Gatland gets Lions job

[the plastic paddy]

daithi the colonial bit and even the sky bit.....


we are happy to take skys money for HC ....to improve our squad....but you have problem with sky showing lions games....

as for the colonial comment.... you still happy to play for triple crown?... still happy to play rugby? still happy to play with 6 counties?.. that's a post colonial leftover surely

id argue playing in top 14.... rwc ....6 nations are just hard on players.... usually the average player plays 5 games on a lions tour some may play 6.....over a similar period...

your fully entitled to have opinion... that i won't deny you....

i just find the other points you made slightly wanting your cake and eating it.

My plasticity means I have no business commenting on the colonial bit. I have commented on the HC/ Sky bit above.

But i would say that the comparison of a Lions tour to T14, RWC, Six nations etc is irrelevant because they are played for club/ country which the Lions is not and the tour happens at the end of a long season which exacerbates the attrition rates IMO.

[NotreDameRFC]

we'll agree to disagree....but whatever we say its here to stay.... I've been lucky to go to 3 tours....and TT said above and others previous in thread... the level of the tests in SA in 2009 where unbelievable.... higher than anything in NH competition.....and that's why its one of the ultimate tests for a player..... though i do believe the Oz tour is the weakest of the 3.

[Clubman]

Speaking of coaches getting jobs, did anyone hear Will Greenwood I think, the other day say the Lions MUST get Joe Schmidt for the backs coach job? Was thinking to myself, it's a good thing the England job is filled and that Joe doesn't qualify - by their own stringent requirements - for Kiwi job. Let's hope tightwad Browne will break the bank to give him the Ireland job post Kidney with first taste on Summer tour.

[The Outlaw]

Speaking of coaches getting jobs, did anyone hear Will Greenwood I think, the other day say the Lions MUST get Joe Schmidt for the backs coach job? Was thinking to myself, it's a good thing the England job is filled and that Joe doesn't qualify - by their own stringent requirements - for Kiwi job. Let's hope tightwad Browne will break the bank to give him the Ireland job post Kidney with first taste on Summer tour.

Schimdt doesnt get on all that well with the IRFU. None of the provincial coaches do.

[Sian24]

Now this sounds painful... Gatland has apparently fallen from a height of 3 metres off a ladder whilst cleaning the windows at home in New Zealand and managed to break both heels.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbyna...1466-30740529/

[the plastic paddy]

3 metres doen't sound much but it is a fecking long way for a fifty plus year old who probably weighs in at 16 stone. Sorry to hear this. Wales tour of Aus will be beyond him I would think, won't affect the lions though so should still be wall to wall english and welsh which suits me fine. Hope he gets well soon.

[i_like_cake]

2 broken heels and he'd still be a bigger threat to the Ulster backline........

[Daithi]

Now this sounds painful... Gatland has apparently fallen from a height of 3 metres off a ladder whilst cleaning the windows at home in New Zealand and managed to break both heels.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbyna...1466-30740529/

More evidence of poor player and coach welfare standards for Lions tours- poor fatty .... bin the feckin things

[McCloud]

Gatland gearing up for Lions task
By Ruaidhri O'Connor


Thursday August 23 2012




WARREN GATLAND is expected to be appointed as Lions coach on September 4 after he confirmed that he will return to Britain this Sunday to finalise the deal.


And the former Ireland supremo has already started ramping up the pressure on his fellow Kiwi Robbie Deans, who he will go up against in Australia next June.


Gatland was speaking in New Zealand where he has resided since suffering an accident on a visit home, which kept him out of Wales' summer tour Down Under.


The 47-year-old fractured both of his heels when he fell off a ladder at his house, which meant the Lions hierarchy could not appoint him before the end of last season as planned.


And despite not signing a contract yet, Gatland has already gone on the offensive after watching the Wallabies' opening Rugby Championship defeat to New Zealand last Saturday and has warned that they could be in for another tough evening when the sides meet again in Eden Park this Saturday.


surprised


"It could be quite a big score, Robbie Deans might be looking for a job next week as well,'' he said with a smile. "I thought they were disappointing. They will find Eden Park really tough this weekend."


Gatland will take a 10-month leave of absence from his role in charge of Wales in order to focus his attention on next year's tour of Australia when he is confirmed as the third New Zealander to coach the famous touring side.


He will have some input with Wales during the November Internationals, but none once the Six Nations kicks off.


A Lions delegation visited him in New Zealand during his convalescence and he was able to convince them that he had recovered sufficiently to take control of the Lions team. "I go back (to Britain) on Sunday and I've got to go to Scotland for a couple of days' planning with people from the Lions, and then there's an announcement on September 4," he said.


Next year's tour begins with a clash with the Barbarians in Hong Kong on June 1 and finishes with the third Test in Australia on July 6 in Sydney.


- Ruaidhri O'Connor


Irish Independent

[The Last Stand]

POC in with a chance of captaining Lions again or will it be a Welsh player?

[garryowen2323]

POC in with a chance of captaining Lions again or will it be a Welsh player?

Unless Sam Warburton can't move in June then he's nailed on I'd say

[Cowboy]

Unless Sam Warburton can't move in June then he's nailed on I'd say

I'd agree. The composition of that pack is going to be very interesting, but Avatar is gonna skipper it.

[garryowen2323]

I'd agree. The composition of that pack is going to be very interesting, but Avatar is gonna skipper it.

This years 6 Nations will have a massive impact. One stat I love throwing out against the Welsh though..............

.........Scotland and England have both beaten Wallabies in their last 2 clashes, Ireland beat Wallabies in their last clash and at the highest level (RWC) and Wales........have lost their last 7 games against Australia.............hmmmmmm!

[garryowen2323]

Joe Schimdt being lined up for a possible coaching position along with Rob Howley, Graham Rowntree and Shaun Edwards

http://www.espnscrum.com/lions-tour-...ry/168910.html

[dannybzr]

Joe Schimdt being lined up for a possible coaching position along with Rob Howley, Graham Rowntree and Shaun Edwards

http://www.espnscrum.com/lions-tour-...ry/168910.html

You going to make the trip to Suncorp for the Brissy game? Not sure that tickets are available yet, think only the packages are out.

[garryowen2323]

You going to make the trip to Suncorp for the Brissy game? Not sure that tickets are available yet, think only the packages are out.

I'll be at all the weekend games plus the midweek ones near Sydney (Newcastle, Canberra). Only the hospitality packages on sale now yes. I have a thread here http://www.munsterfans.com/threads/3...et-Information which should help you with tickets and dates

[McCloud]

Schmidt not expecting Lions call from Gatts

By Brendan O’Brien
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Joe Schmidt would be "flattered" if offered a coaching role for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia but the Leinster chief doesn’t expect such a call from his Kiwi compatriot Warren Gatland.
The current Wales coach will be unveiled as the Lions’ choice to succeed Ian McGeechan in London next week and Schmidt feels there will once again be a strong representation from the Principality when Gatland unveils his backroom team.

In 2009, McGeechan brought England’s Graham Rowntree to South Africa where he served as scrummaging coach but the other four assistants – Gatland, Rob Howley, Shaun Edwards and Neil Jenkins – were all taken on secondment from their duties with Wales.

The Welsh coaches have done their candidacies no harm of late with a semi-final appearance at the World Cup, an 11th Grand Slam claimed in the most recent Six Nations campaign and an encouraging if ultimately unsuccessful tour of Australia this summer.

That last chapter was undertaken without Gatland who suffered two fractured feet in a freak accident while in New Zealand on holidays, but Howley stepped in to take temporary command for the three-Test tour down under.

"It would be fantastic for anyone to be involved," said Schmidt who played with and against Gatland. "I thought Wales did a great job down there. They didn’t quite get the results but the rugby was very competitive, quite open and made for excellent viewing.

"As an adjunct to that, Rob Howley was down there doing a pretty good job because Gatts had hurt his feet and, on the basis of that, he orientated himself well, he learned a bit about the Australian rugby climate and some of their key players. So, he would be well-placed to go back down there and he has also got a working relationship with the man we are talking about as possibly being named the next Lions coach."

Timing and logistics alone would seem to negate the possibility of Schmidt being included on the touring ticket with Leinster aiming to reach another Pro12 final on May 25 whilst the Lions open their account against the Barbarians in Hong Kong on June 1.

For now, the Leinster coach has more than enough to be contending with ahead of his side’s season opener against the Scarlets on Saturday when he will hoping to avoid the first-day losses of the previous two campaigns. Eleven internationals are still some weeks away from being re-assimilated into the first-team squad while another seven players — Luke Fitzgerald, Mark Flanagan, Conor Gilsenan, David Kearney, Sean O’Brien, Eoin O’Malley and Rhys Ruddock — are out through injury.

Fitzgerald will be lucky to reappear this calendar year, O’Brien has just had a second operation and remains out until at least mid-November while Dave Kearney, Ruddock and Eoin O’Malley will all hope to make returns in October. The Irish contingent can hardly come back quickly enough.

"The difficulty for us is that you can’t suddenly implant ten changes into your starting group," the coach explained. "They start (training) with us on the field this week, the internationals, and there is no real continuity with them so far."

The team that finished the last of their three warm-up games, against Sale Sharks last week, contained 13 Academy players and only lock Tom Denton of their four summer signings has yet had a run-out with the European champions. South African second-row Quinn Roux, Kiwi prop Michael Bent and compatriot Andrew Goodman, a utility back, are at various stages of their nascent careers in Dublin.

Irish Examiner

[fitzy73]

He'll be there.

[garryowen2323]

He'll be there.

Agreed. Surely it's only fair they spread the honours around this year anyway and let Schmidt get off early!

[McCloud]

There's a surprise!!




Irish Examinier


Gatland confirmed as Lions boss
Tuesday, September 04, 2012 - 11:06 AM


Warren Gatland is prepared for “one hell of a challenge” after being confirmed as the British and Irish Lions’ head coach for the 2013 tour of Australia.


Gatland was the outstanding candidate for the post after leading Wales to the semi-finals of the 2011 Rugby World Cup and last season’s Grand Slam triumph.


The Lions will tackle Australia in a three-Test series as part of a 10-match tour, which opens with a fixture against the Barbarians in Hong Kong on June 1.


“There is no question it will be one hell of a challenge,” Gatland said.


“Playing in the southern hemisphere is one of rugby’s hardest challenges. The Lions came close in South Africa (in 2009) and our ambition is to win the series in 2013 – and I believe we have the players to do that.”


Gatland, 48, will coach Wales in their autumn Tests against New Zealand and Australia but otherwise he will be seconded full-time to the Lions.


Gatland is expected to confirm his full coaching team in October and it would be a surprise if the likes of Graham Rowntree and Shaun Edwards are not involved.


All three were part of the 2009 Lions management in South Africa and received the backing of head coach Ian McGeechan to carry the torch to Australia.


“I am really honoured to have been asked to take the position of head coach,” Gatland added.


“I really enjoyed the experience as one of the assistant coaches in 2009 and since then have harboured the ambition to lead the tour to Australia next year.


“Over the coming months I will give careful consideration to the make-up of my coaching staff and of course the playing squad itself.


“A Lions tour is unique, it is the ultimate career pinnacle for coaches and players. I want to ensure that we get the tour environment right so that we are hugely competitive and that our fans are proud of the team.”


The Lions had initially planned to hold the announcement in April but were forced into a delay after Gatland broke both his heels in a fall at his house in Waikato.


“It has been no secret that after the initial selection process, Warren was our preferred candidate,” tour manager Andy Irvine.


“We naturally had to ensure he was fit to take up the post. Those concerns have now been addressed.


“Warren has an outstanding coaching record and he has been fully embedded in rugby in the UK and Ireland since 1989.”


Gatland coached Ireland for three years between 1998 and 2001 before taking charge at Wasps, where he won a hat-trick of Premiership titles and the Heineken Cup.


In 2006, he moved back to New Zealand and coached his native Waikato to the New Zealand provincial title before Wales came calling.


Gatland took charge of a Wales side that had just crashed out of the pool stages of the World Cup and he made an immediate impact, guiding them to the first of two Grand Slam titles during his tenure.


The second was this year and it followed hot on the heels of Wales’ greatest World Cup performance since 1987, when they came agonisingly close to beating France to earn a place in the final.


Gatland will become the second New Zealander to lead the Lions on tour to Australia, after Graham Henry’s failed attempt to beat the Wallabies in 2001.


Rob Howley led Wales on their summer tour of Australia in Gatland’s injury-enforced absence and will continue in that role through the 2013 RBS 6 Nations.

[NotreDameRFC]

any mention of backroom staff?? Edwards surely....talk of rowntree ....Howley might stay with Wales.....


gatland should call Eddie for the crack.

[Waterfordlad]

gatland should call Eddie for the crack.

Now that I'd like to see!! lol

[Dowlinz]

Thanks ticketout, you've illustrated my point exactly. Don't expect me to cheer on while Irish players get concussed & get their teeth knocked out (or their shoulders broken up for that matter....). Never mind the dirtpacker sides trying to make a name for themselves by trying to take afew Lions out for good!! e.g. Duncan Mcrae 2001 anyone!? etc.

This takes a huge toll from Ireland & the provinces.... to what end!?

The real beneficiaries from a Lions tour are the SH sides, BSkyB and the players who manage to survive uninjured.

The fans are suckers IMHO, sacrificing their best players for the 'glory' of a post colonial team dream of conquering the SH at home (i.e. in the colonies!). The home unions, players & NH game would be better off with their national squads playing the SH sides,so that players don't get over played, are looked after in a properly managed environment, that they are used to & that will actually have a chance of leading to further success at international level in things that matter a bit like 6Ns & World Cups!!

I'd agree, nothing would make me happier then for Ireland to remove themselves from this farcical side. It's an embarrassment that it continues to exist, change it to a European side or disband it.

[mr chips]

gatland should call Eddie for the crack.

That would be some sideshow!!

[MunsterBakery]

any mention of backroom staff?? Edwards surely....talk of rowntree ....Howley might stay with Wales.....


gatland should call Eddie for the crack.

According to Sky Howley will stay with Wales as part of the agreement over getting Gatland released and Schmidt or C. O'Shea are red hot favourites to be attack coach

[Valencia]

Most of his team will feel very familiar playing in Red

[taz]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/19506209

Wales prop Gethin Jenkins' French club Toulon may not allow him to start the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.
Coach Warren Gatland has warned French-based Lions contenders that being unavailable for the tour party's departure could harm their hopes.


But Toulon boss Bernard Laporte says his Lions-qualified players may not be released for that start.
"As far as freeing up Gethin, in principle, it's a no," said Laporte.
The Lions kick off their tour on 1 June against the Barbarians in Hong Kong.
If Toulon reach the Top 14 final, also on 1 June, Jenkins will be expected to play for them.
Laporte added: "If he plays in the final, he will leave the day after, on Sunday, 2 June, but not before.
"We won't pay a player who has to go and play for the Lions at the most important time of our season.
"There is no specific clause in his contract about it."

[Stanley]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/19506209

Wales prop Gethin Jenkins' French club Toulon may not allow him to start the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.
Coach Warren Gatland has warned French-based Lions contenders that being unavailable for the tour party's departure could harm their hopes.


But Toulon boss Bernard Laporte says his Lions-qualified players may not be released for that start.
"As far as freeing up Gethin, in principle, it's a no," said Laporte.
The Lions kick off their tour on 1 June against the Barbarians in Hong Kong.
If Toulon reach the Top 14 final, also on 1 June, Jenkins will be expected to play for them.
Laporte added: "If he plays in the final, he will leave the day after, on Sunday, 2 June, but not before.
"We won't pay a player who has to go and play for the Lions at the most important time of our season.
"There is no specific clause in his contract about it."

IMO Toulon are correct, they are paying a lot of dough for Jenkins for what would be a huge occasion for them.

Jenkins on the other hand, his agent and Gatland (as Welsh manager) should have seen this coming when he was negotiating with Toulon, nobody would wish to see a repeat of Nathan Hines walking away from his club, missing a French final, to play for the Lions.

[NotreDameRFC]

I'd agree, nothing would make me happier then for Ireland to remove themselves from this farcical side. It's an embarrassment that it continues to exist, change it to a European side or disband it.

you better pray for a sh1t 6n for Ireland , and a sh1t HCup for Munster because if its the opposite a raft of players who wear red and green will be wearing a different colour red come June.

[The Last Stand]

I don't expect to see many Irish players. Expect an Anglo welsh team.