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Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
Discussion started by ninjafez , 21 May, 2017 20:56
Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
ninjafez 21 May, 2017 20:56
Billy as been nursing a shoulder but looks like it's surgery now, feel bad for him


[www.lionsrugby.com]



Ninjafez - supporting Sarries and cleaning their signs since 2006!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 21/05/2017 21:00 by ninjafez.

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
Highbury Saracen 21 May, 2017 21:06
Absolutely gutted for Billy
Saw him get on players coach yesterday & his mum went on board to console him!
Having to play another bruising game after final last week has taken its toll!!
We need to look after Billy & rest him more!



European champions 2016 & 2017



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 21/05/2017 21:14 by Highbury Saracen.

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
Shep23 21 May, 2017 21:12
Awful for the lad. Best forward in World Rugby at the moment.

Think this highlights how the idea of a longer season is so dangerous, the play off semi was one game too far for him... and he had a fair bit of time off with the previous injury.

Sure he will come back stronger, faster and better, as that's the type of lad he seems to be.

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
King Zak 21 May, 2017 21:13
Haskell to replace him - hmmm???



Nous sommes l'armée noir et rouge !

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
Darraghgirl 21 May, 2017 21:15
How good is billy to have put in 2 performances like that when he wasn't fit

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
The Bard 21 May, 2017 21:23
Just when you think the only upside of losing yesterday was that the lions would be in better shape as a result. Poor guy must be in an emotional tail spin after these last two weeks.
Worry is that the workload on Mako could get even greater,and he was in pieces at the end of yesterday's game.

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
Wightwasp 21 May, 2017 21:35
Trouble is
When you've got players as good as Billy and Mako it must be very hard to leave them off the team sheet but as the game gets more physical year on year they can't be expected to play every week
Your skipper looked as if he had gone 12 rounds with Joshua last week and he's a back
Better player management will be required as the game evolves

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
Highbury Saracen 21 May, 2017 21:39
Cut AI's down to two if we are not going to shorten 6N .....we big up player welfare but that means other injuries too not just HIA's



European champions 2016 & 2017

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
Dolph42 21 May, 2017 21:44
It is the AP clubs that agree to having 4 AIs every two years rather than 3 - so it just depends on whether they're willing to reduce their income in future.

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
SaintED 21 May, 2017 21:56
Its a worry if he was started with concerns about his fitness (or rather that he was carrying an injury) and a testament to the player that he still put in an 80 minute shift.

Just wish him all the best. No one deserves to be a Lion more or will be missed more. Hope he has a good recovery and that his surgery goes well.

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
The Substandard Biscuit 21 May, 2017 22:08
At least he got all the lovely Lions kit.

Hope to see post-Op photos of him recuperating in it.

Get well Billy.

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
bargepole 21 May, 2017 22:12
He's spent nearly every weekend this season smashing holes in defences for Sarries or England, and on Saturday we saw how much that's affected him when he took his shirt off. He did put in a shift, but probably a few % below his best form.

With my red Lions shirt on, all of the squad are 'our' boys regardless of club or country, and our chances of a series win are definitely diminished by losing a player who was a near certainty to wear the 8 shirt in the test team.

So now Faletau will most likely take over that slot, much as I like the Hask, I can't see him featuring in anything other than the midweek side.



Wasps supporter and ex-player since 1964



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 21/05/2017 22:14 by bargepole.

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
Buzzer 21 May, 2017 22:35
So sorry for Billy but appreciate his honesty in withdrawing. A massive loss.
Agreed Bargepole. Faletau got better and better through the season, so will do a good job at 8. If Hask could play like he did in Aus last year, that would be a bonus. Talk of him not being over his toe problems must be rubbish, else they wouldn't take him.

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
Bolly-Quin 21 May, 2017 22:55
Huge loss for Lions and a devastating end to the season for him. Wish him well and a speedy recovery. Whilst he deserves a break, I'm sure he'll be gutted not to tour.

Valiant effort yesterday and very glad you brought the European Cup back - you must all be feeling very pleased with your team.

Cheers.

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
#wolfpack 22 May, 2017 09:15
If we 'manage' him and his brother any more they basically won't play for us at all. The schedule is completely ludicrous.

I am slightly disappointed we made him play for 80 mins two weeks in a row when he wasn't fit (just as we did with George Kruis pre 6N and Maro pre autumn internationals) but I suppose the coaches probably think 'he's our player, we pay him, we got him to this standard, we want the benefit of that'.

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
Waldo 22 May, 2017 09:48
Quote:
#wolfpack
but I suppose the coaches probably think 'he's our player, we pay him, we got him to this standard, we want the benefit of that'.

I would doubt they took that stance to be honest - I expect that in all good faith they thought they were managing the injury well enough both for the benefit of the player and the club. but most importantly the player. Whilst it inconveniences somewhat that our players get called up long term I expect the benefits the club somewhat.

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
GazzaFez 22 May, 2017 09:48
Sigh of relief coming over from NZ?

Quite possibly the most potent weapon the Lions had in their armoury so a huge loss. I would go so far as to say this significantly affects the chances of winning over there.

More importantly I hope Billy's treatment goes well, firstly for himself and secondly for Saracens.

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
F-F-F-FEZ 22 May, 2017 12:10
Above all best wishes to Billy for a sound and steady recovery.

I'm interested to see no mention so far of the touchy subject of centralised contracts. Yes it's a Marmite subject and pits club vs country but looking at it from the international players perspective, the demands on their bodies & minds is insane. Far too much rugby in an increasingly demanding sport which will have one certain outcome. Shorter careers caused by injury esp forwards?
Saracens are renowned for looking after the whole player, life, family, post rugby career etc etc. I'd be interested in their views as probably the most affected club?
Found this piece in Coventry Wasps Telegraph which whilst a year old makes some interesting points;

I mentioned Centralised Contracts but think I got away with it

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
Pimpernel44 22 May, 2017 13:04
Quote:
King Zak
Haskell to replace him - hmmm???

Haskell's just making up the numbers. The starting 8 will now be a Taff (well, a Tongan Taff anyway!)

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
Waldo 22 May, 2017 13:23
I wonder who will get called up to england to replace The Brand ?

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
The Substandard Biscuit 22 May, 2017 22:04
Billy did not play the last two weeks with a bad shoulder because the coaches told him to go there and picked him because they pay his salary, he played because of the team spirit, camaraderie and club culture in Saracens.
He could have got this done months ago, and miss the season run in to be fit for the Lions. A huge testament to him and the team that he didn't. He'd rather have a(nother) European Cup winners medals with all his mates, and help make sure they get one too.

I really hope he fixes quickly, and wish him well for a very restful summer. He's been absolutely immense this year, probably the best forward in world rugby when he's on his game, and not injured.

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
Dolph42 22 May, 2017 22:07
Spot on Biscuit.

Gats reckons his shoulder was popping out during games and that he was due for surgery in July regardless, which just shows his toughness and desire. He presumably took the wrong type of hit against Exeter which made it significantly worse and brought forward the surgery date - let's hope for a speedy recovery.

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
vigorniensis 24 May, 2017 15:51
I think the whole rugby world really hopes that Billy's body can recuperate properly before going out playing again. If his shoulder was "popping" out then it might take quite a long time.
Great match last Saturday - the boys did you, and them selves, proud.

See you at Sixways next year.

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
Waldo 29 May, 2017 16:48
Some of the NZ media aren't impressed !

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
Highbury Saracen 29 May, 2017 16:56
Quote:
Waldo
Some of the NZ media aren't impressed !

Nice to know the Kiwi rugby press are as one eyed as Australian press & Irish Independent & dont let facts get in way!! smiling smiley



European champions 2016 & 2017

Re: Billy V withdraws from Lions tour....
Seany_Boy0511 31 May, 2017 06:14
I'm pretty sure Billy would have played even with a dodgy shoulder but unfortunately he is out and it could be advantage new Zealand because of it


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