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Lions 2013 Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

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Comments

  • #6692
    wonderfullife
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,924 ✭✭✭wonderfullife


    i wouldnt care if it was 15 Welsh if they were the best players and in form.

    Instead we are left with 10 Welsh and some of that lot are out of form:

    Hibbard
    JD
    Jamie Roberts
    Phillips

    6 of the Welsh selected are swing-decisions and i see no other reason than loyalty and faith by Gatland that the calls went their way.

    In fact sticking SOB in at 7 looks like an exercise in appeasement. Not to the Irish fans but to the Lions fans - as i am positive Gatland thought to himself "fcuk it if i may as well stick Tipuric in, now let me see if i can find an excuse for Evans 2nd Row......"

    I suppose it's because Wales hammered Australia every time recently......oh wait......


  • #6693
    Hype710
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,001 ✭✭✭Hype710


    Very disappointed for BOD but Jon Davies is a class player and looks more at home in the 13 jersey these days. If there wasn't a huge amount of sentiment with BOD then I think Gatland would be commended for a bold, attacking move. Hoping the Aussies win is very much toys out of the pram stuff. Heaslip/Faletau was always a 50/50 call and I'm delighted Conor George's assertion that SOB would one again bench has proven incorrect.


  • #6694
    wonderfullife
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,924 ✭✭✭wonderfullife


    Le vieux renard wrote: »
    Should be a quiet day on the forum today. Not much to discuss really. I mean no BOD, Gray on the bench. Hopefully the Wallabies selection provides some controversy.

    The Wallabies will probably announce Pococks returns in a world shocker just to make this day even more fcuked up :mad:


  • #6695
    toomevara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,772 ✭✭✭toomevara


    ongarite wrote: »
    Not suprising selection from Gatland after the rumour from yesterday.
    If the Lions lose the game series now, Gatland will be slammed in the press even more now after he has dropped some key players.

    Well, he's nailed his colours to the mast. He's come over all Welsh. Big runners, hammering at the mid-field, trying to make a line break and spin it out wide after a few phases. Will that phase the aussies?..doubt it. They tried the power game up front hasn't worked, aussies won't lie down (surprise, surprise) similarly Dont see the Aussie 3/4's being too phased by the limited (but committed, I grant you) Roberts/Davies (who's really disappointed me).


  • #6696
    JagerScout
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 392 ✭✭JagerScout


    Jon Davies a class player? come again



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  • #6697
    Swiwi.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,415 ✭✭✭Swiwi.


    I'll give Gatland this - it'll either turn out to be a stroke of coaching genius or an absolute mare of a decision. I must say I agree with the rest of his selections, with the possible exception of Parling starting. Wouldn't want to be Davies if he lets through another try. Especially if it means looking Bowe, Sexton & O'Brien in the face.

    In other news, George Smith is rumoured to return at 7 for the Wallabies. Danthefan, could you confirm please! (He's already picking 15 Australians in the Wallabies starting line-up).


  • #6698
    The Aussie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,440 ✭✭✭The Aussie


    wonderfullife wrote: »
    The Wallabies will probably announce Pococks returns in a world shocker just to make this day even more fcuked up :mad:

    One of the highlights of this Tour a few months ago for me was going to be the battle of Pocock and SOB......

    That little chance ended a few months ago but hopefully Pocock can be back and in form for the Autumn Internationals.


  • #6699
    wonderfullife
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,924 ✭✭✭wonderfullife


    It's the hypocrisy that annoys me.

    He says he went Roberts-JD for the "partnership".

    Yet sticks with a woeful Phillips when Murray is on form and clearly knows Sextons game better.

    Either be consistent or lay off the hypocritical justifications to a) get as many welsh on the team as possible b) let your ego be more important than the win.

    Hibbard for Youngs is frightening purely based on the fact Hibbard has been muck this Tour. You simply can't make that call based on form.


  • #6700
    wonderfullife
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,924 ✭✭✭wonderfullife


    Twitter

    Brian O'Driscoll ‏@BrianODriscoll 28m
    Obviously totally gutted at being left out for deciding Test but all efforts go into preparing the boys to see it through. #seaofred

    Not much else he can say but still ..... legend.


  • #6701
    JagerScout
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 392 ✭✭JagerScout


    Matt Giteau ‏@giteau_rugby 1h
    Gee dropping @BrianODriscoll out of the team is a huge call.. For mine, he has been the stand out unsung hero this series.. Defensively huge


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  • #6702
    Cosmo Kramer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,195 ✭✭✭Cosmo Kramer


    I'll leave BOD aside because enough others will comment on that. But...

    Richard ****ing Hibbard???

    Is he taking the piss or has he just not actually watched the first two tests?

    Also that Welsh team couldn't even beat the worst set up Irish 6 nations team in over a decade. Gatland's coaching credibility hanging in the balance from now to Saturday.


  • #6703
    wonderfullife
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,924 ✭✭✭wonderfullife


    The Aussie wrote: »
    One of the highlights of this Tour a few months ago for me was going to be the battle of Pocock and SOB......

    That little chance ended a few months ago but hopefully Pocock can be back and in form for the Autumn Internationals.

    That little chance ended long before any injury to Pocock.....

    Warburton being captain and SOB not giving "balance" around him ended that.


  • #6704
    fitz
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 9,049 ✭✭✭fitz


    Dropping BOD for one of the poorer performers of the tour?
    I'm not entirely sure what to say, I can't quite wrap my head around how bad a call this is.


  • #6705
    Kylee Dead Type
    Posts: 24,798 ✭✭✭✭ Kylee Dead Type


    Happiest man on the planet today.

    276981-wallaby-fullback-adam-ashley-cooper.jpg

    Not really sure what Gatland is up to. Another attritional rubbish viewing on show for the purists.


  • #6706
    BoardsMember
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,654 ✭✭✭BoardsMember


    Hard to argue with the team selection for the way he wants to play. The issue I have is the way he wants to play is brutal. Slabs of meat comparison made by Aussie media in advance of the tour was never truer. Roberts and Davies in the 15, Tuilagi on the bench. Not wishing a loss but would look forward to the fall out for Gatland if it happens.


  • #6707
    First Up
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    BoardsMember wrote: »
    Hard to argue with the team selection for the way he wants to play. The issue I have is the way he wants to play is brutal. Slabs of meat comparison made by Aussie media in advance of the tour was never truer. Roberts and Davies in the 15, Tuilagi on the bench. Not wishing a loss but would look forward to the fall out for Gatland if it happens.

    It will be a heavy pitch and Poite has the whistle. Oz want a high tempo game; we don't. Tough on BOD and Heaslip but there is a logic to it.


  • #6708
    Kylee Dead Type
    Posts: 24,798 ✭✭✭✭ Kylee Dead Type


    It's not particularly tough on Heaslip. Himself and Faletau have both been performing well.

    Faletau is worth his shirt, I don't think the decision is even close to how odd BOD's dropping is. At least if you're going to swap the 13 Jersey you give it to next best option! Tuilagi as bench cover is not ideal either. Halfpenny is now worth 3 players to us.


  • #6709
    chippers
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 530 ✭✭✭chippers


    What has Manu Tuilagi done wrong to be so underutilised in the tests? Available last weekend but not in the squad. Available this weekend but Davies plays ahead of him. Tuilagi is the most dangerous center that the Lions have yet he might only come on for an underperforming Davies with 20 minutes to go this weekend.

    If BOD was dropped for Tuilagi I think I could more readily agree with the selection. Being dropped for Davies is a joke. Especially in the context that Roberts and BOD have a proven partnership together.


  • #6710
    fitz
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 9,049 ✭✭✭fitz


    chippers wrote: »
    What has Manu Tuilagi done wrong to be so underutilised in the tests? Available last weekend but not in the squad. Available this weekend but Davies plays ahead of him. Tuilagi is the most dangerous center that the Lions have yet he might only come on for an underperforming Davies with 20 minutes to go this weekend.

    If BOD was dropped for Tuilagi I think I could more readily agree with the selection. Being dropped for Davies is a joke. Especially in the context that Roberts and BOD have a proven partnership together.

    Any combination of Roberts/Manu/BOD in the 23 and I don't think people would have an issue, even if Drico was the one riding pine.
    Davies, on his performance, should be bottom of the list.

    No matter what way you look at it, this call just does not make any kind of sense.

    You'd have to wonder was there a bust up, as rumored.


  • #6711
    BoardsMember
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,654 ✭✭✭BoardsMember


    Bust up rumours? Pray tell.


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  • #6712
    First Up
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    fitz wrote: »
    Any combination of Roberts/Manu/BOD in the 23 and I don't think people would have an issue, even if Drico was the one riding pine.
    Davies, on his performance, should be bottom of the list.

    No matter what way you look at it, this call just does not make any kind of sense.

    You'd have to wonder was there a bust up, as rumored.

    Davies had not been convincing at 12. He is picked at 13 where he is a lot more comfortable. My only concern re BOD is defence where he has been leading the line.


  • #6713
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers, Paid Member Posts: 43,713 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    Bish, bash, bosh, kick, rinse, repeat....


  • #6714
    Hunterbiker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,259 ✭✭✭Hunterbiker


    sydthebeat wrote: »
    Bish, bash, bosh, kick, rinse, repeat....

    That would make a great Tour T-Shirt slogan!


  • #6715
    keano_afc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,711 ✭✭✭keano_afc


    I'd say Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey must be gutted to have not at least made the bench.

    Joke of a team. Leaving sentiment aside, there is no logical reason for picking Davies ahead of him, especially with a half fit Roberts there.


  • #6716
    prettyboy81
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,581 ✭✭✭prettyboy81


    BOD 23 tackles in the first 2 test's & no missed tackles....enough said!

    This decision to drop BOD is all about Warren G & his ego. Nothing to do with Lions Tour victory IMO whatever way the result goes he knows he will be remembered for as the man who dropped BOD.


  • #6717
    ThisRegard
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,833 ✭✭✭✭ThisRegard


    toomevara wrote: »
    Problem with Gatland's approach to the final test is he's reverted to the 'Welsh way" with this selection (BOD or no BOD). Unfortunately when the pressure is on people tend to go to what they know. Alas the Welsh boys (all 10) have not had much success in a Welsh top with this approach which worries me.....

    First thing I thought when I heard the line up this morning, he doesn't know what to do with the players he has so with things on the line in the last game he reverts to type with his Welsh squad.

    I suspect there's a lot of people out there this morning not too pushed if the Lions win, childish I know but I'm a bit deflated at the moment.


  • #6718
    andrewdcs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,106 ✭✭✭andrewdcs


    Has Davies been 'in form' this tour? I remember nothing of him, but bad hack through in the first test and missing the tackle last week....

    Mind boggling.


  • #6719
    andrewdcs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,106 ✭✭✭andrewdcs


    ThisRegard wrote: »
    First thing I thought when I heard the line up this morning, he doesn't know what to do with the players he has so with things on the line in the last game he reverts to type with his Welsh squad.

    I suspect there's a lot of people out there this morning not too pushed if the Lions win, childish I know but I'm a bit deflated at the moment.

    English and Scottish public have had practically nothing to cheer about. I remember tours with 1 or no Irish starting (we were pretty dreadful in the 90s) but didnt seem to matter, the top 15 from the islands were on the pitch.

    Gatlands selection has been so uninspiring, any player with a bit of flair it looked as as a curiosity then tucked up in the stands. At least Tualagi makes the bench, I'd thinking Roberts only has a half a game in him.

    How he drops O'Driscoll over Davies..... jesus.


  • #6720
    fitz
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 9,049 ✭✭✭fitz


    BoardsMember wrote: »
    Bust up rumours? Pray tell.

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=85360149&postcount=21


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  • #6721
    twinytwo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,612 ✭✭✭twinytwo


    All I can say is WOW!

    Just when you think gatty couldnt get any more retarded.

    Has BOD ever been dropped in his entire career? Going into a game like this he is surly the once guy you want on the team


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