Brian O'Driscoll career winding down thread

[GunsGerms]

So far in the six nations he has been pretty good without being spectacular but has in my opinion once again justified selection and shown what he can offer. In case there was any doubt here are some of his highlights clips from the six nations so far:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddOhXr64wUs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Obviously BOD divides opinion. Some say he is over the hill and should have retired years ago some appreciate what he still offers to the teams he plays for. Whichever camp you fall into, the game v Italy will be his last game in the oldest rugby stadium in the world and he will become the most capped player of all time with 140 test caps so post your tributes here.

and a nice tribute on the road to Landsdowne here:

tribute:

BODs injuries over the years:

Injuries:

Awards:

Awards:

O'Driscoll's Predator boots:

Boots:

On his boots:
A&S - Amy and Sadie, his wife and daughter
Leinster - province
Ad astra - to the stars his club UCDs motto.

[Seagultaf]

Probably the best back in the northern hemisphere over the last 20 years. I first saw him as a teenager at St Helens in Swansea, even at that tender age he was the best runner, tackler, kicker and passer in the side, a real legend.

I really hope he does retire at the end of this season, lets remember him for the great player he was.

[rodders]

I think to some degree he should have retired but then he is still turning out good performances.

His 6N so far has been really solid if not spectacular ...and he did deliver a real master class against the Saints at Franklin gardens this year. Despite the 3rd test debacle he looked classy and sharp in most of his Lions performances in the summer albeit not on par with his inspiration 2009 form.

For me the best player I've seen bar McCaw and Carter and the greatest Irish sportsman period.

I feel lucky that I was around at a time to watch his career develop and witness the transformation in Irish rugby in parallel with this.

[SecretFly]

Two games to go (barring injury!). Too early yet for Goodbyes. Still a lot to fight for in these two games and him departing on a high will be much sweeter than him shuffling off in a losing side again.

He's an active ingredient in a current war for a title. No time for sentiment just yet.

[westisbest]

Nobody will ever forget when he really burst onto the scene in Paris and that hatrick.
 
Has been a real talent over the years.
 
Taken some hard knocks over the years, some bad injuries(a weaker man would have retired years ago). His body has been through a lot.
 
Huge passion for the game, true pro.
 
As has been mentioned would be some way to go out if he could produce another hatrick in Paris,  then holding aloft the 6N title.
 
A great way to end a great career.
 
(may actually put a bet on that, providing he plays).

[rodders]

He'll play....nothing would stop him playing in his final international.... other than Gats being coach.

[SecretFly]

I will say this............ ending his International career in Green (when there was initial talk that the Final!!!!   winning Lions game might be when he decided he'd achieved enough)...is quite special to me.  A distinctly Irish player ending his career in his Irish shirt, the one he began it in............. or maybe a size or two smaller than that one
I would have been quite hurt had he ended it all in a Red Lions one.

[Geordie]

Top class...

Is he right up there with Horan, Sella etc? I think so.

[rodders]

Come on he's better than Marcus Horan.

[majesticimperialman]

I really do hope this is his last season. In my opinion he should of retired after the lions tour last year.

He has been a great player for Ireland over the years. He will be hard to replace. But then again+ their have been a lot of great players over the years, for other countrys and i have said it before. how can that player be replaced?

I hope he a does have a great retirement. ( When he does retire ) That is.

[Notch]

This is Brian O'Driscolls fourteenth Five/Six Nations campaign, and so far he's scored in 11 out of his 13 previous tournaments.

Here's hoping he bags a try on Saturday to make that 12 out of 14 and add to his record of being the all-time tournament top try scorer. If he can get a try it would be his 27th in the 5/6N.

He's also set to overtake Ronan O'Gara for the record of most appearances in the Five/Six Nations on the same day as he overtakes George Gregan as the most capped international player of all-time. If he plays against Italy he will win his 64th cap in the 5/6N and his 140th overall, including test caps won on four Lions tours.

When you look at those stats, whatever your allegiance- whether you are a disciple of BOD or a doubter- you have to just applaud.

[Geordie]

Dont see how anyone can be a doubter to be honest. If they are, they're not very clued up on rugby...

[rodders]

What is there to doubt?

[dummy_half]

Very high class player. Also shows how you can develop as a player over the years - early on he was genuinely fast and with a great eye for a gap (as the Paris hat trick showed), but was maybe not a great defender. Has worked hard at improving his defence and his work at the breakdown to the extent that he is probably better than most flankers there, which has more than compensated for some loss of pace.

If the Irish RFU have any sense (and sufficient money), they should really find him a job in the coaching system - he's developed one of the best rugby brains around.

[SecretFly]

I really do hope this is his last season. In my opinion he should of retired after the lions tour last year.

He has been a great player for Ireland over the years. He will be hard to replace. But then again+ their have been a lot of great players over the years, for other countrys and i have said it before. how can that player be replaced?

I hope he a does have a great retirement. ( When he does retire ) That is.

It's official.  He's gone - Internationally speaking - after these next two games...if he gets to two (injury always lurking around the corner).  He has never said he's retiring in the past and turned around and instead played on.  He had feelings that he might declare at the end of last year and was emotional after the French game.  But he never declared anything.  This time he has.  It's over.

As for the Lions...ending it all having been dropped from the side by a Foreign Coach playing in a conglomerate Lions team?  Some 'honourable' end that would have been. Don't think his family would have liked that 'white flag' move.  He's said he has played mostly for them to make them proud.  Thankfully, we Irish aren't great at white flags.  Nope, this is the way to go out - win or lose.

[Geordie]

What is there to doubt?

Rodders, i was referign to thebelow comment

When you look at those stats, whatever your allegiance- whether you are a disciple of BOD or a doubter- you have to just applaud

Just saying if someone is a doubter about him...that person doesnt really have any kind of knowledge of rugby...

[Notch]

Everyone has doubters. In the case of a great player like BOD, they often say things like 'He's a legend, but he's not the player he used to be.' Many believers would quietly agree that the doubters have a point! Every athlete has a peak and age catches up to them all. I wouldn't necessarily welcome another season from BOD, I think he's leaving at just the right time. The thing is there have been those who have been saying things like that since 2008/2009.

But I'm delighted I'm going to be attending his last ever home test match- to pay tribute to a real legend. Let me tell you, if something like what happened to Paul O'Connell in the first week rules him out before kick off the sense of anti-climax in the crowd will be crushing.

We all want the fairy tale goodbye, one last famous midfield break to go under the posts and stretch that try scoring record... wouldn't it be fitting?

[fa0019]

Not sure if he would make a good coach... the top players very rarely make top coaches, the best seem to be inadequate players who are not naturals but work on game strategy.

Top class player mind.

Shame he never managed to get the IRB award, 2009 was his year (well vying with Du Preez) but the IRB had their nose permanently wedged up McCaw's backside they couldn't see straight. Did it again in 2011... proves true these "legends" who select the award are not up for the job.

[GunsGerms]

Not sure if he would make a good coach... the top players very rarely make top coaches, the best seem to be inadequate players who are not naturals but work on game strategy.

Top class player mind.

Shame he never managed to get the IRB award, 2009 was his year (well vying with Du Preez) but the IRB had their nose permanently wedged up McCaw's backside they couldn't see straight. Did it again in 2011... proves true these "legends" who select the award are not up for the job.

If it was based on fan voting he probably would have won it at some point. He has certainly had a better career than some on the list.

Amazing players dont make great coaches because they have nothing left to prove. Guys like Gatland that spent their career on the bench do.

[dummy_half]

FA
You say good coaches are often players who worked hard on game strategy - BOD did just that, and indeed I think is one of the finest players I've ever seen for doing the right thing at the right time. The difference was he was also a mightily talented player as well.

There are guys who have been great players that have gone on to be excellent coaches (Shaun Edwards, Kirwan), so I think BOD could have a role.

[fa0019]

FA
You say good coaches are often players who worked hard on game strategy - BOD did just that, and indeed I think is one of the finest players I've ever seen for doing the right thing at the right time. The difference was he was also a mightily talented player as well.

There are guys who have been great players that have gone on to be excellent coaches (Shaun Edwards, Kirwan), so I think BOD could have a role.

BOD is too natural a player. What they do, to them is easy... for the rest of the peers its near impossible or requires an awful lot of work.

That's why the very top players tend not to become standout coaches. There are some but very few. In football its the same. Look at Hoddle, Keane, Souness etc.

But if you look at it... Henry, Jones, White... all failed players. Woodward 2 caps for the lions but he was never classed as a top top player.

[GunsGerms]

FA
You say good coaches are often players who worked hard on game strategy - BOD did just that, and indeed I think is one of the finest players I've ever seen for doing the right thing at the right time. The difference was he was also a mightily talented player as well.

There are guys who have been great players that have gone on to be excellent coaches (Shaun Edwards, Kirwan), so I think BOD could have a role.

BOD is too natural a player. What they do, to them is easy... for the rest of the peers its near impossible or requires an awful lot of work.

That's why the very top players tend not to become standout coaches. There are some but very few. In football its the same. Look at Hoddle, Keane, Souness etc.

But if you look at it... Henry, Jones, White... all failed players. Woodward 2 caps for the lions but he was never classed as a top top player.

What about Mr Football Johan Cruyff? Really sucessful as a player and as a coach.

Franz Beckenbauer was quite sucessful as a manager too.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Not sure if he would make a good coach... the top players very rarely make top coaches, the best seem to be inadequate players who are not naturals but work on game strategy.

Top class player mind.

Shame he never managed to get the IRB award, 2009 was his year (well vying with Du Preez) but the IRB had their nose permanently wedged up McCaw's backside they couldn't see straight. Did it again in 2011... proves true these "legends" who select the award are not up for the job.

Dusatoir won in 2011 fa. Should have been Kaino in my opinion.

I agree McCaw shouldn't have been awarded IRB player in 2009 (2008 was his year and it seemed like pity for that in 2009). The year Ireland had and BOD suggests BOD was a far more fitting candidate that year. I didn't agree when Carter won it in 2012. However, I don't think people had too many problems with Kieran Read last year so maybe the criticism of the selection process in previous years didn't fall on deaf ears last year.

[TJ]

In 40+ years of following rugby he is perhaps the best player of the NH I have seen. great all round game, true sportsman, inspirational leader and a real funny guy. One of the all time greats no doubt at all.

""Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpLd-Vi8qZA

[fa0019]

Not sure if he would make a good coach... the top players very rarely make top coaches, the best seem to be inadequate players who are not naturals but work on game strategy.

Top class player mind.

Shame he never managed to get the IRB award, 2009 was his year (well vying with Du Preez) but the IRB had their nose permanently wedged up McCaw's backside they couldn't see straight. Did it again in 2011... proves true these "legends" who select the award are not up for the job.

Dusatoir won in 2011 fa. Should have been Kaino in my opinion.

I agree McCaw shouldn't have been awarded IRB player in 2009 (2008 was his year and it seemed like pity for that in 2009). The year Ireland had and BOD suggests BOD was a far more fitting candidate that year. I didn't agree when Carter won it in 2012. However, I don't think people had too many problems with Kieran Read last year so maybe the criticism of the selection process in previous years didn't fall on deaf ears last year.

Kia

Thats what I meant... it was another mess up, another token award.

[GunsGerms]

Dusatoir deserved it for being the first player coach to get to a world cup final.

[rodders]

Everyone has doubters.

Really? No one else seems to think so. Can you point them out?

[fa0019]

Everyone has doubters.

Really? No one else seems to think so. Can you point them out?

In terms of rugby players from outside of South Africa.... there are 50MM people who think you are Shi*e.

[rodders]

Everyone has doubters.

Really? No one else seems to think so. Can you point them out?

In terms of rugby players from outside of South Africa.... there are 50MM people who think you are Shi*e.

If you are referring to me personally, rather than BOD, then there's 7million people in Ireland who think I am shi*e.

[LondonTiger]

Brian O'Driscoll will go down in the rugby history books as one of the all time greats, due to both performances and longevity. In his pomp he was a wonder to behold, in his dotage the brain and the passion were able to counter the slowing in his legs. Of course he is no longer the player he was, that happens to all athletes. Saying such are not the words of a doubter, merely stating the obvious.

Now I have to admit my disquiet about people announcing their retirement before a tournament as too often all the attention is on the departing player, rather than the teams attempt to win a Championship. However I am rather glad that O'Driscoll's last game for Ireland was not against Italy last season. That was not the way for a great warrior to depart the scene.



On a side note, describing Aviva/Lansdowne rd as the oldest Rugby Stadium reminds me of Only Fools and Horses, when Trigger gets the award for using the same broom for 30 years.

[fa0019]

Everyone has doubters.

Really? No one else seems to think so. Can you point them out?

In terms of rugby players from outside of South Africa.... there are 50MM people who think you are Shi*e.

If you are referring to me personally, rather than BOD, then there's 7million people in Ireland who think I am shi*e.

Not BOD or yourself Rodders, just generally. To win over a saffa is a remarkable thing.

[LondonTiger]

Everyone has doubters.

Really? No one else seems to think so. Can you point them out?

I know I have read articles by NZ journos being less than effusive about him.

[GunsGerms]

On a side note, describing Aviva/Lansdowne rd as the oldest Rugby Stadium reminds me of Only Fools and Horses, when Trigger gets the award for using the same broom for 30 years.

I dont get it? First test match there was on 11 March 1878 v Engerland. Are you saying that is a pointless fact or that Landsdowne is a dump?

[LondonTiger]

It was the same broom. The head was changed 13 times, and the handle 11 times.

[GunsGerms]

It was the same broom. The head was changed 13 times, and the handle 11 times.

Ah Tiger. There was just one upgrade. Same pitch! I get you now though. Ha ha.

[profitius]

BOD, best Irish player of the professional era without a doubt. He isn't half the player he was and still got to play for the Lions and Ireland's first choice center.


I think he said that he is not going into coaching so he might walk away from the game altogether.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

The re-run of the BOD tributes has had more re-runs than the Great Escape at Christmas.

And I'll pay my last respects when he's finally gone.

But will this do?
The sooner he goes the better for Ireland.



















And the rest of us.
He was a great player.
But will he go? Has Joe got a man who can fill his boots?

[Scratch]

You could get to Mars in the time BOD's departure has played out. He's making Shane's retirement look positively hasty.

And on the 1,378th day he will rise again.....

[Thomond]

I'd disagree about him justifying his selcetion, it's more no one ois better thant what he has to offer about how good he has been. You can't have a reasonable conversation about that with most Irish people though.


A great man, great talent will go down rightly as our greatest and it will be sad to see him play in his last home game. Expecting him to play lights out though.

[Mr Bounce]

He has always been a joy to watch, even when he's been playing against us English! A fabulous, brilliant naturally-gifted player, the like of which we are unlikely to see for a while.

England would have LOVED to have had a player of his talents during the 00's. BOD & Greenwood could have been quite a combo...

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

Everyone has doubters.

Really? No one else seems to think so. Can you point them out?

In terms of rugby players from outside of South Africa.... there are 50MM people who think you are Shi*e.

If you are referring to me personally, rather than BOD, then there's 7million people in Ireland who think I am shi*e.

Not BOD or yourself Rodders, just generally. To win over a saffa is a remarkable thing.

Rodders, I think you are a lovely young man. And special. And my bundle of joy. I'm getting emotional just thinking about it.

[PredictorofTeams]

The most complete player of the professional era.
Sully thinks of all time!
http://www.newstalk.ie/Brian-ODriscoll-is-the-greatest-player-of-all-time--Eddie-OSullivan

[wolfball]

It was the same broom. The head was changed 13 times, and the handle 11 times.

Ah Tiger. There was just one upgrade. Same pitch! I get you now though. Ha ha.

Its actually a classic problem in philosophy...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_of_Theseus

[wolfball]

On BOD. He's a legend. I was on my way to a wedding when he scored the hattirck, listening on the radio and screaming with my da. I literally started playing rugby the next season (GAA up to then). I started as a 13 before moving to 7, and I would stare at him in every Ireland match and study the lines he took. The breath-taking trys he scared we all remember... But the ones where he put his head in the bottom of a ruck to score in the Grand Slam are the one's I thank him for the most. Love the man and while I think he's barely good enough to make this current Irish team, I will be applauding from afar his last two games.

[GunsGerms]

I'd disagree about him justifying his selcetion, it's more no one ois better thant what he has to offer about how good he has been. You can't have a reasonable conversation about that with most Irish people though.


A great man, great talent will go down rightly as our greatest and it will be sad to see him play in his last home game. Expecting him to play lights out though.

O'Driscoll made the second most yards of all Irish players v England. He beat players, was used as a crash ball option against guys much bigger and younger than him, contributed plenty of work around the ruck and passed and tackled very well. Granted it wasnt a perfect performance from him but watch the clip I posted above and tell me he hasnt justified selection.

O'Driscoll is 35 so to play with the intensity he did v England is pretty impressive. He outplayed his opposite number in all three games he has played so far. What more can you ask?

[GunsGerms]

On BOD. He's a legend. I was on my way to a wedding when he scored the hattirck, listening on the radio and screaming with my da. I literally started playing rugby the next season (GAA up to then). I started as a 13 before moving to 7, and I would stare at him in every Ireland match and study the lines he took. The breath-taking trys he scared we all remember... But the ones where he put his head in the bottom of a ruck to score in the Grand Slam are the one's I thank him for the most. Love the man and while I think he's barely good enough to make this current Irish team, I will be applauding from afar his last two games.

This is another great thing about BOD and you are living proof of it. Its the legacy he will leave behind in Irish rugby. Irish rugby and Leinster rugby will both be in rude health when he leaves and a large part of this is because of him. He played no small part in turning Leinster around over the last decade and inspired lots of kids like yourself to take up rugby. As a result we have the biggest and best player pool we have ever had in the history of Irish rugby.

[jimmyinthewell68]

he ll def be in the best team ever selection . just wonder if he go into coaching or a pundit

[fa0019]

he ll def be in the best team ever selection . just wonder if he go into coaching or a pundit

Best of his era in the NH. In terms of the world, I'd take Smith and perhaps even Fourie over him. Yes they played in better sides but they also competed against better players to get into and stay in the squad. To standout in a team of giants is a lot more difficult than in a lesser team. 3 worthy players though.

In terms of greatest ever 13. With chaps like Sella, Guscott, Gibson in the last 40 years alone in the NH I think its rather difficult if not impossible who was the greatest ever 13, well for me at least. Sella got over 100 caps in the amateur era.... with more games played no doubt he would have more had he bee around today (although he may have been more injured due to the additional size of the game) and lets not forget he was a standout player in a standout team.

[Notch]

Tbh, fa I would rate O'Driscoll higher because its harder to stand out in test rugby in the way he did if you're not an All Black or Springbok- Fourie and Smith have spent their career in sides that have had better coaches and been surrounded with better players and not stood out like BOD did from 2000 to 2007 so it cuts both ways of course. I'd argue the opposite- to stand out in a lesser team is a real achievement.

Understand where you are coming from re. caps though  

[Thomond]

I'd disagree about him justifying his selcetion, it's more no one ois better thant what he has to offer about how good he has been. You can't have a reasonable conversation about that with most Irish people though.


A great man, great talent will go down rightly as our greatest and it will be sad to see him play in his last home game. Expecting him to play lights out though.

O'Driscoll made the second most yards of all Irish players v England. He beat players, was used as a crash ball option against guys much bigger and younger than him, contributed plenty of work around the ruck and passed and tackled very well. Granted it wasnt a perfect performance from him but watch the clip I posted above and tell me he hasnt justified selection.

O'Driscoll is 35 so to play with the intensity he did v England is pretty impressive. He outplayed his opposite number in all three games he has played so far. What more can you ask?

BOD beat players against England? He took it up on the crash and was reasonably effective other than that he did little. He offers no outside attacking threat, defenders stand off and drift as they know he can't take him on and beat them one v one. We don't have anyone better than him is the problem. He is a decent option but extremely limited in what he can do.

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