Jonny v BOD

Lest anyone who doesn't have Sky forgets, this Toulon/Leinster game will be the final fling for two old icons.

So Come on Toulon!
Come on Jonny!

You are head and shoulders above his Bodliness in every way.

You are incorrect. BOD is 1.78m, Wilkinson is 1.77m...

 

So why does Jonny cast a longer shadow?

Portnoy's Complaint wrote: 

So why does Jonny cast a longer shadow?

because the sun set on his career a long time ago?

GunsGerms wrote:

Portnoy's Complaint wrote: 

So why does Jonny cast a longer shadow?

because the sun set on his career a long time ago?

End of discussion

GunsGerms wrote:

Portnoy's Complaint wrote: 

So why does Jonny cast a longer shadow?

because the sun set on his career a long time ago?

        

Catty! Saucer of cream for me Germs please

GunsGerms wrote:

Portnoy's Complaint wrote: 

So why does Jonny cast a longer shadow?

because the sun set on his career a long time ago?

That might be an argument best saved 'til Monday, GG.

ME-109 wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:

Portnoy's Complaint wrote: 

So why does Jonny cast a longer shadow?

because the sun set on his career a long time ago?

End of discussion

gem

Two of the games all time greats. Jonny has always been a player that I really respected as not only is he a very skilful player but really comes across as a genuine man. BOD, simply put, is one my favourite players of all time.

Come on Leinster.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:

Portnoy's Complaint wrote: 

So why does Jonny cast a longer shadow?

because the sun set on his career a long time ago?

        

Belter!

Poor ol' Jonny.   

His country found a half-decent replacement or three and moved on.

It's all very sad...

ME-109 wrote:You are incorrect. BOD is 1.78m, Wilkinson is 1.77m...

  

GunsGerms wrote:

Portnoy's Complaint wrote: 

So why does Jonny cast a longer shadow?

because the sun set on his career a long time ago?

 

Although most people seem to think the HEC was a big deal.

Yes it is. I was only joking, I mean who doesnt like Wilko. I cant say I'm a big Toulon fan though.

I was at the final last year and they played the ugliest rugby I think I have ever seen.

GunsGerms wrote:

Portnoy's Complaint wrote: 

So why does Jonny cast a longer shadow?

because the sun set on his career a long time ago?

It's not true. But this comment is a cracker.

Will this be the first time they've met at club level?

Mickado wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:

Portnoy's Complaint wrote: 

So why does Jonny cast a longer shadow?

because the sun set on his career a long time ago?

It's not true. But this comment is a cracker.

Will this be the first time they've met at club level?

No Leinster played Newcastle in donnybrook years ago in the group stage of the Heino. In 2001.

Pat Lam was playing for Newcastle that day. Wilko's kicking was quite bad from memory.

It was more that is was a peach of a response than 'truth' value.  I thought the height one was good and then it was followed up with that beaut.

In seriousness its amazing that this is the end for these two all time greats.

Seems like only yesterday these guys were knee high to a grasshopper. Baby faced BOD and Wilko with his adolescent scowl.

Wilko's prime years were blighted by injury but what achieved by the age of 23 were more than most could ever dream of - BOD is just BOD.

It was a privilege to see these guys play. Pity that 2001 Lions partnership was never reunited.

GunsGerms wrote:

Portnoy's Complaint wrote: 

So why does Jonny cast a longer shadow?

because the sun set on his career a long time ago?

BOOM! I don't normally go in for these willy waving 'My Player is Better than your Player' Threads but that was epic.

Anyway, Wilkinson is a legend and you know, I wouldn't be too sad if he retired with a Top14 medal. But I'm in Munster and Leinsters corner this weekend- no doubt about it.

The truth is, this game really doesn't matter for either players legacy in any way. They could miss every tackle, shank every kick, drop every pass and it won't take the shine off either of them in the years to come. And neither player is close to what they were at their peak anyway. So I think this 'clash' is only meaningful for over-stimulated and annoying commentary teams.

Notch wrote:
And neither player is close to what they were at their peak anyway.

No I wouldn't agree with that. I think both have continued to develop and adapt their games and although neither are quite what they were a few years ago in some aspects they are both top players and key men for their sides on Sunday. On a given day they are still match winners at this level.

I'm just chuffed for Wilkinson that his move seemed to time well with the end of his bad luck with injuries. People go to France for the wrong reasons. He went for the right reasons and it's paid off (pun intended) him in a big way.

Yes I am happy for him too. Fair deuce to him. He also went to the perfect team to compliment his strengths so it worked out well for him.

I'll have one memory of Wilko that will last a long time.

When Toulon came to play Glasgow in the HC this year, we had had torrential rain for two weeks before the match (and then three months after...) and the pitch was covered with a protective cover which was being removed. He patiently paced back and forth as the cover was swept for water and then lifted. He stood in the one available part if the pitch and started practicing his kicking at the posts.

This was two hours before kickoff, while Michalak was off watching the U16 games on the back pitches.

If ever there was a demonstration of professionalism that was it.

GunsGerms wrote:

Portnoy's Complaint wrote: 

So why does Jonny cast a longer shadow?

because the sun set on his career a long time ago?

Ha ha.

Think Portnoy may need a knife and fork after that comment. Cos he just got served.

2 all time greats. Looking forward to this one.

Hoping for a Leinster win.
6N title in the bag, could it be a HC cup medal to for BOD to end his career?

Hoping wins for Munster, Ulster & Leicester today.

Portnoy's Complaint wrote:Poor ol' Jonny.   

His country found a half-decent replacement or three and moved on.

It's all very sad...

just imagine the records jonny would have broken and set at international level if he were wrapped up in cotton wool for club games like BOD and the other best irish players.

Jonny didnt win ERC player of the year last year and make the shortlist the previous year (while BOD made neither) because the sun set on his career. BOD didnt make the longlist in either year in case you were wondering.

And as far as i am aware, Wilko has been persuaded by Toulon owners, fans and players to extend for another year.

Being injury prone is part of the overall package of a player. Wilkinson was an incomplete player in that regard. Still an absolute hero of the game, deserves all the plaudits he receives.

no, he was just playing in the wrong setup. look at how he performs at toulon. best 3 years of his entire playing career last 3 years.

kunu wrote:Being injury prone is part of the overall package of a player. Wilkinson was an incomplete player in that regard. Still an absolute hero of the game, deserves all the plaudits he receives.

kunu, that's not fair in Wilkinson's case. He was rarely injured until his shoulder surgery, but then his subsequent injuries were in large part down to his loyalty to Newcastle. They had cut back on their backroom staff, did not have the back row to protect him and I think lacked the resources to bring him back gradually and let him harden up again. Add to that that his injuries were all in different places and some of them were very freakish. It's very telling that he's barely been injured since he moved to well-resourced Toulon. In essence, he had seven largely injury free years in the early part of his career and five more in the later part, punctuated by five wherehe couldn't get a break.

If he had a fault, it was being too loyal.

Take your point poorfour about Newcastle- it did seem as though his knees were a problem area though.

If I caught O'Driscoll in bed with my girlfriend I'd wait outside until he was finished and then offer him a cigarette.

kunu wrote:Take your point poorfour about Newcastle- it did seem as though his knees were a problem area though.

I'm pretty sure I was at 2 of the games where he did his knees - in each case it was someone landing on him or tackling him and his foot getting caught under him - bad luck rather than an inherent weakness. His playing record at Toulon suggests it wasn't a chronic weakness.

Wilko and BOD stand out as  2 of the best players of their and any other generation. Its not just their extraordinary skill, class and intelligence that sets them apart, its how they've carried themselves throughout their careers. Through success and especially through adversity.  Both mentally and physically hard as feic and born leaders by design. Real rugby men. Our game will sadly miss both of them.

One of them says goodbye to it all this avo...

Whatever happens, thanks lads. Ye lit our game up. Its been a privilege.   

Wiko gone off injured.

A shame really. would of liked too have seen him and O'Driscol on at the final whistle.