Jonathan Davies victim of Twitter abuse and threats after displacing Brian O'Driscoll in Lions side for deciding Test

by munkian Thu 22 Aug 2013, 09:37

First topic message reminder :

Jonathan Davies victim of Twitter abuse and threats after displacing Brian O'Driscoll in Lions side for deciding Test

The Scarlets and Wales centre was one of the standout performers during the 2-1 series success over the Wallabies and was given the vote to play alongside countryman Jamie Roberts in Sydney.

Coach Warren Gatland’s selection, which included nine Welshmen in the starting XV, gave rise to some serious criticism from the likes of Lions’ great Willie John McBride and former Ireland and Lions hooker Keith Wood.

The opposition to Gatland’s decision – particularly in relation to O’Driscoll – became further inflamed on Twitter, where a handful of supporters posted threatening messages towards Davies.

Davies said: “There was a lot of stuff on Twitter but I tried not to take too much notice of it. I had some good advice from players like Mike Phillips who just told me to ignore it.

“I was just grateful to have been given the opportunity to win the series. I did get a bit of verbal abuse and people wanting to break my legs and stuff. But I didn’t really care.

“I did feel like public enemy number one and there was a lot of pressure. But I felt like I had performed well under pressure.

“It was a great experience and I enjoyed every minute. Brian congratulated me afterwards and said well done. We were tight as a squad and Brian will be glad to have it on his CV.”

Davies will now turn his attention to helping the Scarlets re-establish themselves as a force in European club rugby.

“I have had six weeks offf and I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve been away on holiday and can’t wait to get back playing.”

Pretty disgusting stuff, rugby becoming more popular is attracting football like behaviour

by GunsGerms Thu 22 Aug 2013, 17:26

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:Wales lose against sh teams .hopefully we ll get better but i can't see us beating south Africa . so its a long way to go yet . sin do you think Ireland will do well in AI November

I dont think anyone can predict with a new set up how Ireland will fare. The new coaching ticket will either click or they wont. Time will tell.

by jimmyinthewell68 Thu 22 Aug 2013, 17:54

GunsGerms wrote:
jimmyinthewell68 wrote:Wales lose against sh teams .hopefully we ll get better but i can't see us beating south Africa . so its a long way to go yet . sin do you think Ireland will do well in AI November
I dont think anyone can predict with a new set up how Ireland will fare. The new coaching ticket will either click or they wont. Time will tell.

: be interesting to see how Ireland do with a New system and newly selected players .

by BuzzScarlet Thu 22 Aug 2013, 19:09

Everyone has an opinion on who should start a match, be dropped or wot ever and rightly so, it's just the way a great deal of Irish supporters went completely over with the top with their reactions because BOD was was dropped.
One of the saddest things I saw was the justice for BOD Facebook page which was full of abusive comments towards Jon Davies and Gatland, many of which were from people who know Frak all about rugby! I for one was glad BOD was dropped, in fact it made my tour to see Davies starting ahead of him, in fact the Irish should be greatfull Roberts and tuilangi were unavailable for the first two test because I doubt BOD would have been picked for any of the tests! Could you imagine the reaction if that had been the case! Very Happy

by The Boss Thu 22 Aug 2013, 20:00

It made your tour to see BOD dropped? Christ.

by BuzzScarlet Thu 22 Aug 2013, 20:12

Actually it made my tour to see Davies start ahead of BOD.

by The Boss Thu 22 Aug 2013, 20:18

So not any of the actual rugby played? Strange.

by BuzzScarlet Thu 22 Aug 2013, 20:31

Look, I enjoyed the series, the winning of the series was great regardless whether it was with 10 welsh starting the 3rd test or 15 English, Irish or scots! It just happens that the highlight for me was seeing a young talented player from my region who I have watched develop as a player and supported over the years start all 3 test matches,the 3rd test starting in front of a British and Irish rugby legend when not many thought he had a chance.

by The Boss Thu 22 Aug 2013, 20:41

Makes a lot more sense when put like that, mate. That's a fair point of view to have and more power to your elbow for it. Davies will have a long future in Welsh and probably Lions rugby and whether you agree or disagree with Gatland's call it is history now

by BuzzScarlet Thu 22 Aug 2013, 20:45

Sorry mate, I should have made it clearer to start with. Hug

by The Boss Thu 22 Aug 2013, 20:47

Haha no worries all this bear baiting would make a man paranoid.

by Guest Thu 22 Aug 2013, 20:54

What happened to "no one playeris bigger than the team"?

by The Boss Thu 22 Aug 2013, 20:58

The Lions happened Mike

by Sin é Thu 22 Aug 2013, 21:11

BuzzScarlet wrote:Look, I enjoyed the series, the winning of the series was great regardless whether it was with 10 welsh starting the 3rd test or 15 English, Irish or scots! It just happens that the highlight for me was seeing a young talented player from my region who I have watched develop as a player and supported over the years start all 3 test matches,the 3rd test starting in front of a British and Irish rugby legend when not many thought he had a chance.

.. and many neutral didn't think he should have started - among them neutrals like Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams. In fact I'm finding it hard to think of anyone who wasn't Welsh who thought he deserved to start ahead of BOD.

by Sin é Thu 22 Aug 2013, 21:13

BuzzScarlet wrote:Look, I enjoyed the series, the winning of the series was great regardless whether it was with 10 welsh starting the 3rd test or 15 English, Irish or scots! It just happens that the highlight for me was seeing a young talented player from my region who I have watched develop as a player and supported over the years start all 3 test matches,the 3rd test starting in front of a British and Irish rugby legend when not many thought he had a chance.

How did you enjoy the 2009 Lions series (Shane Williams selected totally on reputation) Very Happy

by Taylorman Thu 22 Aug 2013, 21:22

Sin é wrote:
BuzzScarlet wrote:Look, I enjoyed the series, the winning of the series was great regardless whether it was with 10 welsh starting the 3rd test or 15 English, Irish or scots! It just happens that the highlight for me was seeing a young talented player from my region who I have watched develop as a player and supported over the years start all 3 test matches,the 3rd test starting in front of a British and Irish rugby legend when not many thought he had a chance.
.. and many neutral didn't think he should have started - among them neutrals like Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams. In fact I'm finding it hard to think of anyone who wasn't Welsh who thought he deserved to start ahead of BOD.

Yet isnt it lucky that the only person that mattered did get the selction right?

BOD's absence, rightly or wrongly, directly contributed to a better overall performance. That is one concept that you simply will never, ever understand or even try to comprehend isnt it Sin? The thought is so foreign to you that it will pain you until you leave us. How sad.

And for telling JD to 'get over it' after the tweets, and oh...Gatland to get over it after the facebook attacks. Its obvious that theres only one group not getting over it, and it aint JD or Gats...

Get....over....it.

by BuzzScarlet Thu 22 Aug 2013, 21:25

Sin é wrote:
BuzzScarlet wrote:Look, I enjoyed the series, the winning of the series was great regardless whether it was with 10 welsh starting the 3rd test or 15 English, Irish or scots! It just happens that the highlight for me was seeing a young talented player from my region who I have watched develop as a player and supported over the years start all 3 test matches,the 3rd test starting in front of a British and Irish rugby legend when not many thought he had a chance.
.. and many neutral didn't think he should have started - among them neutrals like Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams. In fact I'm finding it hard to think of anyone who wasn't Welsh who thought he deserved to start ahead of BOD.

And they are entitled to their opinion. Was BOD's form during the opening 2 test that much better if at all than an out of position Davies? IMO, no, Gatland went with a Davies/Roberts combo in the third? Did they play well? Yes, they did, good call Warren!

Anyway, why all the fuss that he wasn't picked after not showing a great deal of form on tour and during the6 nations? There was me thinking it was a lions tour and not the BOD fair well road show!!!

by funnyExiledScot Thu 22 Aug 2013, 21:27

I'm not welsh, and i'd have started JD2. Close call though.

by The Boss Thu 22 Aug 2013, 21:27

Ye but you're Scottish and you know what they say about the Scottish!

by Sin é Thu 22 Aug 2013, 21:31

Fair play to Gatland ... he now has you where he wants you ... your nothing without him.

I wonder was he as bothered as some of the Welsh posters here when he heard Paul O'Connell nearly missed the bus for the 3rd Test because he was out enjoying himself Very Happy

by Taylorman Thu 22 Aug 2013, 21:32

I would probably have started BOD, but I'd have been wrong. I wasnt aware of Gatlands perception that BOD was hampering the backline by his presence alone.

Thats is a dangerous trait to have present in any team and kudos has to go to Gatland for making such a decision because overall, the backline functioned superbly and completely in that 3rd test at a level the Ozzies simply couldnt handle.

Pity thats not appreciated in some quarters. Gats isnt perfect by any means, but selection wise, he got it bang on.

by Sin é Thu 22 Aug 2013, 21:37

I think the point is that Australia beat themselves rather than anything the Backs in the lions did.

And no, he didn't get the selection of starting scrumhalf right in any of the tests. Tommy Bowe shouldn't have been playing either.

by BuzzScarlet Thu 22 Aug 2013, 21:44

Anyway sin e, what's the big deal about BOD for lions anyway? Plays 8 games, wins 3, 1 try maybe? Hardly dragged them singlehandedly to series victories on all 4 of his tours? At least it only took jd2 one tour to get a series win where it took BOD 4 tours? Wink

by Taylorman Thu 22 Aug 2013, 21:44

Sin é wrote:I think the point is that Australia beat themselves rather than anything the Backs in the lions did.

And no, he didn't get the selection of starting scrumhalf right in any of the tests. Tommy Bowe shouldn't have been playing either.

no. thats not the point. The point is you fail to accept Gats decision to drop BOD was the right one. Everything else is a smokescreen.

by Sin é Thu 22 Aug 2013, 22:00

BuzzScarlet wrote:Anyway sin e, what's the big deal about BOD for lions anyway? Plays 8 games, wins 3, 1 try maybe? Hardly dragged them singlehandedly to series victories on all 4 of his tours? At least it only took jd2 one tour to get a series win where it took BOD 4 tours?

Well, JD was lucky no one thought to take him out of a tour Rolling Eyes

You do realise that BOD played about one minute in one test on the tour to NZ.

Then on the tour of SA, we had Gatty's mate rowentree selecting all his pals in the forwards and Howley's only come up only attacking move involved Shane Williams (who couldn't score a prostitute in a lady of loose morals house).

Fair play to Gatty & Howley - they got him onto the Lions tour as well.

Jonathan Davies will never score a try like this for the Lions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaDz4rGMdVM

by BuzzScarlet Thu 22 Aug 2013, 22:07

Yes he did only play 1 minute of the the nz series. But he played 3 in oz 2001, 3 in SA 2009 and only 2 in oz 2013 Wink

so he ain't that influential in a lions shirt, and I never thought I'd agree with u but Shane Williams was a poor lions player, for all the hype he was never a constant test starter and never showed a great deal of form, unlike jd2 who had a cracking series this year Very Happy

by Guest Thu 22 Aug 2013, 22:08

Sin é wrote:Fair play to Gatland ... he now has you where he wants you ... your nothing without him.

I wonder was he as bothered as some of the Welsh posters here when he heard Paul O'Connell nearly missed the bus for the 3rd Test because he was out enjoying himself

Oh we are still persisting with this myth, even though it reflects poorly on POC not Gatland.

Fair play, you're good at going round in circles.

by Sin é Thu 22 Aug 2013, 22:11

BuzzScarlet wrote:Yes he did only play 1 minute of the the nz series. But he played 3 in oz 2001, 3 in SA 2009 and only 2 in oz 2013 ;)so he ain't that influential in a lions shirt, and I never thought I'd agree with u but Shane Williams was a poor lions player, for all the hype he was never a constant test starter and never showed a great deal of form, unlike jd2 who had a cracking series this year

2 in 2009 actually Rolling Eyes

BOD was magnificent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otDTkCLuajU

(PS - independent newspaper player ratings were rating BOD better than Davies).

by BuzzScarlet Thu 22 Aug 2013, 22:16

I apologise, 2 tests in 2009. He was so good they won the series! Oops, sorry, they didn't did they? Lets be honest, if u had any half decent outside centres coming through in Ireland then BOD would have been put out to pasture a season or two ago Wink

by Knowsit17 Thu 22 Aug 2013, 22:21

Sin é wrote:I think the point is that Australia beat themselves rather than anything the Backs in the lions did.

And no, he didn't get the selection of starting scrumhalf right in any of the tests. Tommy Bowe shouldn't have been playing either.

I'm sitting here laughing, it's productively quiet and out of the blue a spark reignites the inferno of recycled Lions-related hyperbole. Other threads worked over for days already lie dwarfed as the beast gathers momentum in only its first day. Now that it's begun might as well add a little more petrol to the blaze..

How in your view did Australia contribute to the defeat? They were very much in the ascendancy either side of half time and very much in the hunt at 19-16. From there the tries didn't come from glaring Aussie mistakes but sound Lions backline moves. Particularly Sexton's try which put the Lions back in command was a very well-executed bit of play between several in the backs division. I don't see how your claim that Oz virtually beat themselves really stands up in this regard.

by Sin é Thu 22 Aug 2013, 22:51

BuzzScarlet wrote:I apologise, 2 tests in 2009. He was so good they won the series! Oops, sorry, they didn't did they? Lets be honest, if u had any half decent outside centres coming through in Ireland then BOD would have been put out to pasture a season or two ago

You obviously missed the series ... it all went pair shaped when Shane Williams came on for Brian O'Driscoll in the 2nd Test at 64 minutes. The Lions were winning at that stage. Wink

by Sin é Thu 22 Aug 2013, 23:03

Knowsit17 wrote:
Sin é wrote:I think the point is that Australia beat themselves rather than anything the Backs in the lions did.

And no, he didn't get the selection of starting scrumhalf right in any of the tests. Tommy Bowe shouldn't have been playing either.

I'm sitting here laughing, it's productively quiet and out of the blue a spark reignites the inferno of recycled Lions-related hyperbole. Other threads worked over for days already lie dwarfed as the beast gathers momentum in only its first day. Now that it's begun might as well add a little more petrol to the blaze..

How in your view did Australia contribute to the defeat? They were very much in the ascendancy either side of half time and very much in the hunt at 19-16. From there the tries didn't come from glaring Aussie mistakes but sound Lions backline moves. Particularly Sexton's try which put the Lions back in command was a very well-executed bit of play between several in the backs division. I don't see how your claim that Oz virtually beat themselves really stands up in this regard.

How did australia contribute to the defeat - not starting with an outhalf was a start.

The reason this thread is getting such a response if probably down to the fact that the many Welsh supporters are a tad upset that not everyone thinks that Gatty and his coaching methods are not exactly the bee's knee and the cat's pjs.

by BuzzScarlet Thu 22 Aug 2013, 23:07

And there was me thinking it was Ronan O'garas moments of madness that cost us, doh! Wink

. Anyway, isn't it strange that in the last 2 lions test that BOD doesn't play in, the lions actually win? Can't be just a coincidence surely? Very Happy

by Sin é Thu 22 Aug 2013, 23:20

BuzzScarlet wrote:And there was me thinking it was Ronan O'garas moments of madness that cost us, doh! . Anyway, isn't it strange that in the last 2 lions test that BOD doesn't play in, the lions actually win? Can't be just a coincidence surely?

Yep, Shane Williams and Ronan O'Gara are ideal centre cover against SA Rolling Eyes

It is weird that so many different coaches kept picking BOD though - Henry, Woodward, Geech & Gatland all selected him for Lions tours.

by aucklandlaurie Thu 22 Aug 2013, 23:30

Sin é wrote:
BuzzScarlet wrote:And there was me thinking it was Ronan O'garas moments of madness that cost us, doh! . Anyway, isn't it strange that in the last 2 lions test that BOD doesn't play in, the lions actually win? Can't be just a coincidence surely?
Yep, Shane Williams and Ronan O'Gara are ideal centre cover against SA

It is weird that so many different coaches kept picking BOD though - Henry, Woodward, Geech & Gatland all selected him for Lions tours.

Hardly weird, I however think it does suggest that after all this time hes at the end of his career, If the Lions keep picking him for future tours it wont belong before hes older than the coach.

by Sin é Thu 22 Aug 2013, 23:48

aucklandlaurie wrote:
Sin é wrote:
BuzzScarlet wrote:And there was me thinking it was Ronan O'garas moments of madness that cost us, doh! . Anyway, isn't it strange that in the last 2 lions test that BOD doesn't play in, the lions actually win? Can't be just a coincidence surely?
Yep, Shane Williams and Ronan O'Gara are ideal centre cover against SA

It is weird that so many different coaches kept picking BOD though - Henry, Woodward, Geech & Gatland all selected him for Lions tours.

Hardly weird, I however think it does suggest that after all this time hes at the end of his career, If the Lions keep picking him for future tours it wont belong before hes older than the coach.

He will never catch up with Brad Thorn though Wink

I expect Brad to do a Shane Williams on it and turn up from Japan for the Lions in 2017 Wink

Shane Williams is 36 and he got called onto the Lions Tour even though he is playing in Japan.

by Sin é Thu 22 Aug 2013, 23:57

Just came across this from Woody (date 20 Aug). 404 responses to this article - mostly upset Welsh fans Very Happy

Lions 2013: Keith Wood stands by O'Driscoll comments

Comments (402)
Former British and Irish Lions hooker Keith Wood has stood by his criticism of Warren Gatland's handling of the team in Australia.
Wood called Gatland's decision to drop former Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll for the third Test against the Wallabies in July "a terrible mistake".
Without the Ireland centre, the Lions won the Test 41-16, and the series 2-1.
But asked if he regretted the strength of his Gatland criticism, Wood replied: "I don't, no."
Brian O'Driscoll's Lions record

Tours: 4 (2001, 2005, 2009, 2013)

Matches: 18 (8 Tests)

Tries: 9 (1 in Tests)

Captain: 7 times (1 Test)

Test record: 2 wins, 6 defeats

O'Driscoll, 34, was widely expected to be named captain after Wales flanker Sam Warburton tore a hamstring during the second Test in Melbourne on 29 June. Instead, Gatland omitted him from the squad.
Wood - who played on two Lions tours, to South Africa in 1997 and Australia in 2001, as well as winning 58 Ireland caps between 1994 and 2003 - said ahead of the third Test that Gatland's decision had left him "totally at a loss".
Fellow former Ireland international Willie John McBride - who captained the victorious 1974 Lions tour to South Africa - also questioned the selection made by Gatland, who picked 10 Welshmen in his starting line-up in Sydney.
The New Zealander has returned to his job as Wales coach following the Lions tour.
Wood accepted the Lions produced a memorable display in the third Test, but felt such a performance could have been delivered in the opening two encounters against the Wallabies - and still believes that leaving out O'Driscoll was a mistake.
He said: "I was glad to see the Lions win at the end, absolutely.
"And I thought it could have been a bit more exciting.
"I thought there could have been a bit more flair, a bit more of a blend of the four teams.
"Someone asked me earlier on: 'Was he [Gatland] vindicated?' I think [he was] vindicated to the point that Lions won a Test series.

Keith Wood and then-Ireland coach Warren Gatland in 1999
"But in some way I think the Lions lost a little bit in the summer because I didn't think it was a blend of four teams."
Wood - who played for Gatland when the New Zealander coached Ireland between 1998 and 2001 - says he has "not even vaguely" criticised the selection of 15 Welsh players for the tour.
"I've never said there were too many Welsh players on the team. That wasn't the point," said Wood.
And he says O'Driscoll came out of the controversy "fantastically well".
Wood added: "My view still is that the best option was to have him on the squad as a leader, as everything else in it.
"The fact that he wasn't needed on the day doesn't actually change that view.
"It's fantastic [that we won] and we did need to win and I argue against myself a little bit in relation to that."
Wood believes that Wales will go into the 2014 Six Nations as "overwhelming favourites", having won the 2013 tournament, then provided the bulk of the Lions tour party.
He added: "It's up to everybody else to continue telling them that and to see if they can knock them [Wales] off the perch a bit."
But he says England's 2003 World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward tipping Wales as winners of the 2015 tournament in England is "a tad premature".
"There's plenty of rugby to be played before then," said Wood.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23771030

by aucklandlaurie Fri 23 Aug 2013, 00:02

Sin é wrote:
aucklandlaurie wrote:
Sin é wrote:
BuzzScarlet wrote:And there was me thinking it was Ronan O'garas moments of madness that cost us, doh! . Anyway, isn't it strange that in the last 2 lions test that BOD doesn't play in, the lions actually win? Can't be just a coincidence surely?
Yep, Shane Williams and Ronan O'Gara are ideal centre cover against SA

It is weird that so many different coaches kept picking BOD though - Henry, Woodward, Geech & Gatland all selected him for Lions tours.
Hardly weird, I however think it does suggest that after all this time hes at the end of his career, If the Lions keep picking him for future tours it wont belong before hes older than the coach.
He will never catch up with Brad Thorn though I expect Brad to do a Shane Williams on it and turn up from Japan for the Lions in 2017 Shane Williams is 36 and he got called onto the Lions Tour even though he is playing in Japan.

Good call, 2017, I can see Gatty picking Brad Thorn for the Lions at the age of 43, and Gatty being such a fine judge of rugby players will probably give him a run in the number 13 jersey, just to show O'Driscoll how its done.

by Taylorman Fri 23 Aug 2013, 00:03

Sin é wrote:
aucklandlaurie wrote:
Sin é wrote:
BuzzScarlet wrote:And there was me thinking it was Ronan O'garas moments of madness that cost us, doh! . Anyway, isn't it strange that in the last 2 lions test that BOD doesn't play in, the lions actually win? Can't be just a coincidence surely?
Yep, Shane Williams and Ronan O'Gara are ideal centre cover against SA

It is weird that so many different coaches kept picking BOD though - Henry, Woodward, Geech & Gatland all selected him for Lions tours.

Hardly weird, I however think it does suggest that after all this time hes at the end of his career, If the Lions keep picking him for future tours it wont belong before hes older than the coach.
He will never catch up with Brad Thorn though I expect Brad to do a Shane Williams on it and turn up from Japan for the Lions in 2017

Shane Williams is 36 and he got called onto the Lions Tour even though he is playing in Japan.

thats because they were prepared to give it to anyone. Williams had not deserved it over other NH aspirants so a bit of a freebie there. Mike Gibson was left out of tests in his fifth here in 77 and was a better centre than BOD, and Fenwick who did play. Didnt hear any moaning the though, and he was still playing well.

by Sin é Fri 23 Aug 2013, 00:09

Taylorman wrote:
Sin é wrote:
aucklandlaurie wrote:
Sin é wrote:
BuzzScarlet wrote:And there was me thinking it was Ronan O'garas moments of madness that cost us, doh! . Anyway, isn't it strange that in the last 2 lions test that BOD doesn't play in, the lions actually win? Can't be just a coincidence surely?
Yep, Shane Williams and Ronan O'Gara are ideal centre cover against SA

It is weird that so many different coaches kept picking BOD though - Henry, Woodward, Geech & Gatland all selected him for Lions tours.
Hardly weird, I however think it does suggest that after all this time hes at the end of his career, If the Lions keep picking him for future tours it wont belong before hes older than the coach.
He will never catch up with Brad Thorn though I expect Brad to do a Shane Williams on it and turn up from Japan for the Lions in 2017

Shane Williams is 36 and he got called onto the Lions Tour even though he is playing in Japan.
thats because they were prepared to give it to anyone. Williams had not deserved it over other NH aspirants so a bit of a freebie there. Mike Gibson was left out of tests in his fifth here in 77 and was a better centre than BOD, and Fenwick who did play. Didnt hear any moaning the though, and he was still playing well.

Interesting that you mention Mike Gibson being left out - Moss Keane who was on that tour mentioned in his biography that it was a horrible tour to be on and an absolute disgrace that Mike Gibson didn't start. He believed the reason he didn't start was because he had brought his wife on the tour (who stayed in different accommodation to the team) and that didn't go down well with the management.

(A moss story: Moss was asked by the BBC what the highlight of the tour was - he responded Kerry beating Cork in the All-Ireland final) Very Happy

by Taylorman Fri 23 Aug 2013, 00:51

Gibson was never mentioned as the test centre in the lead up to the tests. He played the mid week games well but Fenwick was always going to play, the more physical of the two. never rated Fenwick myself. Never knew anything of Gibsons wife at the time and that tour as a budding 14 year old with scrapbooks and the like was probably the closest I followed of any other tour ever. Still know just about every score and tryscorers in the big ones. Though at 14 admittedly I probably didnt give a stuff about wives on tour...

by Sin é Fri 23 Aug 2013, 01:19

Taylorman wrote:Gibson was never mentioned as the test centre in the lead up to the tests. He played the mid week games well but Fenwick was always going to play, the more physical of the two. never rated Fenwick myself. Never knew anything of Gibsons wife at the time and that tour as a budding 14 year old with scrapbooks and the like was probably the closest I followed of any other tour ever. Still know just about every score and tryscorers in the big ones. Though at 14 admittedly I probably didnt give a stuff about wives on tour...

Moss said the politics was horrible on the tour. Of course Fenwick was going to start - a predominantly Welsh squad, a welsh coach - Gatty's precedent Wink

Anyway, Moss wasn't too impressed with this whole Lions concept.

by aucklandlaurie Fri 23 Aug 2013, 03:22

Sin é wrote:
Taylorman wrote:Gibson was never mentioned as the test centre in the lead up to the tests. He played the mid week games well but Fenwick was always going to play, the more physical of the two. never rated Fenwick myself. Never knew anything of Gibsons wife at the time and that tour as a budding 14 year old with scrapbooks and the like was probably the closest I followed of any other tour ever. Still know just about every score and tryscorers in the big ones. Though at 14 admittedly I probably didnt give a stuff about wives on tour...
Moss said the politics was horrible on the tour. Of course Fenwick was going to start - a predominantly Welsh squad, a welsh coach - Gatty's precedent

Anyway, Moss wasn't too impressed with this whole Lions concept.

Dont see why Keane would have any animosity against the Welsh, After the first test he was dropped and replaced for the rest of the tour by that great Lock Gordon Brown who happened to be Scottish.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 23 Aug 2013, 07:58

GoodinTightSpaces wrote:
The Saint wrote:
munkian wrote:
Sin é wrote:
munkian wrote:Bit of a hair trigger there Slosty

Back on topic (?) its hard to judge the performances of the centres in the first 2 tests as they were getting very little ball as our line out wasn't functioning, nothing to run on to. North was the star of the show really. He will hopegfuly become an excellent centre
Well, he has the physique to survive the Gatland 'beat everyone up' gameplan, unlike Warburton.
I'm starting to feel sorry for you.

The Gatland 'technique', for the most part, works. Its won 2 Grandslams, a 6 Nations Championship and a Lions tour.

For North, well, did you see his try in the first test ? I don't think anyone got a hand on him did they ? No beating up needed there. He did, however, run through what, 3 Irish defenders to score against you ?

As for the Warburton comment, I'm not sure what to say. He certainly has the physique, hes probably one of the strongest on the Welsh team. He is, however, prone to a few niggling injuries. But then so was Moody and SOB barely has the knee cartlidge to run anymore.

Even Sin and his cronies claimed North (along with Warburton) was outplayed in the first two tests. You couldn't even make it up, except if you're Irish I guess.
cheers for branding us all with the same brush!!!!

Good luck branding anything with a brush! Wink

by **Biltong** Fri 23 Aug 2013, 08:05

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:
GoodinTightSpaces wrote:
The Saint wrote:
munkian wrote:
Sin é wrote:
munkian wrote:Bit of a hair trigger there Slosty

Back on topic (?) its hard to judge the performances of the centres in the first 2 tests as they were getting very little ball as our line out wasn't functioning, nothing to run on to. North was the star of the show really. He will hopegfuly become an excellent centre
Well, he has the physique to survive the Gatland 'beat everyone up' gameplan, unlike Warburton.
I'm starting to feel sorry for you.

The Gatland 'technique', for the most part, works. Its won 2 Grandslams, a 6 Nations Championship and a Lions tour.

For North, well, did you see his try in the first test ? I don't think anyone got a hand on him did they ? No beating up needed there. He did, however, run through what, 3 Irish defenders to score against you ?

As for the Warburton comment, I'm not sure what to say. He certainly has the physique, hes probably one of the strongest on the Welsh team. He is, however, prone to a few niggling injuries. But then so was Moody and SOB barely has the knee cartlidge to run anymore.

Even Sin and his cronies claimed North (along with Warburton) was outplayed in the first two tests. You couldn't even make it up, except if you're Irish I guess.
cheers for branding us all with the same brush!!!!
Good luck branding anything with a brush!

I suspect a branding iron would hurt too much. Whistle

by HammerofThunor Fri 23 Aug 2013, 08:15

I don't need a compass to tell me which way the wind shines.

by **Biltong** Fri 23 Aug 2013, 08:37

Depends which way the Sun blows though, doesn't it?

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 23 Aug 2013, 08:45

I set my watch by the moon.

by GoodinTightSpaces Fri 23 Aug 2013, 08:55

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:
GoodinTightSpaces wrote:
The Saint wrote:
munkian wrote:
Sin é wrote:
munkian wrote:Bit of a hair trigger there Slosty

Back on topic (?) its hard to judge the performances of the centres in the first 2 tests as they were getting very little ball as our line out wasn't functioning, nothing to run on to. North was the star of the show really. He will hopegfuly become an excellent centre
Well, he has the physique to survive the Gatland 'beat everyone up' gameplan, unlike Warburton.
I'm starting to feel sorry for you.

The Gatland 'technique', for the most part, works. Its won 2 Grandslams, a 6 Nations Championship and a Lions tour.

For North, well, did you see his try in the first test ? I don't think anyone got a hand on him did they ? No beating up needed there. He did, however, run through what, 3 Irish defenders to score against you ?

As for the Warburton comment, I'm not sure what to say. He certainly has the physique, hes probably one of the strongest on the Welsh team. He is, however, prone to a few niggling injuries. But then so was Moody and SOB barely has the knee cartlidge to run anymore.

Even Sin and his cronies claimed North (along with Warburton) was outplayed in the first two tests. You couldn't even make it up, except if you're Irish I guess.
cheers for branding us all with the same brush!!!!
Good luck branding anything with a brush!

its a special brush that brands stuff. i call it a branding brush!!!

by GunsGerms Fri 23 Aug 2013, 09:10

BuzzScarlet wrote:Everyone has an opinion on who should start a match, be dropped or wot ever and rightly so, it's just the way a great deal of Irish supporters went completely over with the top with their reactions because BOD was was dropped.
One of the saddest things I saw was the justice for BOD Facebook page which was full of abusive comments towards Jon Davies and Gatland, many of which were from people who know Frak all about rugby! I for one was glad BOD was dropped, in fact it made my tour to see Davies starting ahead of him, in fact the Irish should be greatfull Roberts and tuilangi were unavailable for the first two test because I doubt BOD would have been picked for any of the tests! Could you imagine the reaction if that had been the case!

Yet people like yourself are still going on about it. Im pretty sure most of my country men forgot about it more or less after the tour.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 23 Aug 2013, 09:13

GoodinTightSpaces wrote:
Luckless Pedestrian wrote:
GoodinTightSpaces wrote:cheers for branding us all with the same brush!!!!
Good luck branding anything with a brush!
its a special brush that brands stuff. i call it a branding brush!!!

Ah, I see. They must be new. Smile

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