Veteran Lion: Brian O'Driscoll
Brian O'Driscoll has admitted that the failure to win the 2001 Lions series in Australia still leaves him frustrated.
The tour confirmed O'Driscoll's status as one of the best players in the British Isles, with the Leinster centre scoring an outstanding try in the first Test victory before the Wallabies recovered to win the remaining two Tests.
"The 2001 tour to Australia would have been a great highlight in my career if the Lions had won the series," said O'Driscoll to The Scotsman.
"That might sound strange because it was a great tour in many ways, but, for me, the more time goes by the less of a career highlight it becomes, and just more of a frustration.
"There are great memories, just from being on my first tour and that first Test in Brisbane will live long in the memory of course. It was fantastic to run out in a stadium in Australia rocking with fans in red. We knew we had a big following, but didn't expect that. And then to score and go on to win the first Test was incredible.
"But, the fact is that we should have won the second Test, and we put ourselves in a position to win it, and let the lead slip with a bad half of rugby. We came close, but just lost that third Test too, so when I reflect on it all I can see is a massive missed opportunity."
O'Driscoll returned from injury against Edinburgh on Friday and another Lions tour looms on the horizon for the 34-year old, with the Ireland captain still hungry to wear the famous red jersey.
"The age I am now I try not to look too far ahead. There is nothing like a Lions tour and it is a huge honour for anyone to be selected, but I think, as is the case with representing your country, once you have had that chance once you are more determined to get another crack.
"I try not to look back, but there is a big part of me that would like to experience the emotions of winning a Test series in this famous red jersey, and if I was asked to be captain again it would be impossible to turn down, even though there are huge stresses that go with it."
Comments
Irishzimbabwean says...
kennyisgay - a ridiculous comment about one of the finest gentlemen to wear a rugby jersey. One of the all time greats. He was asked a question - he answered it.
Posted 15:48 07th January 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
2001 is the one that hurts me the most too. We were good enough to win it, I think we had the better side but the whole of Austalia united and gave us absolute hell. Throw in Eddie Butler's catastrophic ghost writing of Austin Healey's news paper article on the morning of the third test. Graham Henry's spikey attitude and clunky by the numbers game plan colliding with certain English Irish and Scottish egos, (He blew it badly with the dirt trackers) and we didn't make things easy for ourselves either. There were heroes on that tour too Martin Corry coming out from Canada and playing himself into the test side deserves a mention for one, but the nastiness in the media and the foul play on the pitch makes Australia the one I want the lions to win.
Having said that. The wallabies have shown amazing depths on courage and resolve to remain the second best side on the world given their injury list and zero support from their own media, so we have a battle royale on our hands come June. It'll be epic.
Posted 11:07 07th January 2013
Trinats2 says...
leinster_goy:
"however, nobody gave the B&I Lions a chance before the tour began" maybe not in Ireland but they talked themselves up in the UK.
The side the Lions faced were not the same team that won RWC. New players from league came matt Rogers, Tiquri, Andrew walker also had Nathan grey and Elton Flatley to name a few ring-ins. Wallabies had a number of injuries, here is a headline from a news article prior to the second test
"Can the Lions wrap up the Test series today? Or will the wounded Wallabies draw level? Follow the action from Melbourne as it unfolds"
It will be a tight series, but can't see anything but a wallaby win, even with a second string side, AGAIN !!!!
Regards
One eyed Wallaby supporter !
Posted 21:53 06th January 2013
Houston_11 says...
@kennyisgay
What a ridiculous comment! What player isn't thinking the same thing in regards to the Lions? And what player from the 2001 tour wouldn't feel the same?
Very few players get to go on a Lions tour, and even fewer get the chance to say they won the series - BOD's comments are bang on. Less of your spite.
Posted 21:14 06th January 2013
curates_egg says...
Hey PR, don't be wishing his years away. BOD is not 34 for 2 weeks ;)
Posted 17:51 06th January 2013
kennyisgay says...
Surprise surprise, BOD thinking about me me me again
Posted 23:48 05th January 2013
leinster_goy says...
it's easy to be frustrated in hindsight, since that series went right to the wire. however, nobody gave the B&I Lions a chance before the tour began - that australian side were world champs, with gregan, smith, eales, etc at their peak. the Lions had lost dallaglio, greenwood and luger before the 1st test. the fact is they have a good chance of winning it this time, provided they avoid the mistakes of 2001 - not calling the aussies "neanderthals" would be a good start
Posted 15:16 05th January 2013