Great players never to play for the Lions

First topic message reminder :

Just seen this page and there are some very big names never to have represented the Lions. Names that I could almost swear they had.

https://lastwordonrugby.com/2019/02/05/greatest-players-never-to-wear-the-lions-jersey/?fbclid=IwAR1hTFWhVpYZfpyGuec2mdZfE-fiwWSjv2B5Wr3xRZUqoJhH9kEHPIlbBbE

123456789. wrote:I think Jason White went in 2005 did he not?

He replaced Richard Hill and became the 48th player on the tour when he featured in the last midweek game.

not exactly a great but unfairly treated
https://www.606v2.com/t65978-ryan-grant-spills-the-beans-on-his-exclusion-from-2013-lions-2nd-test-match

TJ wrote:not exactly a great but unfairly treated
https://www.606v2.com/t65978-ryan-grant-spills-the-beans-on-his-exclusion-from-2013-lions-2nd-test-match

Is it really unfair treatment? Or is it just coach’s prerogative to make the tough decisions? I’m sure Rowntree didn’t think at the time ‘You know what, I’m gonna f*ck over that Grant chap. Leave him out just to teach him a lesson’. THAT would be unfair treatment! But the coaches have an unbelievably difficult and pressured role to play and decisions to make, and they do what they feel is best at the time. It’s easy for us to say ‘unfair’ sitting in the comfort of our offices or living rooms. But I think ‘unfair’ is a little...... unfair in this instance!

Good point. By and large coaches don't give a sheet about the person behind a player. Particularly some of the best ones - the holistic care is for other people/times to worry about than in the heat of a test match. A player is a lump of meat with abilities - even BOD. Selection is based on that and that's what you can query. In this instance, not taking off a shattered prop for another prop you've called up, and was in good form, seems a poor call, but you can see why it was (not) made as well considering the set-up of the team (minimise mistakes).

The Grant gripe is another great example why the Lions is anachronistic and should be scrapped. The modern disposable player approach required by the uber concentrated schedule gives no time for coaches to know the capabilities of their players much less consider their welfare.