Too far: Brian O'Driscoll
Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll has ruled out participating in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, describing the event as "18 months too far."
33-year old O'Driscoll is currently recovering from ankle surgery but is due to return for Leinster and Ireland in the New Year, with a fourth Lions tour on the cards to Australia in June.
O'Driscoll's statement indicates that he plans to retire at the end of the 2013/2014 season, whilst many expect O'Driscoll to call time on his glittering career after the Lions tour next year.
"It's weird, coming in I was very relaxed, no pressure's on it because I don't for a second anticipate that I'll have any involvement (in the World Cup). But something stirs you deep down. I think it's probably 18 months too far," O'Driscoll told The Irish Examiner.
"I think it's fair to say I'm not going to make it. If I did, I'd be as shocked as you would be, so it's best if I just say, no, it's highly unlikely."
"I don't know (about retirement) because I haven't even wanted to contemplate next year because I'm not playing. It's hard to talk about that (when likely to retire) when you're not playing.
"So when I get into Six Nations camp, hopefully I'll get back playing and see how that works out, see how the body feels. It's funny, I was sitting there today and still I was enthusiastic. A little bit of you is resigned to the fact that you're not going to be there, but it doesn't mean you don't want to be.
"It's just the body can only last so long and we'll see how much longer I can get out of it. If I'm still at the level I need to be at to play international rugby, I'll continue playing because I still enjoy it.
"But I need to know when to call it a day as well, I need to listen to this (his body)."
Comments
rugby_rockstar says...
Yep, people always hark back to his 2000 and 2001 international seasons, but some of the play he's put together for leinster over recent seasons has been a joy for all neutrals to watch and proven he can still cut it at a high level.
Posted 13:54 13th December 2012
APV1 says...
There is no doubt, at least to actual rugby fans, that BOD is one of the greatest 13s ever to grace our game. Anyone who suggests otherwise is a berk.
@ tha_mai - perhaps. But John Hayes probably deserves one too for a similar incident involving Ronan O'Gara.
Posted 15:52 07th December 2012
ferdie says...
Rosbif says... 1999-2006 Let's not kid ourselves. These were not vintage years of AB rugby.
You're so right; the All Blacks winning percentage for the years you quoted dropped to a lowly 82%, winning only 76 of their 93 matches.
The next best was England 70%, while Australia 64%, South Africa 55% and France 61% were also all enjoying a vintage phase 1999-2006.
Again, let's not kid ourselves!
Posted 11:08 06th December 2012
ferdie says...
atg77 - as before, I admire what BO'D has achieved with ireland, and he has not had the luxury of being on too many winning sides, 59% in fact. So very difficult to make comparisons with who is 'greatest'
I'll leave it at 'one of the greats' and still hope to see him with B&I Lions next year.
Posted 11:03 06th December 2012
three6three6 says...
It is impossible to talk about great players until they have confirmed their greatness on the pitch. Brian O'Driscoll is certainly a great player - no matter what measure of greatness is used.... and yes, he would have walked into any All Black team at the top of his game. He has been a very fine player in his position, an inspirational player to the rest of the team, a very fine captain and an outstanding role model. His shear determination to overcome injury and let his form do the talking are a lesson to us all.
There are disappointments of course - his injury in 2005 in New Zealand with the Lions.... the last Lions tour to South Africa and the lost series. BUT let us all utter the rugby prayer that we have not seen the last of BoD and that he regains his rightful place wearing the Red of the Lions against the Wallabies in 2013 for one last hurrah.
Posted 02:48 06th December 2012
gazzabok says...
@ atg77 - Jacque Fourie has a better strike rate. And he's a centre. And better than BOD.
Posted 15:38 05th December 2012
atg77 says...
44 tries in 126 tests for a centre is a very impressive statistic. The only centre who had close to that kind of strike rate was Scotland's Alan Tait... 17 in 27 tests. Odrisscoll could turn a game on its head in his prime... best player ever?
Posted 12:19 05th December 2012
spike19 says...
jonesy2
Its obvious that if you really think those players are ahead of BOD then you have not been following the man's career. Its not so hard to look like a world class centre with an Allblack pack in front of you. BOD along with a few other players has illuminated Irish rugby and world rugby in a way that no one else has in his position. He is the highest scoring centre ever with 46 tries. At 33 he is still one of the best 13s in the world, maybe Conrad Smith has been ahead in the last 2 years but he is surrounded by an almost world XV. Gets some facts before you make unfounded statements.
Posted 10:12 05th December 2012
froggy73 says...
Guys, please forget jonesy2, he does not know anything about NH players nor NH rugby. I personally laugh everytime I read his posts on here.
Posted 08:44 05th December 2012
side_stepper says...
BOD..undoubtedly the finest No. 13 in the game. Herbert not far behind, he just didn't play as long. Umaga and Mortlock both wing converts so they msii out..:)
Posted 06:21 05th December 2012
ferdie says...
BO'D has been a fine player over the years, but time catches up. Hope to see him play again next year I intend to see the last 2 Lions tests in Australia.
Anyone have thoughts on his career after rugby?
Posted 00:36 05th December 2012
pog_mahone says...
Jonesy2 if you're not interested then don't feel obliged to read and post your trollish comment. Are you STEPHEN Jones perchance?
that mai - if Umaga's such an outstanding sportsman why did he and his thug pal Mealamu intentionally set out to seriously injure O'Driscoll by driving him into the ground off the ball. O'Driscoll was out injured or out of form for 2 years after that. He always played and behaved with class, which is more than can be said for Umaga.
Posted 19:19 04th December 2012
Rosbif says...
Hypothesis. If BOD had been born in NZ, jonesy2 would be saying he was one of the greatest players of all time.
Rationale. In case anyone needed reminding, AB centres during the period 1999-2006 (which one could argue was BOD's peak) were guys like Robinson, Alatini, O'Halloran, Gibson, Iremia and Mauger, and early days on the bench for Nonu and Carter. Cullen, Leon MacDonald and Umaga were being shifted to play at 13 to cover the deficiencies. Captains during that time were Randell, Oliver, Blackadder, etc. Let's not kid ourselves. These were not vintage years of AB rugby.
Conclusion. BOD (if he had been born in NZ) would have walked into those teams. Probably would have been a good shout for captain too. Umaga, fine player that he was, would have stayed on the wing and never even have played 13.
Posted 19:19 04th December 2012
heathy says...
@ jonesy2 - I agree this is a bit of a non story so must be a slow day for news. Talking of news, what is the big headline for the new Waratahs player who is so so good and is far better than O'Driscoll? I'm assuming you don't mean Israel Folau as he is coming from league and has no union experience so as you are right on it with anything rugby you wouldn't mean him as that's just daft. Then again...... Actually, who has said O'Driscoll is the best 13 ever (apart from Centre12)? Hey, he's up there with some of the best but the best? Naaah. Your list was going quite well until you mentioned Adam Ashley Cooper in amongst it. Oh dear.
For the Irish though, this was inevitable. Even though he is getting near the end, I'm sure he could still do something for the Lions as he wont be quaking in his boots facing the current Aussie centres (once they have actually decided who is going to play there).
Posted 17:56 04th December 2012
heart_of_oak says...
Jonesy, you could have been a bit more gracious, don't you think ? O'Driscoll has been a fabulous servant to Irish rugby, the Lions and the game as a whole. In this brief report he's asked about his views on the world cup draw and he's saying it's probably too late for him - 18 months too late. So a great player is acknowledging that he's probably coming to the end of his career. For my part I see this as a valid and worthwhile story with plenty of direct quotation from a man who has done a hell of a lot for the game.
Tha_Mai - I never knew that about Tana Umaga. What a terrific bloke. Do you have any links to that, assuming the incident was televised ?
Posted 17:56 04th December 2012
scarletsweapon says...
legdend
Posted 17:53 04th December 2012
sirtidychris says...
For me o' driscoll is the greatest, its always hard to get that tag when your a NH player and perhaps Martin Johnson is the only other NH guy who could mount a credible challenge for that title in his position.
BOD is the highest scoring centre in the history of the game, the second most capped player in the history of the game and has the most tries in the history of the six nations. He has won the european cup 3 times (top try scorer in 2009) captained ireland to the grand slam in 2009 (top try scorer) and been a lions tourist 3 times. Along the way he has won International Try of the Year awards and been named in numerous dream teams and named player of decade by professional bodies and magazines.
You can always argue for other greats and people have personal opinions but to say he isn't there or there abouts is ill-informed.
Posted 17:51 04th December 2012
99call says...
Firstly Jonesy2 you do not have any idea when it comes to saying who is the best 13, some of your names are top class but when you put Ashley Copper in there your credibility just dissappears. The mans a legend and will go down as one of if not the best 13 of all time.
Secondly he is right to retire before the next RWC I dont care how fit you keep yourself you're not able to compete in the centres at 36. It will be one of the sadest days in Irish rugby when he hangs up his boots but I think it should be after the Lions next year so we can move on and get a settled midfield come the RWC Personnaly I want to see Tommy Bowe in there
Posted 16:08 04th December 2012
jonesy2 says...
im sorry but get this non story off the front. a far better player just signed for the waratahs. no disrespect he is a good player but saying he is the best 13 ever is just shear hilarity. probably not even in the top 5 im afraid, i mean he is behind the likes of smith, mortlock, umaga, bunce, little, adam ashley cooper. but i personally hope he plays on if he is good enough because once you go you go.
Posted 14:34 04th December 2012
macte says...
I don't understand why he should retire: he's still a kid!
Posted 14:11 04th December 2012