Be patient: Sir Ian McGeechan
British & Irish Lions coaching legend Sir Ian McGeechan has urged likely 2013 boss Warren Gatland to take his time before picking his Lions captain.
Current Wales head coach Gatland is expected to succeed Scot McGeechan as the next touring chief ahead of next year's Lions tour of Australia.
And McGeechan has given him some advice.
"Some players have come through last season, but the second season often challenges them in a different way," he told Press Association Sport.
"We need to see which of them are really able to kick on. There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to selecting the squad, and it's the same with the captaincy.
"There are people like Chris Robshaw of England coming through and it will be interesting to see how he shapes up with another 12 months under his belt.
"Sam Warburton is an obvious choice and he already has a relationship with Warren.
"You need to see how someone is playing, his demeanour and rapport with players and support staff. You have to be disciplined and make a late call on it.
"In 2009 we didn't make the call until late April, which gave me the time to speak to all the international coaches."
Comments
bothhands says...
banaks, I thought that he was implying that too, but actually if I remember correctly, his selection of O'Connell was actually made quite late. And as a few have pointed out, his squad were all very happy with O'Connell as Captain. I think he is actually warning Gatland off shoeing Warburton in there without watching how Warburton gels with the non Welsh components of the team. He does come across as a quiet young man, and that may not fit the bill for a unique environment such as the Lions. I wouldn't be surprised to see O'Connell in there again if he is fit. I mean as skipper
Posted 19:05 03rd July 2012
Browny15 says...
If OConnell is fit and playing well he is the main candidate with the most experience. He is a born leader. Victor matfield mentioned that o connell was his toughest opponent to date.
Possibly too early for Warburton. He'll get his time.
Robshaw same boat!
Hartley no chance!!
ODriscoll, will he even make the starting 15?
A year can bring alot of new faces and young bolters.
Cant wait
Posted 18:59 03rd July 2012
sirtidychris says...
For me there is only one stand out candidate and thats POC.
Posted 17:03 03rd July 2012
APV1 says...
@ 5Lock4ward - the injury-ravaged captain is another supporting argument for my (brilliant!) concept of a Tour Squad Captain and a Team Captain.
Not sure about Taylor, though. He's been a little below the radar and I think a captain should be a name which conjures up a more prominant image.
POC, Johnson, etc. Had (and have) it in spades.
Posted 16:42 03rd July 2012
5Lock4ward says...
I would like to nominate Simon Taylor as the Lions captain. I know he hasn't played for Scotland in a few years b/c he took himself out of contention (mind you nobody really knows why) but his experience is immeasurable as is his talent. I believe he could stand toe to toe against the current 8 man from all four home nations and claim that jersey in the first xv of the Lions. Now friends let the stone casting begin. Also, those bashing Paul O'Connell's captaincy of the Lions must not have watched too much of the '09 tour. You'll recall that Ryan Jones was the original name being thrown around in the year before the squad was named and how devastating would it have been to morale had he been the captain when he was sent home w/ concussion issues? That would have been 2 tours in a row where the captain was lost to injury.
Posted 14:48 03rd July 2012
APV1 says...
@ EddieC - Hear! Hear! I have advocated for a Squad Captain and a Team Captain as different roles and, if appropriate, individuals.
First you pick the squad - the whole touring party - and choose your Squad Captain from that. It's their role to be a go-between for the management and the players and who will ensure that the players toe the line throughout the tour.
Then you choose you match day 22 (or 23 if we get the other prop on the bench) and your starting 15. From the 15 you choose your Team Captain.
They might be the same person but, then again, they might not. A leader on the pitch may not be the best person to keep the players in order off it and represent them to the manegement. And vice versa.
@ badza - time will tell whether Warburton is captain. Also, using Afrikaans to make a point on an English language site is a little daft, as your point will be lost on most. There are plenty of people who are able to correspond in other languages, but this is an English language site.
Posted 13:02 03rd July 2012
stag says...
@jhmehrtens: not sure if you've ever heard of Willie John McBride - greatest ever Lions captain by some distance
Posted 11:42 03rd July 2012
kid_diablo says...
@JMehrtens. 1974 lions: didn't lose a single game. captain: willie john mcbride ( IRISH )
Posted 11:16 03rd July 2012
badza says...
Keuse is die enigste logiese Warburton.
Posted 09:22 03rd July 2012
markmassive says...
NHsaints good point, I thought it might be because he played for Scotland. He's not Scottish though?
Posted 08:46 03rd July 2012
JMehrtens says...
Just don't choose an Irishman as no Irish captain has been able to lead a team that was better than the sum of its parts (provinces)
Posted 08:34 03rd July 2012
EddieC says...
I wonder if he actually acknowledges that his stupid front row selection for the first test in S.A. actually cost us the series. There is too much emphasis put on who the bloody captain is, pick the team and then your captain, not the other way round. McGeechan is correct about one season wonders. Look at who really performed as individuals during the latest tours to the southern hemisphere before you get carried away with your national blinkers on. We all saw what the Aussies did with the Welsh game plan!!!
Posted 08:25 03rd July 2012
rakavi187 says...
and the captain has to be someone you know will have to be playing all 3 tests ahead of other capable players in the same position. Warburton is indeed a candidate but honestly speaking, O'Brien has been superb for the Irish and would be a shame to see him lose out. Same could be said for Robshaw.
I've never been a big fan of a back being appointed captain so most likely candidate for me COULD be Hartley, but most would not agree considering his record.
Posted 06:17 03rd July 2012
Sherrif says...
And the reason being?
Posted 23:17 02nd July 2012
Browny15 says...
Why was it a mistake? Alot of player came out after the tour and stated that o connell was the best captain they ever played under!!
"You need to see how someone is playing, his demeanour and rapport with players and support staff. You have to be disciplined and make a late call on it.
He's basically saying he made the right call!!
Posted 22:40 02nd July 2012
QKRAM79 says...
@abanks: he is saying the opposite. He is recommending that Gatland does the same as he did and wait till the end of the season before the tour before making his choice. POC was a great captain. All the players were very vocal about that.
Posted 22:13 02nd July 2012
Centre12 says...
If BOD gets selected and is still on fire then its going to be between him, Warburton and Robshaw, I would select the Captain from the Nation that has the most represented by it. What a back row of 6- Robshaw 7- Warburton 8- Heaslip with Croft on the bench would be. Please please don't take Haskel!!!!!!!
Posted 21:56 02nd July 2012
liam2me says...
@abanks11 - what mistake? POC is the best leaders in the NH and one of the best in the world.
Posted 21:10 02nd July 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Good point. POC was selected too soon. He has to let Gatts do it his way but Geaks is spot on. Sends wrong message especially if it's Warburton to select too soon. I think Geaks is also saying Warburton didn't step up on tour in Oz whereas Robshaw did.
Posted 20:50 02nd July 2012
Coonor says...
Made a mistake appointing O'Connell as captain? Did you watch the lions 2009?
Posted 20:34 02nd July 2012