Lions 2013 Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

.ak · 03-07-2013 09:31AM

Anyone else think dropping BOD will have a big impact on Sexton?

supersean1999 · 03-07-2013 09:31AM

10 welsh starters, wow, bias or what

sydthebeat · 03-07-2013 09:33AM

subfreq wrote: »

POC - Injured
Warburton - Injured
Heaslip - Out
BOD - Out

Thats the losing of the series there

AudreyHepburn · 03-07-2013 09:34AM

I can't believe BOD's been dropped...what is Gatland thinking!

BoardsMember · 03-07-2013 09:37AM

.ak wrote: »

Anyone else think dropping BOD will have a big impact on Sexton?

No especially, no. Sexton is tough as nails mentally as well as physically, he'll be taking to the field determined to win the game at all costs. I dont think his game will suffer

molloyjh · 03-07-2013 09:38AM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

not really interested in a bustup rumour, just the idea that Gatland is enforcing a gameplan that doesn't suit who we have available or what they're able to do.

Telling a backline to curb their attacking instincts? A backline with Sexton, BOD, North, Bowe in it?

Ridiculous.

Chatting to a few Welsh lads today and they agreed. We talked about how Joe allowed players to express themselves and how that plus the right approach to games had Leinster playing both attractive and winning rugby. There seems to be a bit of frustration with Gatland over here - that said I've been on a wine tour all day so have only spoken to a handful of Lions fans.

JagerScout · 03-07-2013 09:40AM

dub_skav · 03-07-2013 09:41AM

Gatland is sending a very clear message - he blames the players fur the bad performances in tests.
Her us not taking responsibility fur the gameplan or shocking timing of substitutions, it's all bod, Youngs', heaslip and mako's fault

.ak · 03-07-2013 09:41AM

BoardsMember wrote: »

No especially, no. Sexton is tough as nails mentally as well as physically, he'll be taking to the field determined to win the game at all costs. I dont think his game will suffer

Sorry I didn't mean in that sense. But that BOD is a bit of a defensive foil for Sexton at times, as well in attacking.

phog · 03-07-2013 09:47AM

.ak wrote: »

Anyone else think dropping BOD will have a big impact on Sexton?

I hope not, BOD has one more season at international level but Sexton has probably 6 or 7 at least. He doesn't and won't need BOD.

Mahatma Geansai · 03-07-2013 09:49AM

It wasn't long ago that I was near-ridiculed for suggesting that Gatland is in over his head. When coaches are under pressure they tend to stick with what they know. By the looks of things, every 50:50 - even 60:40 - decision has gone the way of the Welsh for the last test. Just look at it: Hibbard over Youngs; Lydiate over Croft; Faletau over Heaslip; Phillips over Murray; Davies over BOD. That is 5 close decisions all gone the way of the Welsh.

Gatland has a chip on his shoulder because he hasn't been able to beat Australia in any of his attempts with Wales to date. Now he has decided to have one last crack with his Wales+5 Select XV. Best of luck to the lads, but this is a farce.

JagerScout · 03-07-2013 09:52AM

.ak · 03-07-2013 10:01AM

phog wrote: »

I hope not, BOD has one more season at international level but Sexton has probably 6 or 7 at least. He doesn't and won't need BOD.

I think the Lions is a different thing all together. Australia have the advantage imo. But Ireland will be playing plenty of teams on level pegging and/or below them.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 03-07-2013 10:07AM

I hope they lose. Sorry but I actually do, that may be petty but this is the straw that broke the camels back for me (and I think Phillips over Murray is just as bad a call)

It's been an awful insipid joyless tour and I don't believe teams should be awarded for playing ultra conservative rugby, especially with players capable of doing so much more in the squad

Add to that the amount of players on that team not dealt a fair (include Grant and Hogg in that too) hand and I don't give one **** if the Lions win or lose, I just want our lads back playing in green/red/blue. Petty I know, but I don't care

JRant · 03-07-2013 10:13AM

Just seen Gatlands interview, he didn't half look smug when talking about this being the first time drop has been dropped in 15 years.

Anyway, on the brighter side, at least we'll get him home in one piece for Leinster and Ireland next season.

I'll have a passing interest in this game but to be honest I've very little enthusiasim for supporting The Welsh Lions 2013.

its_phil · 03-07-2013 10:16AM

I know there are lads saying they hope the Lions lose. But if the Lions do win, it means two of our greatest ever players BOD and POC will retire with a Lions series win. Whether some people think it will be demeaned seen as BOD was dropped I don't know, but I will disagree with you.

Also a series win in the southern hemisphere would be great for the likes of Bowe, SOB, Murray and Sexton going into the future. We may be upset for BOD, but there are positives to come out of a possible series win although that one big negative overshadows it.

Hopefully a Davies stinker and Lions win on Saturday.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 03-07-2013 10:17AM

Gatland is now in a situation where if the Lions lose, this tour will forever be associated with a majority Welsh team losing to an average Australian side

I think his goose is already cooked in relation to the AB's job but by god I can't wait for next years six nations when we welcome Gatty to Dublin under Schmidt

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 03-07-2013 10:18AM

its_phil wrote: »

Hopefully a Davies stinker and Lions win on Saturday.

I don't even want Davies to have a stinker, he seems like a nice guy. It's Gatland my beef is with. I would say I'd like to see his gameplan shown up but that's already happened

Rightwing · 03-07-2013 10:19AM

I've no problem with BOD being axed, I do feel for the chap however, but it was he was living on his reputation.

awec · 03-07-2013 10:21AM

Rightwing wrote: »

I've no problem with BOD being axed, I do feel for the chap however, but it was he was living on his reputation.

He may have been living on reputation but he was still better than the alternatives.

Davies and Roberts. Bosh bosh bosh.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 03-07-2013 10:21AM

I'd ask you to offer a logical explanation as to why you think it's fair that he was axed but you're not going to do that, you just posted that for attention and this will just ruin a page of the thread so shall we end the dance here and save everyone trouble

JagerScout · 03-07-2013 10:23AM

Rightwing wrote: »

I've no problem with BOD being axed, I do feel for the chap however, but it was he was living on his reputation.

of course you dont. :rolleyes:

Rightwing · 03-07-2013 10:23AM

awec wrote: »

He may have been living on reputation but he was still better than the alternatives.

Davies and Roberts. Bosh bosh bosh.

Well that's the thing, if the alternatives were very good I'd be pleased to see BOD axed, but they are not. It must be the poorest midfield the Lions have ever had on a tour.

subfreq · 03-07-2013 10:28AM

The BOD selection is by no means the biggest gamble here. This is the Warrenball test match where plan B is plan A with two different personnel.

Plan A

Robert - Phillips

Plan b

Manu - Murray

The bench is also strange to me.

In the last 20 minutes the BIL will only have loose style players to bring on with little experience and the whole Welsh cohesion element goes flying out the window. It would be virtually impossible to control a tight game and defend or hold a lead with the players coming off the bench.

I agree with .ak above that I think Sexton will come under huge pressure because of these selections. Defensively he has nowhere to go and the lack of someone else in the back line to hold them together will mean sitting deeper and kicking even more.

P_1 · 03-07-2013 10:29AM

Have to think the Oz backrows must be licking their lips at the prospect of a Roberts/Davies midfield.

It will probably ensure much quicker ball for Genia at each breakdown too, now that is a scary prospect

irishbucsfan · 03-07-2013 10:35AM

Rightwing wrote: »

Well that's the thing, if the alternatives were very good I'd be pleased to see BOD axed, but they are not. It must be the poorest midfield the Lions have ever had on a tour.

So Johnathan Davies has been better than BOD?

awec · 03-07-2013 10:36AM

The team selection really is shocking! What more did Dan Biggar, Gethin Jenkins, Alex Cuthbert, Ian Evans and Justin Tipuric need to do?

Rightwing · 03-07-2013 10:39AM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

So Johnathan Davies has been better than BOD?

No, I never said that, but something had to change. It is controversial. BOD's form has been patchy, but no one can deny he has a big game mentality, right up there with POC.

Gray on the bench, & AWJ as captain, I got that bit right anyway.

.ak · 03-07-2013 10:39AM

Rumour that Tuilagi shoulder injury flaring up in training....

Shane Williams to take his spot on the bench.

irishbucsfan · 03-07-2013 10:41AM

Rightwing wrote: »

No, I never said that, but something had to change. It is controversial. BOD's form has been patchy, but no one can deny he has a big game mentality, right up there with POC.

Gray on the bench, & AWJ as captain, I got that bit right anyway.

You said you would start Gray. So no, you didn't.

So something needed to change, which is starting Davies at 13? What do you think Davies does at 13 that suits this Lions side better?

Lions 2013 Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

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