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Post by Bestie on Jul 2, 2013 12:54:51 GMT
O'Brien plays both sides, that's why he went on the tour.
Wait, I said Lydiate didn't I? That was an untruth. Lydiate is a wall. Tipuric, he's the one Sean O'Brien is more of a presence than. Sorry, my serious bad.
Lydiate blind- and O'Brien open-side, that's what I'm looking for.
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Post by Jayrannasaurus on Jul 3, 2013 6:40:57 GMT
Thoughts on the Lions line-up?
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Post by Bestie on Jul 3, 2013 8:24:33 GMT
Gatland's a joke. Simply couldn't bear the idea of having a non-Welshman as captain in a test, apparently. Plus, picks 10 players who haven't been able to beat Oz when playing for their national side in the last 8 attempts. Genius.
No BOD proves Gatland doesn't pick on form or class.
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Post by Stew on Jul 3, 2013 8:29:59 GMT
Huge mistake to drop BOD and a deeply unfeeling one. If Davies had been better in the 2 tests fine but he hasn't been. Massive experience lost. Missed 0 out of 23 tackles.
The word is he criticised Gatlands tactics after the2nd test.
Really poor decision.
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stretfordend
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Post by stretfordend on Jul 3, 2013 10:21:59 GMT
The move to drop O'Driscoll could just have played straight into the Aussie's hand.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2013 10:47:50 GMT
It's our last chance and only chance to win the series so I'm going for the positive approach. I think with the exception of BOD and Cuthbert that it's probably the best chance we have of salvaging this series. The middle has Davies and Roberts. Davies for me as been our best centre and Roberts has something we need which is brute strength through the middle, I hope his fitness gives him the game of his life, or anywhere near as close to the Ba-Ba's game. I don't see what the problem is with dropping BOD anyway, yes he has experience and don't get me wrong I think hes good but he's not exactly done a lot to justify A GUARANTEED PLACE, no place is guaranteed and the fact that Gatland has chosen to replace him shows he is not afraid of making a decision, probably hasn't helped that he's questioned tactics so he is pushing his luck (we say it with players doing it with Fergie so we can't say a lot there). I don't agree with dropping him from the entire squad but considering people are moaning he got the team selection wrong and the tactics were wrong there was bound to be a stir up. What is he meant to do? I'm glad Faletau has been called up aswell, more than deserved his place. Good selection for the flanks aswell with O'Brien and Lydiate.I can't see how he hasn't picked the team on form. 10 of them have just won the 6 nations so hardly a wild guess with selection it is. It's not about Wales, it's not about England or Ireland, this is about Britain and Ireland as a collective team simple as. There are more Welsh in the team simply because the positions they hold they are currently THE BEST for. Win or lose they are all Lions simple as.
The move could play into the Aussies hand? seriously? You are swapping BOD for Roberts, it's hardly a poor change is it. Either way before condemning the team selection this time, why don't we see how it performs. If they end up winning everyone will praise it so why be so hasty.
Whether he's the Welsh coach or not I've disagreed with some of his choices but let's see what happens and if he can redeem himself.
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Post by Bestie on Jul 3, 2013 11:06:05 GMT
Well, Davies hasn't been the best centre so far, he's been decidedly middle of the road.
The condemnation of dropping O'Driscoll COMPLETELY is that the true Captain of this side Paul O'Connell is already out, joke selection captain Warburton is out. To leave out O'Driscoll's experience is lunacy.
Roberts is finally fit so you could have had a centre pairing of BOD and Roberts. Bloody hell, what a final test that could have been.
Gatland has picked a side to play his single (and in my opinion shite to watch) hammer-the-opposition-rugby. The best thing about Lions tours was that it was like watching the Real Madrid Galacticos or late-90s Fergie United in full stride, all swagger and skill and excitement. Attacking rugby. Under Gatland it's been the usual slog. No wonder O'Driscoll had things to say.
It isn't anti-Welsh Paul, that was my point. Wales, playing that way, coached by Gatland, and with those 10 players, haven't been able to get near Austrailia in 8 attempts. Why should we suddenly expect what's failed before to work now?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2013 11:51:07 GMT
As far as the Welsh boys are concerned, they are playing a lot differently to the way they did against them in the Autumn internationals. I won't lie that i'm not happy to see 10 Welsh boys in that squad because I am but those Welsh boys in that squad deserve to be there. Other than One centre spot there isn't one Welsh boy in that lineup that doesn't deserve to start. Even if Gatland wasn't the coach the squad would still be mainly made up of Welsh simply because they are the better nation with the better selection of players. I'm not treating this as Wales v Australia, It's the Lions v Australia. Providing we hammer them on the pitch aswell as the scoreboard I don't really care what the line up is. The lineup didn't work last week, partly Gatlands fault, partly the teams. Baring in mind this is the last chance of getting the series win there was bound to be changes, I praise Gatland on this occasion for being so brave as to make changes that he knows people won't be happy with but can and are more than capable of making it a 2-1 win for the Lions.
To be fair mate the Aussies should have won the series already, we went over there way too confident and it's bit us on the arse. Again Gatland and co have to take a proportion of the blame, but even last week that selection was good enough and it simply didn't deliver. So he has to change it, I would still have had BOD on the bench instead of Tuilagi but if it wasn't BOD's last tour then perhaps so much emphasis wouldn't be on him being dropped.
Providing they come home with the series win does it really matter? If that team selection plays better than last weekend (can't be hard really can it) then can't see what the fuss will be about. Let's just see it first then do the praising/condemning afterwards.
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Post by Bestie on Jul 3, 2013 13:29:49 GMT
As far as the Welsh boys are concerned, they are playing a lot differently to the way they did against them in the Autumn internationals. I won't lie that i'm not happy to see 10 Welsh boys in that squad because I am but those Welsh boys in that squad deserve to be there. Other than One centre spot there isn't one Welsh boy in that lineup that doesn't deserve to start. Even if Gatland wasn't the coach the squad would still be mainly made up of Welsh simply because they are the better nation with the better selection of players. I'm not treating this as Wales v Australia, It's the Lions v Australia. Providing we hammer them on the pitch aswell as the scoreboard I don't really care what the line up is. The lineup didn't work last week, partly Gatlands fault, partly the teams. Baring in mind this is the last chance of getting the series win there was bound to be changes, I praise Gatland on this occasion for being so brave as to make changes that he knows people won't be happy with but can and are more than capable of making it a 2-1 win for the Lions. To be fair mate the Aussies should have won the series already, we went over there way too confident and it's bit us on the arse. Again Gatland and co have to take a proportion of the blame, but even last week that selection was good enough and it simply didn't deliver. So he has to change it, I would still have had BOD on the bench instead of Tuilagi but if it wasn't BOD's last tour then perhaps so much emphasis wouldn't be on him being dropped.Providing they come home with the series win does it really matter? If that team selection plays better than last weekend (can't be hard really can it) then can't see what the fuss will be about. Let's just see it first then do the praising/condemning afterwards. |
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Post by Stew on Jul 3, 2013 13:47:37 GMT
Dan Carter thinks its s big mistake. That's good enough for me.
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Boon
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Post by Boon on Jul 3, 2013 19:21:27 GMT
As far as the Welsh boys are concerned, they are playing a lot differently to the way they did against them in the Autumn internationals. I won't lie that i'm not happy to see 10 Welsh boys in that squad because I am but those Welsh boys in that squad deserve to be there. Other than One centre spot there isn't one Welsh boy in that lineup that doesn't deserve to start. Even if Gatland wasn't the coach the squad would still be mainly made up of Welsh simply because they are the better nation with the better selection of players. I'm not treating this as Wales v Australia, It's the Lions v Australia. Providing we hammer them on the pitch aswell as the scoreboard I don't really care what the line up is. The lineup didn't work last week, partly Gatlands fault, partly the teams. Baring in mind this is the last chance of getting the series win there was bound to be changes, I praise Gatland on this occasion for being so brave as to make changes that he knows people won't be happy with but can and are more than capable of making it a 2-1 win for the Lions. To be fair mate the Aussies should have won the series already, we went over there way too confident and it's bit us on the arse. Again Gatland and co have to take a proportion of the blame, but even last week that selection was good enough and it simply didn't deliver. So he has to change it, I would still have had BOD on the bench instead of Tuilagi but if it wasn't BOD's last tour then perhaps so much emphasis wouldn't be on him being dropped. Providing they come home with the series win does it really matter? If that team selection plays better than last weekend (can't be hard really can it) then can't see what the fuss will be about. Let's just see it first then do the praising/condemning afterwards. I know you try not to be,but you are completely biased toward Wales |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2013 19:31:48 GMT
As far as the Welsh boys are concerned, they are playing a lot differently to the way they did against them in the Autumn internationals. I won't lie that i'm not happy to see 10 Welsh boys in that squad because I am but those Welsh boys in that squad deserve to be there. Other than One centre spot there isn't one Welsh boy in that lineup that doesn't deserve to start. Even if Gatland wasn't the coach the squad would still be mainly made up of Welsh simply because they are the better nation with the better selection of players. I'm not treating this as Wales v Australia, It's the Lions v Australia. Providing we hammer them on the pitch aswell as the scoreboard I don't really care what the line up is. The lineup didn't work last week, partly Gatlands fault, partly the teams. Baring in mind this is the last chance of getting the series win there was bound to be changes, I praise Gatland on this occasion for being so brave as to make changes that he knows people won't be happy with but can and are more than capable of making it a 2-1 win for the Lions. To be fair mate the Aussies should have won the series already, we went over there way too confident and it's bit us on the arse. Again Gatland and co have to take a proportion of the blame, but even last week that selection was good enough and it simply didn't deliver. So he has to change it, I would still have had BOD on the bench instead of Tuilagi but if it wasn't BOD's last tour then perhaps so much emphasis wouldn't be on him being dropped. Providing they come home with the series win does it really matter? If that team selection plays better than last weekend (can't be hard really can it) then can't see what the fuss will be about. Let's just see it first then do the praising/condemning afterwards. I know you try not to be,but you are completely biased toward Wales I'm not bias at all, It may appear to be but that's a load of rubbish. I feel for BOD, I think it is a mistake that he's been dropped, but i'm certainly not unhappy with the fact Roberts has been drafted in because we need him. You think what you like that's your opinion as this is mine. If I was bias then I wouldn't be blaming Gatland would I? but I am. He is to blame for the first 2 tests being crap but then so do the player. I'm looking at it at a positive perspective. Yes there are 10 Welsh boys in the side (most people don't agree with obviously) but people were moaning that Gatland needed to make a bold and brave move, he's done that and people are still moaning. If we play like dog shit and lose the 3rd test then fine, people will complain but how about we give the fucking side a chance first, if the side wins then nobody will give 2 fucks anyway. I'm supporting the Lions, not just the Welsh, it's not exactly easy not defend the Welsh boys though considering the 10 that are starting deserve to be, it's as simple as that. It would be no different if the side was full of English, Scottish or Irish. |
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Post by Bestie on Jul 3, 2013 20:04:58 GMT
Well, Davies doesn't deserve to be starting ahead of BOD for a start. I couldn't be arsed going through the rest of the XV but Richie Gray should have started at least one of the tests. Ditto Rob Kearney. And don't get me wrong, a fit Roberts starts, but he's playing his first test in the most important one of all. BOD isn't even on the bench, what happens if Roberts' hammy goes again in the first half? Tuilagi comes on to change the game? Yeah right.
Gatland's "brave and bold move" was going back to what he knows which is the rugby equivalent of the modern Barcelona. Successful but shite to watch. He could have taken a brave and bold move to change the style of play to something expansive and entertaining, instead he's gone back to usual. He's essentially put all blame on O'Driscoll for the lack of penetration this week by dropping him and leaving the rest pretty much unchanged.
Even if they win, the style is not befitting a Lions tour. No excitement, no subtlety, no guile. All power and grind.
Oh, and to prove I'm not being arbitrarily anti-Welsh, Ian Evans should be playing ahead of Parling.
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Post by Bestie on Jul 3, 2013 20:12:56 GMT
Gatland's vision for the Lions:  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2013 20:28:12 GMT
Well, Davies doesn't deserve to be starting ahead of BOD for a start. I couldn't be arsed going through the rest of the XV but Richie Gray should have started at least one of the tests. Ditto Rob Kearney. And don't get me wrong, a fit Roberts starts, but he's playing his first test in the most important one of all. BOD isn't even on the bench, what happens if Roberts' hammy goes again in the first half? Tuilagi comes on to change the game? Yeah right. Gatland's "brave and bold move" was going back to what he knows which is the rugby equivalent of the modern Barcelona. Successful but shite to watch. He could have taken a brave and bold move to change the style of play to something expansive and entertaining, instead he's gone back to usual. He's essentially put all blame on O'Driscoll for the lack of penetration this week by dropping him and leaving the rest pretty much unchanged. Even if they win, the style is not befitting a Lions tour. No excitement, no subtlety, no guile. All power and grind. Oh, and to prove I'm not being arbitrarily anti-Welsh, Ian Evans should be playing ahead of Parling. As I've said many times not instead of presuming it will be boring, shite rugby let's wait and see first. I think it will be a very good game Saturday. I agree with the whole team selection apart from BOD and Cuthbert. With the exception of those 2 it is the best Lions line up even on form. You won't know it its befitting a Lions tour because they haven't even played yet. People are assuming too much before it even happens. He's chosen to drop BOD, whether it turns out to be a good or bad mistake we will see Saturday but it's his choice, he has to live with it so don't see why he should be ridiculed for it. I agree that he should have started on the bench as I'd have rathered him come on for Roberts than Tuilagi. I agree with you on that point. But to suggest Wales play boring, shite to watch rugby is absolute absurd nonsense. that's your opinion and your entitled to it. To show i'm not being "bias" I even thought the likes of Robshaw deserved to be in the squad but was left out. It's hard to not seem bias when half the squad is from your own country, im just justifying them being there which they do deserve. Just to catch on a previous statement aswell, Yes the 6 Nations weren't great but again to say that we won it by default is rubbish. We wen't to France, Italy and Scotland and won, that aint easy by a country mile. We slaughtered the English to win it and stop them from winning the Grandslam, that takes some doing, The Irish deserved to beat us, they outplayed us in the first half, we played better in the 2nd but gave ourselves too much to do. I know I was at the game. We weren't great and after that game I even wrote us off but we more than deserved to win it, especially after the dismal Autumn internationals were we played shite. Also if they win the series, it'll be the first time in 16 years so I couldn't give 2 fucks who the side is made up of providing they get that win. |
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