Apologise right now....

Spore

...to BOD

Dear BOD,

I'm sorry for ever doubting you. I'm sorry for being in the unruly horde that called for your head after the World Cup. I'm sorry for ever asking you to turn in your Captaincy even tough you were clearly the greatest gift our rugby nation ever received. I'm sorry that I ever thought you had gone off the boil and that you had given your utmost to the national squad and that thirty three tries for a centre was quite enough... even though it was a record at the time and remains so now... I'm sorry your drop goals that when they came, kept us in games and solidified your ridiculous all round talent, I'm sorry your so good in defense that we often overlook it and say your a little slow to the break down. I'm sorry you regained the captaincy even though our greatest spell of consistency came when you captained our team through god knows how many six nations.

I'm just so sorry your Irish and we dont appreciate you enough.

God Bless.

S.

g5fd6ow0hseima

Ginger83

lol, Shame on you for doubting him.
Good man Brian, what an answer to all that abuse.
Woohoo 14-1 First Tryscorer

twinytwo

Spore wrote: »

...to BOD

Dear BOD,

I'm sorry for ever doubting you. I'm sorry for being in the unruly horde that called for your head after the World Cup. I'm sorry for ever asking you to turn in your Captaincy even tough you were clearly the greatest gift our rugby nation ever received. I'm sorry that I ever thought you had gone off the boil and that you had given your utmost to the national squad and that thirty three tries for a centre was quite enough... even though it was a record at the time and remains so now... I'm sorry your drop goals that when they came, kept us in games and solidified your ridiculous all round talent, I'm sorry your so good in defense that we often overlook it and say your a little slow to the break down. I'm sorry you regained the captaincy even though our greatest spell of consistency came when you captained our team through god knows how many six nations.

I'm just so sorry your Irish and we dont appreciate you enough.

God Bless.

S.

he was the only one that played well during the world cup

yogidc26

Me to

Sorry BOD

yeah me too, but I think people should should also apologise for calling you BOD

[Jackass]

Never doubted you for a second GOD, I mean BOD. How many times have I argued with people who say he's "lost it". How many times, it seems like after every single big game, I hear people say "BO'D is back!". If he is "back" after every single game, maybe it was just that he never left or "lost it"?

Expectations on O'Driscoll meant that his failure to score 10+ tries in the year and a half he was injured and played zero games fit after being the only Irish player who came back from te 2007 world cup able to hold his head high and was without shame for his personal performance and being all over the pitch filling in 14 other gaps left by his team mates, means he was ridiculed and his down fall was celebrated amongst many who can't wait to see the back of the stand out player on the Irish team and best player and most consistant over the last decade by a comfortable country mile.

Lions Captain.

JJ

I'm sorry if I ever called you a poncy ladyboy. Yesterday you proved that your mental and physical toughness is, I must admit, Munsteresque.

twinytwo

JJ wrote: »

I'm sorry if I ever called you a poncy ladyboy. Yesterday you proved that your mental and physical toughness is, I must admit, Munsteresque.

How you could call the best player of his generation a poncy ladyboy??

themont85

twinytwo wrote: »

How you could call the best player of his generation a poncy ladyboy??

Because he plays for Leinster, probably. Maybe also because of his various hair syles he's donned in the past.

But to ever call him one on the pitch is nonsense. Best defender we have if not in the world. Plays like a flanker when he's needed, but has the intangable skills needed to be an all time great centre.

ALH-06

yogidc26 wrote: »

Me to

Sorry BOD

You're not the only ones lads! A few months ago, everyone was on the anti-BOD bandwagon. Well, nearly everyone

That try-saving tackle (think it was on Borthwick or Kennedy?) in the second half was his finest moment in the England game. Epitomised everything about O'Driscoll - his unbelievable strength, commitment, work rate and game awareness.

I'd like to say he'll always get the respect he deserves, but Irish fans are unbelievably fickle unfortunately - it'll take one or two mediocre performances for people to be calling for his head again. Look at all this anti-ROG nonsense on these boards for example!

Erin Go Brath

In BOD we trust!

chupacabra

A friend of mine took the same tone after the game yesterday. A notorious hater of BOD (He thought BOD was too smug and full of himself :rolleyes:) we used to argue to no end about him. But finally it took this performance to make him believe, and oh he was sorry for doubting.

anonymous_joe

ALH-06 wrote: »

You're not the only ones lads! A few months ago, everyone was on the anti-BOD bandwagon. Well, nearly everyone

Speak for yourself. :pac:

Guy's been our best player for 10 years. Really hope he gets to captain the Lions again.

hardCopy

Maybe now people will stop baiting me into arguments when I'm drunk by making snide comments about the great one.

thomond2006

themont85 wrote: »

Because he plays for Leinster, probably. Maybe also because of his various hair syles he's donned in the past.
quote]

Don't turn another thread into a Munster-Leinster war zone.

dh0661

My hubby also had a change of heart in his opinion of Brian yesterday.
Roll on the good days.

NickNolte

JJ wrote: »

I'm sorry if I ever called you a poncy ladyboy. Yesterday you proved that your mental and physical toughness is, I must admit, Munsteresque.

I would say Kiwi playing for Munsteresque maybe. But, as thomond2006 says, let's not turn this into another bumbling retard thread.

louthandproud

NickNolte wrote: »

I would say Kiwi playing for Munsteresque maybe. But, as thomond2006 says, let's not turn this into another bumbling retard thread.

Practice and preaching are two words that come to mind.

NickNolte

louthandproud wrote: »

Practice and preaching are two words that come to mind.

That doesn't make any sense in context.

Anyway - Brian O'Driscoll is one of the best players we've ever produced. End of.

thebaz

I never doubted his ability, he was and is the greatest Irish back i can remember , better than the great Simon Geoghan, but I did doubt his ability as captain. His performance yesterday was the best I have ever seen by a centre, remembering Scott Gibbs for the Lions against SA - love to see Darcy return , and unleash hell against our Celtic neighbours !

themont85

thomond2006 wrote: »

themont85 wrote: »

Because he plays for Leinster, probably. Maybe also because of his various hair syles he's donned in the past.
quote]

Don't turn another thread into a Munster-Leinster war zone.

Wasn't trying to, sorry if it came of that way. I know a lot of people used to slag him of with the bleach surfer look he went with for a while. He spoke about his younger days in a interview a couple of months back and his 'immaturity' whcih he described about some of the things he did.

But on the pitch, I'm shocked if anybody could ever call him a ponce(except maybe the NZ press in 05 when he had his shoulder ****ed up:rolleyes:)

kpnuts

Ireland's greatest sportsman ever.

Diamondmaker

I too never doubted him and have publically long stated that here many times.

I cant believe people ever thought he was not a force, he had dips in form but was still always a class above even at his low points and never once deserved to be dropped. He had been played to breaking point on many occasions but still made his come backs.

He will eclipse many other modern legends and it is very hard to make a case, as he is part of the pro era, that any old legend was a better player.

I have the most respect for him as a player, the hunger, desire and work rate to just keep up the real hard graft he puts in every game is immense. Imagine the effect of training and playing with that guy and POC, is having on the youngsters in that team !!

BOD V POC for Lions captain for sure, but I reckon in these media savvy days BOD will be chosen, I doubt POC is half as well known down in SA and the other SANZAR nations think he was over rated anyway to start.

fifth

Never any doubt - BOD is captain for a reason!

thehighground

Diamondmaker wrote: »

I too never doubted him and have publically long stated that here many times.

I cant believe people ever thought he was not a force, he had dips in form but was still always a class above even at his low points and never once deserved to be dropped. He had been played to breaking point on many occasions but still made his come backs.

He will eclipse many other modern legends and it is very hard to make a case, as he is part of the pro era, that any old legend was a better player.

I have the most respect for him as a player, the hunger, desire and work rate to just keep up the real hard graft he puts in every game is immense. Imagine the effect of training and playing with that guy and POC, is having on the youngsters in that team !!

BOD V POC for Lions captain for sure, but I reckon in these media savvy days BOD will be chosen, I doubt POC is half as well known down in SA and the other SANZAR nations think he was over rated anyway to start.

I've never criticised him as a player, and never thought he should be dropped but I have criticised him as a captain (and I haven't changed my mind on that one). He takes too much on himself, rather than bringing the best out in those around him. But I'm not complaining - it was just fantastic to see him back to his old form on Saturday.

As regards the Lions captaincy, out of interest, can you explain to me why it is necessary to rate them as to how well they are known by the opposition media? I always thought it was about respect from your team mates, being able to get your team mates to raise their game and make good decisions on the fields.

I doubt if Martin Johnson was well known when he went down to SA in '97 as Lions Captain. Whatever about the SANZAR nations not rating POC, (how do you know that?) the former forwards World Cup winning coach (Gert Smal) of the Boks definately rates POC & DOC

Largely responsible also for moulding Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield into the world’s most fearsome secondrow partnership during the Springboks’ march to World Cup glory in ’07, Smal yesterday moved to equate the South African locks with their Irish counterparts, Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan.

There is also a possibility the four locks will take the same field in the first Test between South Africa and the Lions on June 20th, but Smal was effusive in his praise of O’Connell.

O’Connell has been instrumental in Ireland’s victories over France and Italy and though O’Callaghan may live in the shadow of his secondrow partner, Smal recognises what the Cork man brings to the Irish pack. In Smal’s world, O’Callaghan is the “Irish Botha”.

“Paul O’Connell is a machine,” said Smal at the team’s hotel in Cork yesterday. “I rate him very highly, and definitely one of the best locks in world rugby. Donncha, then, is very much like Bakkies – he’s the grafter, he does the dirty work. Not a lot of people see the amount of work that he puts in when cleaning rucks and making turnovers. Now and then he does get the opportunity to carry ball, and give us a little bit of forward momentum.

“So it’s very much the same kind of combination that we had with the Boks but I have to rate them both very highly.”

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/0220/1224241484296.html

twinytwo

Just a thought... considering that Gareth Thomas and Christian Cullen would have been considered Fullbacks and not centres one more try and he becomes the highest scoring centre ever;)

thehighground

thehighground wrote: »

As regards the Lions captaincy, out of interest, can you explain to me why it is necessary to rate them as to how well they are known by the opposition media?

He refers to the fact that the Lions is a money making exercise and Bod will get them the most publicity out of any other options,simply because he is the most famous and is probably the most highly regarded by the SA pupublic and media.

The real Lions tours ended at the dawn of proffesionalism,the Lions now is a brand and a money making machine.

twinytwo

Anna Tinkling Overlap wrote: »

He refers to the fact that the Lions is a money making exercise and Bod will get them the most publicity out of any other options,simply because he is the most famous and is probably the most highly regarded by the SA Rupublic and media.

The real Lions tours ended at the dawn of proffesionalism,the Lions now is a brand and a money making machine.

By this he means one of the few that would tear them a new a** hole

GiftofGab

The only man who should take captaincy for Lions

thehighground

I think you will find that the last Lions to New Zealand (Woodward / BOD captaincy) was regarded as a failure and why Geech is now back leading this tour to SA. Anything I've heard said has suggested that they want to go back to traditional touring values - mixing with the locals etc. and non of this celebrity stuff being holed up in a hotel.

[Jackass]

Nice 1,000th post!

In fairness to the last tour, BO'D can take little or no blame for the outcome. Firstly there was nothing he could do on the field, which is why he was the captain in the first place, and second of all Woodward puts a lot of people around him and had that tool as his "media management consultant" to keep the players under lock and key etc.

Woodward failed, yes, BO'D captaincy, he didn't even get a chance to prove it, but as the most sucsessfull Irish captain in history and an insperational leader on the pitch that we've seen countless times (most recently, Saturday), he's well worth the captaincey again imo.

thehighground

[Jackass] wrote: »

Nice 1,000th post!

In fairness to the last tour, BO'D can take little or no blame for the outcome. Firstly there was nothing he could do on the field, which is why he was the captain in the first place, and second of all Woodward puts a lot of people around him and had that tool as his "media management consultant" to keep the players under lock and key etc.

Woodward failed, yes, BO'D captaincy, he didn't even get a chance to prove it, but as the most sucsessfull Irish captain in history and an insperational leader on the pitch that we've seen countless times (most recently, Saturday), he's well worth the captaincey again imo.

Thanks (re 1,000th post).

BOD was as much a victim of that tour as anyone else (just that Goose may think the tour failed because BOD got injured).

Its fairly obvious they don't want the same media driven tour this time so that will not be the basis as to how the captain is chosen.

thehighground

thehighground wrote: »

Thanks (re 1,000th post).

BOD was as much a victim of that tour as anyone else (just that Goose may think the tour failed because BOD got injured).

Its fairly obvious they don't want the same media driven tour this time so that will not be the basis as to how the captain is chosen.

Where did I say that?
I said he is the most widely known and popular NH player by Media and fans in the SH.He is like Beckham over there,he is a brand name.
I would presume that any team would play worse without their captain though,so I would say they would have done a bit better had he been able to play.

I am delighted because it looks like either Bod or Poc will be captain,so we have alot to be proud of.

No doubt whichever one gets it will make the other the vice captain,a great moment for Ireland and something for all fans to be proud of.

Dempsey

Ginger83 wrote: »

lol, Shame on you for doubting him.
Good man Brian, what an answer to all that abuse.
Woohoo 14-1 First Tryscorer

Me too

thehighground

Anna Tinkling Overlap wrote: »

Where did I say that?
I said he is the most widely known and popular NH player by Media and fans in the SH.He is like Beckham over there,he is a brand name.
I would presume that any team would play worse without their captain though,so I would say they would have done a bit better had he been able to play.

I am delighted because it looks like either Bod or Poc will be captain,so we have alot to be proud of.

No doubt whichever one gets it will make the other the vice captain,a great moment for Ireland and something for all fans to be proud of.

And I'm suggesting that it isn't a 'brand name' in this instance which is needed (which you seem to think is a good thing). Being a 'Brand name' might actually go against him on this tour, thats all.

banshee_bones

Dear BOD


Sorry I ever Doubted you...



BB

thehighground

thehighground wrote: »

And I'm suggesting that it isn't a 'brand name' in this instance which is needed (which you seem to think is a good thing). Being a 'Brand name' might actually go against him on this tour, thats all.

Could well go against him,I would doubt it though.
If McGeechan is anti making him captain because he is a brand name as you say,then he wont bring him at all because the attention will be the same.

nacho libre

I never doubted him. He combines two roles in the Irish team. A luxury which we'll likely never see again It'll be a sad day when he retires:(

thehighground

Anna Tinkling Overlap wrote: »

Could well go against him,I would doubt it though.
If McGeechan is anti making him captain because he is a brand name as you say,then he wont bring him at all because the attention will be the same.

At the RWC, it was O'Gara who got all the attention, not BOD. I don't see how he will get a lot of attention in SA. A way of keeping out of the limelight (if it is necessary) is for him not to have to do press conferences, etc.

tbh though, I don't think you will get quite the same amount of fanfare as you would get in New Zealand - SA is a huge country (pop. about 50m) - most will not be too interested in the Lions Tour (or Brand BOD)!

NickNolte

POC to captain the Lions. I think BOD will be more comfortable in his Lions jersey if he can concentrate on performing on the pitch. POC's more vociferous leadership on the pitch coupled with his easy going nature in front of the camera would suit the Lions a lot better I think.

I know the same thing could be said for Ireland but I don't think stripping BOD of his captaincy at this stage would be sending out the right message... nor is it entirely necessary. Besides, imagine having to listen to Kidney being interviewed after POC before and after every match? You'd go into a zen-inspired coma. We all need tomatoes in our fruit salad now and again.

Diamondmaker

thehighground wrote: »

I've never criticised him as a player, and never thought he should be dropped but I have criticised him as a captain (and I haven't changed my mind on that one).

As regards the Lions captaincy, out of interest, can you explain to me why it is necessary to rate them as to how well they are known by the opposition media? I always thought it was about respect from your team mates, being able to get your team mates to raise their game and make good decisions on the fields.

Re point 1: I never said you did ? Baffles me why you have posted that and quoted me.

Re point 2: See Gooses reply, he understands the real machinations behind professional sport and to ignore these facts is a tad daft.

He is a real contender has the right credentials AND he is a draw card, him as opposed to a less well known prospect, its about bums on seats.
Im not saying he should or should not be captain, but Im saying I think he is LIKELY to be.

The last Lions was not his fault, hell he did not even play it !
The publicity about BODs 2nd chance at captaining a Lions tour will be worth its weight in blood diamonds, this is whats needed for the tours commercial success as a franchise !

twinytwo

Anna Tinkling Overlap wrote: »

Where did I say that?
I said he is the most widely known and popular NH player by Media and fans in the SH.He is like Beckham over there,he is a brand name.
I would presume that any team would play worse without their captain though,so I would say they would have done a bit better had he been able to play.

I am delighted because it looks like either Bod or Poc will be captain,so we have alot to be proud of.

No doubt whichever one gets it will make the other the vice captain,a great moment for Ireland and something for all fans to be proud of.

Frankly id have to say on the lions tour BOD and POC would have to be captain i cant see any players bringning as much to the team. They dont have to ask for respect it is well and truly earned at this stage

ALH-06

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Speak for yourself. :pac:

Guy's been our best player for 10 years. Really hope he gets to captain the Lions again.

I'm not speaking for myself.

Check out this thread - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055468643

Some posters thought he shouldn't even be playing for Ireland, let only captaining them. Laughable.

Before the 6N, there were quite a few posters who had very well-formed views about BOD's failings as captain and his diminishing abilities as a player. Those same posters have been very quiet on the matter since the last few games...

The bandwagon is definitely the preferred form of transport on these boards!

thehighground

Diamondmaker wrote: »

Re point 1: I never said you did ? Baffles me why you have posted that and quoted me.

Re point 2: See Gooses reply, he understands the real machinations behind professional sport and to ignore these facts is a tad daft.

He is a real contender has the right credentials AND he is a draw card, him as opposed to a less well known prospect, its about bums on seats.
Im not saying he should or should not be captain, but Im saying I think he is LIKELY to be.

The last Lions was not his fault, hell he did not even play it !
The publicity about BODs 2nd chance at captaining a Lions tour will be worth its weight in blood diamonds, this is whats needed for the tours commercial success as a franchise !

Re Point 1: That was just a general statement as this is a thread about apologising for criticising BOD. I just wanted to point out that I haven't criticised BOD the player and certainly had never written him off, so was not apologising for that.

Point 2: Of course BOD is a contender for the captaincy (along with POC) & a few others on ability rather than name. BOD will be a draw on what he does on the pitch, not how he speaks in a press conference.

If you are going for brand recognition, the Captain of the extremely successful 'Brand Munster' would also be a draw. The Munster shirt is the top selling club jersey in world rugby - and after the near miss that the ABs had with Munster, the Saffers will probably very curious about how Munster (the no. 1 European ranked club) are so successful both on and off the pitch.

Anyway, the Lions management, when launching the Tour, stated that they want the Lions to have the same Munster ethos & spirit - a good start doing that is to have the Munster captain as Lions captain. BOD can always be his assistant captain!

Edit: Just to clarify - the disaster of the last Tour had nothing to do with BOD (or any of the players for that matter).

anonymous_joe

ALH-06 wrote: »

I'm not speaking for myself.

Check out this thread - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055468643

Some posters thought he shouldn't even be playing for Ireland, let only captaining them. Laughable.

Before the 6N, there were quite a few posters who had very well-formed views about BOD's failings as captain and his diminishing abilities as a player. Those same posters have been very quiet on the matter since the last few games...

The bandwagon is definitely the preferred form of transport on these boards!

Check out http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=58713992&postcount=11

Long story short, it's easy to blame someone. When a period of long-term (relative) success gives away to disaster and underachievement, you inevitably seek out scapegoats.

Take Eddie O'Sullivan, he's our most successful international coach ever, and other than Kidney the most successful Irish coach of all time. For 6 or so years, we didn't care that he was a dictatorial control freak. It was only when things stagnated that we really started to lose faith in his methodologies.

O'Driscoll had what was perceived as a bad few years, and people lost faith in him. The same could be argued about certain other Irish players. The old saying form is temporary class is permanent has a degree of truth to it.

Micky Dolenz

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Speak for yourself. :pac:

Guy's been our best player for 10 years. Really hope he gets to captain the Lions again.

I don't know if deserve is the right word, but It would be nice to see him have another crack at it. I do however have mixed feelings on it as I think O Connell does deserve it.

Aslong as it's an Irish man, I will be happy.

thehighground

thehighground wrote: »

Re Point 1: That was just a general statement as this is a thread about apologising for criticising BOD. I just wanted to point out that I haven't criticised BOD the player and certainly had never written him off, so was not apologising for that.

Point 2: Of course BOD is a contender for the captaincy (along with POC) & a few others on ability rather than name. BOD will be a draw on what he does on the pitch, not how he speaks in a press conference.

If you are going for brand recognition, the Captain of the extremely successful 'Brand Munster' would also be a draw. The Munster shirt is the top selling club jersey in world rugby - and after the near miss that the ABs had with Munster, the Saffers will probably very curious about how Munster (the no. 1 European ranked club) are so successful both on and off the pitch.

Anyway, the Lions management, when launching the Tour, stated that they want the Lions to have the same Munster ethos & spirit - a good start doing that is to have the Munster captain as Lions captain. BOD can always be his assistant captain!

Edit: Just to clarify - the disaster of the last Tour had nothing to do with BOD (or any of the players for that matter).

Its not the biggest selling jersey,why do people keep saying this.The England rugby union jersey would outsell it at least twice over.

Also I cant tell you that the Munster brand would bring nothing.In the SH it is so hard to even get them to recognise our good players in Europe that they would think little of Munster,The heineken cup or european leagues in general.

As far as they are concerned anything over here is substandard and any of their teams would win the Heineken cup.

I think it should be Bod personally.

But if you ignore what I think and look at the Lions as the money machine they are,then its likely they will pick him.
Hes already the only player currently playing thats a HSBC ambasador for the Lions along with Jason Robinson etc and writes columns for I think its the guardian about the Lions,il try to find them.

Micky Dolenz

Anna Tinkling Overlap wrote: »

I think it should be Bod personally.

:eek: Thats not like you :pac:

thegen

Just a quick one. English supporters think BOD is a great captain taking a lot of pressure of the rest of the team. letting them get on with playing rugby. They went as far as to say the thought although a born leader that giving O'Connell the captaincy might distract him from what he is best at.

ScholesyIsGod

Any players celebrity will have absolutely no influence on the selection of the Lions captain, if O'Driscoll gets the captaincy it will be because on his day he is the centre in the world and he leads by example in every game.

I cant get my head around why so many people care what the press in the southern hemisphere think, so what if they dont have much interest in the Heineken Cup? The majority of the European rugby supporters dont care about the Super 14 in the same way they dont care about rugby in Europe.