Warren Gatland has balls. Mighty big balls! He has dropped Irish rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll from the series deciding third Test in Sydney.
O’Driscoll is an icon of the game, a true legend. Only the second Irish captain after Karl Mullen in 1948, to lead Ireland to the grand slam of the 5/6 Nations, which he achieved in 2009.
Almost every rugby fan knows, that with a clear and concise head, it was the right thing for Gatland to do. O’Driscoll has struggled in the first two Tests to keep up with the pace and intensity of the game.
At the age of 34, the weariness in his body is apparent. But…
It’s like shooting Bambi. I wouldn’t have dropped O’Driscoll if I had been head coach. My head would have said it was the right thing to do, but my heart would have overruled my head.
I would have dipped my head to sentiment, brought Jamie Roberts in for his Welsh teammate Jonathon Davies, made O’Driscoll captain and given him the opportunity at one last shot at glory.
That’s what I would have done. And I would have hoped my grand gesture would have been rewarded with a Lions victory.
Gatland, by being pragmatic, has by no means ensured his team will win this Saturday. The Lions look like they have no shots left in the locker. They are empty, physically and emotionally.
The ferocity of the Tests has drained them. I for one believe the three Tests should be played over four weekends, not consecutively. But it is what it is.
Gatland has cleverly tried to refresh his pack by ringing several changes. Jamie Heaslip was a victim of the need to freshen the pack, as was the return of Alex Corbisiero and promotion of Sean O’Brien and Richard Hibbard.
I think it’s shaping as a cracker of a third Test here in Sydney. But a part of me has died. Win, lose or draw for the Lions, I would have loved for Brian Gerald O’Driscoll to be part of the action.
joeb
Guest
Blinky, forgot this re "the legendary BOD". It begins, thus: "As Ireland recovers from the devastation of seeing its national hero unceremoniously dumped..." In the end the crushing result vindicated Gatland's shrewd decision, lol, :( http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/vanquished-lion-kings-selfless-nod-to-usurper-the-true-mark-of-a-man-20130704-2peva.html Clawing our way back in the 2nd half to 16-19, we were definitely in it, but in the end the Visitors deserved it and the myth of southern hemisphere superiority was equally obliterated... magnificent match. You like BOD, try this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5NCH29cPQt4
Steve
Guest
You know Sheek, reading through most of the Roar articles that were written in the lead up to yesterdays test with the benefit of hindsight is comedy gold, but you were proven entirely right: hope people give you credit for it. Also hope people note that it's a lot harder to end up with egg on your face if you put out a reasonable argument based on demonstrable evidence.
darth vadar
Guest
we all know how that one ended
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
Spot on KPM. I have yet to see him dominate anyone from the SH. His reputation is built on his form in an inferior competition (6 nations). Selecting players on reputation is always a poor option and one that will probably backfire for Australia selecting an over the hill George Smith
felix
Guest
BOD is just not good enough anymore,it would be better if he was a forward,at centre that little extra sharpness makes all the difference in defence or attack,Gatland has made the right call in my view,I'm sure the replacement wont disappoint,You cant be complacent & put him to start just because he's BOD,come on people think with a bit of logic,there are better & fresher legs in the team.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Sheek you've said elsewhere on Roar - "It might have been an inspiring selection to lift the entire team. I still believe there is room for sentiment in sport. Humans after all, are emotional creatures. Team sport isn’t always about the form player in a particular position. There are usually many other variables to consider." And I can't help but agree with you. On one hand I can see what Warren Gatland is up to and yes he is telling everyone 'I've got big ones' with his decision. However I am not sure if he has considered the emotional value that BOD adds to the Lions and the respect that the Wallabies have for him. And to me that can't be overstated. It's immeasurable and something they had that we lack. As I'm seeing it, the gamble is.... will going with 'Team Wales' be enough to compensate for what they miss out on with BOD? Sam Warburton's gone and BOD get's shafted (albeit in the best interest of the team). Sure the Lions can rally but will it be nearly as good as they would have, running out on the ANZ behind the legendary BOD?
joeb
Guest
"I wouldn’t have dropped O’Driscoll if I had been head coach. My head would have said it was the right thing to do, but my heart would have overruled my head." It reflects Gatland's desperation, but as a BOD fan meself I wouldn't have dropped him either, yet it may pay dividends. Not overly convinced this is gunna be the walk in the park for us so many are predicting. Probably another close one with only a point or two separating the final scoreline. Let's hope we're on the right side of it. Disappointed the Badger didn't make the cut for us; i'd have had him on the left wing... ;) Oh yeah, and Kimlin too - what's the guy gotta do to be recalled?
optimistic
Guest
he certainly played alright against Wales this year...
Rassie
Roar Rookie
BOD current situation I blame the Irish. They should have made him fat and move him to 12 year or two ago.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
I'm not a charity but in this case a rare voice of truth. BOD's reputation is a like a hallucenagenic. He makes people watching mediocrity think it's wonderful. If they watched without the pre-existing belief that he must be amazing, they would see that he actually does almost nothing of note on the field.
sheek
Roar Guru
KPM - very uncharitable of you.....
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
BOD is laughable.
sheek
Roar Guru
Hi Melon, Team sports work on many different levels, don't they. While BOD mightn't be in vintage form, his experience alone is priceless. I would have gone for BOD's calming influence & incisive thinking in the pressure cooker of a deciding test match.
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
I would have done the same as you sheek... but I wonder if in this instance it wouldn't have been wiser to listen to my gut/heart rather than the cold logic in my head. Champions rise to the occasion.
felix
Guest
I thought he wasnt the same player he was from the first test,Its about time for the good of the Lions challenging the Wallabies,I'm sure they have sharper centres but having said all that BOD is still a legend of the game.
BennO
Guest
Agree about BOD. It would have been great to see him run out one last time. Not sure I agree the lions are spent, but I'm looking forward to finding out on Saturday!