“YOU CANNOT WRITE your own script. Other people write it for you.”
So says Brian O’Driscoll in his excellent column in the Telegraph today. The Lions centre is searing and honest in his reflection of a tough week in his life; the first time in his professional career that he was dropped. The first time, too, that he can call himself a Lions Test Series winner.
O’Driscoll watched from the sidelines as 23 of his teammates thumped Australia 41-16 to take the best-of-three series and end a 16-year wait for glory. He played a big role in the first two Tests and made 23 tackles, missing none, as the Lions and Wallabies split the fierce encounters.
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Speaking to Sky Sports today, before he went to rejoin his teammates, O’Driscoll said Lions coach Warren Gatland backed his decision to recall Jamie Roberts and move Jonathan Davies into the outside centre position.
He commented, “People are entitled to their opinion. You’re always going to have, in anyone’s tour or your career, ups and downs, disappointments or contentious decisions to make. Leaving certain people out or including other guys.
“The team that Warren picked went out and scored 41 points against and Australian team so you stand by your results, I guess.
“I suppose knowing that Jamie was coming back from injury and Manu [Tuilagi] was back [on the bench], that there was always the chance of being omitted and the fact that he went with a combination that has played together a lot of times, you have to just suck that up. It wasn’t an easy thing to hear but life goes on.”
O’Driscoll talks to Sky Sports in Sydney.
The television cameras often swung to O’Driscoll during a tense game that the Lions eventually ran away with. Fittingly, the Irishman looked uneasy as the Aussies fought back in the second-half and overjoyed as Jonathan Sexton, George North and Roberts sealed the series.
“This is never about one person,” O’Driscoll added. “For you, you’re the only one that really cares when you are excluded from the team. The other guys that are in the 23 have to be able to get on with the job and worry about it themselves.”
The had my full support, of course. This is never about one person; other guys that are in the 23 have to be able to get on with the job and worry about that themselves. It was a disappointment but it’s the guys that don’t make the 23 that make or break the tour. You can’t mouth words and then not live them when it’s your turn.”
O’Driscoll’s desire is to go out on further winning notes with Ireland, then Leinster as, similar to the 2005 tour to New Zealand and his shoulder injury, the country’s leading try-scorer hates Lions hangovers.
True indeed. It was the wring call to leave BO’D out because in tight games he is crucial. As it turned out, he wasn’t needed but that does not vindicate Gatland’s decision (no-one expected to win by that margin).
We won’t see his like again. Ultimate respect to the best this country has ever produced. Everything he does both on and off the field is laced with class. Good on ya drico
We’ve never seen his like before, and the chances of us producing another undisputed worlds best in his position is slim, at least not until we’re pushing up daisys. We will continue to produce great players, but 13+ years at the top…..
Poor oul nidge, the skill you need to focus on is the English language. You’re nearly there but you need a couple more lessons in order to be an effective troll. Shite bag.
Oh yeah… An oval ball and lots of body armour…
Nothin wrong with a good owl siltoir the best, most skillful sport in the world. Hurling is for real men, real men with an actual talent.
@Dave Chappelle wannabe: why the need to insist that one sport is for real men and another isn’t? Why can’t you accept that all sports are challenging in their own way. Yes hurling requires incredible skill and speed but I’d like to see Henry Shefflin stand in the way of a 20 stone tank of a man charging full pelt.
Anyone that makes it to an elite level in their chosen sport deserves respect.
Well Henry wouldn’t just have to stand there like an untalented meat head like rugby players.
He would be pacing up and down the field in the fastest ball playing sport in the world.
Yes that involves skill.
Not just pushing, touching and groping other oversized meat heads.
I hardly proved anything for you and you saying I did doesn’t make it so. My point is that ALL sports are challenging and require skill. If rugby was so simple we’d all do it. You’re assumption that it’s all about being bigger than the other guy proves how little you know about the sport. Peter Stringer is hardly a giant now is he?
Frank is he as slow as that stupid game of rugby?terrible game terrible, I don’t no if it’s my hangover or just the thoughts of people actually liking that shite you call rugby.
Andrew how were you privileged to watch this gack. He picks up the egg and runs,with it. Jumps over the huge line and takes shots at the huge goal. The faster and bigger you are . The better you are.no skill involved Compare drico to actual skillful sporting heros. (messi,ronaldo,mayweather)
Oh dear Nidgeweasel, hope your spirits lift up soon. Poor chap, it must be hard living in a world that you simply don’t understand. But keep trolling if it keeps you happy & smile with every red thumb.
Its amazing how you cant see the hypocrisy and irony in your comment Gerry classing rugby fans as all snobs and yet at the same time displaying an unbelievably snobbish attitude towards the sport.
True legend of sport. Its how you react to the lows of sport aswell. Its his first time he has had to do this on a personal level and he handled like we knew he would. The arrogant Welsh fans on twitter and Facebook would do well to take heed. I have to say i am looking forward to seeing his reaction when we play Wales in the six nations. I guarantee you he has a stormer
Sick of listening to fellas on about rugby and their precious lions, pretentious knobs that probably don’t even know 50% of the rules, they just want to be seen to be rugger fans!
BOD is a top guy, a lot of class, but people saying he is the greatest sportsman we produced is laughable. Rugby is a minority sport played to a high level in only a handful of countries.Roy Keane was a big fish in a lake, BOD was a big fish in a puddle.
3 days later and the score is still on about the bloody lions. They won, BOD got dropped, get over it !
Talk about flogging a dead horse ! I bet the Dublin hurlers won’t get as much coverage as the egg chasers ! Sure put 2 monkeys in a field , give them a ball and they could play rugby and have a higher IQ than whole Lions squad put together !
I love his last comment – “I’ll always have Lions series winner on my CV, that’s what counts”. And unlike anyone in the Wallabies side, B O’D more than likely knows what a CV is. He might even have written one. You’d be hard-pressed to find one Wallaby that could spell CV…
Rugby is a REAL MANS’ game …..soccer is for nancy boys & the Gaa is for those who are neither MEN or nancy boys……now what are ye males going to do about this comment.?????
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This guys is a legend and a gent!
True indeed. It was the wring call to leave BO’D out because in tight games he is crucial. As it turned out, he wasn’t needed but that does not vindicate Gatland’s decision (no-one expected to win by that margin).
We won’t see his like again. Ultimate respect to the best this country has ever produced. Everything he does both on and off the field is laced with class. Good on ya drico
Can I borrow your time machine please. “Never see the likes of him again”???
We’ve never seen his like before, and the chances of us producing another undisputed worlds best in his position is slim, at least not until we’re pushing up daisys. We will continue to produce great players, but 13+ years at the top…..
Give theo wallcot steroids. He be better then Drico. No skill involved in rugby. Trash garbage game. Not a sport
#moron troll
“You’re” clever
Poor trolling yet again.
Who do you play for?
Poor oul nidge, the skill you need to focus on is the English language. You’re nearly there but you need a couple more lessons in order to be an effective troll. Shite bag.
As they say in the states,soccer is for ladies,the oval ball for real men.
Oh yeah… An oval ball and lots of body armour…
Nothin wrong with a good owl siltoir the best, most skillful sport in the world. Hurling is for real men, real men with an actual talent.
Even the trophy looks metrosexual.
Give me the liam or Sam anyday!
@Dave Chappelle wannabe: why the need to insist that one sport is for real men and another isn’t? Why can’t you accept that all sports are challenging in their own way. Yes hurling requires incredible skill and speed but I’d like to see Henry Shefflin stand in the way of a 20 stone tank of a man charging full pelt.
Anyone that makes it to an elite level in their chosen sport deserves respect.
@Matt Groening wannabe.
Well Henry wouldn’t just have to stand there like an untalented meat head like rugby players.
He would be pacing up and down the field in the fastest ball playing sport in the world.
Yes that involves skill.
Not just pushing, touching and groping other oversized meat heads.
So thanks for proving my own point.
Your a real pal ;-)
We do we’re mad lads
We are the Rovers Casuals
I hardly proved anything for you and you saying I did doesn’t make it so. My point is that ALL sports are challenging and require skill. If rugby was so simple we’d all do it. You’re assumption that it’s all about being bigger than the other guy proves how little you know about the sport. Peter Stringer is hardly a giant now is he?
See my vest, don’t worry he’s just a bit slow. Or hopefully for him he’s just pretending to be.
Rugby requires no skill. End off
Frank buffalo. What a shit name. It goes hand in hand with your shit sport. I mean game because it aint no sport.
Frank is he as slow as that stupid game of rugby?terrible game terrible, I don’t no if it’s my hangover or just the thoughts of people actually liking that shite you call rugby.
Forgot to take your EPO Nidg…!
Mike gibson was best 13 in the world. So can see it happening again.
The trolls are out in force today – who let them out of their cage??
Trolls don’t live in cages you idiot, they live under bridges get your facts right.
Oh I may never recover…sobs…
Really? That was it?
Sobs. What are you American. Rugby is shite.
Try harder. Think more.
C’mon you can do it!
Yes American people are great to look up to. Fool
Or in your case Eddie, a sad little darkened bedroom learning how to type while you wait for your mum to tell you your dinner is ready…
Lacrosse is a faster field ball game than hurling !
C’mon you can do better.
True, but gaelic football should be renamed gaelic handball.
Absolute privilege in being able to watch him perform. He will be talked about for generations.
Andrew how were you privileged to watch this gack. He picks up the egg and runs,with it. Jumps over the huge line and takes shots at the huge goal. The faster and bigger you are . The better you are.no skill involved Compare drico to actual skillful sporting heros. (messi,ronaldo,mayweather)
Oh dear Nidgeweasel, hope your spirits lift up soon. Poor chap, it must be hard living in a world that you simply don’t understand. But keep trolling if it keeps you happy & smile with every red thumb.
Would you be impressed if the line was smaller?
I’d say you’re non stop refreshing this craving replies and attention
You really don’t
Its amazing how you cant see the hypocrisy and irony in your comment Gerry classing rugby fans as all snobs and yet at the same time displaying an unbelievably snobbish attitude towards the sport.
Yes. Smaller line be harder to score. Should only be,aloud score under the goal bar. And they should be aloud bash each other if they have a problem
That’s my favourite comment on this thread! Very simple, just like rovers fans:-)
True legend of sport. Its how you react to the lows of sport aswell. Its his first time he has had to do this on a personal level and he handled like we knew he would. The arrogant Welsh fans on twitter and Facebook would do well to take heed. I have to say i am looking forward to seeing his reaction when we play Wales in the six nations. I guarantee you he has a stormer
Egg chasing untalented meat head
Some of the BOD supporters on The Journal could learn a thing or two from his magnanimous attitude in this interview too – class all the way.
“You can’t mouth words and then not live them when it’s your turn”
Wish all Irish men lived by this motto.
The true embodiment of the word sportsman.
Is it too early for BOD for President?
He would be a great president!
Roy Keane, this is how a true sports man behaves when things don’t go his way.
Sick of listening to fellas on about rugby and their precious lions, pretentious knobs that probably don’t even know 50% of the rules, they just want to be seen to be rugger fans!
BOD is a top guy, a lot of class, but people saying he is the greatest sportsman we produced is laughable. Rugby is a minority sport played to a high level in only a handful of countries.Roy Keane was a big fish in a lake, BOD was a big fish in a puddle.
What a pro, should be given job to work with young sport stars of future, a certain cork footballer could have done with him!!!
obviously a number of people who have no clue about rugby commenting on this topic,
rugby is awesome
3 days later and the score is still on about the bloody lions. They won, BOD got dropped, get over it !
Talk about flogging a dead horse ! I bet the Dublin hurlers won’t get as much coverage as the egg chasers ! Sure put 2 monkeys in a field , give them a ball and they could play rugby and have a higher IQ than whole Lions squad put together !
OMG some world class trolling on this !!!
Or maybe we don’t agree wit the majority? So does that make us trolls?
Rugby is terrible anyway
Gentleman and sportsman, credit to Irish rugby. Still hate him e
When he plays England, ok until 10 mins after the final whistle.
Future Ireland coach? Even if he isn’t, you just know that the rest of his life is going to be dedicated to the sport no matter what.
Next time, how about The Irish Wolfhounds Versus The British lions………………
I love his last comment – “I’ll always have Lions series winner on my CV, that’s what counts”. And unlike anyone in the Wallabies side, B O’D more than likely knows what a CV is. He might even have written one. You’d be hard-pressed to find one Wallaby that could spell CV…
Rugby is a REAL MANS’ game …..soccer is for nancy boys & the Gaa is for those who are neither MEN or nancy boys……now what are ye males going to do about this comment.?????
Wolfhounds or Lions???