“I was hurting because I’m very close to Brian. I care a lot about him and I’m completely biased, obviously, in my opinion towards the man.”
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The former Munster player spoke of his “hugely rewarding friendship and camaraderie” with O’Driscoll, to a level which he “probably hasn’t enjoyed with any other player at international level”.
While O’Gara acknowledged that the likes of Tuilagi were greater impact players than O’Driscoll, he still struggled to see the logic behind Warren Gatland’s thinking in discarding the Irish legend for this Saturday’s third test.
“I didn’t understand how he would be left out because I think one of the most under-respected attributes in sport is presence, and Brian has that in spades.
“For such a big match, he’s not going to do much on an outside break, but if you give him a rook situation three yards from the line, he’s going to get over for you.”
He said that O’Driscoll was “probably the most respected player there” and hinted he wouldn’t “feel as much part of it” should the Lions win, given his own experiences of struggling to savour victories after being left out of teams.
He continued: “It’ll take a few weeks for this decision to sink in for Brian and for the conclusions he’s going to draw to become relevant.”
He claimed that “it’ll come out in time how Brian feels [about being dropped]” and suggested Jonny Sexton’s game may suffer somewhat on account of him not having a familiar face lining up alongside him.
However, while the former Ireland international has reservations about the side’s lack of leadership, he believes they will ultimately just about prevail.
“I was always very confident the Lions would win the series, and I still think they will,” he said.
Nice words from Rog. Have to admit earlier in the week there was a big part of me that wanted the Lions to lose to show up what a terrible rugby decision it was to drop BOD. As I have calmed slightly since Wednesday morning, due to the Irish lads in the frame in reality I would hate to see them hurting after a loss – so the ideal situation would be for the Lions to win by a point and for Jonathan Davies to play s h i t e. nothing personal against him but just to prove the guy who cant even use a ladder properly wrong!! Still lots of anger….Gatland do not ever enter the island of Ireland again, except when you are bringing your Welsh team here next year to get beaten up and down Landsdowne road- then be gone with you forever when you get the sack.
Oh calm down Stuart. Gatland is a tosser pure and simple. Any Irish rugby fan thinks so at the moment. I’m finding it hard to want the lions to win too. I simply don’t want to see that smug look on Gatlands face.
ROG..LEGEND, BOD…LEGEND! The Lions victories are based around legendary players. Ordinary players don’t win Lions tours. Gatland is an ordinary coach wasting a group of great players. Dismissing the greatest player of our generation? He just doesn’t get it!
I have a feeling that if the Lions win, O’Driscoll may think the same Roy Keane did after Man United won the Champions League in 99. Keane always said he doesn’t believe he won it due to being banned for the final. And BOD is a winner like Roy Keane was. The will to win got their teams over the line on so many occasions. It’s a commendable trait and I hope I would be wrong if the Lions win tomorrow.
I support Irish rugby – not this sham. It just doesn’t capture the imagination. It’s pretty much Wales v Australia now too which makes it a joke. I just hope the Irish players come back with no more injuries.
Whatever your thoughts are about the Lions, are your own. Anyone watching Brian O’Driscoll play over throughout his career knows exactly what series win would mean to him.
Personally I don’t like the lions, Sky Sports has ruined it on me. However if this team wins I hope him being dropped does not take it away that he was part of a tour that won a test series in the southern hemisphere.
Great words from ROG,o Driscoll out wev lost a leader his presence & experience cannot be under estimated,his defense is rock solid obvious his not same player he was but he can still change a game on 6pence!! In my eyes gatland is a complete w****r his anti-Irish since he was chopped from Irish job!! I actually hope lions get hammered just shove it up his h**e d d gimp
BOD is as everyone keeps saying, not the same player, he’s a different player thats all. His defence is immeasureably better than it has ever been & his head works 2 gears ahead of the best of whats out there, his speed is not what it was as a fresh 21yr old but who’s is? Anyway, still hope the Lions win tomorrow, just can’t see it.
Peter you can’t be an Irish rugby fan and not ‘get’ the lions!! Doesn’t matter how many are from Wales , when they put on the red jersey they become lions!!!!
If you don’t get the Lions you don’t get Rugby and therefore can’t call yourself a fan. All you have to do is look at what it means to the players involved and no longer involved for various reasons, BOD, POC, CH etc.
I used to love the Lions mate but Sky Sports has ruined it on me. Of course to be selected on the test squad means so much to players but come on, you have to admit you can’t wait to see the back of all the sh*ite thats been on sky for the last six weeks.
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Nice words from Rog. Have to admit earlier in the week there was a big part of me that wanted the Lions to lose to show up what a terrible rugby decision it was to drop BOD. As I have calmed slightly since Wednesday morning, due to the Irish lads in the frame in reality I would hate to see them hurting after a loss – so the ideal situation would be for the Lions to win by a point and for Jonathan Davies to play s h i t e. nothing personal against him but just to prove the guy who cant even use a ladder properly wrong!! Still lots of anger….Gatland do not ever enter the island of Ireland again, except when you are bringing your Welsh team here next year to get beaten up and down Landsdowne road- then be gone with you forever when you get the sack.
Yes….that should work, little island vitriol and a racidt attitude. …growing up soon are we?
Oh calm down Stuart. Gatland is a tosser pure and simple. Any Irish rugby fan thinks so at the moment. I’m finding it hard to want the lions to win too. I simply don’t want to see that smug look on Gatlands face.
ROG..LEGEND, BOD…LEGEND! The Lions victories are based around legendary players. Ordinary players don’t win Lions tours. Gatland is an ordinary coach wasting a group of great players. Dismissing the greatest player of our generation? He just doesn’t get it!
Well said ROG, Gatland is a muppet for leaving O’Driscoll out of the team what a MUPPET….
I have a feeling that if the Lions win, O’Driscoll may think the same Roy Keane did after Man United won the Champions League in 99. Keane always said he doesn’t believe he won it due to being banned for the final. And BOD is a winner like Roy Keane was. The will to win got their teams over the line on so many occasions. It’s a commendable trait and I hope I would be wrong if the Lions win tomorrow.
I wouldn’t draw comparisons between a European Cup final and a commercial demo game between one country and four.
Yeah the European cup is a charity event…
Back in your box Pete.
Good point Peter, the Lions sells bucket loads of replica jerseys but haven’t won a tour since ’97 the brand is strong though!
I support Irish rugby – not this sham. It just doesn’t capture the imagination. It’s pretty much Wales v Australia now too which makes it a joke. I just hope the Irish players come back with no more injuries.
Whatever your thoughts are about the Lions, are your own. Anyone watching Brian O’Driscoll play over throughout his career knows exactly what series win would mean to him.
Personally I don’t like the lions, Sky Sports has ruined it on me. However if this team wins I hope him being dropped does not take it away that he was part of a tour that won a test series in the southern hemisphere.
Very good read
Great words from ROG,o Driscoll out wev lost a leader his presence & experience cannot be under estimated,his defense is rock solid obvious his not same player he was but he can still change a game on 6pence!! In my eyes gatland is a complete w****r his anti-Irish since he was chopped from Irish job!! I actually hope lions get hammered just shove it up his h**e d d gimp
BOD is as everyone keeps saying, not the same player, he’s a different player thats all. His defence is immeasureably better than it has ever been & his head works 2 gears ahead of the best of whats out there, his speed is not what it was as a fresh 21yr old but who’s is? Anyway, still hope the Lions win tomorrow, just can’t see it.
Well done Paul, very appropriate picture!
Thanks Conor!
Peter you can’t be an Irish rugby fan and not ‘get’ the lions!! Doesn’t matter how many are from Wales , when they put on the red jersey they become lions!!!!
If you don’t get the Lions you don’t get Rugby and therefore can’t call yourself a fan. All you have to do is look at what it means to the players involved and no longer involved for various reasons, BOD, POC, CH etc.
I used to love the Lions mate but Sky Sports has ruined it on me. Of course to be selected on the test squad means so much to players but come on, you have to admit you can’t wait to see the back of all the sh*ite thats been on sky for the last six weeks.