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'I redeclare my James Ryan outrage' - Beard was Gatland's preference all along
James Ryan’s recovery from an abductor injury to captain Ireland against Japan on the weekend suggests that Warren Gatland’s decision to call up Adam Beard to replace injured British and Irish Lions skipper Alun Wyn Jones was a straight selection call.
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Reports of Ryan’s injury [later confirmed by the IRFU] shortly after Beard’s call-up dampened down online outrage in Ireland at the decision to call up Beard. Despite Ryan’s mediocre form of late, many believed the Leinster second row was still the first cab off the rank should Gatland suffer an engine room difficulties, with few outside of Wales predicting that the giant Osprey’s forward would be summoned to South Africa instead.
But so it was.
News that Ryan is not only fit to play, but that he will start as captain for Ireland suggests that his abductor injury was unlikely to have merited a non-selection by Gatland on its own merits. The 5-day turnaround didn’t go unnoticed on Twitter.
“I now redeclare my James Ryan outrage,” wrote well-known Irish journalist Rúaidhrí O’Connor.
I now redeclare my James Ryan outrage
Good to see Joey Carbery back in the Ireland No 10 shirt, great opportunity for Ronan Kelleher to nail down that No 2 jersey https://t.co/s4ur9J9zmS
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) July 1, 2021
He wasn’t the only one surprised.
“I won’t lie, I’m a bit surprised to see James Ryan starting considering five days ago he was an injury concern for the Lions. I imagine it’s more Gatland’s style of play doesn’t suit Ryan’s game. There’s gonna be plenty of shouting from some corners,” wrote The Loose Head.
I won’t lie, I’m a bit surprised to see James Ryan starting considering five days ago he was an injury concern for the Lions.
I imagine it’s more Gatland’s style of play doesn’t suit Ryan’s game.
There’s gonna be plenty of shouting from some corners.
— The Loose Head (@TheLooseH) July 1, 2021
“Great to see James Ryan captaining Ireland,” wrote another. “The reports last week were that he didnt replace AWJ in the lions squad because of injury. So was he not asked or did he turn it down?”
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Great to see James Ryan captaining Ireland.
The reports last week were that he didnt replace AWJ in the lions squad because of injury. So was he not asked or did he turn it down? #IrishRugby #IREvJPN #rugby #rugbyunited #BritishAndIrishLions
— Stephen Dunne (@stephen_dunne) July 1, 2021
Former Leinster prop Jamie Hagan posted stats comparing Beard’s and Ryan’s performances from a statistical point of view in both the PRO14 and the Rainbow Cup. They both favoured the Leinsterman significantly.
Adam beard vs James Ryan in this seasons pro 14. pic.twitter.com/92ZQO2KXXH
— Jamie Hagan (@Hago_3) July 1, 2021
Adam beard vs James Ryan rainbow cup. pic.twitter.com/YAvD5wvovS
— Jamie Hagan (@Hago_3) July 1, 2021
“So Johnny Hill and Adam Beard are better than James Ryan , maybe your co-worker was correct,” said another poster, referencing Neil Francis infamously likening Gatland to a tub of margerine.
So Johnny Hill and Adam Beard are better than James Ryan , maybe you co-worker was correct #tubofflora
— Guingsy1 (@guingsy1) July 1, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
This team does not beat the ABs sadly
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to comments