O’brien out to seize his chance as Lions prepare for battle
Flanker adds muscle to side for Crusaders clash Rowntree allays fears over Warburton fitness
One man’s calamity is another’s opportunity, and even though the latest bulletins on injured Lions captain and flanker Sam Warburton are upbeat, the reality is that the prospects of Sean O’brien have been enhanced by the difficulties being experienced by the Wales back-row forward.
Warburton has played little rugby and will need to be in tip-top condition for the first Test on June 24, even if scrum coach Graham Rowntree was trying to allay fears over his participation yesterday.
“We saw him in game one, he hurt his ankle a bit in that game, and he’s not able to train fully at the moment, but I’ve watched him train next to us, doing some rehab running, and he’s working hard,” Rowntree said. “He’s just having a few days out of the twisting and turning, but he’s training hard.”
Even so, Warburton’s struggle ensures that O’brien is well aware of the significance of today’s game against the Crusaders, both for the credibility of the tour, which is in need of a boost, and the pressing of his own claims to the No7 shirt.
O’brien has had his own injury problems, but has shaken off the calf problem that has delayed his first appearance on tour. His recovery is timely, for the Irishman is just the sort of thundering presence that the Lions need.
Even though there was more clatter to their play in Auckland on Wednesday they have yet to set the opposition back on their heels. O’brien has the potential to do just that, a different sort of player than Warburton, and more multi-faceted in that he is at ease in any position across the back row.
“That makes the odds a bit better in my favour, doesn’t it?” said O’brien with a chuckle. “Any opportunity I’m given I’m going to do what I can do. Warby is captain but, as you’ve seen a few years ago, anything can happen, and it’s about putting your best foot forward and making sure your hand is up for selection. That’s what I want to do.
“I want to be in the Test side, as does every other player. I’m not going to be banking on Sam being injured or not, I’m going to try and play my game and hopefully that’s good enough to be selected.”
O’brien did just that in Australia four years ago, coming on in the second Test and starting in the decisive third, which Warburton missed through injury. At his best, there are few more powerful and destructive players, and there is a growing sense that the Lions need to assert themselves physically rather than try to go toe-to-toe or offload-to-offload with the Kiwis, who are masters of the counterattacking game.
O’brien has the necessary presence and has already made an impression. “Sean is class and a proven performer, as we saw on the last tour,” said Rowntree. “He brings many attributes to the game on both sides of the ball. I like his energy in the group. He’s an impressive character.”
The Lions need those sorts of individuals to come to the fore over the next fortnight, whether or not Warburton is fit. The management have already run the rule over possible replacements as captain, were Warburton not to pass muster, from today’s captain, Alun Wyn Jones, to the likes of Rory Best or even Owen Farrell, a natural leader in all that he does. Rowntree added: “There are a few candidates that we spoke about initially when we considered tour captaincy, so there are some other guys we can call upon.”
O’brien has played his part as one of the senior figures, and will also be able to draw on his experiences of playing the All Blacks, even if he did miss Ireland’s victory against them in Chicago. “There are younger guys out here and you just pick them up straight away [after a loss] and brush them off,” said O’brien. “There’s no point dwelling or sulking over something at this stage. We don’t have the time for that. It’s pretty hectic and you have to move on very quickly.”