I was going to write about what a confusing experience it was watching the second test with Al K and others last weekend and suddenly finding myself disenchanted with a Scot-free Lions team, with a coaching panel unwilling to trust a player we all know to be test quality. Most confusing of all was the thought that I would actually quite like the Wallabies to win. The Lions shouldn’t win a test series like that.
Luckily this week I haven’t had much time to put finger to keyboard, but there are some out there that have weighed in on the debate mostly as it revolves around Brian O’Driscoll’s non-selection and some even summed it up quite nicely I feel.
Steve Scott, Dundee Courier: Ripping the Thistle Off The Badge
A controversial bit in the Telegraph about “brazen insults“, and its own response.
In case you want further balance, here is Rucktales’ piece. They could be Welsh: Media drivel of national bias masking historic moment.
For a very good tactical analysis of the 2nd test check out our occasional sparring partner Demented Mole’ s bit.
For me, this one comes closest, over on Whiff of Cordite: The Internal Struggle.
(If you’re still stuck for reading, our old pal Alan Dymock has an 8 page expose on the scrum chaos blighting rugby in the latest issue of Rugby World magazine).
The only thing I would say is that there are quite a few out there feeling how we’ve been feeling for almost two months, and it is a shame it has come to BOD being dropped to bring it to light. There are some guys who comment here or on twitter who’ve been feeling like this for a lot longer. They want to love the Lions but as a distinct minority it can be hard sometimes.
Of course no-one is denying Gatland made a huge call, and you could argue his balls are massive for dropping the un-droppable. However you could argue that it is also a call borne of conservatism. He’s made so many “big calls” that no-one else has noticed till now that the aim has always been Gatlandball.
There is no plan B, no sudden resurgence of the spirit of 2009 lurking in this test team.
This is Gatland’s plan, and his reputation will live or die by it.