O'Driscoll: Targets Super Rugby swansong
Ireland veteran centre Brian O'Driscoll hasn't ruled out the possibility of ending his career with a swansong season in Super Rugby.
The 33-year-old Leinster star, who is contracted to the three-time Heineken Cup champions until 2013, is reportedly looking to have a crack at Super Rugby before he retires and - if all goes according to plan - could link up with the Waratahs in Sydney.
Former Leinster boss Michael Cheika was recently appointed new Waratahs coach, and the pair could be reunited following the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia in 2013.
The second most-capped international of all time, boasting 126 appearances for his country, admitted that he's made "minor inquiries" about playing a year of Super Rugby.
"The three best teams in the world make up the Super 15 and, and you look at the individuals and you look at the calibre of the sides and the quality of Super Rugby and the intensity of it, obviously it is a hugely high standard," O'Driscoll told The Daily Telegraph.
"My time might have passed on that front but I'm definitely a never-say-never sort of person.
"What excites me is the challenge playing against the calibre of player you are playing week in, week out down there," he added.
"That is an exciting prospect. But whether all the pieces fit, I don't know."
Comments
new_j4a says...
BOD would be a HUGE asset to any S15 team or for that matter any international team....but on the back line coaching staff. As one of the greats, it would be demeaning for him to take a playing spot with the only S15 teams that would have him even for free (Tahs, Kings).
Posted 07:58 18th October 2012
7ton says...
Stag
Yeah cowardly like you wrongly said about them being cowardly in the 2007 WC 1/4 final for not dropping goals. Rather ironic that Dan Carter dropped one to beat your Ireland in Christchurch. HaHa!
Posted 01:54 18th October 2012
quin_dub says...
Moving to S15 would cost O'Driscoll at least ¿1M - It will never happen. Under Irish tax law , a sportsman can, at retirement from the sport , claim back ALL the Irish taxes he paid from any 10 year period in his career. So if we take a very conservative ¿250k per annum avg over the last 10 years of his career (recent estimates put him earning ¿800k+ a year recently when sponsorship etc is accounted for) he'd be due back about ¿100k for each year on retirement (or ¿1M).
To qualify for this tax break he has to finish his career in Ireland. In reality he's probably due a much larger figure, so unless a S15 team (or any non-Irish team to be fair) is prepared to pay him the guts of ¿2M for the year it'll never happen
Posted 18:18 17th October 2012
turboboy says...
I don't think any SR wingers will want to play outside him because now he has lost his pace he runs laterally and gives the wingers no space. He should take a leaf out of Conrad Smiths book about smart centre play to benefit the team. Still offers a lot in defence I think but not suited to the SR IMO.
Posted 14:06 17th October 2012
stag says...
@kiwilad - umaga tougher than BOD? don't think so. underneath the tana's lovely girlish hair was a sly cowardly streak always trying to break out like it did in the 1st lions test in 05.
Posted 13:38 17th October 2012
Rosbif says...
In case anyone needed reminding, AB centres during the period 1999-2003 (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.
BOD (if he had been born in NZ) would have walked into those teams imo. Probably would have been a good shout for capt too!!
We saw how good Gibson and Mauger were at the end of their careers here up north. Don't expect BOD to be any different if he heads down south in 2013/4.
But that doesn't take away the fact they were all good players.
(Certainly better than any of us, I would wager!)
Posted 13:37 17th October 2012
northandsouth says...
He could add value, particularly in Sydney or Auckland. Conrad Smith was arguably the best player in Super Rugby 2012, which shows a player like BOD could thrive on sheer rugby intelligence, even if he is a little physically in decline relative to others out there.
Posted 11:43 17th October 2012
UBA05 says...
@jonesy2 You really get on my nerves. Dont start with me! I singled him out because let's face it, he wont be around for much longer and like it or not, for many a year to come, his name will be mentioned among the greatest centres to play the game.
To everyone else, That Super Rugby is a faster and higher quality comp than what they have up north is probably not in question. But even though he might not be as fleet of foot as he once was, you mean to tell me that you honestly think that O'driscoll couldnt cut it in the SR teams?? and im not only referring to the so called "crap" teams. Cmon we have our fair share of average centres running around
Posted 10:34 17th October 2012
GoWalesGo says...
The Waratahs, Rebels, Western Force, Kings and Cheetahs could use him (aka crap teams).
He isn't anywhere good enough for the rest though.
Posted 09:53 17th October 2012
krusada says...
Now that Nonu has left the Blues... John Kirwan is seeking some experience for his team... BOD would be perfect for them!
Posted 08:06 17th October 2012
hayj05 says...
I don't think he would embarrass himself at all. You look at some of the players in the struggling franchises & he'd still be a couple of classes above them, even at his age. Kind of like Mortlock with the Rebels. As long as his D is still solid, he'd go alright.
If he comes down then good on him. Don't mind seeing the "odd" NH player floating around Super Rugby, it's fascinating.
Oh & guys, if he wants to come for the challenge then heading to Japan wouldn't make much sense.
Posted 07:24 17th October 2012
2eyedkiwi says...
@wfgwoody - so why would he play for the Waratahs??
Posted 07:23 17th October 2012
wfgwoody says...
He just wants to beat a new Zealand team once before he retires
Posted 05:28 17th October 2012
damo says...
Bring Darcy if you go please Bod you legend
Posted 03:54 17th October 2012
jonesy2 says...
Theshaw -- im sorry Liam Messam was co captain aswell, do i still get full marks?
Posted 03:54 17th October 2012
jonesy2 says...
UBA05 -- why? there are plenty of other greater greats running around as we speak.
The TruthHurts-- sorry to play devils advocate but he has far from done everything, never won against the AB and never come even close to a world cup final
Theshaw -- The Mighty Chiefs. Craig Clarke. Land of the Long White Cloud. any other trivia questions?
Posted 03:53 17th October 2012
jonesy2 says...
ah good on him for the desire. although it really wouldnt benefit either party, especially the s15 side. he was a great player and in his prime he would have had something to offer at team, particularly a new team but that ship has sailed the force would have been perfect for him when they first came into the comp. now he would run the risk of embarrassment i wouldnt go as far as to say he would tarnish his career but it wouldnt be a pretty ending.
Posted 03:48 17th October 2012
The_Dange says...
Fair play to him if he does, don't think Leinster need him any more. Ireland need him more than they do imo. Would have liked to see him go to Otago instead but fair enough.
Posted 01:55 17th October 2012
kiwilad says...
Sirtidychris, at 38 Tana was still tougher than ODriscoll at 25...
Posted 00:41 17th October 2012
kennyisgay says...
Sorry BOD this ain't school boy rugby like you play up there. Even in your prime you would've struggled
Posted 21:44 16th October 2012