When Brian O'Driscoll was dropped ahead of the Lions' series decider, I tweeted that removing BOD from a Lions lineup on the eve of a tour finale was akin to removing turkey from the menu on December 24.
I then wrote a column saying Warren Gatland had not only succeeded in wrong-footing the opposition by dropping O'Driscoll - he'd wrong-footed his own team, too.
Gatland got stick from many quarters - but what a vindication he received on Saturday.
The record-breaking 41-16 demolition of the Wallabies was so comprehensive that there have already been calls for Gatland to be knighted.
While Gatland contemplates his potential elevation, I - and many other pundits - are left to contemplate our own inadequacies when it comes to crystal ball-gazing.
Journalists aren't always the most humble bunch, but mea culpa, Warren!
Monday, 8 July 2013
Wednesday, 12 June 2013
Pumas as well as Lions
The Lions tour may be in full swing, but don't forget the goings-on elsewhere in the Southern Hemisphere. I've been on Argentina watch with the BBC this week: Billy Twelvetrees talks about how the relationship he has built up with Gloucester team-mate Freddie Burns has been transferred from club to country, while fit-again hooker Rob Webber - who impressed in Salta with a polished display both in the tight and loose - has his eye on England's first 2-0 series win in Argentina.
Monday, 3 June 2013
Summer musings: Part I
The domestic season may be over and I may have fled to that famed rugby hot-spot Mallorca in search of some post-season inspiration, but the tireless hack still has to knock out a column or two. So here are a couple of recent efforts: my thoughts on what the Delon Armitage and Brian Moore tete a tete on social media says about the way rugby is reported in these days of the 24/7 Twitter melee, and why Wasps versus Bath will be a particularly spicy morsel on next season's Aviva Premiership menu.
Thursday, 16 May 2013
If Tom Croft raced Bryan Habana...
Few flankers know their art more thoroughly than Leicester Tigers' Julian Salvi. And the Aussie is backing his rangy, rapid backrow colleague Tom Croft to cause mayhem among the Wallabies when the British & Irish Lions head Down Under.
“Tom Croft is a supreme athlete," Salvi told me. "He is a freak of nature who is tough in all areas.
“He will hold the edges really well and if you give him space he can act as another back.
“That style of rugby is great in the Southern Hemisphere because it’s about chucking the ball around.
“With Tom Croft in the team you have a guy who can expose the Australians. The hard tracks are going to be really great for him."
The following clip suggests there is more than a semblance of wisdom in Salvi's words. In fact, geek that I am, I used a stopwatch to time how long it takes Croft to get from the halfway line to dot the ball down against Quins: 5.30 seconds. Welford Road is not the longest pitch in the world, but that is very, very rapid. And Croft doesn't run straight because of the covering defence, and the ground is pretty sludgy too. Which makes his run all the more staggering. On an athletics track on a dry day, he'd surely get close to 10.5 seconds over 100m. Brisk or what?:
It's enough to remind you of that ludicrous moment in rugby PR when Springbok winger Bryan Habana raced a cheetah:
Anyway, enough of cheetahs, what of the Lions?
Salvi, who previously played for the Brumbies in Canberra as well as Australia 'A', says of the Home Nations' prospects: “The Lions have a great opportunity to win the breakdown. The likes of Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric are all capable of disrupting ball. As long as the Lions get the selection right, they will be able to put the pressure on the Aussies."
It's just a shame that Salvi won't be there to compete against the Lions. The Wallabies are missing a trick by not having him in their national set up. Both at Bath and Leicester he's proved himself a superb fetcher and a fine link player; a consistent stand-out player in the Premiership. And wouldn't his inside knowledge of northern hemisphere rugby help the Aussies once Croft and the rest of the Lions roll into town?
“Tom Croft is a supreme athlete," Salvi told me. "He is a freak of nature who is tough in all areas.
“He will hold the edges really well and if you give him space he can act as another back.
“That style of rugby is great in the Southern Hemisphere because it’s about chucking the ball around.
“With Tom Croft in the team you have a guy who can expose the Australians. The hard tracks are going to be really great for him."
The following clip suggests there is more than a semblance of wisdom in Salvi's words. In fact, geek that I am, I used a stopwatch to time how long it takes Croft to get from the halfway line to dot the ball down against Quins: 5.30 seconds. Welford Road is not the longest pitch in the world, but that is very, very rapid. And Croft doesn't run straight because of the covering defence, and the ground is pretty sludgy too. Which makes his run all the more staggering. On an athletics track on a dry day, he'd surely get close to 10.5 seconds over 100m. Brisk or what?:
It's enough to remind you of that ludicrous moment in rugby PR when Springbok winger Bryan Habana raced a cheetah:
Anyway, enough of cheetahs, what of the Lions?
Salvi, who previously played for the Brumbies in Canberra as well as Australia 'A', says of the Home Nations' prospects: “The Lions have a great opportunity to win the breakdown. The likes of Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric are all capable of disrupting ball. As long as the Lions get the selection right, they will be able to put the pressure on the Aussies."
It's just a shame that Salvi won't be there to compete against the Lions. The Wallabies are missing a trick by not having him in their national set up. Both at Bath and Leicester he's proved himself a superb fetcher and a fine link player; a consistent stand-out player in the Premiership. And wouldn't his inside knowledge of northern hemisphere rugby help the Aussies once Croft and the rest of the Lions roll into town?
Saturday, 27 April 2013
Would you take a punt on Gavin Henson?
Rather like Mrs Thatcher, Gavin Henson spectacularly divides opinion. He may never have broken any miners’ strikes, but when on song he has never had a problem in breaking down opposition backlines.
And while the Iron Lady was famously not for turning, the question for every Gav-watcher is whether the former Wales international has managed to perform a sharp U-turn in his off-field behaviour.
On too many occasions over the past decade, Henson has chased the headlines – or perhaps the headline writers have chased him. By throwing himself into reality TV shows, the Welshman has courted tabloid attention and allowed his focus on fulfilling his prodigious rugby talent to waver. And his behaviour at a number of previous clubs has proved that he can be the loosest of cannons.
Speaking after an incident in a nightclub two years ago that necessitated both a suspension and a club inquiry, Mourad Boudjellal, the president of Toulon, probably spoke for a number of rugby bosses when he said: “Henson has had an attitude which has been difficult to manage.”
So confirmation from Bath Rugby this week that they are holding talks with the pin-up boy of Welsh rugby was always going to raise eyebrows – elegantly trimmed or otherwise.
The response was immediate. Former Bath and England prop Gareth Chilcott popped up on the radio talking about Bath needing to impose a ‘zero tolerance’ policy should Henson sign. Under this approach, a clause would be worked into any contract that would allow Bath to ship him out at the first sign of indiscretion.
But before the moral panic sets in, let’s set a few things straight. Beneath all the reality TV performances and the hair products, few would question that Henson possesses a precious rugby gift. Indeed, The Rec has witnessed this in recent times. During Bath’s pre-season match with London Welsh in August, Henson played for a spell at fly-half, delivering a composed performance of elegant distribution.
And during his year at Welsh, there hasn’t been the slightest whiff of him causing trouble or controversy.
Moreover, when he was sacked by the Blues a year ago for an alcohol-related incident on a morning flight home from a game in Glasgow, even some team-mates were prepared to publicly criticise the decision, branding it heavy-handed.
Also, corners can be turned. Look at Harlequins and England scrum-half Danny Care. Eighteen months ago, Care seemed to get in trouble whenever he stepped out of his front door. Now he is keeping his nose clean and in the form of his life.
True, Gavin Henson has led a nomadic existence, and it might be a case of hope triumphing over experience to think that Bath can tame him. But Gary Gold and crew offer a no-nonsense set-up at Bath and are unlikely to brook any ego-propelled silliness. Signing Henson could turn out to be the daftest thing since flanker Mauro Bergamasco played scrum-half for Italy, but it could also turn out to be a masterstroke. Over to you, Gary.
And while the Iron Lady was famously not for turning, the question for every Gav-watcher is whether the former Wales international has managed to perform a sharp U-turn in his off-field behaviour.
On too many occasions over the past decade, Henson has chased the headlines – or perhaps the headline writers have chased him. By throwing himself into reality TV shows, the Welshman has courted tabloid attention and allowed his focus on fulfilling his prodigious rugby talent to waver. And his behaviour at a number of previous clubs has proved that he can be the loosest of cannons.
Speaking after an incident in a nightclub two years ago that necessitated both a suspension and a club inquiry, Mourad Boudjellal, the president of Toulon, probably spoke for a number of rugby bosses when he said: “Henson has had an attitude which has been difficult to manage.”
So confirmation from Bath Rugby this week that they are holding talks with the pin-up boy of Welsh rugby was always going to raise eyebrows – elegantly trimmed or otherwise.
The response was immediate. Former Bath and England prop Gareth Chilcott popped up on the radio talking about Bath needing to impose a ‘zero tolerance’ policy should Henson sign. Under this approach, a clause would be worked into any contract that would allow Bath to ship him out at the first sign of indiscretion.
But before the moral panic sets in, let’s set a few things straight. Beneath all the reality TV performances and the hair products, few would question that Henson possesses a precious rugby gift. Indeed, The Rec has witnessed this in recent times. During Bath’s pre-season match with London Welsh in August, Henson played for a spell at fly-half, delivering a composed performance of elegant distribution.
And during his year at Welsh, there hasn’t been the slightest whiff of him causing trouble or controversy.
Moreover, when he was sacked by the Blues a year ago for an alcohol-related incident on a morning flight home from a game in Glasgow, even some team-mates were prepared to publicly criticise the decision, branding it heavy-handed.
Also, corners can be turned. Look at Harlequins and England scrum-half Danny Care. Eighteen months ago, Care seemed to get in trouble whenever he stepped out of his front door. Now he is keeping his nose clean and in the form of his life.
True, Gavin Henson has led a nomadic existence, and it might be a case of hope triumphing over experience to think that Bath can tame him. But Gary Gold and crew offer a no-nonsense set-up at Bath and are unlikely to brook any ego-propelled silliness. Signing Henson could turn out to be the daftest thing since flanker Mauro Bergamasco played scrum-half for Italy, but it could also turn out to be a masterstroke. Over to you, Gary.
Tuesday, 26 March 2013
Southern Hemipshere watch: Julian Savea
Ouch... Jonah Lomu Mk II appears to have arrived.
Check out the ferocity of All Black Julian Savea - or, more specifically, the power of his dropped shoulder. All this occurred earlier this month when the Hurricanes edged out the Crusaders in the Super 15. It's enough to make the Lions thankful they'll be heading to Australia this summer, not New Zealand.
Israel Dagg's face at 2.00 is quite a picture.
Check out the ferocity of All Black Julian Savea - or, more specifically, the power of his dropped shoulder. All this occurred earlier this month when the Hurricanes edged out the Crusaders in the Super 15. It's enough to make the Lions thankful they'll be heading to Australia this summer, not New Zealand.
Israel Dagg's face at 2.00 is quite a picture.
Thursday, 21 February 2013
Lee Mears - The Lion with a smile
A tribute to Lee Mears, originally published on www.thisisbath.co.uk/bathrugby.
Writing farewell pieces on Bath Rugby forwards who have been forced into premature retirement by health issues has, sadly, become an all too familiar activity in recent months.
Over the past year-and-a-half, Lewis Moody, Andy Beattie, David Barnes and David Flatman have all been forced to hang their boots up earlier than they would have wished due to injury. This week Lee Mears can be added to that unfortunate list.
The honours that Mears, pictured, chalked are up are worthy of any great of the game– two World Cups, a British and Irish Lions tour, more than 200 caps for Bath Rugby, a club with whom he had just extended his contract.
But as well as receiving honours, Mears was always a man of honour in everything he did on the pitch.
In the wake of last Monday’s announcement that a cardiac abnormality had forced him to retire from professional rugby, the tributes that rolled in for Mears from the great and good of the game – as well as fellow players and supporters – spoke volumes.
Mark McCafferty, chief executive of Premiership Rugby Ltd, even issued a statement in which he said that Mears embodied everything that was good about the modern-day pro.
And who would disagree?
Mears always made much of the fact that he liked to play “with a smile on my face”. Coming from most people, that would have been regarded as a tedious cliché. From Mears, it was the absolute truth. It captured his approach to rugby and to life more generally, and it went a long way to explaining his popularity.
Mears was proof that you can be deadly serious about your sport and perform with utter competitiveness, yet still enjoy it and go about your business with a gigantic grin.
His absolute commitment to always looking on the bright side even extended to his injuries.
One wet and miserable night in Ulster – I think it was in October 2009 – Mears was replaced at half time. A couple of hours later I saw him coming out of the clubhouse, hobbling around on crutches but with that big grin still on his face.
“You ok, Lee?” I asked. “Medial knee ligaments,” he smiled.
History repeated itself earlier this season when he emerged from the front door of Farleigh House, again on crutches, having taken a nasty tumble in training that morning. He was using Dave Attwood as a chauffeur and, despite the early-season setback, was still smiling.
As a professional player, Mears was aware that you have to take the rough with the smooth. The dignity of his retirement mirrors the dignity of a great career.
Bath Rugby, and rugby generally, will be a poorer place without Lee Mears and his winning smile.
Writing farewell pieces on Bath Rugby forwards who have been forced into premature retirement by health issues has, sadly, become an all too familiar activity in recent months.
Over the past year-and-a-half, Lewis Moody, Andy Beattie, David Barnes and David Flatman have all been forced to hang their boots up earlier than they would have wished due to injury. This week Lee Mears can be added to that unfortunate list.
The honours that Mears, pictured, chalked are up are worthy of any great of the game– two World Cups, a British and Irish Lions tour, more than 200 caps for Bath Rugby, a club with whom he had just extended his contract.
But as well as receiving honours, Mears was always a man of honour in everything he did on the pitch.
In the wake of last Monday’s announcement that a cardiac abnormality had forced him to retire from professional rugby, the tributes that rolled in for Mears from the great and good of the game – as well as fellow players and supporters – spoke volumes.
Mark McCafferty, chief executive of Premiership Rugby Ltd, even issued a statement in which he said that Mears embodied everything that was good about the modern-day pro.
And who would disagree?
Mears always made much of the fact that he liked to play “with a smile on my face”. Coming from most people, that would have been regarded as a tedious cliché. From Mears, it was the absolute truth. It captured his approach to rugby and to life more generally, and it went a long way to explaining his popularity.
Mears was proof that you can be deadly serious about your sport and perform with utter competitiveness, yet still enjoy it and go about your business with a gigantic grin.
His absolute commitment to always looking on the bright side even extended to his injuries.
One wet and miserable night in Ulster – I think it was in October 2009 – Mears was replaced at half time. A couple of hours later I saw him coming out of the clubhouse, hobbling around on crutches but with that big grin still on his face.
“You ok, Lee?” I asked. “Medial knee ligaments,” he smiled.
History repeated itself earlier this season when he emerged from the front door of Farleigh House, again on crutches, having taken a nasty tumble in training that morning. He was using Dave Attwood as a chauffeur and, despite the early-season setback, was still smiling.
As a professional player, Mears was aware that you have to take the rough with the smooth. The dignity of his retirement mirrors the dignity of a great career.
Bath Rugby, and rugby generally, will be a poorer place without Lee Mears and his winning smile.
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