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Rugby World Cup 2015
GATLAND Is the leading Contender for Lions Coach.
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<blockquote data-quote="Bada-Bing!" data-source="post: 791537" data-attributes="member: 70552"><p>Argentina were also superb and got to the semis of the 2007 RWC. I just think with their participation in the Super Rugby and RC, they are only going to get better. </p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>I don't disagree with you that Ireland and for that matter Wales are chokers are the RWC. I disagree that had Sexton, POC and Healy been fit Ireland would have gone onto the semi final. I think Argentina totally exposed Schmidt's limited game plan and how Ireland play so narrow. It would have been closer on the scoreboard, but Argentina totally outplayed Ireland that day. I also can't see how you can blame the Lions for POC or Sexton's injuries. POC's injury was horrific - having his hamstring torn when being cleared out at a ruck and Sexton - going off after late tackle by Picamoles. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I think you make a good point here with winning trophies. But I still regard the Lions as right up there with the RWC, as the pinnacle for any Home nations player; to be chosen for the Lions is to be chosen as the very best of the Britain and Ireland. To be part of something greater than playing even for your own individual country. That for me is why it still has a place in the sport in the modern game. It's also the challenge more than anything - four nations who knock 7 bells out of each other and with such an intense rivalries with each other have to put this aside once every four years to form a team to beat one of the SH sides on their home turf. That for me epitomises the very best of what Rugby Union stands for. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I'll never forget watching the last Lions test at 11am in a bar in Leicester Square - how many fans from the four nations, as well as Aussies, Kiwis and Saffers who turned out to watch the game. The singing of all four nations anthems as the Lions won. It sent chills down the back of my spine and reminded me why it is so special and worth persevering with in the modern game. For me the International game trumps the club game and if anything needs to be trimmed for the sake of the international game it is the club game. </p><p></p><p>You made the point about France, but that is exactly why I hope the international game takes precedence and there is a place for the Lions, because France have sacrificed their national team for the sake of the top 14. They have no equivalent of the Lions and yet they have been terrible in the last four years. I just fear that all that will happen if you take away something as special as the Lions once every four years, clubs will demand seasons last that bit longer at the expense of the international team. </p><p></p><p>Anyway, I think we both set out our viewpoints and they differ widely. But the above is why I think the Lions is worth persevering with and for me the positives greatly outweigh the negatives.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Bada-Bing!, post: 791537, member: 70552"] Argentina were also superb and got to the semis of the 2007 RWC. I just think with their participation in the Super Rugby and RC, they are only going to get better. I don't disagree with you that Ireland and for that matter Wales are chokers are the RWC. I disagree that had Sexton, POC and Healy been fit Ireland would have gone onto the semi final. I think Argentina totally exposed Schmidt's limited game plan and how Ireland play so narrow. It would have been closer on the scoreboard, but Argentina totally outplayed Ireland that day. I also can't see how you can blame the Lions for POC or Sexton's injuries. POC's injury was horrific - having his hamstring torn when being cleared out at a ruck and Sexton - going off after late tackle by Picamoles. I think you make a good point here with winning trophies. But I still regard the Lions as right up there with the RWC, as the pinnacle for any Home nations player; to be chosen for the Lions is to be chosen as the very best of the Britain and Ireland. To be part of something greater than playing even for your own individual country. That for me is why it still has a place in the sport in the modern game. It's also the challenge more than anything - four nations who knock 7 bells out of each other and with such an intense rivalries with each other have to put this aside once every four years to form a team to beat one of the SH sides on their home turf. That for me epitomises the very best of what Rugby Union stands for. I'll never forget watching the last Lions test at 11am in a bar in Leicester Square - how many fans from the four nations, as well as Aussies, Kiwis and Saffers who turned out to watch the game. The singing of all four nations anthems as the Lions won. It sent chills down the back of my spine and reminded me why it is so special and worth persevering with in the modern game. For me the International game trumps the club game and if anything needs to be trimmed for the sake of the international game it is the club game. You made the point about France, but that is exactly why I hope the international game takes precedence and there is a place for the Lions, because France have sacrificed their national team for the sake of the top 14. They have no equivalent of the Lions and yet they have been terrible in the last four years. I just fear that all that will happen if you take away something as special as the Lions once every four years, clubs will demand seasons last that bit longer at the expense of the international team. Anyway, I think we both set out our viewpoints and they differ widely. But the above is why I think the Lions is worth persevering with and for me the positives greatly outweigh the negatives. [/QUOTE]
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