O'Driscoll retains Ireland captaincy

patmac

As it says. I still have great respect for BOD as a player but ireland would be way better off with O'Connell as captain i.m.o.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2009/0127/ireland.html
Tuesday, 27 January 2009 12:59
Head coach Declan Kidney has confirmed that Brian O'Driscoll will retain the captaincy of Ireland for the upcoming RBS Six Nations Championship.

The announcement was made today at a press conference held at Ireland's current training base in Limerick.

The move comes despite speculation that O'Driscoll, who this season gave up the captaincy of Leinster, which is now held by Leo Cullen, would be replaced in the role by Munster captain Paul O'Connell.

Ulster captain Rory Best and Munster out-half Ronan O'Gara were also touted as alternative captains.

Kidney said: 'I'm delighted that Brian has yet again agreed to lead the side in this year's championship.

'He has the leadership qualities which are vital at this level and, along with the other leaders in the squad, will be important for the tournament ahead.'


O'Driscoll has captained Ireland 51 times, most recently in the three game November International series.

Ireland's Six Nations campaign gets underway at Croke Park on Saturday, 7 February against France.

Kidney also revealed that Ireland are in negotiations to stage a fourth international in the Autumn and that a summer tour to Canada and the USA has also been agreed.

Ireland will play Tests against both sides in late May, using players who have not been selected for the Lions tour to South Africa and who will not feature in the Heineken Cup final (23 May).

An 'A' squad will be sent to the Churchill Cup, meaning that a total of around 60 players will be required for international duty this summer.

Kidney said: "This plan for the year allows us to spread the net across a greater number of players and to get to know them in the best way possible.

'With a total of 14 games that the national management will be involved in this year, it serves two purposes. Firstly, it will give us the chance to work with players who may be just below the more established members of the squad in a pressure situation.

'Secondly, it gives them the exposure which is important for their development at the highest level.'


Australia, Fiji and South Africa are Ireland's confirmed opponents in November with the extra fixture, yet to be finalised, taking place on the weekend of November 7-8.

PowerHouseDan

Would have to Agree, Not to happy with the News but Maybe he can Prove us wrong in any case.

ALH-06

I know a lot of the Munster lads were hoping O'Connell would be given a chance, and I admit he'd make a Irish captain, but this has come from Declan Kidney - a coach who knows the extent of POC's captaining abilities better than perhaps anyone.

BOD has been given a vote of confidence by POC's former coach, so I think it's time people give him the respect he deserves in his role as Irish captain.

PowerHouseDan

Would agree Bar the Deserves to be Captain, but whats done it done, Kidney picked him for a reason, Very surprising however but picked him all the day so well hope he and Ireland Rugby can Go past the Slump.

ALH-06 wrote: »

I know a lot of the Munster lads were hoping O'Connell would be given a chance, and I admit he'd make a Irish captain, but this has come from Declan Kidney - a coach who knows the extent of POC's captaining abilities better than perhaps anyone.

BOD has been given a vote of confidence by POC's former coach, so I think it's time people give him the respect he deserves in his role as Irish captain.

jprender

I can see that Kidney "confirmed" BOD as Captain, but does anyone know who actually made the decision ?

bleg

declan kidney (along with his coaching staff) and brian o driscoll i'd say.

there is no reason to believe politics had a role to play and insinuating such a thing is an insult to the players, the coaching staff and the irfu

murphym7

jprender wrote: »

I can see that Kidney "confirmed" BOD as Captain, but does anyone know who actually made the decision ?

Very well spotted. It could be a conspiracy theory but I doubt it. The Irish coach has never had "Carte blanche" on the decision making for the Irish team. The IRFU always has had a hand in the selection of the squad (at least) and undoubtadly has a hand in the picking of the Captain. There are a lot of politics in Irish rugby.

Saying all that I don't think it's a terrible decision. It would be nice to see POC having a shot off it but in reality when you look at the decsison making on the field you often see BOD & POC consulting each other anyway.

jprender

It's a good decision, I'll give you that....but it could have been a great decision.

boredatwork82

Did anyone realistically expect a change, considering Kidney's squad selection. It is pretty much the same squad as EOS would have picked.
In his short rein so far he has not made one decision that would differentiate him from his predcessor.
Kidney is a conservative coach and he will not be the the creatine/innovative & ambitious coach that Irish Rugby needs.

As regards BOD as captain, the guy is immense, and players must repect him. POC can probably have a captains effect as pack leader, so i wouldn't worry about that.

Bryan Habana

boredatwork82 wrote: »

As regards BOD as captain, the guy is immense, and players must repect him. POC can probably have a captains effect as pack leader, so i wouldn't worry about that.

Yeah I agree with that. But I'd definitely see POC as a future captain sooner or later.

soundsham

not a happy camper

wanted blood............................new blood

anonymous_joe

Bryan Habana wrote: »

Yeah I agree with that. But I'd definitely see POC as a future captain sooner or later.

Given that he's nearly the same age as O'Driscoll I don't really know if he will be.

holly1

My hubby thinks the reason he has been elected captin again is to do with the Lions Tour and him captining the Lions?????
We all wanted POC.

thehighground

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Given that he's nearly the same age as O'Driscoll I don't really know if he will be.

But at least POC doesn't seem to be made of glass!

Crash

But you have to honestly think, if that were the reason, why the hell would someone like Ian McGeehan, who has a reputation as being a hard, tough fella who's only really interested in results, want someone who can't perform as captain, as captain? The problems in the Irish side run far, FAR deeper than who the hell is captain, and to be honest, I really doubt that POC as captain would have changed much at all.

anonymous_joe

thehighground wrote: »

But at least POC doesn't seem to be made of glass!

Ah he's had the odd injury, and his extraordinarily physical style is not sustainable forever.

Anyways, I'd love to know the reasons for the delay in the announcement. Wonder what the motives were, or even if there was a motive.

louthandproud

ALH-06 wrote: »

I know a lot of the Munster lads were hoping O'Connell would be given a chance, and I admit he'd make a Irish captain, but this has come from Declan Kidney - a coach who knows the extent of POC's captaining abilities better than perhaps anyone.

BOD has been given a vote of confidence by POC's former coach, so I think it's time people give him the respect he deserves in his role as Irish captain.

I seriously doubt this had anything to do with Kidneys confidence in PO'C's ability as captain or otherwise, that wouldn't ever have been in question. If BO'D wanted to remain on as captain and obviously now he did, I don't see any reason why Kidney would have prevented him, other than Brian not being a shoe in for his postion in the team (lol). If it aint broke don't fix it. Forcing a change of captain I fear could have caused more problems than it would have solved if indeed it would have solved any.

Crash

I would be interested to see what changes people would have expected to see in the team with POC as captain, to be truly honest.

Actually, are the backs of the Irish squad the only area that doesn't have a dearth of people who have led a province at one stage or another?

Forwards, you have POC, and Best, O'Driscoll in the squad. Halfbacks both O'Gara and Strings have captained Munster at some point in time. 11-15 the only one to Captain a team is O'Driscoll, would I be right? (not using this as an argument in his favour, by the way, just actually wondering)

Podge_irl

Going Waterforward wrote: »

Forwards, you have POC, and Best, O'Driscoll in the squad. Halfbacks both O'Gara and Strings have captained Munster at some point in time. 11-15 the only one to Captain a team is O'Driscoll, would I be right? (not using this as an argument in his favour, by the way, just actually wondering)

I think Horgan may have captained Leinster once, but I'm not sure.

anonymous_joe

Hey, who were Kidney's captains while he was coaching Munster?

Warper

As voted for in the other thread "Who do you think should be Irish Capt" - 70% voted for O'Connell. For someone to suggest that politics has nothing got to do with this decision is naive - Kidney realised that for him to come in and replace BOD with a Munster player as Capt. was not going to go down well with the IRFU or with Leinster so as has happened in the past we go down the old traditional road of trying to keep every province happy. This has been out biggest disadvantage in the past as it will be in the future.

Until someone comes in and actually pick the best starting 15 that Ireland has to offer we can go on winning "second place" - the odd Triple Crown but never actually winning anything - ie the Championship. Obviously politics is still well in Irish Rugby and this year is no different than any other - another crap year in store. We have the best group of Irish players ever to play the game and we still have no chance of winning anything internationally as we do not have a "TEAM". It is like we have to play X amount of Munster players, X amount of Leinster players and X amount of Ulster players and anyone playing anywhere else can forget about it.

This year is just gonna be deja vu.

Podge_irl

Warper wrote: »

As voted for in the other thread "Who do you think should be Irish Capt" - 70% voted for O'Connell. For someone to suggest that politics has nothing got to do with this decision is naive - Kidney realised that for him to come in and replace BOD with a Munster player as Capt. was not going to go down well with the IRFU or with Leinster so as has happened in the past we go down the old traditional road of trying to keep every province happy. This has been out biggest disadvantage in the past as it will be in the future.

Until someone comes in and actually pick the best starting 15 that Ireland has to offer we can go on winning "second place" - the odd Triple Crown but never actually winning anything - ie the Championship. Obviously politics is still well in Irish Rugby and this year is no different than any other - another crap year in store. We have the best group of Irish players ever to play the game and we still have no chance of winning anything internationally as we do not have a "TEAM". It is like we have to play X amount of Munster players, X amount of Leinster players and X amount of Ulster players and anyone playing anywhere else can forget about it.

This year is just gonna be deja vu.

Jesus Christ, what is with all the paranoia and conspiracy theories around Irish rugby.

Shockingly, I would imagine that 100% of posters here are not in the Irish squad and therefore are not present at training sessions and in the dressing room or indeed on the pitch. Therefore the fact that 70% of them want O'Connell as captain is nigh on irrelevant. For someone to suggest that Kidney cares what we think or that he wouldn't do what he thinks is best for the Irish team is ridiculous. Its his reputation at stake too, and something tells me the IRFU care more about winning then they do about hurting BOD's feelings seeing as winning actually, you know, makes them money.

I really don't now how this "best ever generation" of Irish players nonsense started, but its not true. They're better then the Irish team of the early 90s, but then so were Western Samoa. The team has always had glaring deficiencies, though a Machiavellian captain was not one of them.

I also find it amusing how a lot of people who decried O'Sullivan's selections and tactics are now blaming the IRFU and Leinster for everything now that Kidney is in charge. He picked BOD as captain, get the **** over it.

anonymous_joe

Warper wrote: »

As voted for in the other thread "Who do you think should be Irish Capt" - 70% voted for O'Connell. For someone to suggest that politics has nothing got to do with this decision is naive - Kidney realised that for him to come in and replace BOD with a Munster player as Capt. was not going to go down well with the IRFU or with Leinster so as has happened in the past we go down the old traditional road of trying to keep every province happy. This has been out biggest disadvantage in the past as it will be in the future.

With all due respect, there's not actually a secret plot from a bevy of men in suits to somehow stop our brave boys in red from taking their rightful place as rulers of the world. O'Driscoll's actually our most successful international captain ever, for the record. ^^

Until someone comes in and actually pick the best starting 15 that Ireland has to offer we can go on winning "second place" - the odd Triple Crown but never actually winning anything - ie the Championship. Obviously politics is still well in Irish Rugby and this year is no different than any other - another crap year in store. We have the best group of Irish players ever to play the game and we still have no chance of winning anything internationally as we do not have a "TEAM". It is like we have to play X amount of Munster players, X amount of Leinster players and X amount of Ulster players and anyone playing anywhere else can forget about it.

This year is just gonna be deja vu.

The biggest problem is that we have 3 quality teams (what's been done to Connacht is tragic and disgraceful) which means our teams are being picked from a very tight pool. In essence, an England team is unlikely to all come from one club, unless that one club is spectacularly good.

The idea that 7 of 8 players in the pack could come from one team is unimaginable for any other nation.

From a Leinster perspective, I have to say, there's a lingering ill-feeling towards Kidney for things he's done in the past. Now I'm capable of ignoring that, but if there was a Leinster bias in the IRFU then Kidney would not have been appointed, but would have been hung drawn and quartered.

What Ireland really need is for the dominance of individual teams on whole areas of the team to be broken. A backline of Leinster/Ulster/Munster players would be less predictable than a Leinster backline. It would also lead to greater competiton. There are obvious benefits to one team dominating (continuity etc) but it leads to resentment. I have no doubts that O'Connell and O'Callaghnan's parternship in addition to a mainly Munster front row meant that players like Cullen and Casey were never going to get a look in, because it would have meant breaking a great set of players.

thehighground

Podge_irl wrote: »

Jesus Christ, what is with all the paranoia and conspiracy theories around Irish rugby.

Shockingly, I would imagine that 100% of posters here are not in the Irish squad and therefore are not present at training sessions and in the dressing room or indeed on the pitch. Therefore the fact that 70% of them want O'Connell as captain is nigh on irrelevant. For someone to suggest that Kidney cares what we think or that he wouldn't do what he thinks is best for the Irish team is ridiculous. Its his reputation at stake too, and something tells me the IRFU care more about winning then they do about hurting BOD's feelings seeing as winning actually, you know, makes them money.

Wonder, if it went to a vote like it does in Munster, would BOD be elected.
How does winning make them money. The IRFU make money by people buying tickets to games and by merchandising, sponsorship etc.

]
I really don't now how this "best ever generation" of Irish players nonsense started, but its not true. They're better then the Irish team of the early 90s, but then so were Western Samoa. The team has always had glaring deficiencies, though a Machiavellian captain was not one of them.

I also find it amusing how a lot of people who decried O'Sullivan's selections and tactics are now blaming the IRFU and Leinster for everything now that Kidney is in charge. He picked BOD as captain, get the **** over it.

I saw the press conference tonight on TV - Kidney specifically said "Brian will continue as captain .

I think it would be better for the TEAM if the captain (who talks to the ref) came from the forwards .... now can you get over that?

Podge_irl

thehighground wrote: »

Wonder, if it went to a vote like it does in Munster, would BOD be elected.
How does winning make them money. The IRFU make money by people buying tickets to games and by merchandising, sponsorship etc.

I don't know. But the players seem to hold BOD in a lot higher esteem then some fans.

I saw the press conference tonight on TV - Kidney specifically said "Brian will continue as captain .

I think it would be better for the TEAM if the captain (who talks to the ref) came from the forwards .... now can you get over that?

I don't think people should read that much into the exact wording of what Kidney said. Besides, I don't see anything to read into there - if Kidney picked BOD entirely of his own free will he'd still be continuing on as captain.

There is nothing to "get over". I have no problem with people having differing opinions. I would have zero problem with POC being captain myself. Its the conspiracy theories floating around that are ridiculous.

thehighground

anonymous_joe wrote: »

With all due respect, there's not actually a secret plot from a bevy of men in suits to somehow stop our brave boys in red from taking their rightful place as rulers of the world. O'Driscoll's actually our most successful international captain ever, for the record. ^^

Ciaran Fitzgerald wouldn't be far off his 'success' rate. What about the GS winning captain from the 40s?

The biggest problem is that we have 3 quality teams (what's been done to Connacht is tragic and disgraceful) which means our teams are being picked from a very tight pool. In essence, an England team is unlikely to all come from one club, unless that one club is spectacularly good.

No, we don't have three quality teams. We have one quality TEAM, we have another group of quality players who seem unable to be able to play as a TEAM, we've got Ulster who are showing potential to be a TEAM, but are not out of the woods quite yet. Connacht doesn't have the public support, so are likely to remain as a development province.

The idea that 7 of 8 players in the pack could come from one team is unimaginable for any other nation.

Wales / Ospreys?

From a Leinster perspective, I have to say, there's a lingering ill-feeling towards Kidney for things he's done in the past. Now I'm capable of ignoring that, but if there was a Leinster bias in the IRFU then Kidney would not have been appointed, but would have been hung drawn and quartered.

It was fairly obvious the IRFU would have appointed anyone else rather than Kidney, except no one would touch the job. They were stuck with Kidney.

What Ireland really need is for the dominance of individual teams on whole areas of the team to be broken. A backline of Leinster/Ulster/Munster players would be less predictable than a Leinster backline. It would also lead to greater competiton. There are obvious benefits to one team dominating (continuity etc) but it leads to resentment. I have no doubts that O'Connell and O'Callaghnan's parternship in addition to a mainly Munster front row meant that players like Cullen and Casey were never going to get a look in, because it would have meant breaking a great set of players.

Kidney obviously didn't rate Cullen (he let him go from Leinster to Leicester a few years ago). Casey obviously wasn't rated by someone else in Leinster and he was let go to LI. Obviously, Kidney has rated both POC & DOC all along. He didn't always know them - and if it helps - Kidney was with Dolphin & DOC was with Cork Con. (as was O'Gara), so there would have been club rivalry there. Kidney obviously rated BOD & Paddy Wallace (along with DOC) as they were in the under age World Cup team that he coached.

Thats nonsence about the predicability of players being known by everyone because they play together. Wales are in some trouble if that is the case - particularly with Tommy Bowe in the Irish line-up.

Most people's game are analaysed anyway.

Different coach is what you need.

twinytwo

Drico was named captain so what?? at the end of the day both bod AND poc will be on the pitch both doing their bit... better than only having one of them

The Rooster

Everyone assumes O'Connell wanted the captaincy...

twinytwo

boredatwork82 wrote: »

Did anyone realistically expect a change, considering Kidney's squad selection. It is pretty much the same squad as EOS would have picked.
In his short rein so far he has not made one decision that would differentiate him from his predcessor.
Kidney is a conservative coach and he will not be the the creatine/innovative & ambitious coach that Irish Rugby needs.

As regards BOD as captain, the guy is immense, and players must repect him. POC can probably have a captains effect as pack leader, so i wouldn't worry about that.

And??? its not like we have than many players and except from one or 2 of the starting 15 who would you change?? O gara? Wallace? POC? the bull? Kearney? ...i think not

ALH-06

thehighground wrote: »

Wonder, if it went to a vote like it does in Munster, would BOD be elected.
How does winning make them money. The IRFU make money by people buying tickets to games and by merchandising, sponsorship etc.

Well would he be elected? Yes? No? It's obviously pure speculation, but you haven't even offered an answer!

How does winning make them money? Oh come on, rugby is a professional sport! Success = money. Fair enough this Irish team has underachieved in the last few years, but would there be as much interest in Irish rugby / as much jerseys being sold now if no triple crowns had been won? Would there be as many Munster jerseys around (especially outside of Munster) without those HC victories? Of course not.

thehighground wrote: »

I saw the press conference tonight on TV - Kidney specifically said "Brian will continue as captain

You're really clutching at straws!

RichTea

I don't really mind Brian O'Driscoll as captain. Terrific servant of rugby in Ireland.Though I have a nagging opinion that even when I look at this from a non-biased,non-Munster perspective that Paul O'Connell is the man for the job at this moment in time.

thehighground

ALH-06 wrote: »

Well would he be elected? Yes? No? It's obviously pure speculation, but you haven't even offered an answer!

POC was elected in Munster by the squad, so he is obviously rated as a leader (players vote for their captain in Munster). There are more forwards in a team and it is highly likely they would prefer to have a forward as captain as long as there is a decent option. Simple as that.

How does winning make them money? Oh come on, rugby is a professional sport! Success = money. Fair enough this Irish team has underachieved in the last few years, but would there be as much interest in Irish rugby / as much jerseys being sold now if no triple crowns had been won? Would there be as many Munster jerseys around (especially outside of Munster) without those HC victories? Of course not.

Why are you restating the point I was making?

You're really clutching at straws!

The devil is in the detail.

Serenity Now!

Podge_irl wrote: »

Jesus Christ, what is with all the paranoia and conspiracy theories around Irish rugby

I also find it amusing how a lot of people who decried O'Sullivan's selections and tactics are now blaming the IRFU and Leinster for everything now that Kidney is in charge. He picked BOD as captain, get the **** over it.

Yep its indeed hilarious the utter tosh that gets spouted. I mean, you'd swear Messrs Kidney, Smal and Kiss hadn't a clue what they're doing. This is the best coaching ensemble ever at the helm and I think they know a good captain when they see one.
Then the rubbish about committees and provinces having sway...LOL! :rolleyes:

Noopti

Serenity Now! wrote: »

Then the rubbish about committees and provinces having sway...LOL! :rolleyes:

Don't forget Niall Francis.

thehighground

Serenity Now! wrote: »

Yep its indeed hilarious the utter tosh that gets spouted. I mean, you'd swear Messrs Kidney, Smal and Kiss hadn't a clue what they're doing. This is the best coaching ensemble ever at the helm and I think they know a good captain when they see one.
Then the rubbish about committees and provinces having sway...LOL! :rolleyes:

I see you leave Gaffney out of the 'best' coaching ensemble

btw - Gaffney wasn't Kidney's first choice coach. He approached McGahan (McGahan said this when he got the Munster job).

For the record, I do think Kidney knows what he is doing.

ALH-06

thehighground wrote: »

For the record, I do think Kidney knows what he is doing.

That's a relief to hear. So do I.

End of story then.

figs86

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2009/0129/odriscollb.html

'As far as I was concerned, if Declan (Kidney) felt I was up to the job and having spoken to the senior players and felt I still had the dressing room, that was the decision made for me'

if he's questioning whether he still has the dressing room, i think he probably doesn't have it

Crash

Ah now thats a bit unfair. If the quotes in that are a fair and accurate representation then he talked to Kidney, talked to the other senior players, judged the situation and felt he was happy to lead, and that others were happy to lead. Twisting "felt I still had the dressing room" to "he was questioning whether he still has the dressing room" is equivalent to Sun level reporting.

twinytwo

Drico is the official cap... but does that really matter.. I mean if poc says to one of the lads to do something they are going to do it anyway.... so what the big deal? Too much fuss over who is cap will make no real difference to weather we play good or bad

Stev_o

twinytwo wrote: »

Drico is the official cap... but does that really matter.. I mean if poc says to one of the lads to do something they are going to do it anyway.... so what the big deal? Too much fuss over who is cap will make no real difference to weather we play good or bad

Exactly, are people really doubting that POC had a small influence in the Ireland squad??? He's pack leader for god sake he's a extremely vocal together. Having him as captain will change one thing only it ll be someone different pointing to the post's for ROG to kick.

twinytwo

To put an end to this debate.. page 55 of todays echo..

Declen Kidney said

"The captaincy was decided by the players..... i spoke to the squad and BOD,POC and ROG they were all happy for BOD to remain on as captain"

thehighground

twinytwo wrote: »

To put an end to this debate.. page 55 of todays echo..

Declen Kidney said

"The captaincy was decided by the players..... i spoke to the squad and BOD,POC and ROG they were all happy for BOD to remain on as captain"

I think the Echo may have got it wrong (I just can't imagine Declan Kidney referring to Brian as BOD, somehow . It wasn't a squad vote from what BOD says here (taken from the IRFU website).

The player himself said: "It is a great honour to captain your country. One person is the captain and it is great to have other leaders around the pitch such as Ronan O'Gara, Paul O'Connell and Rory Best.

"I spoke to them and to a couple of other senior players and it was agreed that I should continue.

http://www.irishrugby.ie/10735_15850.php

Local (Limerick Leader) press view here:

http://www.limerickpost.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=317:baffling-bias&catid=23:sport&Itemid=34

Crash

That Limerick leader article is a shining example of why most people shouldnt be allowed to write an editorial.

NotWormBoy

thehighground wrote: »

Local (Limerick Leader) press view here:

http://www.limerickpost.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=317:baffling-bias&catid=23:sport&Itemid=34

The Limericak Post wrote:

Munster are the best in Ireland. O Connell is the best for Munster, therefore he should be captain.

Not that I disagree with his entire article, but this quote is a complete non-sequitur. The first part is true, the second part is probably true, but the conclusion drawn from is makes little sense.

thehighground

Going Waterforward wrote: »

That Limerick leader article is a shining example of why most people shouldnt be allowed to write an editorial.

Meaning?

It is a local newspaper and Paul O'Connell is a local hero. Are locals not allowed have opinions now? LOL.

Which bits do you disagree with, btw?

Crash

Perfectly allowed. I'm also allowed to think its a pile of ****e though

For one, I completely disagree with the whole IRFU bias ****e - it seems that there are some people who are more than happy to put all the good things that may/will/have happened at Declan Kidneys feet, and lay all the blame on the nameless IRFU people who are so obviously trying to use this as a way to bring in the NWO (what, if we're talking conspiracy theories...)


Oh, and I agree with NotWormBoy there, the moment I read that line I realised that it was gonna be less of an editorial and more of a rant.

thehighground

Going Waterforward wrote: »

Perfectly allowed. I'm also allowed to think its a pile of ****e though

Maybe if you backed up your opinions a bit better then

For one, I completely disagree with the whole IRFU bias ****e - it seems that there are some people who are more than happy to put all the good things that may/will/have happened at Declan Kidneys feet, and lay all the blame on the nameless IRFU people who are so obviously trying to use this as a way to bring in the NWO (what, if we're talking conspiracy theories...)

Well, lets face it ... Declan Kidney has a decent record on achievement. Now the IRFU has done a fair few good things ... but I'm not too sure it doesn't meddle a bit too much sometimes and is a bit amateurish. Think EOS, his appointment in the first place and then awarding of new contract prior to world cup, Warran Gatland getting the sack, (and Warran Gatland having to stick his neck out to select for instance, Trevor Brennan), Connacht and how Michael Bradley didn't get the sack years ago. Not sorting out Ulster, losing most of its best players before it actually collapsed (and Mark McCall actually resigning himself!).

Can you blame anyone for thinking that the IRFU is just full of bias and has its favourite sons that it looks out for.

Oh, and I agree with NotWormBoy there, the moment I read that line I realised that it was gonna be less of an editorial and more of a rant.

I think there are some very valid points there ... BOD is a lame duck at this stage which will put a whole lot of pressure on him (and which I think is unfair on him).

ALH-06

Going Waterforward wrote: »

Oh, and I agree with NotWormBoy there, the moment I read that line I realised that it was gonna be less of an editorial and more of a rant.

Well the title 'Baffling Bias' was a bit of a giveaway. Before even reading it, something told me the article might be less than unbiased in itself.

So... Now we have a situation where it's become clear that BOD has the support of the management AND the support of the senior players (including the other candidates for the captaincy).

But just not the support of the local media in Limerick. Ah well.

thehighground

thehighground wrote: »

Meaning?

It is a local newspaper and Paul O'Connell is a local hero. Are locals not allowed have opinions now? LOL.

Which bits do you disagree with, btw?

Local tripe.

If thats the standard of News in limerick ,then its depressing.

He was chosen by the players and management,end of!
This thread should be locked.

Serenity Now!

thehighground wrote: »

Well, lets face it ... Declan Kidney has a decent record on achievement. Now the IRFU has done a fair few good things ... but I'm not too sure it doesn't meddle a bit too much sometimes and is a bit amateurish. Think EOS, his appointment in the first place and then awarding of new contract prior to world cup, Warran Gatland getting the sack, (and Warran Gatland having to stick his neck out to select for instance, Trevor Brennan), Connacht and how Michael Bradley didn't get the sack years ago. Not sorting out Ulster, losing most of its best players before it actually collapsed (and Mark McCall actually resigning himself!).

Can you blame anyone for thinking that the IRFU is just full of bias and has its favourite sons that it looks out for

Oh ffs. Aside from your pub rumours, give one instance in this post-1995 era of rugby union where the IRFU have interfered with selection of players on the national teams. Not hearsay or grassy-knoll tosh but fact.
In case you didn't know, the union committees are made up of members from all four provinces. The "bias" conspiracy nuts love to tinker about is usually the easiest corner to turn when something happens that it not to their liking.
I'm no fan of this lot but some of the convenient rubbish being posted here just beggars belief.

thehighground

Lucca Early Jack wrote: »

Local tripe.

If thats the standard of News in limerick ,then its depressing.

He was chosen by the players and management,end of!
This thread should be locked.

Goose - you should change your username to ostrich - head in sand.

BOD is a lame duck as regards captaincy.