The Brian O'Driscoll thread

corny · 25-01-2009 05:40PM

freyners wrote: »

I'll presume you meant o'driscoll there
O'driscoll is great defender but hes lost all his attacking power.
'gara is nearly central to all of irelands/munster scores so of course hes a better player
Reddan has more of an attacking game than o'driscoll

I think this is one of those things. If its is said often enough by a few tools it then becomes fact. It's utter ******** in truth. Has Fitzgerald, Nacewa, Horgan, Contepomi, Darcy or Dempsey played better than BOD in the last few weeks? No is the answer. In truth BOD has lost nothing, i'd even like someone to prove to me he's lost a yard of pace compared with a couple of years ago?(thats said often enough).

He's playing ok in a backline thats hopelessly struggling to find form as a unit. Thats all.

thehighground · 25-01-2009 05:45PM

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

Sorry your so far off. If you ever watch Leinster whenever Fitzgerald tries something smart and it doesn't quite come off O'Driscoll always applauds him. I don't think anyone on that pitch thought ''Oh **** better play it safe just in case the big, bad O'Driscoll shouts at me'' more so ''I better ****ing concentrate on my game''

He wasn't rattled he was pissed off how a player could come into a world cup game with such little concentration and make such a ridiculous error.

Edit : Your off on Sexton by the way. Nothing to do with Contepomi who actually took him under his wing more to do with Cheika bringing in Howell

And so they get tense about concentraing on their game ... and end up making errors. What about BODs loss of concentration ... and losing the plot ... The great motivator that is Declan Kidney usually apparently before a game apparently just advises them to relax and make sure and enjoy themselves.

I remember reading a comment from one of the Munster players when Munster failed to score a try having been camped on the opposition's try line for about 10 minutes (could have been Leamy against Toulouse) - he said POC said - "not to worry - we're just going to score a try" and five minutes later, they did.

As regards Sexton - this happened end of last season - just thought that would not be helpful to any young player coming through.

Serenity Now! · 25-01-2009 05:58PM

thehighground wrote: »

And so they get tense about concentraing on their game ... and end up making errors. What about BODs loss of concentration ... and losing the plot ... The great motivator that is Declan Kidney usually apparently before a game apparently just advises them to relax and make sure and enjoy themselves.

I remember reading a comment from one of the Munster players when Munster failed to score a try having been camped on the opposition's try line for about 10 minutes (could have been Leamy against Toulouse) - he said POC said - "not to worry - we're just going to score a try" and five minutes later, they did

And I can remember O'Connell opting for a kick for corner at a penalty instead of taking a vital three pointer last season.
My point is sh*t happens.

thehighground wrote: »

As regards Sexton - this happened end of last season - just thought that would not be helpful to any young player coming through.

If you think they should be treated like bone china then I'd disagree. Its part of the learning curve. Up to Sexton to get on-form and justify his place.

thehighground · 25-01-2009 06:16PM

Serenity Now! wrote: »

And I can remember O'Connell opting for a kick for corner at a penalty instead of taking a vital three pointer last season.
My point is sh*t happens.

If you think they should be treated like bone china then I'd disagree. Its part of the learning curve. Up to Sexton to get on-form and justify his place.

If a wrong decision is made - fair enough - you have to live with it. Its just when you are not composed, you lose. Roy Keane used regularly tear strips out of his team mates on the pitch and he was regarded as a great captain - but that was not out of character for him to do that (i.e., he wasn't rattled). BOD was very rattled when he took a cut at Stringer. Not good for the captain to get rattled - they start making bad decisions and it gives the opposition the edge.

As for POC, he also made a very good decision to hold onto the ball against Toulouse, and yet again today - knowing we needed the win before the BP, he called Fla back with the ball and ROG kicked 3 points.

Edit:

If you think they should be treated like bone china then I'd disagree. Its part of the learning curve. Up to Sexton to get on-form and justify his place.

Sexton was doing fine as far as I can remember - just Contempomi in his most unpredictable self, did something that didn't come off right and he had a go at Sexton for it. It was just unnecessary - it wasn't on the training ground.

freyners · 25-01-2009 08:26PM

corny wrote: »

I think this is one of those things. If its is said often enough by a few tools it then becomes fact. It's utter ******** in truth. Has Fitzgerald, Nacewa, Horgan, Contepomi, Darcy or Dempsey played better than BOD in the last few weeks? No is the answer. In truth BOD has lost nothing, i'd even like someone to prove to me he's lost a yard of pace compared with a couple of years ago?(thats said often enough).

He's playing ok in a backline thats hopelessly struggling to find form as a unit. Thats all.

Nope, but that doesn't mean that BOD has still got what it takes to be a great attacker again.
If you want the truth, look at his attacking stats compared to 4 or 5 years ago

old boy · 25-01-2009 10:34PM

yeah today when he got the ball passed to his chest(the best pass to recieve) ah well.

old boy · 25-01-2009 10:52PM

people have built an alter to worship bod, fair play the bod of years ago, not the bod of today, just look at mafis display (a guy that has been villified here) and od on telly today, take the shades off people, admit what is kosher, not what you try to achive to, but then as shakesphers said what is true is a pity but the pity is its true. i cannot put words togeather like r.f. i am just an old guy who has seen that ,done that, and i am around to tell the tale.

Diabhal Beag · 25-01-2009 11:09PM

O' Driscoll is getting old people. He is significantly slower than I've ever seen him. He was great player but he is losing confidence at an alarming rate

soundsham · 25-01-2009 11:35PM

old boy wrote: »

people have built an alter to worship bod, fair play the bod of years ago, not the bod of today, just look at mafis display (a guy that has been villified here) and od on telly today, take the shades off people, admit what is kosher, not what you try to achive to, but then as shakesphers said what is true is a pity but the pity is its true. i cannot put words togeather like r.f. i am just an old guy who has seen that ,done that, and i am around to tell the tale.

spot on man

mafi is without doubt best centre playing in ire this season

corny · 26-01-2009 12:12AM

freyners wrote: »

Nope, but that doesn't mean that BOD has still got what it takes to be a great attacker again.
If you want the truth, look at his attacking stats compared to 4 or 5 years ago

Thats all hearsay. I've already given you a reason why "his attacking stats" as you put it might down this year. He's definitely not the problem at Leinster or Ireland and IMO if Leinster sort out their problems and start playing some rugby i think he'd prove you wrong, categorically prove you wrong.

Anyway 2 years ago he was part of the Ireland team that hammered England at Croker. Are you suggesting he's gone into steep decline in 2 years! In his late twenties no less. Thats laughable. Say what you will about form but to suggest he's physically not able anymore is ridiculous.

RugbyFanatic · 26-01-2009 12:17AM

soundsham wrote: »

spot on man

mafi is without doubt best centre playing in ire this season

Mafi is playing in a team firing on all cylinders. Brian O'Driscoll has been playing in a team with serious problems (bar today when we saw an improvement) and is still HC top try scorer

Now that is class.

RugbyFanatic · 26-01-2009 12:18AM

old boy wrote: »

yeah today when he got the ball passed to his chest(the best pass to recieve) ah well.

Wow. He made a mistake. No rugby player has ever done that. His contract should be terminated immediately.

Thank you for your fountains of knowledge old boy

thehighground · 26-01-2009 12:34AM

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

Wow. He made a mistake. No rugby player has ever done that. His contract should be terminated immediately.

You mean like Peter Stringer?

Stringer was dropped after that - has hardly played for Ireland (or Munster) since

old boy · 26-01-2009 12:38AM

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

Wow. He made a mistake. No rugby player has ever done that. His contract should be terminated immediately.

Thank you for your fountains of knowledge old boy

how many knock ons this year, how many turn overs, how many criticisms of players on the pitch, how many kicks he should not have taken,
he made a mistake,
every one makes them,
you say no rugby player has ever done that,
well every player that has played any sport has made one (more than one) also every coach,
why should his contract be terminated immediatly. i do not know please elaberete
your problem is the bigger picture, its is bigger than any one player. every game is a team game, not a god and xx others,
my foundations of knowledge, i do not have any, knowledge is built on truth, vision, facts, experience, to be able to admit ones failures, others achivements, not on blind faith, plus being unable to admit ones or anyones elses failures or achivements.

soundsham · 26-01-2009 12:40AM

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

Mafi is playing in a team firing on all cylinders. Brian O'Driscoll has been playing in a team with serious problems (bar today when we saw an improvement) and is still HC top try scorer

Now that is class.

agreed.................. mafi is playing on a team that are finding their form at the moment that probably helps him being the best performing centre in ireland this year

RugbyFanatic · 26-01-2009 01:06AM

thehighground wrote: »

You mean like Peter Stringer?

Stringer was dropped after that - has hardly played for Ireland (or Munster) since

When have I ever said Stringer deserved to be dropped for Ireland and Munster because of one mistake?

In fact if you look through my posts you will see I would welcome Stringer to Leinster with open arms over even Reddan.

RugbyFanatic · 26-01-2009 01:09AM

old boy wrote: »

how many knock ons this year, how many turn overs, how many criticisms of players on the pitch, how many kicks he should not have taken,
he made a mistake,
every one makes them,
you say no rugby player has ever done that,
well every player that has played any sport has made one (more than one) also every coach,
why should his contract be terminated immediatly. i do not know please elaberete
your problem is the bigger picture, its is bigger than any one player. every game is a team game, not a god and xx others,
my foundations of knowledge, i do not have any, knowledge is built on truth, vision, facts, experience, to be able to admit ones failures, others achivements, not on blind faith, plus being unable to admit ones or anyones elses failures or achivements.

Think your a bit mixed up. I was being sarcastic I agree with you on that point.

thehighground · 26-01-2009 01:21AM

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

When have I ever said Stringer deserved to be dropped for Ireland and Munster because of one mistake?

In fact if you look through my posts you will see I would welcome Stringer to Leinster with open arms over even Reddan.

You think it was ok for BOD to have a go at Stringer during a match for an error (type of which I think one of those errors that just happens)?

That knock-on today was very bad - not what one would expect from a world class player. It was a good pass.

You are defeating your own argument by defending BOD in this instance. Nothing to do whether you think Stringer is a good player. He gets dogs abuse here too, like ROG who I'm pretty sure will also get the blame when Ireland's backline doesn't ignite during the 6Ns (with loads of calls for Ian Humphreys etc).

(Hopefully, though the backline gets going for the 6Ns).

RugbyFanatic · 26-01-2009 01:29AM

thehighground wrote: »

You think it was ok for BOD to have a go at Stringer during a match for an error (type of which I think one of those errors that just happens)?

That knock-on today was very bad - not what one would expect from a world class player. It was a good pass.

You are defeating your own argument by defending BOD in this instance. Nothing to do whether you think Stringer is a good player. He gets dogs abuse here too, like ROG who I'm pretty sure will also get the blame when Ireland's backline doesn't ignite during the 6Ns (with loads of calls for Ian Humphreys etc).

(Hopefully, though the backline gets going for the 6Ns).

Yes because it was a lapse of concentration. I would agree if O'Driscoll got shouted at for his mistake today as well but for a poster to bring up one mistake to claim O'Driscoll is a bad player is ridiculous. I rate Stringer very highly and that one mistake hasn't changed my opinion of his ability as player one bit (as I already stated) every player makes mistakes. You seem to think I don't rate him because of his mistake which simply isn't true the only thing I argued was that he deserved criticism for it.

thehighground · 26-01-2009 01:48AM

Irrelevant whether you rate Stringer or not. The point is that BOD lost the plot (not good for a captain) that day. He should have kept his head. And you seem to be able to allow any criticism of anything BOD does. Most posters think and say that he was a fantastic player, but is just not the same player he was a couple of years ago.

Mafi & Tipoki have been compared unfavourably (putting it mildly!) to BOD & Contempomi. Why should BOD & Contempomi be exempt from criticism for their rugby playing skills?

RugbyFanatic · 26-01-2009 01:53AM

thehighground wrote: »

Irrelevant whether you rate Stringer or not. The point is that BOD lost the plot (not good for a captain) that day. He should have kept his head. And you seem to be able to allow any criticism of anything BOD does. Most posters think and say that he was a fantastic player, but is just not the same player he was a couple of years ago.

Mafi & Tipoki have been compared unfavourably (putting it mildly!) to BOD & Contempomi. Why should BOD & Contempomi be exempt from criticism for their rugby playing skills?

Listen you have a perception of me and its off. If you were to read through my posts I said only yesterday BOD is not the player he once was. I also have allowed criticism of both players.

The only thing I am taking issue with a poster saying BOD is terrible because he made one mistake today would you not do the same if someone said the same about Stringer at the RWC?

Honestly for one second forget I am a Leinster fan and take my points on board because right now you are putting words in my mouth that you assume I believe and they are so far off.

Otacon · 26-01-2009 09:45AM

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

Honestly for one second forget I am a Leinster fan...

That's kind of difficult with BOD pointing and laughing at my cat all the time.

IMO BOD should give the captaincy to someone else, my choice would be POC but that is irrelevant here. I think he is still Ireland's best centre and will be for a few years to come. His breaks, passing and kicking, though having dropped in quality of late, are still well beyond any other Irish centres abilities.

I think he should give up the captaincy, not because he was or is a bad captain (which he is not), but as a sign to the team and himself that he wants to concentrate on his own game and getting himself back into the shape and mindset he once had. From watching him yesterday, you can tell he still has that awesome player inside him, he just needs to focus on getting him out again.

padser · 26-01-2009 10:04AM

Otacon wrote: »

That's kind of difficult with BOD pointing and laughing at my cat all the time.

It's wierd that when you look at Rugby Fanatic's sig you see some indication that he is a Leinster supporter.

I just see Brian O Driscoll wearing an Irish jeasey.

Serenity Now! · 26-01-2009 10:21AM

This thread is turning into that tribalistic/provincialist pile of poo that is growing ever more tiresome...:rolleyes:

RugbyFanatic · 26-01-2009 11:09AM

this tends to happen when the highground enters a discussion.

RuggieBear · 26-01-2009 11:16AM

this thread is pathetic tbh.

The Brian O'Driscoll thread

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