Warren Gatland's philosophy on selections of players

“It’s not always the most talented players you need, it’s the guys with the most heart. That’s been a big part of it for me. I’d rather pick a team of good blokes who would die for each other than superstars with egos who are just in it for themselves.

“I think there’s a little bit of a football mentality in rugby in places. Clubs spending money on the big-name players whereas I’ve always felt you’re better off spending the money on the environment. Get that infrastructure right and worry about the players afterwards. I’d rather have an extra analyst, an extra conditioner, an extra coach, the right medical staff, the right facilities, proper food and nutrition than spending money on two or three quality players."

Tend to agree with this.

Remember Gatland is a Kiwi and they know the tricks of the trade when it comes to team selections.   

Yes Mike the NZ coaches seem to have generally an extra gift for coaching, an inner rugby nous or instinct for strategy, they tend to be more creative, whether we like to admit it or not.

But at last SA has a similar coach in Rassie who's approach is similar ,unlike Meyer, Jake, Coetzee and old PDV. Although Jake is creative at times ie with the Bulls style of play but this does not always work and coaches must vary their styles accordingly and be adaptable to who they are playing.

I suspec t Gatland is going for a more quicker, running and attacking approach against the Boks and not the grinding game against the Boks

Gatland is rated ...Warren Gatland voted the greatest ever rugby coach - Rugby World

Others say ...Rassie Erasmus among world's greatest-ever coaches

"I’d rather pick a team of good blokes who would die for each other than superstars with egos who are just in it for themselves."

If that's the case, why are Itoje and Farrel in the team?

He means balance and generality Draad, obviously that does not mean drop ALL your stars, if you get the gist of his context. He's a clever coach and it indeed does work more often than most think, that's why you get upsets. Eddie Jones (Japan) against Meyer (Boks).

Georgia nearly beat Ireland (very close) in 2007 WC in Bordeaux. Heart is strong in a side can be very powerful. My old school never lost a game (against a Natal school) for nearly 10 years under a coach Skonk Nicholson and it was obviously not always the best players but the strong spirit injected by the coach. It's like a good military unit...the will to win.

Gatland is right in what he says. 

Did you get the gist of my?

I was just stirring a bit.

And yes, heart is IMO the most important ingredient. That's why PSDT got promoted into the starting team. Rassie acknowledged that he changed his mind about PS after seeking his impact on team dynamics. Rassie is also a shrewd rugby mind...Pity the Southern Hemisphere don't have a combined team touring the North every 4 years.