British & Irish Lions Squad 2017

[aucklandlaurie]

 There was no spear tackle.

Technically, you're right. It was off the ball, so it wasn't a tackle. Whatever it was, it wasn't pretty, it was deliberately dangerous and it wasn't remotely legal. The way it was handled by the officials was appalling.

 With an imagination like that you could get a job at Disneyland.

[No 7&1/2]

If it was done in the first test this year it would be 2 reds and bans for the remainder. Rugby has moved on. I'm sure there'll be something new this time around!

[Poorfour]

The amateur footage, near the end of this clip, is pretty telling. The ball has gone, and O'Driscoll goes vertically and head first into the ground.

BOD injury footage

I'd be interested to hear your explanation for how that happened, ebop sorry - laurie, given BOD started out on his feet in the middle of a ruck.

[LondonTiger]

 There was no spear tackle.

Technically, you're right. It was off the ball, so it wasn't a tackle. Whatever it was, it wasn't pretty, it was deliberately dangerous and it wasn't remotely legal. The way it was handled by the officials was appalling.

 With an imagination like that you could get a job at Disneyland.

With such being denials of the obvious, perhaps you would get a job in the Trump administration.

[aucklandlaurie]

 There was no spear tackle.

Technically, you're right. It was off the ball, so it wasn't a tackle. Whatever it was, it wasn't pretty, it was deliberately dangerous and it wasn't remotely legal. The way it was handled by the officials was appalling.

 With an imagination like that you could get a job at Disneyland.

With such being denials of the obvious, perhaps you would get a job in the Trump administration.

 Speaking of such There is a lot of similarity between the Mealamu / Umaga conspiracy to maim Brian O'Driscoll out of the game and the Trump / Russian / KGB conspiracy to win the presidency of the USA...mostly that its nothing more than peoples imaginations running wild.

[Scottrf]

 Speaking of such There is a lot of similarity between the Mealamu / Umaga conspiracy to maim Brian O'Driscoll out of the game and the Trump / Russian / KGB conspiracy to win the presidency of the USA...mostly that its nothing more than peoples imaginations running wild.

Except that there is video of one of them.

[No 7&1/2]

Semantics of trying to prove intent to injure rather than an absurdly bad technique.

[aucklandlaurie]

 Speaking of such There is a lot of similarity between the Mealamu / Umaga conspiracy to maim Brian O'Driscoll out of the game and the Trump / Russian / KGB conspiracy to win the presidency of the USA...mostly that its nothing more than peoples imaginations running wild.

Except that there is video of one of them.

 You've seen a video of a conspiracy?

[GunsGermsV2]

 There was no spear tackle.

Technically, you're right. It was off the ball, so it wasn't a tackle. Whatever it was, it wasn't pretty, it was deliberately dangerous and it wasn't remotely legal. The way it was handled by the officials was appalling.

Graham Henry really let himself down in his comments about it too. No ownership of the incident.

[aucklandlaurie]

 There was no spear tackle.

Technically, you're right. It was off the ball, so it wasn't a tackle. Whatever it was, it wasn't pretty, it was deliberately dangerous and it wasn't remotely legal. The way it was handled by the officials was appalling.

Graham Henry really let himself down in his comments about it too. No ownership of the incident.

, Graham Henry is a very astute master of Rugby. He knows what hes talking about.

[Guest]

Graham Henry looked like a spring chicken or bull dog puppy. That amateur footage doesn't seem to show the AB players driving BOD into the ground. I thought that was the beef. They basically inadvertently took his legs out, he did a handstand, and he broke his collarbone or whatever it was. Just unfortunate. Doesn't warrant the player acting like a pork chop for 12 years imo.

[No 7&1/2]

Yup. You can understand the grumbles though and as this is the 1st lions tour to nz since bound to come up. It puts a certain amount of pressure on refs and citing officials as well.

[kingelderfield]

All we can say is that the bullsh1t coming from the kiwi posters shows up who and what they really are.

It's about time you showed some humility.

[Guest]

Yup. You can understand the grumbles though and as this is the 1st lions tour to nz since bound to come up. It puts a certain amount of pressure on refs and citing officials as well.

Yeah I can to a degree. I still hold grudges against certain players so am no different. As I've always said it's just the reaction of BOD and co that is ridiculous. All this apology nonsense. No doubt more cameras these days. And anything like that would be scrutinised to the nth degree. Doubt we'll see anything like that affair again. It'll go down in folklore.

[Guest]

All we can say is that the bullsh1t coming from the kiwi posters shows up who and what they really are.

It's about time you showed some humility.

Ok, time for you to calm down mate

[No 7&1/2]

I was about to say I agree that we won't see anything like that ebop....but I still think if the lions sneak ahead there will be a certain nervousness and need to make something happen. This nz team doesn't have as many out and out leaders of a few years ago, that may ho against them.

[Guest]

Who knows 7.5. But there are still many players with over 50 caps and damn near 100 caps in the 15 so the ABs will have the experience. Remember, we play rugby at a pace but also intensity that few can live with. So if anything, it could be the Lions that are doing desperate things. We'll see I guess.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Why would we need more cameras? We have the video evidence of the thuggish act. The remarkable thing is the NZ fans who still deny it.

It seems NZ players and fans think the game belongs to them and they are above the laws. Foul play is a common theme and yet many times it goes unpunished. In the Ulster-Barbarians game last night Chris Masoe received a yellow card thankfully (which had to be called back by the TMO despite it happening in front of the referee) after leading with the shoulder into the face of one of our young players. If it wasn't a BaaBaas match it would surely have been red. After receiving the yellow, he started arguing with the referee and shouted in his face "are you kidding me?"

Such disrespect and thuggery doesn't belong in the game. If people from NZ want that, maybe they should form their own game.

[kingelderfield]

All we can say is that the bullsh1t coming from the kiwi posters shows up who and what they really are.

It's about time you showed some humility.

Ok, time for you to calm down mate

I'm perfectly calm and I'm not your mate so save me your patronism.

[No 7&1/2]

They lacked it in both tests against Ireland. You're right there with the lions new combos etc. Less pressure though. If Gustard can get their defence right we stand a chance. Going to be interesting!

[kingelderfield]

No ebop the truth is I am not your mate however you wish to insult me.

[Guest]

Nothing you've said is insulting

[Winzer]

Great article by Gwyn Jones yesterday. His view is that not an unreasonable strategy to try to physically dominate the All Blacks (which is what he seems to think Gatland will do), but the question is whether the Lions have the power to do that up front; otherwise the speed of the game will be too much for them.

He pointed out that Carwyn James as coach had a record against the ABs of 4 wins, one draw, one loss (one of the wins being Llanelli, one the Barbarians in that famous game). Is there anyone else in the history of the game who could boast that?

[kingelderfield]

No ebop the truth is I am not your mate however you wish to insult me.

Ok so you removed your post.

[GunsGermsV2]

A sign in NZ reads "The Irish were too good for us last year so they have added some Brits to make it fair"

Sounds about right.

[Guest]

I think Rory that I could rattle off plenty of thuggish acts against AB players from various British and Irish players over the years. We may ham it up for a bit but hen we move on. I've already said I don't deny that BOD was upended. But BOD and Lions fans have hammed it up for way too long and now it must stop. The end is now. No more tears, no more tears, no more tears.....

[kingelderfield]

Nothing you've said is insulting

It wasn't an insult.

[Cyril]

Nothing you've said is insulting

It wasn't an insult.

Is this a five minute argument, or the full half hour?

[Guest]

Nothing you've said is insulting

It wasn't an insult.

Don't worry about it kingelderfield, I think you're a fine poster, I have no beef with you.

[kingelderfield]

I think Rory that I could rattle off plenty of thuggish acts against AB players from various British and Irish players over the years. We may ham it up for a bit but hen we move on. I've already said I don't deny that BOD was upended. But BOD and Lions fans have hammed it up for way too long and now it must stop. The end is now. No more tears, no more tears, no more tears.....

Do you realise how that comes across?

[Guest]

A sign in NZ reads "The Irish were too good for us last year so they have added some Brits to make it fair"

Sounds about right.

That's good

[kingelderfield]

Nothing you've said is insulting

It wasn't an insult.

Don't worry about it kingelderfield, I think you're a fine poster, I have no beef with you.

No thanks

[Guest]

Nothing you've said is insulting

It wasn't an insult.

Don't worry about it kingelderfield, I think you're a fine poster, I have no beef with you.

No thanks

Lol

Good on ya mate

[Cyril]

A sign in NZ reads "The Irish were too good for us last year so they have added some Brits to make it fair"

Sounds about right.

Haha, like it

Nice of those Kiwis to butter up the Irish while having a pop at the Brits

It's ok though, we've brought plenty of substandard SH players too, so NZ shouldn't have to work too hard.

[GunsGermsV2]

 There was no spear tackle.

Technically, you're right. It was off the ball, so it wasn't a tackle. Whatever it was, it wasn't pretty, it was deliberately dangerous and it wasn't remotely legal. The way it was handled by the officials was appalling.

Graham Henry really let himself down in his comments about it too. No ownership of the incident.

, Graham Henry is a very astute master of Rugby. He knows what hes talking about.

A lot of the time he does alright but like a lot of Kiwis if you criticise the ABs he gets all emotional and irrational.

[Poorfour]

Graham Henry looked like a spring chicken or bull dog puppy. That amateur footage doesn't seem to show the AB players driving BOD into the ground. I thought that was the beef. They basically inadvertently took his legs out, he did a handstand, and he broke his collarbone or whatever it was. Just unfortunate. Doesn't warrant the player acting like a pork chop for 12 years imo.

Just how many times have you seen a static player do a handstand in the middle of an International rugby match? Especially one where his hands aren't actually on the floor?

None of the players were moving at a pace that would cause someone to tip like that accidentally. And if they weren't actively driving him into the ground (which I think the footage actually suggests quite strongly), they certainly weren't making any effort to bring him down safely.

The issue isn't that he broke his collarbone (and dislocated his shoulder so badly it took 25 minutes for the doctor to get it back in). The issue is that he could have broken his neck as a result of a deliberate, off the ball act by two players who received no sanction, and that the consistent front presented by New Zealand officials, players and fans shows no remorse, and no recognition that it was unacceptable or that refusing even to investigate it properly damaged the game.

Rugby's a tough game, and people get injured accidentally, recklessly or occasionally by a cheap shot. Some of those incidents are missed. Some of them are dismissed. But anything that results in a career- or life-threatening injury needs to be seen to be investigated fairly or the voices that are claiming rugby is too dangerous will gain some traction. New Zealand, as the biggest brand in the game, need to be at the forefront of that.

[Guest]

Was his injury life threatening poorfour?

No

So everything you say is hamming it up

When Heaslip kneed Richie McCaw in the head with all his might was that life threatening?

BOD and Lions fans can ham it up forever and a day until kingdom comes but at the end of the day he'll be ok, albeit, with his reputation a bit sullied for being such a sook about it.

But Richie McCaw may end up with brain issues in future after being kneed in the 'head' with brutal force by that thug Heaslip or after being elbowed in the 'head' by that thug Hartley. Terrible state of affairs these NH thugs targeting McCaw's head like that. Were they trying to kill him or cause concussion so that he'll live out his remaining days in pain. You have to wonder don't you.

[GunsGermsV2]

Was his injury life threatening poorfour?

No

So everything you say is hamming it up

When Heaslip kneed Richie McCaw in the head with all his might was that life threatening?

BOD and Lions fans can ham it up forever and a day until kingdom comes but at the end of the day he'll be ok, albeit, with his reputation a bit sullied for being such a sook about it.

But Richie McCaw may end up with brain issues in future after being kneed in the 'head' with brutal force by that thug Heaslip or after being elbowed in the 'head' by that thug Hartley. Terrible state of affairs these NH thugs targeting McCaw's head like that. Were they trying to kill him or cause concussion so that he'll live out his remaining days in pain. You have to wonder don't you.

Heaslip didnt knee McCaw in the head. You can see this clearly in the video of the incident and the citing commissioner agreed that it wasn't to the head but deserved to be sanctioned all the same. You don't seem to have a clue what you are talking about.

Heaslip was also red carded and banned and admitted what he did was wrong. Umaga and Mealamu are still playing the victim as such I have zero respect for them as do a lot of people.

[Guest]

Oh I kneed you in the head with all my force

I'm sorry

[GunsGermsV2]

Oh I kneed you in the head with all my force

I'm sorry

Did you get a knee to the head yourself?

[marty2086]

You have to love the Kiwi and All Black approach of we do what we want and £uck you if you don't like it

[marty2086]

Oh I kneed you in the head with all my force

I'm sorry

Did you get a knee to the head yourself?

Seems to have taken some sort of head impact

[Guest]

Heaslip can knee a guy flush bang smack in the head on purpose

Meh

[Guest]

Oh wait

He's sorry

[Luckless Pedestrian]

It's going to be a long tour....

[Guest]

This is the warm up

Reacquainting ourselves

[Rugby Fan]

The saddest thing about the BOD incident is that it remains an open sore. If it had been handled properly at the time, I don't think it would inflame supporters so much. We have forgiven and forgotten a lot of brutality in our game over the years.

The onus was on the New Zealand side to put up a mea culpa but this didn't happen. Graham Henry's first response was to say he hadn't seen the incident but thought everyone needed to move on. That was daft, because you can't tell everyone to forget about something if you don't know what it is.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

It's just going to be tedious if this keeps getting brought up for the next however many weeks. Nothing can be done about it now.

[marty2086]

The saddest thing about the BOD incident is that it remains an open sore. If it had been handled properly at the time, I don't think it would inflame supporters so much. We have forgiven and forgotten a lot of brutality in our game over the years.

The onus was on the New Zealand side to put up a mea culpa but this didn't happen. Graham Henry's first response was to say he hadn't seen the incident but thought everyone needed to move on. That was daft, because you can't tell everyone to forget about something if you don't know what it is.

No, Im pretty sure the Kiwis would be complaining they were hard done by because they have a touch of the Nixons about them

[Guest]

You have to love the Kiwi and All Black approach of we do what we want and £uck you if you don't like it

That's not true marty because ABs don't like having their heads targeted in despicable acts of thuggery from anyone. Even rugby players from the NH. Anyone remember the time that Welsh guy literally clotheslined Daniel Carter. Forget his name. He had a reputation. That was hilarious when Daniel Carter got clotheslined that time. Think we ended up winning that game.

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