O’SULLIVAN: WE REALLY MUST LEAVE THAT TACKLE IN THE PAST
EDDIE O’SULLIVAN made a vain attempt yesterday to stop his country’s simmering sense of injustice over the Brian O’Driscoll spear tackle saga from erupting at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.
The Ireland coach named an adventurous young side for the first of three autumn Tests, then insisted they would launch a tide of controlled fury at the revamped All Blacks. A mood of menacing expectation hangs heavy in the Dublin air as a result of the fall-out from the Lions series in New Zealand, but O’Sullivan responded with a clear message — we will remain detached, focused on victory, not revenge.
Ever since O’Driscoll was upended by Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu in the opening seconds of the first Lions Test in Christchurch — leading to the shoulder injury which ended his tour — this match has had extra resonance. Neither All Black was punished, neither man publicly apologised, while new video footage released recently, along with revelations made in the Ireland captain’s book, have stoked the fires once more.
The matter has become well worn, but will not be laid to rest until Graham Henry’s tourists have run the gauntlet of public hostility at Lansdowne Road. Privately, O’Sullivan hopes the last blast of this stopstart storm can somehow blow the All Blacks off their Grand Slam cours e f o l l o w i n g t h e 4 1 - 3 demolition of Wales. Publicly, he has dismissed it as an issue.
‘That is not a factor,’ he said yesterday. ‘That happened five months ago, it’s over and done with. If we are thinking about what happened five months ago then we won’t be thinking about Saturday’s game.’
Not content with emphasising his team’s commitment to looking forward — rather than back in anger — O’Sullivan has demanded the same from the Irish supporters.
‘The crowd at Lansdowne Road have always been fantastic,’ he said. ‘They can be a great help, but I don’t think there’s any value in booing anybody. You have two groups of professional athletes representing their countries and I hope the fans just come to enjoy it.’
Later, All Blacks coach Graham Henry was asked again about the spear tackle controversy and about the prospect of an aggressive reception for his team on Saturday. His response was that of a man who has grown weary of the row.
He snapped: ‘ If it’s continually dredged up in the media there’s going to be a reaction. If there’s a reaction we’ll just take it on the chin. We have our sympathies for Brian and what else can we say?’
The All Blacks will field an entirely different XV in Dublin to those who ran riot at the Millennium Stadium, in the interests of development and staying fresh.
Nick Evans will make his first start in the fly half shirt and prop John Afoa earns a debut on the back of a fine Super 12 campaign with Auckland Blues. Jason Eaton has been plucked from the Taranaki NPC team for a first cap in the second row — where he will be expected to combat Ireland’s lineout threat.
Henry admitted the team was chosen with one eye on the next World Cup, saying: ‘We’re putting 15 players on the field to fulfil the major criteria of the tour, which is to develop players. By doing that you put yourself under real pressure and increase the chance of being beaten. We are prepared to do that.’
Was that not a slap in the face for Ireland? Not according to O’Sullivan.‘ I know they respect Ireland,’ he said. ‘They are expecting a tough game on Saturday so they must have every confidence in this team.
‘I don’t see it as disrespectful, it’s a sign of strength. I’d like to be in a position to make 15 changes weektoand not lose any quality and strength.
‘New Zealand have such phenomenal strength in depth. Their selections are a reflection of that and Graham is playing his cards very smartly, in terms of keeping his squad fresh and motivated.’