Gatland Rattles Bees Nest (again)

by GloriousEmpire Thu Jan 23, 2014 10:17 am

In the latest twist of the saga that just won't die, victorious Lions coach Warren Gatland has bizarrely baited Irish fans over Brian O'Driscoll's dumping from the final Lions test.

He has chosen the launch of what will be one of the most fiercely contested Six Nations championships in years to pick at the old scab according to the bastion of journalism, the Daily Mail.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11190951

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2544139/Gatland-pleas-Ireland-fans-ODriscoll-sent-Christmas-card-dont-boo-me.html

Is this just creative journalistic timing? or does Gatland seriously want to provoke the Irish before the six nations clash? was this part of his plan all along?

by Cyril Thu Jan 23, 2014 10:19 am

I can hear the pitter patter of tiny Saint feet.

GE, you do read a lot of The Daily Mail, doncha? Wink

by **Notch** Thu Jan 23, 2014 10:39 am

I thought Gatlands comments were rather diplomatic and gracious;

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/gatland-odriscoll-saga-adds-spice-29943451.html

Warren Gatland wrote:"Donnacha Ryan rang me up and asked me to send Brian a Christmas card, which was a bit of a joke from the Irish boys," said Gatland. "So I sent him a Christmas card, and I wished him and his family well.

"I did ask if he had any influence to try to make sure that the Irish fans didn't boo me too much at the Aviva Stadium.

"I meant it as a joke, it's water under the bridge now and hopefully everyone can move on.

"I'm really looking forward to going back [to Dublin]. It's going to put an extra twist on the game, people are going to try to make something out of it as they always do."

Warren Gatland wrote:"It's easy for me to ignore it," said Gatland of the O'Driscoll saga.

"A lot of people are trying to make a big thing of the Irish situation, but at the end of the day I made my decision.

"And I just keep saying to people it's just a matter of opinion and that's what it is.

"It doesn't mean we didn't question ourselves and whether it was the right decision.

"People who tried to turn it into an anti-Irish thing: I'm incredibly indebted to Irish rugby and the opportunities they gave me.

"Starting off in the club I knew among the four regions, coaching Connacht and then gave me a chance as a 34-year-old to be an international coach.

"I look back and I'm incredibly grateful to the chances that Ireland gave me."

Sending Christmas Cards with seasons greetings to professional colleagues, expressing his gratitude to Irish Rugby for the opportunities he was provided- what a 'Warren Gatland' Warren Gatland really is!

You'd do well writing for the Daily Mail, wouldn't you GE? Wink

by GloriousEmpire Thu Jan 23, 2014 10:39 am

It's hilariously entertaining.

by ChequeredJersey Thu Jan 23, 2014 10:42 am

He already writes for the NZ herald

by GunsGerms Thu Jan 23, 2014 11:00 am

NZ Herald is such a rag. What a dumb headline for a start: "Rugby: Irish need to get over O'Driscoll axing - Gatland"

I guarentee Gatland never said "Irish need to get over O'Driscoll axing".

Are there any good newspapers in NZ GE? Which would you recommend?

by GloriousEmpire Thu Jan 23, 2014 11:30 am

Well the entire article is lifted straight from the Daily Mail, with credit and reference.

NZ is a smaller population and doesn't support the spectrum of papers available in the UK, so the tabloid sensationalism is sparingly injected into the national broadsheet on occasion.

I guess they figured it was a powder puff piece of light sports entertainment and stuck it into the sports section.

You might think it a good thing that there isn't such a context free rabid gutter press in wide circulation in NZ. The balance of serious journalism and mischievous pulp fun is readily identified by the vast majority of Kiwi readers, which gives them some sense of proportion unlike their fellow British Daily Mail reader.

by GunsGerms Thu Jan 23, 2014 11:44 am

Thats kinda of one of my points. The NZ press is so anglo centric that any opinion on any European affairs comes filtered through the British press. Can they not do their own research?

Ireland has just a small population but yet the journalism here is of a much higher standard. A paper is either a tabliod paper or it isnt.

by Guest Thu Jan 23, 2014 12:02 pm

Lets be honest here: GE is obviously trying to rattle the 606v2 bees nest (again) because he knows that few people will look past the headlines and fewer people still will actually follow the links before wading in with their opinion, starting a whole new Gatland v O'Driscoll, or Gatland v Ireland, or Wales v Ireland, or O'Driscoll v JD2 fight.

by **Notch** Thu Jan 23, 2014 12:04 pm

You're not wrong there, Ted.

by TJ Thu Jan 23, 2014 12:05 pm

Those quotes are funny and BOD is known for a good sense of humour so I am sure it will be taken as meant by him.

by GloriousEmpire Thu Jan 23, 2014 3:24 pm

Let's hope so, I for one am glad that it appears Irish fever over the dropping of bod is finally over.

Does this free up the new regime to leave him out of the 6N squad?

by GunsGerms Thu Jan 23, 2014 3:46 pm

GloriousEmpire wrote:Let's hope so, I for one am glad that it appears Irish fever over the dropping of bod is finally over.

Does this free up the new regime to leave him out of the 6N squad?

The "fever" you refer to died down a few weeks after the match. Any reference to it since then has come predominantly from the British press.

by GloriousEmpire Thu Jan 23, 2014 3:49 pm

Ah. Really? I seem to remember a few posting storms rattling the windows of 606v2; but perhaps I was hallucinating.

by GunsGerms Thu Jan 23, 2014 3:51 pm

Mostly coming from Welsh posters or bitter Kiwis who still havent forgiven BOD for breaking his collar bone when he was dropped on his head in the NZ lions tour.

by GloriousEmpire Thu Jan 23, 2014 4:10 pm

Yes, that was a terrible thing. Luckily Brian recovered and has moved on from it. As have all of us?

by GunsGerms Thu Jan 23, 2014 4:20 pm

GloriousEmpire wrote:Yes, that was a terrible thing. Luckily Brian recovered and has moved on from it. As have all of us?

Possibly not some Kiwis who still harbour a grudge for some unexplainable reason. Any O'Driscoll thread tends to fester with bitter Kiwis in my experience.

lets face it you are a Kiwi after all and posted this non story.

by Hood83 Thu Jan 23, 2014 4:27 pm

GloriousEmpire wrote:Well the entire article is lifted straight from the Daily Mail, with credit and reference.

NZ is a smaller population and doesn't support the spectrum of papers available in the UK, so the tabloid sensationalism is sparingly injected into the national broadsheet on occasion.

I guess they figured it was a powder puff piece of light sports entertainment and stuck it into the sports section.

You might think it a good thing that there isn't such a context free rabid gutter press in wide circulation in NZ. The balance of serious journalism and mischievous pulp fun is readily identified by the vast majority of Kiwi readers, which gives them some sense of proportion unlike their fellow British Daily Mail reader.

Says man posting link to the Daily Mail.

by GloriousEmpire Thu Jan 23, 2014 4:29 pm

GunsGerms wrote:
GloriousEmpire wrote:Yes, that was a terrible thing. Luckily Brian recovered and has moved on from it. As have all of us?

Possibly not some Kiwis who still harbour a grudge for some unexplainable reason. Any O'Driscoll thread tends to fester with bitter Kiwis in my experience.

lets face it you are a Kiwi after all and posted this non story.

I hold no grudge against O'Driscoll. I forgave him a long time ago for his behaviour and have moved on.

by No 7&1/2 Thu Jan 23, 2014 4:31 pm

Not having much luck with your wums recently GE. Hopefully you'll pick up your form as move through the 6Ns. Fingers Crossed

by GunsGerms Thu Jan 23, 2014 5:07 pm

GloriousEmpire wrote:
GunsGerms wrote:
GloriousEmpire wrote:Yes, that was a terrible thing. Luckily Brian recovered and has moved on from it. As have all of us?

Possibly not some Kiwis who still harbour a grudge for some unexplainable reason. Any O'Driscoll thread tends to fester with bitter Kiwis in my experience.

lets face it you are a Kiwi after all and posted this non story.

I hold no grudge against O'Driscoll. I forgave him a long time ago for his behaviour and have moved on.

What have you forgiven him for?

by Scratch Thu Jan 23, 2014 5:15 pm

GloriousEmpire wrote:Let's hope so, I for one am glad that it appears Irish fever over the dropping of bod is finally over.

Does this free up the new regime to leave him out of the 6N squad?

Which is why you tried to heat it up again Doh

plank.

by gregortree Thu Jan 23, 2014 5:22 pm

GunsGerms wrote:
GloriousEmpire wrote:
GunsGerms wrote:
GloriousEmpire wrote:Yes, that was a terrible thing. Luckily Brian recovered and has moved on from it. As have all of us?

Possibly not some Kiwis who still harbour a grudge for some unexplainable reason. Any O'Driscoll thread tends to fester with bitter Kiwis in my experience.

lets face it you are a Kiwi after all and posted this non story.

I hold no grudge against O'Driscoll. I forgave him a long time ago for his behaviour and have moved on.

What have you forgiven him for?

For BOD making such a fuss about Umaga dropping him on his head and out of the Lions tour after just 5 minutes. Such a whiner - just for breaking his shoulder an' all.

by GunsGerms Thu Jan 23, 2014 5:25 pm

I spose he was only sidelined for a year. I can see why Kiwis would see that as nothing really.

by mystiroakey Thu Jan 23, 2014 5:31 pm

GloriousEmpire wrote:In the latest twist of the saga that just won't die, victorious Lions coach Warren Gatland has bizarrely baited Irish fans over Brian O'Driscoll's dumping from the final Lions test.

He has chosen the launch of what will be one of the most fiercely contested Six Nations championships in years to pick at the old scab according to the bastion of journalism, the Daily Mail.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11190951

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2544139/Gatland-pleas-Ireland-fans-ODriscoll-sent-Christmas-card-dont-boo-me.html

Is this just creative journalistic timing? or does Gatland seriously want to provoke the Irish before the six nations clash? was this part of his plan all along?

The nzhearald and the dailymail..

laughing

you have poor taste in the press mate.

by Jhamer25 Thu Jan 23, 2014 5:33 pm

He shouldn't have to apologise or even talk about the matter. He done nothing wrong?
He handled it really well though. Again

by GunsGerms Thu Jan 23, 2014 5:37 pm

Jhamer25 wrote:He shouldn't have to apologise or even talk about the matter. He done nothing wrong?
He handled it really well though. Again

Do you not get the sense Gatland enjoys the attention?

by Scratch Thu Jan 23, 2014 5:38 pm

GunsGerms wrote:
Jhamer25 wrote:He shouldn't have to apologise or even talk about the matter. He done nothing wrong?
He handled it really well though. Again

Do you not get the sense ~~Gatland~~ Glorious Empire enjoys the attention?

by **rodders** Thu Jan 23, 2014 5:52 pm

This just confirms it, gats is obsessed with Ireland and dropped BOD to get his own back on the auld enemy.

by Jhamer25 Thu Jan 23, 2014 6:13 pm

GunsGerms wrote:
Jhamer25 wrote:He shouldn't have to apologise or even talk about the matter. He done nothing wrong?
He handled it really well though. Again

Do you not get the sense Gatland enjoys the attention?

Yes but what can he do if he is constantly being asked by the media. They have made a bigger thing than it should have been.

by GunsGerms Thu Jan 23, 2014 6:35 pm

Absolutley true. The media love rattling on about it. Boring.

by **Biltong** Thu Jan 23, 2014 6:38 pm

Hmm, it seems our dear friend GE gas found another stick to stir the pot with. Wink

by GloriousEmpire Thu Jan 23, 2014 6:40 pm

A lot of pressure on bod now. What happens if he is comprehensively outplayed when Wales meet Ireland? Assuming, that is, he is selected to play?

by mystiroakey Thu Jan 23, 2014 7:32 pm

Well BOD Is at the end of the line, I cannot believe how many last games the man has had.

Irish?

Do you still want to play the old man?

by Engine#4 Thu Jan 23, 2014 10:28 pm

What's most depressing about all of this is that what should be potentially one of the most exciting, hard-fought games of this years tournament seems destined to be ruined by ill-feeling, snide comments and childish 'point-scoring'.

My one hope is that the part-time Irish rugby fans don't turn Landsdowne into a pantomime, not even a good-natured one because those with an agenda will leap at the opportunity to stick the boot in (I have no confidence in this whatsoever, it is as certain as the sun rising tomorrow).

by The Great Aukster Thu Jan 23, 2014 11:15 pm

At least this is BOD's last season, but Gatland's inept handling of the whole thing will follow him until he retires.
It undoubtedly preys on his mind - apparently he meant to send BOD a Christmas card and thought the post code was JD2...

by quinsforever Thu Jan 23, 2014 11:17 pm

Engine#4 wrote:What's most depressing about all of this is that what should be potentially one of the most exciting, hard-fought games of this years tournament seems destined to be ruined by ill-feeling, snide comments and childish 'point-scoring'.

My one hope is that the part-time Irish rugby fans don't turn Landsdowne into a pantomime, not even a good-natured one because those with an agenda will leap at the opportunity to stick the boot in (I have no confidence in this whatsoever, it is as certain as the sun rising tomorrow).

as a neutral i have to admit this is the match i am most looking forwards to in the 6N.

by mystiroakey Thu Jan 23, 2014 11:19 pm

Noooooo

England v Wales quinny!

by Engine#4 Thu Jan 23, 2014 11:47 pm

quinsforever wrote:
Engine#4 wrote:What's most depressing about all of this is that what should be potentially one of the most exciting, hard-fought games of this years tournament seems destined to be ruined by ill-feeling, snide comments and childish 'point-scoring'.

My one hope is that the part-time Irish rugby fans don't turn Landsdowne into a pantomime, not even a good-natured one because those with an agenda will leap at the opportunity to stick the boot in (I have no confidence in this whatsoever, it is as certain as the sun rising tomorrow).
as a neutral i have to admit this is the match i am most looking forwards to in the 6N.

The match itself I can't wait for. The nonsense that will precede and follow it I can do without, it's all taken a bit too seriously for my liking. Best case scenario; Gatland takes the mick out of the whole affair by turning up dressed entirely in red with a pair of horns, pitchfork and a tail. devil

by quinsforever Fri Jan 24, 2014 12:33 am

mystiroakey wrote:Noooooo

England v Wales quinny!

will be far too stressed to genuinely enjoy this one.

ireland v wales, now that will be pure enjoyment, with no bone in the fight.

by Scratch Fri Jan 24, 2014 3:47 am

quinsforever wrote:
mystiroakey wrote:Noooooo

England v Wales quinny!
will be far too stressed to genuinely enjoy this one.

ireland v wales, now that will be pure enjoyment, with no bone in the fight.

Stressed quins? I thought you were confident.

I mean you should be, massive uncertainty in your backs, missing your main centre, question marks at 9 and 10….versus a team who beat you on the last 2 occasions with 10 (approx) winning Lions.

I'd be worried about France if i were you, then Scotland…you'll get to us in good time!

by doctor_grey Fri Jan 24, 2014 10:33 am

GloriousEmpire wrote:In the latest twist of the saga that just won't die, victorious Lions coach Warren Gatland has bizarrely baited Irish fans over Brian O'Driscoll's dumping from the final Lions test.

He has chosen the launch of what will be one of the most fiercely contested Six Nations championships in years to pick at the old scab according to the bastion of journalism, the Daily Mail.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11190951

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2544139/Gatland-pleas-Ireland-fans-ODriscoll-sent-Christmas-card-dont-boo-me.html

Is this just creative journalistic timing? or does Gatland seriously want to provoke the Irish before the six nations clash? was this part of his plan all along?

Mi amigo,
I think Gatland gets his jollies by stirring the pot just a bit. Can't undo the past, can't run away from it, so why not stoke the fires and let it run its course?
Maybe it's a kiwi thing, eh? Remind you of anyone?????????
(no offense intended)

by Guest Fri Jan 24, 2014 10:40 am

Doctor_grey, did you read the articles? I can't see where Gatland is stirring the pot. He comes across very well in those articles I think (the quotes I mean, not the journalistic spin bits and the sensationalist headlines).

by Breadvan Fri Jan 24, 2014 10:52 am

Lions shmions. Despite the numbers it was a combined effort fgs!

by gregortree Fri Jan 24, 2014 10:56 am

Nickname:

'Gatling Gob'

Ready... FIRE ! ... aim

by GunsGerms Fri Jan 24, 2014 11:03 am

GloriousEmpire wrote:A lot of pressure on bod now. What happens if he is comprehensively outplayed when Wales meet Ireland? Assuming, that is, he is selected to play?

Like he comprehensively outplayed his opposition the last time Ireland and Wales met. If he has a terrible game then drop him. Not rocket science really. At this point centre is probably Irelands weakest position so hopefully someone will step up to the mark soon.

by **rodders** Fri Jan 24, 2014 11:13 am

GunsGerms wrote:
GloriousEmpire wrote:A lot of pressure on bod now. What happens if he is comprehensively outplayed when Wales meet Ireland? Assuming, that is, he is selected to play?

Like he comprehensively outplayed his opposition the last time Ireland and Wales met. If he has a terrible game then drop him. Not rocket science really. At this point centre is probably Irelands weakest position so hopefully someone will step up to the mark soon.

I think its a pity from a spectator point of view that Davies won't be there - that could of put the matter to bed, unfortunately Davies got schooled the last time they met so not actually proving he was better on the pitch is unfortunate...or maybe fortunate for him and Gats ..... Cool

by GunsGerms Fri Jan 24, 2014 11:14 am

Is he injured?

by **rodders** Fri Jan 24, 2014 11:15 am

Allegedly .... Run

by GunsGerms Fri Jan 24, 2014 11:16 am

Maybe Gatland just dropped him?

by Sponsored content