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Aha, well...think the only way I can be caught is by someone going for the opposite result...but am I trying to sell a dummy?


What one thinks will happen and what one wants to happen...I had ?10 on Australia to win the RWC final in 2003, on the basis that if England won I wouldn't care about losing, if we lost I'd have a small consolation to help drown my sorrows!

Alan Medic Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> rendelharris Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Aha, well...think the only way I can be caught

> is

> > by someone going for the opposite result..

>

> There was another option rendel ☺


Machiavelli could have taken lessons from you, sir!

  • 2 months later...

I'm struggling with whether this reflects well or badly on SOB. I'm guessing it wont be well received


Personally I'm glad he said it, it gives an insight into the haphazard performance in the first test and some improvement thereafter.


Personally I think Sexton not being involved in the first test with his experience, record of success and tactical nouse was a mistake - Itoje being left out was jaw dropping in terms of individual ability


If Gatland and the team listened better as a result of first test failings fair enough, or whether the team took over the coaching as SOB suggests then fine, but there seems no doubt mistakes were rectified after losing the first test. After that its an uphill struggle. And despite achieving a drawn series I think a lot of people felt the Lions were very much second best and could have done better.

I think that sort of criticism is best kept in-house. I haven't seen anything that says he raised these concerns at the time (management says he didn't) - if he did and was told to get lost then it's more understandable that he wants to make it public. I wonder if, aged thirty, he has ambitions to go on the SA tour in 2021? Whoever's coach then might well think twice about taking someone who might turn on them afterwards.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/lions-tour/sean-obrien-releases-clarifying-statement-after-interview-criticising-warren-gatland-36157094.html


Doesn't retract anything.To keep something like this in-house I could understand, if there were a house. But this isn't a club or national team. It's his opinion and I would imagine he wrote what a lot of other players thought. Quite refreshing that someone is asked for an opinion and they give an honest one.

Hmm. My opinion more closely matches the opinion piece in the same paper: http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/comment-sean-obriens-underhand-quotes-must-be-galling-to-warren-gatland-36155798.html


Just because it's not a permanent team doesn't mean the concepts of loyalty and discretion go out the window - if you wouldn't say it publicly about your club or national setup, don't say it about the Lions, I'd say; sorry but I think it's almost a bit cowardly, you won't say it about your team or country as they're your bread and butter, but as you probably won't go on the next tour you feel free to put the boot in. As the piece points out, pointing fingers at individuals is pretty distasteful too. Rather sours a magnificent tour, I think, and anyone who thinks the Lions could have done better with different coaching would be well advised to look at the recent 57-0 mauling of the Saffers!

rendelharris Wrote:

anyone who thinks the Lions could

> have done better with different coaching would be

> well advised to look at the recent 57-0 mauling of

> the Saffers!


Billy thinks they would have.


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/british-and-irish-lions-sean-obrien-criticism-billy-vunipola-gatland-howley-eddie-jones-a7960136.html

Mick Mac Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> magnificent tour - I don't think it was. the Lions

> were lucky. New coach next time please.


Gatland leaves Wales in 2019 - and he's sworn he's headed back to NZ. Howley isn't that good, sorry Howley, Wales need to find a way to get in somebody else.


Probably Jones next time.

Alan Medic Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> rendelharris Wrote:

> anyone who thinks the Lions could

> > have done better with different coaching would

> be

> > well advised to look at the recent 57-0 mauling

> of

> > the Saffers!

>

> Billy thinks they would have.

>

> http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-uni

> on/international/british-and-irish-lions-sean-obri

> en-criticism-billy-vunipola-gatland-howley-eddie-j

> ones-a7960136.html


Considering Billy wasn't on the tour I think that's a bit hyperbolic - not to mentioned a bit arse-kissing to his own coach!

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