact, but drifted left. The context wasn't helped perhaps by his missed tackle on O'Connor just after half time but he had a pretty good game overall.

My view on Sexton's lions tour - excellent 10, his talents not best suited to the Gatland game plan but did a good job. Couldn't help thinking his frustration at being substituted wasn't just being taken off but was perhaps being taken off after being asked to execute a game plan which was more limited than he's capable of. No doubt he will relish playing under Schmidt for Ireland.

Other side of the coin - what do Wales need at 10 (both in personnel and game plan) to challenge for the World Cup in 2015? It's not a straightforward question having seen someone as talented as Sexton playing well but looking slightly... uncomfortable playing the Gatland way.

Artful_Dodger wrote:

RubyGuby wrote: Now what is it AD -  PD, Mania or Psychosis - What i think you're after is a trip to the ECT suite for him as opposed to the anti psychotics - I'll let you switch on the voltage

Personality disorder, mania and psychosis could all fall under one roof with a condition such as paranoid schizophrenia, in which case I would suggest an antipsychotic such as olanzapine at about 20mg a day.  As for ECT, completely ineffective and did nothing other than incapacitate the sufferer in a not too unsimilar way to lobotomies.  Also disgustingly unethical and should never have happened.

|

 

I'd personally suggest a spliff of Ketama Gold, a youngish, sexy bint, with absolutely no sense or reason, sittin on yer fisog  and a Middletons very, very phookin Rare Whiskey. Works for me.

And I'm not mad like ye lot. I tink.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpPeQyT36Tg

Gibson's just come out from under his rock - Witchin hour is here - You only need the Ketama Gold by the way as it just takes you to the other places that Guinnesss cannot reach. Quality is just quality - Mines a packet of 10 Players  

5 grams of Californian Orange Bud and a bottle of Oyster Bay Pinot Noir used to be mine. Aside from that hallucinogens whilst standing on a famous road on the outskirts of Belfast where you could see the whole city was pretty euphoric.

 Genius Ruby! Cymru basterd that ya are! X.

Actually ECT has been proved to be quite effective and is a relatively, safe humane procedure nowadays. Its still used as a treatment for bipolar disorder and depression in the UK today but as a last resort when other treatments have failed.

One mental health advocate with first-hand experience of ECT is Andy Behrman better known as 'Electroboy'. He credits ECT with turning his life around.

http://www.electroboy.com/biography.shtml

I only mention it because he is such an interesting chap and for just $250 an hour you can find out what he thinks Sexton was thinking.

I'll save you the trouble though- he was thinking something like "here, I'll bang a sly droppie between the posts, will win the game and then me and Drico will go for pints and shlag Gats off for being a pure Kiwi langer, roysh"

Anybody else starting to think we might be in serious trouble with the mods when they see these conversations on both sections of the rugby forum?

 I aint fussy when it comes to getting high but I have learned to enjoy good whisky over the past 15 years - Just enjoy sipping away at the stuff, pure medicinal. I just don't see you riding them bicycle things in Holland mate - Was there once for the Carnnnivaalll down South - I was staying in Mastricht - What a great weekend - Beer, Maionaisse and Blondes - probably in that order

 Thems the Mods Artful - Weez the Rockers mate - Anyone for a large whisky followed a by a dash of ECT and a few fags to cool off

Artful_Dodger wrote:Anybody else starting to think we might be in serious trouble with the mods when they see these conversations on both sections of the rugby forum?

I know! We haven't said BOD in ages... ooops...

Notch wrote:Actually ECT has been proved to be quite effective and is a relatively, safe humane procedure nowadays. Its still used as a treatment for bipolar disorder and depression in the UK today but as a last resort when other treatments have failed.

One mental health advocate with first-hand experience of ECT is Andy Behrman better known as 'Electroboy'. He credits ECT with turning his life around.

http://www.electroboy.com/biography.shtml

I only mention it because he is such an interesting chap and for just $250 an hour you can find out what he thinks Sexton was thinking.

I'll save you the trouble though- he was thinking something like "here, I'll bang a sly droppie between the posts, will win the game and then me and Drico will go for pints and shlag Gats off for being a pure Kiwi langer, roysh"

 

Would ye pseudo-loonies just phookin stop it.  Now!

Im losing beer and any chance of a BJ from laughing  here. Its not even a wee  bit funny.

Loved the craic lads. Thanks for making me feel Norman.

 You leave Whiteside alone Gibbo

[quote="Notch"]

Artful_Dodger wrote:Anybody else starting to think we might be in serious trouble with the mods when they see these conversations on both sections of the rugby forum?

We can just say that 606 drove us to despair  

RubyGuby wrote: You leave Whiteside alone Gibbo

Ah mo chara. McGrath, Whiteside and Robson. Biggest combined pisshid trio in soccerball. But what a combo. NI, The Republic and England. Its just like the Lions. No Jocks. Except, the Welsh didn't matter back then. Good times.  X.

Fergie killed them all off for the sake of efficiency and medals. And killed the game I used love.

On reflection bud, its hard to argue with it. But I really miss characters in the game now.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVbUoGm4lw0

Just a thought. This thread is all about Sexton. Who changed the tack? Wots goin on here? Will Gloria be offended?

Tune in.

Sexton is the best 10 on the Planet be de way. Stymied Internationally  by limited Paddy and KeeWee coaches.

France will do him no end of good. And Joe will get the best out of him for Ireland.

Believe.

SecretFly wrote:

Ozzy3213 wrote:

So essentially what you are saying is that if Sexton does not play well it is somebody else's fault?!  

It's you who are saying he didn't play well, Ozzy.  I'm saying he played quite well with a sub-form scrumhalf.  He over-achieved under the conditions not under-achieved.  He played well.  

In short, I think (and we're all thinking today aren't we) - I think Ozzy is completely wrong.   You won't be fretting about what Fly thinks either, will you ?

Hey don't get me involved in this   ......... I am just having a quiet shandy or two and enjoying the dual performance

By my score Ozzy is on serve...... 40-30 up, 2 sets to love and serving for the tournament.

As in the film "I Am Legend"........... His logic is undeniable!!!

Back on track tho............ Sexton most definitely made the right call, the play was stagnating (wasn't it close on 30 phases and less that 10m gained),  successful execution: 3 points and ball comes back to us, unsuccessful ball still comes back to us. Sexton had a solid tour, immense in defence, and IMHO the tactics dictated play not players or combos

Gibson wrote:

Notch wrote:Actually ECT has been proved to be quite effective and is a relatively, safe humane procedure nowadays. Its still used as a treatment for bipolar disorder and depression in the UK today but as a last resort when other treatments have failed.

One mental health advocate with first-hand experience of ECT is Andy Behrman better known as 'Electroboy'. He credits ECT with turning his life around.

http://www.electroboy.com/biography.shtml

I only mention it because he is such an interesting chap and for just $250 an hour you can find out what he thinks Sexton was thinking.

I'll save you the trouble though- he was thinking something like "here, I'll bang a sly droppie between the posts, will win the game and then me and Drico will go for pints and shlag Gats off for being a pure Kiwi langer, roysh"

 

Would ye pseudo-loonies just phookin stop it.  Now!

Im losing beer and any chance of a BJ from laughing  here. Its not even a wee  bit funny.

Loved the craic lads. Thanks for making me feel Norman.

Gibson.

If you like feeling Norman, then go a head. My self i would rather feel ( Normal) than feel Norman. ok. 

what was sexton thinking ? i just heard he got married last Saturday to his childhood sweetheart . clearly he should have played the field .  

To tie as much of this together, I agree Sexton's attempted drop goal was the wrong decision. The Lions got to the Wallaby 22, had all the ball, were easily winning the brekdown battles, but showed zero creativity to cross the 22. After a few weak attempts to cross the 22, Sexton took the inevitable and obligatory shot at goal rather than keep banging away,

However, overall Sexton played well enough and was ne of the few Lions for whom his starting position was never in doubt, nor under threat, and rightfully so. Perhaps his ECT treatments have been working?

To tie as much of this together, I agree Sexton's attempted drop goal was the wrong decision.  The Lions got to the Wallaby 22, had all the ball, were easily winning the brekdown battles, but showed zero creativity to cross the 22.  After a few weak attempts to cross the 22, Sexton took the inevitable and obligatory shot at goal rather than keep banging away,  

However, overall Sexton played well enough and was one of the few Lions for whom his starting position was never in doubt, nor under threat, and rightfully so.  Perhaps his ECT treatments have been working?

The thing about dropped goals is that they often look great when they go over - ref running back, arm up, etc -  but usually woeful when they don't, much more so than a missed penalty kick.

Cliff Morgan, whom I saw play a lot, had a kind of answer to that.  He just didn't attempt to drop goals.  As Cliff later explained in his memoirs, this went back to his days as a schoolboy outside-half in the 1940s.

He won a tight game with a dropped goal and expected praise from his rugby master, whom Cliff greatly respected.  Instead, he was left out of the team for two weeks because it was deemed the wrong way to play rugby!  It stuck in Cliff's mind for his whole career.

Possibly the most unlikely dropped goal in my time as a rugby fan was JPR's 40 yard successful effort in the final test against New Zealand in 1971.  It ensured a draw and therefore meant the Lions won the 4 match series 2-1 with 1 draw.  So it was hugely significant.

I rate it above Wilkinson's drop kick to win the 2003 RWC only because Jonny was an acknowledged drop goal expert, with many to his credit, whereas JPR had never dropped a goal before!

Zinzan Brooke from 50 meters out against England in the RWC 1995 probably tops that effort. He's an 8 FFS

GloriousEmpire wrote:Zinzan Brooke from 50 meters out against England in the RWC 1995 probably tops that effort. He's an 8 FFS

Yes, but as far as I know JPR's dropped goal in '71 to clinch the Lions' only series win in NZ was the only one in his career - which started in the 1960s and ended with Tondu 3rds in 2003.  It was definitely his one and only dropped goal at international level.JPR just wasn't a kicker except when forced to clear to touch.

Zinzan Brooke, on the other hand, may have been a No8 but he had great kicking skills as he dropped goals in 2 other test matches besides the World Cup semi-final against England in 1995.  If asked, I'd guess Zinzan himself might rate his 1996 drop goal against the Springboks higher, because it clinched for the All Blacks their first-ever series win in South Africa.  Sean Fitzpatrick, the All Blacks captain, thought that series win in SA was a bigger thing for NZ than winning the '87 World Cup.

RubyGuby wrote: Thems the Mods Artful - Weez the Rockers mate - Anyone for a large whisky followed a by a dash of ECT and a few fags to cool off

 

Sounds like a plan Ruby.

Man. I missed that in the middle of a drunken haze last night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAZ1BSmAubU

majesticimperialman wrote:

Gibson wrote:

Notch wrote:Actually ECT has been proved to be quite effective and is a relatively, safe humane procedure nowadays. Its still used as a treatment for bipolar disorder and depression in the UK today but as a last resort when other treatments have failed.

One mental health advocate with first-hand experience of ECT is Andy Behrman better known as 'Electroboy'. He credits ECT with turning his life around.

http://www.electroboy.com/biography.shtml

I only mention it because he is such an interesting chap and for just $250 an hour you can find out what he thinks Sexton was thinking.

I'll save you the trouble though- he was thinking something like "here, I'll bang a sly droppie between the posts, will win the game and then me and Drico will go for pints and shlag Gats off for being a pure Kiwi langer, roysh"

 

Would ye pseudo-loonies just phookin stop it.  Now!

Im losing beer and any chance of a BJ from laughing  here. Its not even a wee  bit funny.

Loved the craic lads. Thanks for making me feel Norman.

Gibson.

If you like feeling Norman, then go a head. My self i would rather feel ( Normal) than feel Norman. ok. 

Oi Majestic! What do you have aginst Normans? Ya big Welsh racist ya.

Do jets always fly that low over Cymru?

 

  

mystiroakey wrote:  

Is that Gatland pointing at POC and Sexton after telling them he's dropped BOD

 

Class.  
I personally reckon, roysh, that Sexton missed that DG, just so Gloria would kick off this thread. You see. And it made the World a better place. Dont ye think?

To Gloria!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFkmRp_G2uo

 Gloria needs feeding -

Yer man Toner has stepped up a litte of late but unless they feed him raw meat and POC & Quinlan beat him up at least once a week he's unlikely to get to the very top. Still v good player to have if you can find 7 other raging Oirish banshees

True mo chara. True.

He has stepped it up though. In all fairness. Very hungry to dive in and look for it now. And all he has to do at the lineout, is just stand there. Cant miss de lanky phhoker. Someone said something that clicked. Jonno Gibbes Id say.

Jonno is the most important piece of the jigsaw that is my Leinster. The rest are just transients. Shussh.

 I met Norman Whiteside not so long ago - Top man; couldn't believe how nervous he was. He's well into podiatry now, fixing sportsmens feet. He told me the most money he made out of football was from his transfer to Everton - He was grateful for Fergie for sorting it for him. Shame bout his injuries but the fella did it all and went to the show - Very humble and modest fella (R U sure he's Irish?)

He's Norn Irish. Not proper Irish. Cant stand them meself.

Ah Gibbo ye lying fecker, we all know ye love de nordies!    

Gibson wrote:He's Norn Irish. Not proper Irish. Cant stand them meself.

Its the feckers from the other side Gatland has a problem with - Us fellas from Sneem love everyone - and tractors  

Well Ozzy. Maybe so bud. Rav had me in Devon by de way. We shared a bed in obliterated drunkeness. I drank the soup an ting. A Noordie lying South of me and happy with it? Weird experience I can tell ya... but... howanever. We move on.

Please dont tell anyone roysh? Tanks bud.  

I love Rav. So much. The Orange basturrd who is occupying MY countraaay!

This, is our song. 30 years ago, we could not have been friends. This means the World to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn2CeHlKrTw

I wondered what those noises I heard in the night at the house of asbo were, I thought it was de boogeyman and hid under the covers!  

Ja bud. That was me. Oh what a night. Did you watch? Was I good like?

I reckon de Noordie bollox cheated on me, with PJHolybloke, for a glass of Bushmills Honey.  De cheap slet!  Not spreading online-scandal or anything... just sayin bud.

Love you Pete.  X.

Ah you have to watch that holybloke Gibbo, not sure if he's a proddy or a kafflik like, but he'll corrupt the best of them and the word is that he'll do anything for a Bushmills, and I do mean anything!  

Love ye right back (long time) ye aul hippy