I WANT TO BE WORLD’S BEST
‘Stubborn’ O’brien hopes to get back to peak against Pumas
SEAN O’brien admits his stubborn streak is pushing him to return to his peak as one of the best players in the world.
The 31-year-old starts for Ireland against Argentina tomorrow – his first appearance in green in a year.
It’s been a frustrating period as he has watched the side achieve a Grand Slam and win a tour in Australia in his absence through injury.
But the Tullow Tank is back and, if he goes well against the Pumas, he will get to take on the All Blacks – who have a genuine respect for what he brings.
Joe Schmidt said: “He’s still on that upward tangent. That’s what I’m hoping.
“He’s up and running and so I’d be really hopeful he’s going to take another step. Watching him train, he’s bustling about the place.
“He looks like he’s taking up a bit of space on the pitch – that’s exactly the sort of Sean O’brien you want to see.
“I’m not surprised. He’s a stubborn man and once he’s made his mind up about getting back to where he needs to be, he commits fully to things.”
O’brien is named in a stellar back row that includes Peter
O’mahony and CJ
Stander – and in a pack that is fully changed from the one that put Italy to the sword last Saturday, he has built up game time at Leinster having returned from hip and groin injuries. With a nod he acknowledges Schmidt’s assessment of him. He said: “I’m stubborn in terms of I know what I want to achieve in my career.
“Obviously going through what
I’ve done in the last year, I’ve assessed where I am and where I want to be.
“Starting from now and in the future, I’ve set myself little goals and I don’t want to take a step back from that.
“I want to keep building nicely. That’s the stubborn part, where I won’t give in to it. I want to get back to being one of the best players.”
Earlier, Tadhg Furlong explained what it is the Carlow man brings to the team.
He said: “Seanie adds a massive amount to the group, not just through experience.
“But also through his leadership, adding a constant voice.
“I know he’s been through a tough time through injury, but it’s great to see him back and as vocal as ever through his high-pitched voice.
“And, I suppose leading us around the pitch.”
Schmidt is in agreement. The boss added: “He has a contagious confidence.
“He’s robust, he’s experienced and people see him doing things on the pitch and go, ‘Yeah, I can get into this game on the back of that’.”
The sacrifice will be worth it if he lasts the pace in the upcoming games this month.
O’brien said: “Playing for your country is the pinnacle. Every chance you get to pull on the green jersey is a special one.
“I’ve an opportunity to wear it this week and I have to do a good job of it.
“I can’t keep saying, ‘Oh, I missed out on this, I missed out on that.’ I have to look forward.
“Obviously, you have mixed emotions when there’s stuff that happened, like last year.
“But you’re so happy for the lads, the effort they’ve put in.
“It means everything. When the national anthem comes on, you think of family,
friends, people who’ve helped you in good times and bad times – all of the setbacks you’ve had and to get back again.
“There’s a good bit of emotion tied to the whole thing.
“Over the last year, I realised how important it is to enjoy every opportunity you get.
“It’s making the most of the time you have.
“That’s probably the thing I’ve been telling myself, to make sure you go out and do your best every time. That probably makes it even more special. You’re doing it for a reason, to be successful.”