IT’S HARD TO believe, but five weeks ago, Carlow native Sean O’Brien didn’t even look certain to play a part in the Rugby World Cup, let alone likely to stamp his inimitable ball-carrying authority all over Pool C.
In light of his turbulent pre-tournament preparations, then, the flanker can take particular satisfaction in being named the official Rugby World Cup “Player of Pool C”.
Fending off stiff competition from Sergio Parisse and David Pocock, O’Brien was selected “despite performing in the unfamiliar openside position” and because:
“he has been a rampaging ball of destruction in his first Rugby World Cup, whether in attack or defence, and looks set to enhance his reputation as the last eight teams standing do battle in the knockout stage.”
Described as “probably the best ball-carrying back-rower in the world today,” O’Brien also takes his place alongside teammates Cian Healy and Paul O’Connell in the Sydney Morning Herald’s “Team of the Rugby World Cup Pool Stages”.
Healy’s selection is particularly impressive, given it came at the expense of the mighty Tony Woodcock’s exclusion.
Why do Leinster posters on here keep reminding everyone that it’s never a full strength Leinster team for these fixtures?
@Adrian Breen: I was just thinking the same! I don’t understand it. There’s people trying to say this Leinster selection isn’t fully loaded. Of course it is! Obviously there’s still one or two guys that miss out through injury but that doesn’t change the fact it’s a full strength selection.
@Eagle Eye: and it’s worth saying, Munster are also short some players through injury, but it’s also a full strength selection.
@Adrian Breen: I am only speaking for myself. But read the entire post. My point is that even though there are 2 players in the team that are not first choice, theybdo not weaken the selection. If you don’t like my choice of words to make that point and thereby miss the point entirely, that’s on you.
@Adrian Breen: just stating a fact I suppose
Leinster should win by a score… but then this is Leinster v Munster and there is no script. Munster are always hard to beat in these fixtures and always but always find an extra gear against fully loaded Leinster teams. This is not a fully loaded Leinster team, but their 2 derby debutants Liam Turner on the wing and Lee Barron at hooker are not weak links in any way. Turner has always performed well and is an excellent defender. Moving to wing is a natural next step in his development like many before him. He reminds me alot of Fergus McFadden. Barron has yet to put a foot wrong and his set piece work has been very good to date. Now he gets to do it as part of one of the best packs in the world. I predict a close game, but a win for Leinster.
@Paul Ennis: interesting that you compare McFadden and Turner as wings. I always thought McFadden would have made a far better center (and more 12 than 13) than wing. He had strength, reasonably good hands but not the pace needed for wing. Of course, it was the time of Dorce/Drico pair and there was no question (rightly) of breaking up that pair. McFadden was pushed out to wing – he was often exposed there particularly at INTL level. The little I’ve seen of Turner, looks like a very promising 13. I guess injury has meant he’s needed there today but I hope for his sake that he gets chances in his best position.
@Paul Ennis:Munster seem to start the league slow but then go into another gear as we get into the season so this early in the league may be a step too far ..but as you say they always step up for this challenge …am hoping for a classic massively intense game. JGP moving that ball quickly off rucks and taking the ball wide, Munster absorbing intense pressure and turning over Leinster at the breakdown. Crawley and Crowley on point with boot. Really good to see Crawley at flyhalf . Him and Osborne are my two favourite players in that team at the moment…good luck and let’s home for a cracker..
@Paul Ennis: it is a fully loaded Leinster team. There’ll always be injuries here and there and one or two players that miss out.
@Michael Corkery: I think that is exactly why he reminds me of McFadden. He is a good centre, but he has 3 internationals blocking his path to regularly starting. This move is injury enforced but, like McFadden, Turner has super acceleration, unbelievable strength and an eye for the try line. He won 34 caps, mostly on the wing and had a better record than the likes of Luke Fitzgerald or Simon Zebo! I do not agree regarding McFadden’s defence. He was a solid defender.
@Eagle Eye: It is the strongest available, but when you have a centre in his first appearance on the wing, 3rd / 4th choice hooker, no Joe McCarthy and your 3rd and 4th choice 10s filling the subs bench, it is not fully loaded. However, the main point of my post was that I feel these changes DO NOT weaken Leinster. Yet you focus on the phrase I used to lead into my point! Maybe try reading more than 1 line.
Looking forward to the game also cant wait to see o hearn return