O’Brien was right to poke at the beast
WE bemoan the determination of sportspeople to say little of interest. And take this on trust: it is a cause of constant frustration. No matter what the sport or the profile of the subject, they will invariably adopt a cautious tone shaped by clichés and gobbledegook.
When a star steps out of the bubble wrapping and says what he thinks, controversy blazes like a bog fire.
Bravo Sean O’Brien. He is to be commended on two points. First, he had the gumption to say what he believes.
Instances of this happening are rare and consequently they must be savoured.
Secondly, O’Brien’s words have managed to provoke hilariously pompous reactions from champions of the Lions. There is no more self-regarding blowhard than one who sees themselves a guardian of the red jersey, and they have worked themselves into lathers at the cheek of the Leinster and Ireland loose forward.
There is a level of preciousness among the Lions fraternity that tolerates no contrary view, but thankfully their desire for totalitarian levels of obsequiousness to a higher ideal is limited in its appeal. The substance of O’Brien’s criticism has been hotly disputed, with allies of Warren Gatland producing training statistics designed to challenge the player’s contention.
He is nonetheless entitled to his opinion and, while it may horrify some bores, his candour should be celebrated.