AAC V BOD Twitter fight!

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Anyone else seen it quite funny really.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I saw that. Thought AAC took what BOD said the wrong way and then got a bit salty when he was put in his place. Doubt what BOD said was intended to offend AAC, he's always seemed like a top guy and wouldn't take a dig at him like that unless it was as banter.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hahaha, yeah saw that earlier!

Agree with the above, can't imagine BOD saying it to genuinely have a dig, but then is what he said false?
I imagine AAC turned down offers from clubs, around the world, that finish higher up the table...

 

[ratsapprentice]

AAC going to France has nothing to do with money whatsoever.

 

[nickdnz]

To be fair there are guys like AAC and Conrad Smith playing for clubs who probably won't win the Top 14 - but I think it is maybe less mercinary than just picking up a ***le for huge cash while riding Toulon's bench. At least part of their thought process could be "I can make a rwal differance here". Let's be honest - Toloun and RM could offer similar amounts of cash for players if their profile.

I think BOD's comment on the radio is probably fair enough as he was a pundit offering his opinion. But I think it's a bit arrogant to then dismiss AAC's notion that there is more than money (while obviously money is a huge part of it).

 

[Peat]

Hahaha, yeah saw that earlier!

Agree with the above, can't imagine BOD saying it to genuinely have a dig, but then is what he said false?
I imagine AAC turned down offers from clubs, around the world, that finish higher up the table...

Probably.

No doubt the money played a part, but my guess AAC is there because he feels he can be part of making a difference and helping Bordeaux towards trophies.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Apparently there's no other reason you might want to move away from the southern hemisphere besides money.

None of the following exist:

- Playing in a different league
- Adapting to a different hemisphere style
- A new challenge
- A New country/culture
- Family Opportunities
- Learning a new language
- AMAZING FOOD

 

[ratsapprentice]

All valid points... But you have to ask yourself, would these players move halfway across the world in the twilight of their careers for a pay cut?

The same goes for Rl/RU coverts.

 

[Peat]

All valid points... But you have to ask yourself, would these players move halfway across the world in the twilight of their careers for a pay cut?

Obviously it's more difficult to get a Super Rugby berth anyway, but the amount of NH players going south is all the answer we need.

I don't think any of those guys right at the top ever do anything *just* for the money but it's clearly a huge factor.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I don't think any of those guys right at the top ever do anything *just* for the money but it's clearly a huge factor.

I think that's where some people get "offended"... when you say "he's gone for the money" they take it to mean that he has absolutely zero interests outside cash - but that's not the implication, IMO.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

This is gold

https://twitter.com/brianodriscoll/status/678870334402117632

Hate ransoms who get involved they are never funny.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Obviously it's more difficult to get a Super Rugby berth anyway, but the amount of NH players going south is all the answer we need.

Can't agree with this really.

As you've acknowledged its hard to get a starting place in Super Rugby - even many of our Saxons or Wolfhounds would find it tough and few EPS players would be first choice anywhere. It's partly because of the calibre of players, but also a cultural thing - we have less that they want / don't already have. What distinguishes northerm hemisphere rugby is perhaps a type of physicality or set-piece focus which cannot be exported in any one player - but more as a team thing/general ethos. Whereas going the other way, players like Adam Ashley Cooper, Alapati Leiua and Charles Piutau all embody something more broadly about rugby down South and can bring this in little slices to any club.

You've then got, at least with the home nations, some pretty strict rules around playing for your country. No English or Welsh in the senior squads who are serious about their international careers would therefore go south. And most of those not in these squads would struggle for a contract in Super rugby anyway. Meanwhile, the irish never seem to leave Ireland at all.

I also think that moving to Europe is generally significant in the way it opens up acess to a load of places you might otherwise never go to. Europe is really quite unique in that regard. This is as true of normal life as it is of sport - working and living in london, I have half a dozen friends or colleagues from New Zealand or Australia and without exception they cite being able to travel whilst based in europe a massive draw for coming here to work. Americans and Canadians tend to say the same. It's interesting to note that in many professions the salaries here in London are less than what you can earn in Australian cities with a high quality of life such as Melbourne.

Yes, I digress, and yes this is quite eurocentric but I don't think any of this can be entirely dismissed.

 

[munstermuffin]

As a winner of a Dubya award I have to say WOW. That guy Matt Ashley-Cooper goes about the respect lost for Bryan. When clearly the man's name is Brian and spelt in the message he's writing.

 

[The Jones Boy]

AAC has been a great servant to Australia and he is a top drawer utility player capable of delivering at wing or at centre.
BoD was an overrated under achiever.
Dropping him from the Lions line up was the key reason they managed to win.
He got by on reputation alone for far too long.

 

[Tony Manx]

BoD was an overrated under achiever.
Dropping him from the Lions line up was the key reason they managed to win.
He got by on reputation alone for far too long.

That is one point of view I suppose.....

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That is one point of view I suppose.....

The opinion of people with an IQ in the single figures, anyway.

 

[Tony Manx]

Exactly!!

 

[Groundhog]

AAC has been a great servant to Australia and he is a top drawer utility player capable of delivering at wing or at centre.
BoD was an overrated under achiever.
Dropping him from the Lions line up was the key reason they managed to win.
He got by on reputation alone for far too long.

Who hurt you so badly Jones Boy? Who made you put up these walls? Why won't you just let us in?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Who hurt you so badly Jones Boy? Who made you put up these walls? Why won't you just let us in?

Someone is watching to much Fraser.

 

[Tony Manx]

Who hurt you so badly Jones Boy? Who made you put up these walls? Why won't you just let us in?

As long as they keep him in until his plane leaves........!!