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Listed below are comments made by HCBrain between Monday, 15th June 2009 and Sunday, 5th July 2009.

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Final flourish leaves Lions lamenting what might have been 00:36am on 05 Jul 2009 I would like to say thank you to the whole of the squad, coaches, management and conditioners. You have silenced all the 'nit picking critics' by playing with pride and continue the B&I Lions reputation as the top team to play for or against.
I have the deepest respect for SA, they are worthy world cup champions and showed on there autumn tour that they could regularly score from first phase against all but Scotland. As the tour party was announced and then reduced by injuries I thought that we would have been lucky to come second.
However, the tour party have produced performances that are far superior than the individual components, as everybody who has been on tours knows as you get to the last match and count who is still standing, have played wingers in the back row or centre etc, you hope that you can just keep in touch.
The B&I Lions today did so much more against the SA team of the future, by their total committment to each other (had SA got there noses in front early door it would have been a massacre).
Phil Vickery confronted his demons and set the tone for all to follow, and follow they did, one and all, none more than Shane whom finally overcame his nerves to put in an exemplary performance that deservedly received MOM. Kearney & Heslip have developed over the tour into potential future Lions captains.
SA had not become a poor side, they just could not develop a secure attacking platform to challange the makeshift Lions midfield partnership.
Given all the negative comments over the previous week I am sure that this match will have us all filling the piggy banks for the next 4 years and put doubts in the minds of SA for 12 years hence. Look out Australia, the B&I Lions are coming your way next.

Congratulations to all tourists
De Villiers: Misunderstood or liability? 01:20am on 04 Jul 2009 re 41 Cardiff Taffy
As for coaches making irresponsible comments how about these latest offerings reported from Warren 'Foot in Mouth' Gatland.
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I think that it is disrespectful to the players and opposition, to make these comments.
Thus, it is surely hypopcritical to complain about PdeV lack of ability regarding media.
Isn't it about time that these people, whom are paid to deliver excellence on the pitch, engage there brain (shut there mouths) and let the players do the talking.
De Villiers: Misunderstood or liability? 01:57am on 03 Jul 2009 Coaches in general are not known (or appointed) for there eliquence.

Whilst I abhour eye gouging, PdV has received a poor responce for his comments, as reported in the UK, because he didn't state that it is wrong.
He has been around the game long enough to know that this is not acceptable, he has been reported as trying to defend Burger, whom has been an outstanding player, reknown for his aggresive approach rather than foul play.

This is probably in line with the representation of other comments reported from southern hemisphere (SH) coaches in the UK press, a common language with different interpretation.

As an example I recall reading the comments attributed to be from Warren Gatland prior to the Wales vs Ireland match, these were from a coach familiar with (SH) technique of using the proverbial 'pre-match wind up', I am sure that he regrets those comments now as they acheived the complete opposite responce. Some of the reported comments that he made prior to the first lions test match could generously be interpretated as misguided.

The point of this comment is that in the UK we are not used to rugby coaches achieving high enough profile to be news worthy, the tabloid press generally does not understand our game and will only latch on when the most stupid of comments are made (or taken out of context), so sometime coaches would make 'stupid comments' to get press coverage.

Congratulations to SA for an outstanding fight back which outlined why you are world champions.
Come on the B&I Lions, one final match, we are so proud of all the squad and are all behind you and believe that you can achieve, .
Confident Lions aim to out-flank Boks 02:16am on 19 Jun 2009 Excellent blog Bryn,

Having watched all the pre-test games it is clear that the coaching team have given the selected players some time with partners to gel together (and obviously know more about current fitness than we do).
My only observation is that I would have attacked the the bok's beating heart & skipper Smitt playing at tight head, by playing Sheridan to give him a tough time with a remit of 40 minutes, with Jenkins on the bench to come on at half time (to continue the pressure). Jenkins on the bench would have given cover to both tight & loose head positions (Sheridan could then have returned if required through injury).
Lions guessing game nearly over 11:37pm on 15 Jun 2009 JifferJohn,
I agree with you that there is likely to be an unexpected name when the test team is announced.
Like many other bloggers I have been concerned by the lack of outstanding contender for the left wing position, if Shane Williams plays tomorrow it is his to lose.
If he does not play, although Monye has done nothing wrong, the choice then become between two competent rather than exceptional player.
Given this problem, exploring all alternatives could bring a option of putting Hook onto the left wing. This would put a proven long range kicker on the pitch and an extra good 'out of hand kicker' in defense which could also allow Berne a more attacking roll.
The first test is going to be extremely tense, having cool heads on the pitch is essential, as is having a match winning kicker.
I do not know if Hook has ever played on the left wing before, but is an interesting concept.

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