Not that anyone's actual words that come out of the mouth would ever mean anything...but y'know, just in case...
The former Ireland captain’s focus is on Sunday’s opening Six Nations match against Scotland and, while he repeated his sense of disappointment over being dropped for the Lions’ third Test in Australia, he moved to play down the controversy that is set to reign next week.[b]No matter what, the media and public will revisit the issue[/b] of the New Zealander’s decision next week, but the protagonists are doing their best to dampen the hype.
“That’s why I’m here this week,” he smiled when asked about whether he can avoid the issue next week after the Wales coach did his part at the Six Nations launch last week by preaching calm.
[b]“I don’t really pay that much attention. What happened happened, I don’t have any ill will towards Warren. It was raw at the time, but time heals wounds and I don’t have any animosity towards him.[/b]
[b]“I just want to be involved in a team that can beat his team, but that’s next week. I can’t get into different team’s mentality, but they’ve Italy this week and I’m sure they’re focused on that.”[/b]
I think it's some others who need to change their records.
He needs some lessons from AW on how to do interviews!
I note the england selectors have made the massive error of dropping the world class wing play redefinning wonder winger Chris Ashton. I expect him to foce his way back in for the Wales game so he can man mark George North out of the game.
Scotland team to face Ireland:
Forwards: Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors) Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors) Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) Jim Hamilton (Montpellier) Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) Kelly Brown (Saracens, capt) David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby)
Backs: Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors) Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors) Duncan Taylor (Saracens) Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby)
Replacements: Pat MacArthur (Glasgow Warriors) Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby) Geoff Cross (Edinburgh Rugby)Richie Gray (Castres) Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier) Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors) Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby)Max Evans (Castres).
Pretty happy with the selection i assume Scott/Hogg to cover 10. Would have liked to see Beattie starting instead of Denton and Scott to start if he had had more game time following injury
BOD could have used much less emotive language ie "the important thing is the Lions won a test series, which I'm grateful and pleased to have played a part" etc etc.
Any how, I see England have dropped Ash the Splash and brought in some Gloucester pace.
BOD could have used much less emotive language ie "the important thing is the Lions won a test series, which I'm grateful and pleased to have played a part" etc etc.
What was emotive about what he said? Do you think maybe he gets cheesed off with always being asked about it?
Well, compare what he could have said with what he actually said,"what is done is done" "raw at the time" "time heals wounds" "I just want to be involved in a team which beats his". Hardly a straight bat in interview speak.
Tbf Scamper, you're just putting words into quotes out of context.
It seemed entirely reasonable to me, when I read the whole story and the questions he asked. Seems people just want him to say what they want to hear. About the most emotive thing he said was "I just want to be involved in a team which beats his" which when read out of context does seem a bit strong, but when read alongside the questions everyone keeps asking and in between what he said before and after, it's just fine. He was left out of the last Lions test of his career...what should he say?
DD, as you can imagine, I was largely fishing for a reaction by posting that! 🙂 The piece that stuck most for me was this, however;
(My emphasis)I just want to be involved in a team which beats[b] his[/b]
Not, note, a team which beats Wales, but making it a personal thing. OK, maybe I'm reading waaay too much in to that, and I probably am, but I'd just love to see him avoid it completely.
He should have said what spin doctor scamper suggested above. 😀
Since we are lifting quotes from the BOD article what about, 'All other attempts to raise the subject were met with a verbal version of that neat sidestep that has become so familiar as O'Driscoll slipped through the cover unscathed.'
It's the media who keep dragging this up not BOD, in particular the Sky journos, I think BOD and the IRFU are trying to avoid this as much as possible by having him at the press conference this week and not next. The questions should be about the game with Scotland not a sham battle that everyone is trying to move on from.
I think BOD's reputation has diminished in lots of people eyes after the Lions tour.
Still a deity in Ireland and with Irish fans but most people I know regard his as 1 a brilliant player and 2 a whiny ego monster who should just shut up.
...that neat sidestep that has become so familiar as O'Driscoll slipped through the cover unscathed.
Maybe a couple of seasons ago, but he's lost a yard or three of pace now, you know.
😉
(Awaits cries of "Burn the blasphemer!")
Oh I really can't be arsed...wot BM said.
Apart from...
I think BOD's reputation has diminished in lots of people eyes after the Lions tour.
He's been about the most mature about it of all commentators. It was the rest of us either whinging about it or lauding it gloatingly that ought to be having a look at ourselves. 🙂
It's getting a bit like the Murray throwaway comment before the world cup now. 😐
He's been about the most mature about it of all commentators. It was the rest of us either whinging about it or lauding it gloatingly that ought to be having a look at ourselves
This is indeed true! There was a great pic of him at Y Gat after the final test that really summed it up.
(shall stop the easy target fishing now)!
He was left out of the last Lions test of his career...what should he say?
either, "whats done is done, I've moved on" or, "I didnt do enough to get picked good on the lads for winning" or maybe just ignore the question.
Glad to see England mixing things up a bit and delighted Ashton is dropped. If France reproduce Autumn form they showed against NZ, England will lose that game, big test first up.
Lancaster has been mixing it up since day one, although with that back line and accounting for injuries is raw to say the least with potentially only 80 odd caps, 40 of which are care. Having said that competition is good with starting caps earned, but positions need to increasingly need to be nailed down for 2015.
Englands pack looks very strong with loads of ball carriers too. Backs a bit mleh.
either, "whats done is done, I've moved on"
What happened happened, I don’t have any ill will towards Warren.
See what Flashy said above.
If only they would read the full article, not just the bits that suit their dragon tinted specs hey DD?
England's pack will do well in France it will be close but I think Eng will edge it.
😛
Oh I dunno...dragging the Edinburgh defence out. Fairy nuff, I just thought you hadn't read the article again.
I must not be a big hitter as I have no idea what you mean by edinburgh defence.
I agree BM. I have a sneaky feeling England will win in France too...by not very much. Game of the weekend for me. Hoping it's a cracker.
The Edinburgh defence is terrible even Munster got a bonus point 😆
Ok IGMC
I think you need to move on yourself now a_a. 🙂
BM 😆 It was the game there that I still wonder at. Predictions for the Green Machine - Scotland game? (Edit: D'oh)
BOD is evil anyway. He ruined this poor guys career!
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The only dodgy bit in that vid is the hair do, what was he thinking?
The irish love a mullet almost as much as the kiwis!
That's one I can't defend
I thought we were talking about Williams tints 😯
The Edinburgh defence is terrible even Munster got a bonus point
Brilliant!
Stop it! I miss TeeJ from these threads. 🙁
Hear, hear, DD!
I'm currently in Stirling trying to wind up Scotland fans but they only want to talk about fitba. As if that's not bad enough they have turned the City game over to Celtic vs Ecclefechan or someone. And the Guiness is shite
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/25956158
Getting really boring now, cant we just sort it out. Where will the Torfaen Flamingos play?
Ach, by KO on Sat we will all know what the Welsh are doing (and monkeys may fly out of my butt)
Marler at loosehead for england. What do you lot think. I always thought he was a bit shit. Bench looks a bit stodgy.
Parents evening clashes with E v Fr 🙁
Looking forward to a good 6N. Should be close again. Who will gain the early momentum? Seems a balance for you boys aa and flashy, more games in Cardiff but two big ones (ok, one big one in Dublin) away from home.
Is it good to take on France first or not? We shall see!!!
Parents evening clashes with E v Fr
finally an answer to which is best state or private schools!!
England have a strong pack but backs look less dangerous, bench a bit stodgy. Wales have a strong 15 and a weak bench. More injuries will really weaken Wales.
Marler will be good if he is able to cope with the scrum. Some players can play him really well. When that happens he fades out of the loose a lot. England have a useful pack, but everybody is overlooking the fact that the French,front row esp,ain't exactly chopped ham either. French backs are better imo. Care's quicker service will be vital for England lots of ball over the French centres heads methinks...
Nice to start with a game I can watch as a neutral. 😉
😳"The Scottish referee simply let them get on with it.
Predictions for the weekend ?
France by 5
Ireland by 3-7
Wales by 10-14
