Lions star Davies slams Seanie over series slur
PLAYER of the series Jonathan Davies has defended the 2017 Lions coaching ticket in response to Sean O’Brien’s stinging criticism. ‘What goes on tour normally stays on tour,’ said the Welsh international after Ireland flanker O’Brien had previously pointed to mismanagement as the reason for the Lions only drawing the three-Test series, instead of winning it. O’Brien featured in all three Tests and felt his team-mates were over- trained in the lead up to the first Test as well as the 15-15 draw a fortnight later. And he was critical of head coach Warren Gatland and backs coach Rob Howley in his assessment. However, Scarlets centre Davies felt the comments were unnecessary. ‘I don’t think there was a need for it to come out publicly,’ added Davies when probed further about O’Brien’s comments. ‘That Sean’s decision to do that.’ It was bad enough for Gatland that the home media lined him up in their cross-hairs. But when his own player, O’Brien, sniped after the tour it was a body blow. Gatland this week revealed that he was ‘hurt’ and
revealed that he was ‘hurt’ and ‘disappointed’ by the Tullow Tank’s comments. Despite defying the odds to guide the tourists through an epic series in New Zealand, Gatland was ridiculed by his countrymen. This week Gatland revealed he hated the tour and would not subject himself to another in South Africa in 2021. He was stunned by the treatment he received and claimed the abuse he suffered was an ‘orchestrated campaign’. But Davies insists the players were blissfully unaware of Gatland’s problems, which just underlines his coaching genius. ‘I didn’t feel he hated the tour at all,’ Davies revealed to Sportsmail. ‘That is one of his qualities. He took a lot of the stick. No players were singled out in the press, it was always him. He took it all. ‘That helped us. The way he took the press, he relieved pressure from the team which allowed us to play with freedom. Rugby is all about winning. If he thought that was the best way to allow the team to be ready to take on a Test, he was prepared to do that. ‘If he didn’t enjoy it that is a bit of a shame, I am sure looking back he might have some fond memories.’ Davies is not one to shout about his achievements despite being voted the best player on tour. ‘That was very humbling and something that when I am old, fat and can’t walk I’ll tell a lot more people about it!’ he laughed.