A British Loin never goes into battle believing he’s the equal of his opponent. The total belief that the red jersey automatically instills in the wearer renders any type of sports psychology obsolete.
Man, we could all be the “big player” in some retarded club team (well, maybe not me, I’m only 5’10" and im too lean to be a rugby player, i’d be the centre or winger or some shit) but would you really want to be? Because after all, you’d still be a beer gut carrying cunt at the end of the day.
Little Shane Williams, my word. I am in shock, only the British Loins could conjure up these sort of stories. What an event, what drama.
Not sure which of the Official Lions threads to be posting this in, so I’ve just posted it in both! Gerry Thornley getting very animated by this issue of the name.
Lions Diary - Gerry Thornley - Irish Times 15 June 2013
LIONS RENAMED AND REZONED
One of the more irritating occurrences of Lions tours is the occasional references to them as British Lions rather than the British & Irish Lions. Clive Woodward was a repeat offender in 2005. If in doubt, why not simply the Lions.
The Waratahs have, in fairness, been the most open and helpful of any outfit to date on this tour, granting access to coaches and players at the end of Wednesday’s open session. However, the press release accompanying their team announcement yesterday rather took the biscuit as it wrote of “NSW looking to record their first win over Great Britain (sic) since their 18-14 victory in 1959”.
To err once could be forgiven, but later in the release it read “The rivalry between NSW and Great Britain dates back 125 years to the teams 'first meeting at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 2 June 188 when NSW lost 2-18.”
Oh well.
Poor old Rory Best looks like he has the dirt trackers role during this series now.
A successful midweek team is huge on a Lions tour for squad morale. Donal’s Donouts in Australia in 1989 is the stand out example but equally on the successful tours of 1971, 74 & 97 the midweek team were unbeaten on all three tours.
Just look at the unhappiest of Lions tours, a common thread an unhappy midweek team. 2005, the ‘dirt trackers’ as you called them were sent to Invercargill the Tuesday before the first test in Christchurch but the test squad (which was announced before the Southland game) didn’t travel. Graham Henry not having anything to do with a midweek team in 2001, which was more or less cast in stone from the outset. Will Carling getting a strop after he was dropped for Scott Gibbs for the 2nd test in Wellington in 1993 and been appointed captain for the Hawkes Bay midweek match instead. The Lions promptly lost to Hawkes Bay and the following week were routed by Waikato (captained by one Warren Gatland). The circus of the midweek team and Carling’s fulminations were unwanted distractions ahead of the 3rd test decider and a big factor in losing a test series the Lions should have won.
The honour in just representing Great Britain will be enough for Rory.
What a fiasco. Williams hasn’t played an international in 19 months and is thrown in. Joins the squad on Monday, plays Tuesday and leaves Wednesday. 
. Rog and Donners could receive a call up yet.
Saw a clip earlier where Garland said that they were 1 short and sure it was handy cos he was half way over.
You haven’t a clue. Go off and talk about Mancorporate United or some rubbish like that. Shane Williams is one of the greatest rugby players of all time. He’s still playing at a high competitive level and I’ve no doubt will do a fine job on Tuesday. Have you ever heard of the concept of coming out of retirement in sport or answering the call to arms in the face of an injury crisis?
Pele came out of international retirement to play for Brazil for the 1970 World Cup and didn’t fare too badly. Michael Jordan came out of retirement in 1995 and led to the Chicago Bulls straight away to three successive NBA titles. DJ Carey made a comeback for the All Ireland semi final in 2002 and then proceeded to deliver the best of his 9 All Ireland Final performances in the 2002 final against Clare.
In a rugby and Lions context, this is hugely exciting. The obvious parallel is the 1971 tour and Sir Brian Lochore answering the call to arms in the face of a full scale injury crisis and coming out of retirement to play in the third test in Wellington. New Zealand won that third test, but with the walking wounded available for the fourth and deciding test in Auckland, Sir Brian went back to his retirement.
He is coming in to play what is basically a dead rubber friendly (there are no such things as dead rubbers for the noble institution that is the British Loins, admittedly). An empire to pick from and they still require a lad going through the motions in Japan to make up a team at the last minute. This is the Loins, there should be no chances taken.
He is not exactly being sprung for a world cup, an All Ireland final or an NBA play-off in fairness. o_O
[quote=“Manuel Zelaya, post: 787111, member: 377”]You haven’t a clue. Go off and talk about Mancorporate United or some rubbish like that. Shane Williams is one of the greatest rugby players of all time. He’s still playing at a high competitive level and I’ve no doubt will do a fine job on Tuesday. Have you ever heard of the concept of coming out of retirement in sport or answering the call to arms in the face of an injury crisis?
Pele came out of international retirement to play for Brazil for the 1970 World Cup and didn’t fare too badly. Michael Jordan came out of retirement in 1995 and led to the Chicago Bulls straight away to three successive NBA titles. DJ Carey made a comeback for the All Ireland semi final in 2002 and then proceeded to deliver the best of his 9 All Ireland Final performances in the 2002 final against Clare.
In a rugby and Lions context, this is hugely exciting. The obvious parallel is the 1971 tour and Sir Brian Lochore answering the call to arms in the face of a full scale injury crisis and coming out of retirement to play in the third test in Wellington. New Zealand won that third test, but with the walking wounded available for the fourth and deciding test in Auckland, Sir Brian went back to his retirement.[/quote]
The people who are criticising the return of the twinkle-toed genius are also denigrating the magnificent efforts of rugby football people in Japan in a manner that is, frankly, racist. As you quite rightly say, Shane is playing at a high competitive level with Mitsubishi Dynaboars. In association football, people were quick to say that David Beckham’s and Robbie Keane’s careers were over when they signed for the Los Angeles Galaxy, yet both continued to play key roles for their country because the standard in MLS is a lot higher than the uneducated barstoolers think. It’s the same with the Top League in Japan. One of Shane’s team mates is Stephen Donald, the man who won the World Cup for New Zealand when he was unexpectedly called up after injuries to other players. Expect the legendary Welsh winger to put in a performance of similar magnitude for the British Loins on Tuesday.
Well said Sidney. The story that Gatland has put out about Shane just joining up for 48 hours could well be a smokescreen. A decent performance in Canberra on Tuesday and he could be in the frame to start on Saturday. The Australians focus has been on how to combat two 6 ft 4, 17 stone wingers. It could really put them in a spin if they suddenly have to deal with the twinkle-toed flyer from Swansea.
A huge amount, bar a couple of freaks, at elite levels there is virtually nothing between most of the players. Cool heads and psychological strength, training and mental preperation , visualization an other tools are what seperate’s the best.
Many athletes do this almost unknowingly, but the top 2 inches is definitely the most important IMO, and in the opinion of many studies and more learnered people than me.
I sat beside Rory when Cork won in 2010, he was giving it all for County Down. Rory is Irish. Quite simply Irish.
[quote=“caoimhaoin, post: 787123, member: 273”]A huge amount, bar a couple of freaks, at elite levels there is virtually nothing between most of the players. Cool heads and psychological strength, training and mental preperation , visualization an other tools are what seperate’s the best.
Many athletes do this almost unknowingly, but the top 2 inches is definitely the most important IMO, and in the opinion of many studies and more learnered people than me.[/quote]
its by far the most important part of high level sport…
http://www.thesportinmind.com/articles/mindset-the-fundamental-ingredient-to-success/
Here is an article from a good website.
In hind sight I had a pretty poor mental side to my own games as under performed alot. I wish I had the training or knowledge back along. It’s becoming pretty common nowadays down thru all the levels. I think it’s very significant in individual sports.
[quote=“caoimhaoin, post: 787123, member: 273”]A huge amount, bar a couple of freaks, at elite levels there is virtually nothing between most of the players. Cool heads and psychological strength, training and mental preperation , visualization an other tools are what seperate’s the best.
Many athletes do this almost unknowingly, but the top 2 inches is definitely the most important IMO, and in the opinion of many studies and more learnered people than me.[/quote]
Brian O’Driscoll is possibly the best example of that. He’s not a freakish athlete, but his influence and impact on games is enormous.
Great example Rocko. He is almost the best example of all. Roy Keane was another. O Gara is another. Both had skills, but not amazing athletes.
Self belief and confidence are just so important.
Yet it’s taboo to call a player or a team bottlers.