George Hook on Dricco again.

RobAMerc

Is Hook trying to raise his own profile by calling for Dricco to retire?

<MOD EDIT>

I know he didn't have a blinder against the Wallabies but he still shows flashes of brilliance that surely warrant his inclusion.

.ak

If you want the thread to see the light of day go easy on the abuse of pundits/etc. We can discuss people without calling them names, right?

awec

I think it's a valid enough POV.

former legend

awec wrote: »

I think it's a valid enough POV.

That BOD should retire?

Or that Hook is using this to raise his own profile, knowing how controversial it is?

(Did he come out with something new, btw, or is this just based on the same article from Monday?)

awec

There is an argument to be made for BOD's retirement. I personally would have no issue if he was retired before the 6N and focused on Leinster for the remainder of the season.

The only reason this is controversial is because of the emotional attachment fans have to O'Driscoll. Even if he is still the best 13 we have that doesn't matter, we need to start building for the future.

former legend

awec wrote: »

There is an argument to be made for BOD's retirement. I personally would have no issue if he was retired before the 6N and focused on Leinster for the remainder of the season.

The problem is that we have no viable candidate to take over his jersey for the 6N. It certainly looks like Cave isn't rated by the management, Henshaw is still in single figures for pro appearances at 13, Olding is out for the season and other guys like Fitzgerald, Bowe or Marshall are only theoretical possibilities. If you drop BOD, who do you play?

awec wrote: »

The only reason this is controversial is because of the emotional attachment fans have to O'Driscoll. Even if he is still the best 13 we have that doesn't matter, we need to start building for the future.

There is definitely an emotional attachment; but if you're being logical about it and talking about the future, the likes of Ross, O'Connell, D'Arcy and maybe a couple more should be put out to pasture asap too.

uggybear

sometimes I think Ghook can be too critical of the Irish team but think he's right this time unfortunately since bod wasn't up to scratch in the game but at least bod was honest saying that the team in general were poor in the game in the post-match press conferance

.ak

awec wrote: »

There is an argument to be made for BOD's retirement. I personally would have no issue if he was retired before the 6N and focused on Leinster for the remainder of the season.

The only reason this is controversial is because of the emotional attachment fans have to O'Driscoll. Even if he is still the best 13 we have that doesn't matter, we need to start building for the future.

True, but building to the future doesn't mean dropping a player and throwing a lamb to the wolves.

Something Schmidt has been excellent at is slowly developing squad profile. I'd be surprised is BOD is exclusively played at 13 for Ireland for the remainder of the season.

bilston

Saturday wasn't great for BOD but he is still pretty rusty. I wouldn't be counting him out yet. I'm expecting a big one from on Sunday. Of course if he isn't playing well come the 6Ns and someone else is playing better then I'd have no problem with the call being made, however BOD with another three months of rugby under his belt will be a different beast.

The mistake with regards to this Autumn series was not playing him in the Dragons Leinster game two weeks ago, if he had played in that he would have got a few more miles on the clock and the rust might have been eroded a bit more. I don't think he can just turn up and play for Ireland anymore like he might have done in the past, he needs to keep those creaky muscles well oiled.

freyners

Drico isnt going to the WC, which means we have to have someone (preferably 2/3) players actually tested in the position if we don't want to have a problem there coming into the WC. We have a lot of options around the provinces such as Payne/Cave/Olding, Griffin/Henshaw, Earls and Fitzgerald to name but a few. None bar Cave and earls have had a chance there for Ireland and both had issues there.

Between now and the WC we only have 2 6 nations (ten games) a summer tour (2/3 games) and then next set of AIs (3 games) plus warm ups (3/4). About 20 games, if BOD plays next years six nations that's reduced to 15. To fully test out our resources there that's not enough.

Drico retiring might not be the worst thing to happen from a Long term POV. Do i want it to happen is a different question

Is hooks trying to raise his own profile, almost certainly, Hook raison d'etre is to be controversial.

.ak

bilston wrote: »

Saturday wasn't great for BOD but he is still pretty rusty. I wouldn't be counting him out yet. I'm expecting a big one from on Sunday. Of course if he isn't playing well come the 6Ns and someone else is playing better then I'd have no problem with the call being made, however BOD with another three months of rugby under his belt will be a different beast.

The mistake with regards to this Autumn series was not playing him in the Dragons Leinster game two weeks ago, if he had played in that he would have got a few more miles on the clock and the rust might have been eroded a bit more. I don't think he can just turn up and play for Ireland anymore like he might have done in the past, he needs to keep those creaky muscles well oiled.

Don't think he was 100% for that game was he?

.ak

freyners wrote: »

Drico isnt going to the WC, which means we have to have someone (preferably 2/3) players actually tested in the position if we don't want to have a problem there coming into the WC. We have a lot of options around the provinces such as Payne/Cave/Olding, Griffin/Henshaw, Earls and Fitzgerald to name but a few. None bar Cave and earls have had a chance there for Ireland and both had issues there.

Between now and the WC we only have 2 6 nations (ten games) a summer tour (2/3 games) and then next set of AIs (3 games) plus warm ups (3/4). About 20 games, if BOD plays next years six nations that's reduced to 15. To fully test out our resources there that's not enough.

Drico retiring might not be the worst thing to happen from a Long term POV. Do i want it to happen is a different question

15 games is a massive amount of games to find out who's a replacement for him. International progression doesn't move that slowly. Also you're presuming he's going to play all 5 games this year...

bilston

freyners wrote: »

Drico isnt going to the WC, which means we have to have someone (preferably 2/3) players actually tested in the position if we don't want to have a problem there coming into the WC. We have a lot of options around the provinces such as Payne/Cave/Olding, Griffin/Henshaw, Earls and Fitzgerald to name but a few. None bar Cave and earls have had a chance there for Ireland and both had issues there.

Between now and the WC we only have 2 6 nations (ten games) a summer tour (2/3 games) and then next set of AIs (3 games) plus warm ups (3/4). About 20 games, if BOD plays next years six nations that's reduced to 15. To fully test out our resources there that's not enough.

Drico retiring might not be the worst thing to happen from a Long term POV. Do i want it to happen is a different question

I'd argue the opposite, I'd say 15 tests is enough, especially given Earls already has 30 odd caps to his name, many played in the centre. Payne can't play until next season anyway and other than Cave I don't think the other players you mentioned are ready (Henshaw), injured (Olding) or probably good enough (Griffin).

bilston

.ak wrote: »

Don't think he was 100% for that game was he?

Well I wondered that but I remember it was reported that he was taking a full part in training in the week leading up to that match in Camp Ireland.

I don't know if that means a player is fully fit and raring to go but I assume it does.

awec

former legend wrote: »

The problem is that we have no viable candidate to take over his jersey for the 6N. It certainly looks like Cave isn't rated by the management, Henshaw is still in single figures for pro appearances at 13, Olding is out for the season and other guys like Fitzgerald, Bowe or Marshall are only theoretical possibilities. If you drop BOD, who do you play?



There is definitely an emotional attachment; but if you're being logical about it and talking about the future, the likes of Ross, O'Connell, D'Arcy and maybe a couple more should be put out to pasture asap too.

The only way you get viable candidates up to speed is to give them game time.

I would have no issue with Ross and D'Arcy being retired either. O'Connell probably has another few seasons left in the tank.

We are in general not ruthless enough with players - there were still people calling for ROG to be included in the squads last season just before his retirement.

What do we really get from continually picking BOD? As has been said before, we are too afraid to lose games and seem very hesitant to use any fixture to get experience for players. For example, Samoa was as good a fixture you will get to blood new players - do you think if Sexton was fit that Jackson would have got the chance? I don't.

It's a valid argument, but not one that everyone will agree with.

.ak

bilston wrote: »

Well I wondered that but I remember it was reported that he was taking a full part in training in the week leading up to that match in Camp Ireland.

I don't know if that means a player is fully fit and raring to go but I assume it does.

True. I think it was a little touch and go. Also his testimonial was that night... Although him not playing was 100% down to the Irish camp not releasing him, and not the former.

.ak

awec wrote: »

The only way you get viable candidates up to speed is to give them game time.

I would have no issue with Ross and D'Arcy being retired either. O'Connell probably has another few seasons left in the tank.

We are in general not ruthless enough with players - there were still people calling for ROG to be included in the squads last season just before his retirement.

What do we really get from continually picking BOD? As has been said before, we are too afraid to lose games and seem very hesitant to use any fixture to get experience for players. For example, Samoa was as good a fixture you will get to blood new players - do you think if Sexton was fit that Jackson would have got the chance? I don't.

It's a valid argument, but not one that everyone will agree with.

Good question. If you look at BOD solely then I can completely understand that train of thought. However it's not about BOD, it's about the team, and what Schmidt is trying to achieve. Himself and Plumtree have both been on the record as saying they're trying to achieve consistency, and axing a load of players isn't going to help.

The likes of BOD, Darce, POC, and Ross are all going to continue on this season as they're pillars for the team to build on.

rrpc

There are two aspects to this. One has already been answered by O'Driscoll when he's said he would retire at the end of the season. The second aspect is whether he should be playing or not. There are a number of factors that come into play on that one. First is that he doesn't pick himself, that's up to the coach(es) and so far they've been picking him for whatever reason. Second is the fact that he's not had much game time this season through injury or player welfare. That will impact his performances (even marginally) until he gets a few games under his belt. Third is the benefit other players around him derive from his presence on the pitch and in training.

For all of those reasons, George Hook is wrong. Even just the injury and game time reasons should be enough for him to shut his trap until there's a pattern emerging from back to back performances that demonstrates the necessity of retiring earlier than originally declared.

But mostly, George Hook is singlehandedly doing more to damage O'Driscoll's reputation by coming out with this tripe than O'Driscoll is, when he could just as easily say that he's a bit rusty from having had so little game time and training time through injury and other absences. Yet again it's all about George with no regard for O'Driscoll (even though that's how he dresses it up).

awec

But why do we want consistency with players that are on their last legs?

For example, what do we gain from starting D'Arcy this saturday (if he does start)? What's the point? Why not show a bit of faith in the guys who will actually be playing for us for the next 5 years?

Buer

awec wrote: »

There is an argument to be made for BOD's retirement. I personally would have no issue if he was retired before the 6N and focused on Leinster for the remainder of the season.

The only reason this is controversial is because of the emotional attachment fans have to O'Driscoll. Even if he is still the best 13 we have that doesn't matter, we need to start building for the future.

How many games do we really need to try out new players? Who is the future at 13? For me, it's Olding or Payne, neither of whom are available for the rest of the season. Selecting guys like Cave is simply a stop gap and a lesser one. Henshaw, I'm unconvinced by and his cameo last week did little to alleviate that concern.

If we are going to look at someone like Henshaw, then next summer against Argentina is the ideal time to do it. He's a kid and will benefit more from getting regular games at 13 for Connacht and the Wolfhounds with perhaps an appearance at home to Italy or Scotland rather than coming into the side now.

former legend

awec wrote: »

The only way you get viable candidates up to speed is to give them game time. .

But for the upcoming 6N? There is literally no-one, unless Henshaw can show something in the interim.

awec wrote: »

I would have no issue with Ross and D'Arcy being retired either. O'Connell probably has another few seasons left in the tank
We are in general not ruthless enough with players - there were still people calling for ROG to be included in the squads last season just before his retirement.

It would be an absolute miracle, and a complete turnaround on his recent history, if O'Connell plays in the World Cup. So if we're being ruthless, he has to go too.

awec wrote: »

It's a valid argument, but not one that everyone will agree with.

I'm all for trying new players, I'm all for experimenting, and if it means losing three out of five in the Six Nations, then so be it. It's the lack of consistency in the arguments that drives me bananas.

Zagato

awec wrote: »

do you think if Sexton was fit that Jackson would have got the chance? I don't.

It's a valid argument, but not one that everyone will agree with.

I'd say it's pretty likely that if Sexton was fit he would have started on the bench against Samoa. Schmidt has constantly been banging on about how many minutes he has played already this season, and I think he would have rested him before the two big games, which is his style -player rotation.

Buer

freyners wrote: »

Between now and the WC we only have 2 6 nations (ten games) a summer tour (2/3 games) and then next set of AIs (3 games) plus warm ups (3/4). About 20 games, if BOD plays next years six nations that's reduced to 15. To fully test out our resources there that's not enough.

If we need more than 15 games to figure out who is first choice and give them a run in the team, then the problem isn't game time, it's that the options aren't good enough (which I don't believe). I think Payne will start at least one or two of the autumn internationals next year and a couple of others (possibly Henshaw and Earls) will get the nod for the tests in Argentina. Come 6N 2015, the decision will have been made.

awec

Buer wrote: »

If we need more than 15 games to figure out who is first choice and give them a run in the team, then the problem isn't game time, it's that the options aren't good enough (which I don't believe). I think Payne will start at least one or two of the autumn internationals next year and a couple of others (possibly Henshaw and Earls) will get the nod for the tests in Argentina. Come 6N 2015, the decision will have been made.

It's not to figure out who is first choice and who isn't, but to give the team as much a chance to play together.

Look at England.

LuckyLloyd

Will O'Driscoll make the World Cup? If the answer is no there is no reason to continue selecting him for Ireland imo. I'd extend that across the squad. We're now within two years of the tournament and - as we normally only realise when it gets going - it is the absolute pinnacle of the sport and where our competitive focus should lie.

Any players who won't make the tournament should be pushed aside. If O'Driscoll wants to continue at club level, brilliant. If he is playing well for Leinster in the latter stages of the 2014 / 15 season it may make sense to welcome him back into the fold. But right now giving him and the likes of D'Arcy game time is a waste.

Tox56

awec wrote: »

But why do we want consistency with players that are on their last legs?

For example, what do we gain from starting D'Arcy this saturday (if he does start)? What's the point? Why not show a bit of faith in the guys who will actually be playing for us for the next 5 years?

Your two points really aren't that connected. BOD and POC are players that are on their last legs (the former at least, the latter may be arguable) but we gain a hell of a lot from picking them if they play anything near their best, and if they do that they are still a long way ahead of their competition. The same can't be said of D'Arcy and maybe Ross

The fact BOD and POC had bad games on Saturday is probably giving this argument more air time than it deserves, it was only the Lions tour that POC was superman, and BOD has played 1 game for Leinster this season in which he was (by a substantial distance) the best player on the park. Players go in and out of form all the time, just because it happens to an older player it doesn't mean they're finished

awec

Tox56 wrote: »

Your two points really aren't that connected. BOD and POC are players that are on their last legs (the former at least, the latter may be arguable) but we gain a hell of a lot from picking them if they play anything near their best, and if they do that they are still a long way ahead of their competition. The same can't be said of D'Arcy and maybe Ross

The fact BOD and POC had bad games on Saturday is probably giving this argument more air time than it deserves, it was only the Lions tour that POC was superman, and BOD has played 1 game for Leinster this season in which he was (by a substantial distance) the best player on the park. Players go in and out of form all the time, just because it happens to an older player it doesn't mean they're finished

Fair point Tox, but my point with regards to BOD aren't really based on his poor showing against Oz.

Neil3030

Are we the only country that puts up with such consistent antagonism from our media? Bloody can't stand the approach taken by Dunphy, Spillane, Hook etc. Completely ridiculing our intelligence with the most pedestrian lines of contrarianism every time they open their gobs and we keep acquitting them on the basis that "oh they are just trying to be controversial"

Two games into a coaching regime that will by necessity oversee BOD's phasing out by the end of this season, and hook predictably bawls this hysterical nonsense. Honest to christ, the ****e we put up with actually embarrasses me. And before anyone asks - no, I don't watch RTE's coverage when he is on the panel, I don't read anything carrying his authorship and I absolutely steer clear of Newstalk during drive time. Wish to christ more people did the same!

Buer

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

We're now within two years of the tournament and - as we normally only realise when it gets going - it is the absolute pinnacle of the sport and where our competitive focus should lie.

It's not where our focus should be and never will be.

It has been stated before that the 6N is, by a large distance, the biggest contributor to rugby in this country. More money is generated on the back of a successful 6N than all the provinces combined. It is, and always will be, the main focus of the national side. Without a successful 6N, the coffers run dry, players leave Ireland, investment at underage levels drops and there's a massive knock on effect.

The RWC is a pipe dream for Ireland. We are not going to win it. The stated ambition of the IRFU is to reach a semi final. There's no way we should start chopping and changing the team two years out, potentially sacrificing our bread and butter for a pipe dream.

awec

Call me deluded, but I don't see why we can't target a win in a WC.

Buer

awec wrote: »

It's not to figure out who is first choice and who isn't, but to give the team as much a chance to play together.

Look at England.

Then a dozen tests is plenty of games for the new centre, in my opinion.

England have regularly chopped and changed their selection in different areas over the past couple of years, slowly evolving and some of those who are outside now, will come back in before the tournament. Lancaster has been picking purely on form at the time and bringing in new guys. I don't think their current back line will resemble the one in the RWC at all.

Buer

awec wrote: »

Call me deluded, but I don't see why we can't target a win in a WC.

Because we're not good enough, simply enough. We do not have the playing numbers or the culture that creates a good enough side to do it. We had possibly the greatest collection of players in our history over the last decade and couldn't come close to it.

I don't mean to be pessimistic but it's simply not going to happen. We don't have the playing resources to target such a victory.

Does anyone genuinely think that if we spent 4 years targeting the RWC specifically, developing the team with this one tournament in mind, we'd be a strong contender?

We've never beaten NZ. We've never beaten S.A. outside of Ireland. We've beaten France outside of Ireland once in forty years. We've beaten Australia outside of Ireland once in 30 years.

Tox56

Buer wrote: »

Because we're not good enough, simply enough. We do not have the playing numbers or the culture that creates a good enough side to do it. We had possibly the greatest collection of players in our history over the last decade and couldn't come close to it.

I don't mean to be pessimistic but it's simply not going to happen. We don't have the playing resources to target such a victory.

Does anyone genuinely think that if we spent 4 years targeting the RWC specifically, developing the team with this one tournament in mind, we'd be a strong contender?

We've never beaten NZ. We've never beaten S.A. outside of Ireland. We've beaten France outside of Ireland once in forty years. We've beaten Australia outside of Ireland once in 30 years.

Sounds to me like we're pretty much nailed on if we win the bid for 2023

jacothelad

rrpc wrote: »

There are two aspects to this. One has already been answered by O'Driscoll when he's said he would retire at the end of the season. The second aspect is whether he should be playing or not. There are a number of factors that come into play on that one. First is that he doesn't pick himself, that's up to the coach(es) and so far they've been picking him for whatever reason. Second is the fact that he's not had much game time this season through injury or player welfare. That will impact his performances (even marginally) until he gets a few games under his belt. Third is the benefit other players around him derive from his presence on the pitch and in training.

For all of those reasons, George Hook is wrong. Even just the injury and game time reasons should be enough for him to shut his trap until there's a pattern emerging from back to back performances that demonstrates the necessity of retiring earlier than originally declared.

But mostly, George Hook is singlehandedly doing more to damage O'Driscoll's reputation by coming out with this tripe than O'Driscoll is, when he could just as easily say that he's a bit rusty from having had so little game time and training time through injury and other absences. Yet again it's all about George with no regard for O'Driscoll (even though that's how he dresses it up).

I don't think Hook could damage BOD's image. No one takes him seriously.

awec wrote: »

Call me deluded, but I don't see why we can't target a win in a WC.

Bonjour M. De Luded. Comment ça va?...:D:D:D:D:D.

Actually of course we should target a win but our chances went out the window in 2007. Our team peaked in the 6Ns and came up against two justifiably higher ranked sides in France and Argentina who both hit their stride while we had only BOD playing like he could. Players like Ferris and Kearney never got a second on the pitch. Simon Best had a heart attack. The team lived in an industruial estate etc. We don't realise what stellar players we had from 2002 to 2007. In reality, the team has been downgrading since then with the one good year in 2009. This is the pattern of Irish rugby down the decades. Mostly crap with the odd good year and a few stellar players.

thebaz

As a person Hook is a good guy ,as a a rugby pundit he should retire himself , same old tiresome tirades against everything - back to Newstalk, George - BOD keep doing what your'e doing - one more year rather than one bad game

awec

I'm a glass half full man me.

But even WC aside, I want to see us build a team that can target grand slams. We are a million miles from that right now - may as well forget about the 2014 6N and target being decent by 2015.

England last year came close with their "new" team. I suspect they'll come even closer this year.

Buer

Tox56 wrote: »

Sounds to me like we're pretty much nailed on if we win the bid for 2023

Unless we meet those pesky Kiwis!

sydthebeat

BOD was going to retire form international rugby after the lions tour.
It was only the introduction of Schmidt as the new coach that made him, on request from Joe, to reconsider and make himself available for another year.

Therefore hook is like a stopped clock at this stage, eventually he is going to be right.
The reason he is calling for the retirement however questionable. Most commentators would agree that BOD is still our best 13 currently, even if he is in the dusk of his career. But most importantly its what BOD offers around the training sessions to the younger players thats invaluable.

No one deserves to decide when BOD retires but himself, he owes irish rugby, and irish rugby journalists nothing.

Personally im glad to see the player end his playing days on his own terms and not fade away to obscurity.

Rightwing

Calling for him to retire at this stage is silly, he's all but finished anyway. Has been losing his edge gradually over the past few seasons.

former legend

This thread can be summed up as follows:

If Joe Schmidt had come out a few weeks ago and said "Brian's been a great servant but it's time to move on and I won't be selecting him for Ireland", George Hook would have written an article decrying the shameful treatment of Ireland's greatest ever player, deserved better etc etc.

It certainly appears from his punditry that he doesn't watch any rugby except the games he's paid to comment upon so his opinions are of questionable value to say the least. The guy just looks at the facts of the situation, writes an article supporting the opposite viewpoint and then just waits for people to react. It's pretty transparent IMO.

martingriff

bilston wrote: »

Saturday wasn't great for BOD but he is still pretty rusty. I wouldn't be counting him out yet. I'm expecting a big one from on Sunday. Of course if he isn't playing well come the 6Ns and someone else is playing better then I'd have no problem with the call being made, however BOD with another three months of rugby under his belt will be a different beast.

The mistake with regards to this Autumn series was not playing him in the Dragons Leinster game two weeks ago, if he had played in that he would have got a few more miles on the clock and the rust might have been eroded a bit more. I don't think he can just turn up and play for Ireland anymore like he might have done in the past, he needs to keep those creaky muscles well oiled.

I Think if this was not his last year I do not think he would have started any match come on yes but not started any of this years Novembers matches due to the amount of game time he has. We have to plan for the future not just with BOD but with D'arcy POC etc. Does that mean we start new players and bring him on or do we start him and then bring on players I do not know. But if we leave it too late to his retirement we a up a certain creek. I think this years 6N should be a provin ground for these players

19543261

former legend wrote: »

The guy just looks at the facts of the situation, writes an article supporting the opposite viewpoint and then just waits for people to react.

It's pretty transparent IMO.

Exactly! This shouldn't make anyone angry: this is his job. How can anyone take what he says personally.

His presence is an annoyance at most.

RobAMerc

former legend wrote: »

This thread can be summed up as follows:

If Joe Schmidt had come out a few weeks ago and said "Brian's been a great servant but it's time to move on and I won't be selecting him for Ireland", George Hook would have written an article decrying the shameful treatment of Ireland's greatest ever player, deserved better etc etc.

It certainly appears from his punditry that he doesn't watch any rugby except the games he's paid to comment upon so his opinions are of questionable value to say the least. The guy just looks at the facts of the situation, writes an article supporting the opposite viewpoint and then just waits for people to react. It's pretty transparent IMO.

I couldn't agree more. I saw him play in his last game against Edinburgh in September and he was spectacular. It's only when you see him playing well up close and personal do you see just how gifted he is.

George is looking to promote George on the back of Dricco - that was my point when starting this.

I am pie

I do think he would have retired had he got the last hurrah that he wanted against Australia for the Lions. Now he seems to be looking for suitable finale, unfortunately sport isn't scripted and he might have to suffer a long season of knocks and disappointments for Ireland. Seeing his form questioned is reasonable, but on potential alone he walks into the team.

From his own perspective, not tarnishing his legacy in the short term, he should have retired from international rugby at the start of the season and continued on with Leinster. He should give his own body a break, he doesn't owe anyone anything. I do not believe he can achieve anything with this Ireland team in transition, he'll be looking at a 4th place finish behind Wales France and England in my opinion right now. It will be an anti-climax and not a fitting end to his career. From his own perspective I think it is loyalty to the jersey and partly to Schmidt keeping him going.

I'd rather see him retire, let his replacements have a torrid season and come out the other side stronger for it. Certainly be good to have him in and around the set up if possible, mentoring the younger lads.

Neil3030

19543261 wrote: »

Exactly! This shouldn't make anyone angry: this is his job. How can anyone take what he says personally.

His presence is an annoyance at most.

An annoyance that TV owners are legally obliged to remunerate.*

An annoyance that shapes the opinion of those not wise to his ways.

An annoyance that usurps time that could be devoted to more thorough analysis.*

*Applies only to cases where he appears on RTE.

Suasdaguna1

One can't deny that if BO'D continues on current form he's fast approaching the legacy Schummacher left behind in F1.....memories for all the wrong reasons.

Don't get me wrong a living legend but I'm on awec's boat re his points.

19543261

Neil3030 wrote: »

An annoyance that TV owners are legally obliged to remunerate.*

An annoyance that shapes the opinion of those not wise to his ways.

An annoyance that usurps time that could be devoted to more thorough analysis.*

*Applies only to cases where he appears on RTE.

Okay, but then why is this thread about George Hook and not about whoeever calls the shots at RTE.

Whoever it is, they seem to think there cant be wholesome discussion without blatant contradiction.

I agree he gets too much time to spout his nonsense. There could be someone who subtly played the devils advocate; George plays the idiot. I dont get angry at him for it, though.

OldRio

I wonder if George is happy or disappointed with 48 posts ?

BBDBB

How old is George Hook and when is he due to be put out to pasture??

rrpc

BBDBB wrote: »

How old is George Hook and when is he due to be put out to pasture??

73 AFAIK

Pasture would be a bit behind him. Perhaps we should suggest that the 'great man' should have hung up his mike a while ago?

Dietsquirt

awec wrote: »

There is an argument to be made for BOD's retirement. I personally would have no issue if he was retired before the 6N and focused on Leinster for the remainder of the season.

The only reason this is controversial is because of the emotional attachment fans have to O'Driscoll. Even if he is still the best 13 we have that doesn't matter, we need to start building for the future.

Nail on the head