Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

O'Brien sticking by controversial 2017 Lions tour comments

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Former British & Irish Lions flanker Sean O’Brien is sticking by comments he made after returning from the Lions’ drawn 2017 series in New Zealand, insisting Gatland’s men should have come away with a 3 – 0 victory over the then World Champion All Blacks.

ADVERTISEMENT

O’Brien’s comments were taken as an attack on Gatland’s coaching strategy and came despite many believing the Lions were lucky to come away with a drawn series in the most difficult of all countries to tour.

Speaking to Garry Doyle of The42.ie, O’Brien is standing over his comments four years on. “I know it caused controversy at the time but my opinion hasn’t changed, we could have won that series 3-0.”

Video Spacer

Will James Ryan starting for Ireland send the Irish media and fans into a frenzy?

Video Spacer

Will James Ryan starting for Ireland send the Irish media and fans into a frenzy?

“When you look at the players we had – there was so much world-class talent in the squad, enough to have won all the Tests. I know all about the history, how the Lions have only won seven Tests or something like that in New Zealand over the years.

“But look at what has happened to New Zealand since 2017. They’re still a brilliant team. But we (Ireland) beat them in 2018; South Africa beat them down there in 2018, Argentina had their win last year, England destroyed them in the (2019) World Cup.

“Think about it. The Lions not only had the best of England but also Ireland, Scotland and Wales. That’s where I was coming from; we had the players to do it. I didn’t intend to insult or undermine anyone by saying that. I certainly don’t want to do that this time because Warren’s a good coach, the right man to lead this tour. But do I still think we could have won 3-0? Yeah, I do.”

Last weekend Romain Poite revealed to RugbyPass that he got the crucial decision in the Third test, an accidental offside call, wrong. It was a decision that favoured the Lions and left many New Zealanders feeling like the series should have gone their way.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Many people called me after the game and told me: ‘That was a mistake, but it was justice, the right decision to make’ (for the series to be drawn),” Poite told Jamie Lyall and RugbyPass.  “Even the World Rugby staff management gave me this call. But I said that I am paid to make a big decision at the end of the game. That was my concern.

“I can promise you when I went back to the changing room, I destroyed everything, because I was angry against me. That tour was a human story with Jerome Garces, Jaco Peyper and many people, as in 2013 with Craig Joubert and Chris Pollock [the referees who took charge of the other Tests]. I felt the refereeing in this tour, 2017, was great. And what will we remember? Just the last decision of the tour.”

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

S
SK 9 hours ago
What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Set pieces are important and the way teams use them is a great indication of how they play the game. No team is showcasing their revolution more than the Springboks. This year they have mauled less and primarily in the attacking third. Otherwise they have tended to set like they are going to maul and then play around the corner or shove the ball out the back. They arent also hitting the crash ball carrier constantly but instead they are choosing to use their width or a big carrying forward in wider areas. While their maul is varied the scrum is still a blunt instrument winning penalties before the backs have a go. Some teams have chosen to blunt their set piece game for more control. The All Blacks are kicking more penalties and are using their powerful scrum as an attacking tool choosing that set piece as an attacking weapon. Their willingness to maul more and in different positions is also becoming more prominent. The French continue to play conservative rugby off the set piece using their big bruisers frequently. The set piece is used differently by different teams. Different teams play different ways and can be successful regardless. They can win games with little territory and possession or smash teams with plenty of both. The game of rugby is for all types and sizes and thats true in the modern era. I hope that administrators keep it that way and dont go further towards a Rugby League style situation. Some administrators are of the opinion that rugby is too slow and needs to be sped up. Why not rather empower teams to choose how they want to play and create a framework that favours neither size nor agility. That favours neither slow tempo play or rock n roll rugby. Create a game that favour both and challenge teams to execute their plans. If World Rugby can create a game like that then it will be the ultimate winner.

35 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Watch: Springbok Arendse brutally runs straight through defender to score on Dynabours debut Watch: Arendse brutally runs straight through defender
Search