Brian O'Driscoll to return home
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Re: Brian O'Driscoll to return home
It's such a shame that BOD was never part of a winning Lions tour. It shouldn't affect his legacy though because he was one of the top performers in both tests this year. He will go down as a Lions legend.
Re: Brian O'Driscoll to return home
BOD blasts de Villiers
01/07/2009 - 00:07:09
Brian O’Driscoll has blasted South Africa coach Peter de Villiers following controversial comments that suggested the Springboks boss condoned eye-gouging.
De Villiers said he felt Springboks flanker Schalk Burger did not warrant a yellow card after he made contact with the eye area of British and Irish Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald during last Saturday’s second Test.
Burger was subsequently cited and banned for eight weeks, and de Villiers issued an apology for his post-match remarks.
But Lions centre O’Driscoll, who flies home injured from the tour tomorrow, said: “When I heard those comments yesterday I wondered how someone can get away with something like that.
“Irrespective of any apology, I find it an absolute disgrace that a coach of a national team can make comments as he did about gouging being part of the game.
“Someone made a really good point to me that kids or parents watching an interview like that, questioning whether they should have their kid play rugby or soccer, that’s their decision made right there.
“To hear a national coach saying in any shape or form, gouging is acceptable in the modern-day game is despicable.
“I find that mind-boggling that you can have a national team coach saying something like that. Essentially, it brought the game into disrepute.”
O’Driscoll suffered concussion during the Pretoria clash, ruling him out of the third Test at Ellis Park on Saturday.
It ends an otherwise outstanding season – he led Ireland to the RBS 6 Nations title and a Grand Slam, in addition to winning the Heineken Cup with Leinster - on a low note.
“I always felt that this would be my last Lions tour,” he added.
“But at the same, you see (35-year-old Lions lock) Simon Shaw and think well, there’s hope. I don’t know, maybe I’ve been a little bit tainted by a little bit of success this year.
“What I hate is that essentially that’s the last chapter which will prey on your holidays a little bit.
“That’s the taste that is left in your mouth – it’s defeat in a series with the Lions, having won the Slam and the Heineken Cup. It is disappointing to think that you win those two in a year that you lose a Lions series.
“In another year you would be on a complete high throughout the whole summer, whereas now you’re left with the feeling that I’ve been involved in three Lions tours and I’ve lost the three of them.”
Despite the Lions suffering their third successive Test series defeat, O’Driscoll said: “I’ve had a brilliant tour, and I think that says an awful lot about whatever the management have done and the group of players too.
“It has been an incredibly enjoyable tour, way more than the other two (in 2001 and 2005).
“Lions tours are based on the success of the (Test) series, but at least this time around there has been more to it than the previous tours.
“I’ve enjoyed the other factors that maybe I didn’t enjoy in the first two.”
Unlike in 2005 though, after O’Driscoll was speared-tackled out of contention in the first minute of the opening Test, he will not remain on tour this time.
“I’ve learned an awful lot from four years ago about not staying around after your tour has finished,” he said.
“I stayed for a fortnight (in 2005), and I look back and that was not my smartest move.
“If I am not going to be on the training pitch at least trying to help the team win the third Test, there is no need for me to be hanging around.”
http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/bod-bl ... JzjBPdJG&D
01/07/2009 - 00:07:09
Brian O’Driscoll has blasted South Africa coach Peter de Villiers following controversial comments that suggested the Springboks boss condoned eye-gouging.
De Villiers said he felt Springboks flanker Schalk Burger did not warrant a yellow card after he made contact with the eye area of British and Irish Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald during last Saturday’s second Test.
Burger was subsequently cited and banned for eight weeks, and de Villiers issued an apology for his post-match remarks.
But Lions centre O’Driscoll, who flies home injured from the tour tomorrow, said: “When I heard those comments yesterday I wondered how someone can get away with something like that.
“Irrespective of any apology, I find it an absolute disgrace that a coach of a national team can make comments as he did about gouging being part of the game.
“Someone made a really good point to me that kids or parents watching an interview like that, questioning whether they should have their kid play rugby or soccer, that’s their decision made right there.
“To hear a national coach saying in any shape or form, gouging is acceptable in the modern-day game is despicable.
“I find that mind-boggling that you can have a national team coach saying something like that. Essentially, it brought the game into disrepute.”
O’Driscoll suffered concussion during the Pretoria clash, ruling him out of the third Test at Ellis Park on Saturday.
It ends an otherwise outstanding season – he led Ireland to the RBS 6 Nations title and a Grand Slam, in addition to winning the Heineken Cup with Leinster - on a low note.
“I always felt that this would be my last Lions tour,” he added.
“But at the same, you see (35-year-old Lions lock) Simon Shaw and think well, there’s hope. I don’t know, maybe I’ve been a little bit tainted by a little bit of success this year.
“What I hate is that essentially that’s the last chapter which will prey on your holidays a little bit.
“That’s the taste that is left in your mouth – it’s defeat in a series with the Lions, having won the Slam and the Heineken Cup. It is disappointing to think that you win those two in a year that you lose a Lions series.
“In another year you would be on a complete high throughout the whole summer, whereas now you’re left with the feeling that I’ve been involved in three Lions tours and I’ve lost the three of them.”
Despite the Lions suffering their third successive Test series defeat, O’Driscoll said: “I’ve had a brilliant tour, and I think that says an awful lot about whatever the management have done and the group of players too.
“It has been an incredibly enjoyable tour, way more than the other two (in 2001 and 2005).
“Lions tours are based on the success of the (Test) series, but at least this time around there has been more to it than the previous tours.
“I’ve enjoyed the other factors that maybe I didn’t enjoy in the first two.”
Unlike in 2005 though, after O’Driscoll was speared-tackled out of contention in the first minute of the opening Test, he will not remain on tour this time.
“I’ve learned an awful lot from four years ago about not staying around after your tour has finished,” he said.
“I stayed for a fortnight (in 2005), and I look back and that was not my smartest move.
“If I am not going to be on the training pitch at least trying to help the team win the third Test, there is no need for me to be hanging around.”
http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/bod-bl ... JzjBPdJG&D
"It's all fun and games 'till someone loses an eye, then it's just fun you can't see" - James Hetfield
Re: Brian O'Driscoll to return home
yeah but four years ago there was so much shite being spouted about his injury it was bound to be a distraction. I think that he should have stayed, his injury requires no specialist treatment and no co-ordination with his club physios or doctors. In fact it requires him resting for two weeks, nothing more. Unless, of course he has a significant injury in which case then by all means he should come homeOscar wrote:Leinsterman wrote:tate wrote:slightly confused by this decision. Fact is there is still a tour going on, and he's walking out on it. Even if he didnt want to play i think he should have stayed on the extra week. But obviously it's his decision and if it means he comes back next season as well as he did this year then im all for it
He's probably the type who doesn't want to distract the other players in their preparation for the final test. Nothing worse than an injured player moping around the rest of the team.
He can concentrate on his rehab and put his feet up for a few weeks. He owes the Lions nothing.
4 years ago he stuck around after being injured out in the first test, and a lot of people seemed to think that was a mistake as he was a distraction to the players, media and supporters following the tour.
Go on, give us a goo! https://twitter.com/DebRugby - rugby from Europe's eastern fringe.
Re: Brian O'Driscoll to return home
His tour is over, he's had a long season filled almost to the brim with success, he's not the captain this time around and he's newly engaged. If he wants to go home, he's earned the right to make the call. He's given mind, heart and body to his teams this year, and there's nothing left to give.
In my opinion, despite being on the losing side of the test series, he was better than Matfield in both tests, better than du Preez in the first and probably just a little short in the second. As they're his two chief competitors so far for IRB World Player of the Year [along with Rocky, who hasn't yet played international rugby this year] – in my opinion – hopefully he gets the award this year to cap off a phenomenal season.
In my opinion, despite being on the losing side of the test series, he was better than Matfield in both tests, better than du Preez in the first and probably just a little short in the second. As they're his two chief competitors so far for IRB World Player of the Year [along with Rocky, who hasn't yet played international rugby this year] – in my opinion – hopefully he gets the award this year to cap off a phenomenal season.
Re: Brian O'Driscoll to return home
bloody right - with Rocky having a holiday down under BOD should get this....hugonaut wrote:His tour is over, he's had a long season filled almost to the brim with success, he's not the captain this time around and he's newly engaged. If he wants to go home, he's earned the right to make the call. He's given mind, heart and body to his teams this year, and there's nothing left to give.
In my opinion, despite being on the losing side of the test series, he was better than Matfield in both tests, better than du Preez in the first and probably just a little short in the second. As they're his two chief competitors so far for IRB World Player of the Year [along with Rocky, who hasn't yet played international rugby this year] – in my opinion – hopefully he gets the award this year to cap off a phenomenal season.
Re: Brian O'Driscoll to return home
I've a feeling Du Preez will win it. If S.A. win the 3N I would definitely consider him the favourite. Undoubtedly top class and has been for a few years now, put in a man of the match performance in winning the S14 including 2 tries, has been the best player in a Bok side that has just won a Lions series....if they win the 3N and he has a good tournament it would be quite likely for him to win. BOD has been top class undoubtedly but if S.A. win the 3N then Du Preez will have achieved the southern hemisphere equivalent of BOD plus he's won a Lions series.
Re: Brian O'Driscoll to return home
ceemec wrote:I've a feeling Du Preez will win it. If S.A. win the 3N I would definitely consider him the favourite. Undoubtedly top class and has been for a few years now, put in a man of the match performance in winning the S14 including 2 tries, has been the best player in a Bok side that has just won a Lions series....if they win the 3N and he has a good tournament it would be quite likely for him to win. BOD has been top class undoubtedly but if S.A. win the 3N then Du Preez will have achieved the southern hemisphere equivalent of BOD plus he's won a Lions series.
What if O'Driscoll wins man of the match in a win over the Boks in November, though?
A lot of rugby left to play, but winning a Grand Slam and the HEC puts O'Driscoll as the front runner early on. There's also the "lifetime achievement" aspect to it; it might be their last chance to give it to BOD.
Re: Brian O'Driscoll to return home
Think the life time achievement could play heavily in BOD's favour but not sure how much influence it will have if S.A. win the tri nations. Although I don't think a date has been set there's a good chance the awards will take place before the Ireland S.A. match. They took place last year before the end of the autumn series also. Sure we'll see I suppose. Would love him to win it.Oscar wrote:ceemec wrote:I've a feeling Du Preez will win it. If S.A. win the 3N I would definitely consider him the favourite. Undoubtedly top class and has been for a few years now, put in a man of the match performance in winning the S14 including 2 tries, has been the best player in a Bok side that has just won a Lions series....if they win the 3N and he has a good tournament it would be quite likely for him to win. BOD has been top class undoubtedly but if S.A. win the 3N then Du Preez will have achieved the southern hemisphere equivalent of BOD plus he's won a Lions series.
What if O'Driscoll wins man of the match in a win over the Boks in November, though?
A lot of rugby left to play, but winning a Grand Slam and the HEC puts O'Driscoll as the front runner early on. There's also the "lifetime achievement" aspect to it; it might be their last chance to give it to BOD.
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Re: Brian O'Driscoll to return home
I'm not trying to be a smartarse but does anybody actually care who wins the Tri-Nations?ceemec wrote:I've a feeling Du Preez will win it. If S.A. win the 3N I would definitely consider him the favourite. Undoubtedly top class and has been for a few years now, put in a man of the match performance in winning the S14 including 2 tries, has been the best player in a Bok side that has just won a Lions series....if they win the 3N and he has a good tournament it would be quite likely for him to win. BOD has been top class undoubtedly but if S.A. win the 3N then Du Preez will have achieved the southern hemisphere equivalent of BOD plus he's won a Lions series.
Re: Brian O'Driscoll to return home
I hope Australia win. The other two are too bloody arrogant for my liking, they make the Aussies seem modest!LeRouxIsPHat wrote:I'm not trying to be a smartarse but does anybody actually care who wins the Tri-Nations?ceemec wrote:I've a feeling Du Preez will win it. If S.A. win the 3N I would definitely consider him the favourite. Undoubtedly top class and has been for a few years now, put in a man of the match performance in winning the S14 including 2 tries, has been the best player in a Bok side that has just won a Lions series....if they win the 3N and he has a good tournament it would be quite likely for him to win. BOD has been top class undoubtedly but if S.A. win the 3N then Du Preez will have achieved the southern hemisphere equivalent of BOD plus he's won a Lions series.
Donny B's right bring back the old smilies!