Gatland in making some "unfortunate comments" shocker!

[SelimNiai]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...ers-in-his-Lions-squad-to-avoid-pressure.html

Gatland has said that having too many English players in the Lion squad would create 'pressures' on the tour.
In an interview in the Evening Standard Gatland cited a history of unpopularity surrounding the English rugby squad as part of the reasoning for his decision.
Gatland also said that the media circus which surrounded the England side during the 2011 World Cup influenced his desire to limit the number of English players in the Lions Squad.
He said: "If they do well in the Six Nations, there will be a reasonable contingent of English players. But that brings a certain element of â€" how do I say it â€" other pressures that come with selecting a lot of English players.
"It becomes a much greater media focus from the English papers; potentially a negative focus from the Australian papers. And English players are targeted by other countries.

Robshaw exclusive: Dublin could be our watershed 11 Feb 2013
"[They are] not always the most popular with other countries because of the history. People like having a pop at them.â€
While Gatland emphasised that he would select the best players for his Lions squad, he said he had to be aware that potential issues could arise:
"We all know what happened with England at the World Cup and the circus that was created.
"I’ve just got to be aware of the possibilities that, if there are a number of English players on the tour, the same sort of things could be instigated, through stings through the media or set-ups trying to create controversy.â€

Martin Johnson's side generated scathing headlines for their actions on and off the pitch during the tournament, Wales coached by Gatland, made it to the semi-finals.
Gatland said that while he doesn't run a 'dictatorship', it is essential that his players understand the importance of boundaries:
"These are young men filled up with a lot of testosterone and sometimes they need to go out and just unwind. But it’s essential these players know what their boundaries are.
"The way I work, it’s not a dictatorship, it’s a consultation with the other coaches and senior players or the captain.
"You might say to players, ‘Go out for a couple of hours and have a beer and maybe you’re back in the hotel by one o’clock’, particularly with night games."

I personally don't agree what he says there, for a start the RWC was 18 months ago, I get the feeling its a far stronger set up within the England set up. Apart from Care, I can'r recall many or any instances of English players getting in trouble with the law. To limit inclusion of English players if they arent good enough I think we can all support but to ignore them based on a, frankly out of date and tabloid driven, preconception is wrong.

 

[Teh Mite]

Well I'm shocked.*


*Not

 

[Crapspray]

Meh. The less English players in the Lions the better. More can then go to Argentina, in what is a far more important tour for English Rugby.

Oh, and yeah, Gatland's shoved his foot in his mouth again. Really cultivating a positive atmosphere.

 

[nickdnz]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...ers-in-his-Lions-squad-to-avoid-pressure.html
I personally don't agree what he says there, for a start the RWC was 18 months ago, I get the feeling its a far stronger set up within the England set up. Apart from Care, I can'r recall many or any instances of English players getting in trouble with the law. To limit inclusion of English players if they arent good enough I think we can all support but to ignore them based on a, frankly out of date and tabloid driven, preconception is wrong.

Well there was also the Tuilagi jumping of a ferry incident. Regardless - stupid comments which alienate and patronize a large portion of the Lions.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Meh ... an article that is taken from another article. Some getting worked up over nothing it seems. Slow news day at the respective newspapers.

I cannot wait for people to go OTT on whats been printed, if it was such a big deal it would have been all over the media.

Expected better from most.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Briefcase w*nker.

 

[Draggs]

Ah, it wouldn't be the Six Nations without Gatland winding up someone.
Long live Gatland.

 

[Maverick1987]

The best lions coaches are the one that can integrate the team together the best regardless of nationality this is the 1 time we can all get together and play as 1 . If gatlands choices and as quick and thoughtless as his press remarks this could be another 2005 whitewash :/

Ah, it wouldn't be the Six Nations without Gatland winding up someone.
Long live Gatland.

Lol I agree but highlighting 1 nations he is making his job harder . See the comments about robshaw came out now he's had to backtrack . Good chance he will be back pedalling on this too if England win the 6N . Nothing like ******** on your own doorstep hey gats

Sorry by comments about robshaw I mean when he said he wasn't good enough after the Aus game in autumn ints

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Maverick1987 please edit your posts ... no one wants to see triple posting, thanks.

 

[Saintjay]

An early excuse to select more welsh players and tbh i am not surprised. Why risk losing your own dressing room when you can stuff the english.

 

[racingmetrofan]

So what lol, with the 2015 world cup at home I'd rather keep most of our team together and go and play a quality Argentina side.

 

[Maverick1987]

Maverick1987 please edit your posts ... no one wants to see triple posting, thanks.

I'm new to the forum and just getting used to it . Seen how to edit my posts now

Many apologies

 

[Draggs]

I like to think he is just getting something back for what Austin the **** and Booming Butler did to Henry.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

So Wales vs Australia again.

I really think he'll ruin the tour, he'll be reluctant to pick Irish players as a bit of a **** you to the IRFU and he's now gone and said this. And he could pick no Scots and get away with it too.

 

[Largejanner]

The dull twat is only softening us up for a high number of injury prone, over rated Welsh being selected.
The money men at SKY will put him right I`m sure.

 

[McTallshort]

Thanks for the team talk Gats, although we dont play Wales for another 6 weeks....

 

[irelandfan123]

good didnt want any of those arrogant **** heads in the squad anyway

See what I done there??? Once again tongue in cheek, peace out I love everyone!

 

[TRF_Cymro]

The dull twat is only softening us up for a high number of injury prone, over rated Welsh being selected.
The money men at SKY will put him right I`m sure.

LOL ... 2005 Lions ...

Thanks for the team talk Gats, although we dont play Wales for another 6 weeks....

Pity he's not involved with Wales ... nice try



And as predicted people have made a mountain out of a mole hill.

 

[McTallshort]

LOL ... 2005 Lions ...



Pity he's not involved with Wales ... nice try



And as predicted people have made a mountain out of a mole hill.

Of course its all taken out of context but...he really needs to engage his brain sometimes before he speaks it was fiine when he was having a go at the Irish players or Dylan Hartley when he was Wales coach and sometimes his comments made me chuckle but this will not do the Lions any favours and he needs to understand this is not about him its about beating Australia.

 

[Joseph14]

I have an issue with a Kiwi in charge. Just as I have issues with the likes of Visser being talked about as playing, and Flutey having caps for the lions etc.
Anyway...

If we stop selecting players purely because of their nationality then its time to wind the Lions up.

That or have a Celtic Lions, channel 5 coverage, sponsored by tesco two stripe and played in front of half empty stadiums. Oh, and also defeat after defeat