Warren Gatland - What the Fak ?

Morning RKW I read the full quotes and it seems a lot less of a stab at the English boys and a lot more about the English media machine. Take a look.
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"The British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland has warned that a large English contingent on this summer’s tour to Australia may have a negative impact.

“At the moment, England are playing well,” Gatland was quoted in the London Evening Standard. “They did well in the autumn, particularly the outstanding victory against the All Blacks and, if they do well in the Six Nations, there will be a reasonable contingent of English players.

“But that brings a certain element of – how do I say it – 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. [They are] not always the most popular with other countries because of the history. People like having a pop at them.”

Gatland qualified his comments by stating, “The best players will be selected,” before adding: “It’s just being aware of potential issues that may 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.”

All told, the comments are a stern warning about player discipline from the Welsh head coach, currently on sabbatical to focus on the Lions."

It did happen and it was shameful
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you're talking about the dwarf throwing here I take it ?

now you mention gatland's indecretions, I remember him previously challenging Hartley to meet one of his players outside the ground for a one on one

LOL never heard that one? It wasn't just the dwarf thing. There were more things hell they couldn't even disembark a ferry in a normal way ahahaha But i do confess to having a certain nostalgic respect for the old days when that kind of carry on was absolutely normal

Anyway as i posted in the second comment. It seems more a sting at the media than a poke in the eye of the English lads. And Gatland would need to be entirely stupid to alienate the English lads. At the end of the day he is going to have to work with these guys in a few months.

What odd would you give me that he will totally contradict himself in the next press interview? Be cause he does that habitually! Says something mad, then says the opposite. That's just the way he operates mate, he is the jose mourinho of rugby.

RKW take a look at this!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH i bloody told you this would happen. Its always the same with Gatland. Its like a broken record. Mark my words in the weeks leading up to the lions tour he will make more gaffs like this and indeed probably insult the entire Australian public at some point. The man just does this all the bloody time hes a clown!

BUT A GOOD COACH! don't get them confused. But someone needs to gag is mouth.

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Gatland told the Daily Telegraph: “I am extremely disappointed that anybody should try to misinterpret what I said and try to say that will count against English players, that’s absolute b*******.

“The last thing I would ever do is limit the number of English players. There is absolutely no limit to the number of any players from any nation we will pick if they are worthy of a place on the tour.

“I would happily pick 15 English players in the first Test at Brisbane if I thought they were the best 15 players for the job.

“The only consideration for a Lions coach is to get the best 15 on the park to do the job. That’s paramount, I’m not remotely bothered which country they come from.

“When I first started at Wales I remember I once picked 13 Ospreys for one of my early Tests in charge.”

Gatland had said in the interview with the Evening Standard that “the best players will be selected”, but “it’s just being aware of potential issues that may arise”.

He then cited the “circus” created around England during the World Cup and his concern that the same thing could happen again, or worse still, players could be the target of media stings or set-ups.

English Rugby Football Union chairman Bill Beaumont responded to Gatland’s comments yesterday by reinforcing the changes made by new England coach Stuart Lancaster following Martin Johnson’s controversial period in charge.

“English players have always represented the Lions with enormous pride,” Beaumont said.

“Wearing the Lions shirt, whether captain or player, is something that all English players take very seriously. This will undoubtedly continue for those that get picked this time.

“It is well documented the strong culture and sense of responsibility on and off the pitch that this England team possesses. Those fortunate enough to get picked will of course take those attributes Down Under.”

Anyway as i posted in the second comment. It seems more a sting at the media than a poke in the eye of the English lads.
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I agree, and can see that it could be interpreted that way

At best it's clumsy then, but perhaps he should get the benefit of the doubt

Gatland told the Daily Telegraph: “I am extremely disappointed that anybody should try to misinterpret what I said and try to say that will count against English players, that’s absolute b*******.

“The last thing I would ever do is limit the number of English players. There is absolutely no limit to the number of any players from any nation we will pick if they are worthy of a place on the tour.
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How come I'v been mentioned twice here by DingBatMan?

i was wondering that too !

Aww fekity Fekk my bad gents. Got me capital letter monikers all mixed up today.

But on a serious mote i rate Gatland as a coach. I mean we can't argue with his results. But the man is in desperate need of a mute button to be installed in his nether regions