BRIAN O’DRISCOLL IS part of an elite club in New Zealand.
It takes a lot for Kiwis to consider a player from outside of Aotearoa to be seen as one of the greatest to play the game, particular from the northern hemisphere. And by and large, that’s how O’Driscoll is viewed in New Zealand.
But after the former Ireland captain called for New Zealand prop Owen Franks to be cited following an incident where his hands made contact with the face of Australia’s Kane Douglas last weekend, it caused an angry reaction from former All Black winger John Kirwan.
O’Driscoll further angered All Blacks fans when he tweeted: “You lot are so blinded by your beloved team. It bangs more of not having a whole lot of sense.”
However, O’Driscoll later deleted the tweet which he admitted was “petty”.
A Rugby World Cup winner in 1987, the former Italy, Japan and Blues coach Kirwan claimed that Brian O’Driscoll’s response was due to an issue he has with New Zealanders dating back to the infamous spear tackle on the 2005 Lions tour by Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu.
“I still love you Brian but I think you’re still upset about Rotorua when Tana [Umaga] didn’t get weeks [of suspension],” Kirwan said on Sky Sport New Zealand.
With his tongue firmly in his cheek, Kirwan added that fuel was added to O’Driscoll’s Kiwi fire when Waikato man Warren Gatland didn’t pick the centre for the deciding Lions Test against Australia in 2013.
“You don’t like New Zealanders because you went to Australia and you didn’t make that final side,” Kirwan told fellow former All Black Jeff Wilson.
“Although we probably love each other deep down you don’t like New Zealanders at the moment but he’s totally wrong.”
After reviewing the incident SANZAAR, the governing body, decided Franks didn’t have a case to answer.
“The judge was there for that, they’ve made a decision. Get over it,” Kirwan added.
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Hard to be much worse than last season, but it there merit on focusing entirely on youth when U21′s and minors have been so poor in recent years.
This years minor team lost by 5 points to all Ireland champions Tipperary. This was closer than any team got to tipp this year and Cork were 6 points up at one stage of the 2nd half.
Closer than the Waterford team that beat Tipp?
@Stephen Casey: that was u21
Both Sean.
http://munster.gaa.ie/fixtures/minor/
The Waterford team that were beaten by cork in the 1st round
Yes they were. Cork had a good minor team this year. But to say they came closer to Tipp than a team that beat Tipp is incorrect.
Surely brosnan and moylan will be involved when there involvement with the glen is finished
Not arguing that there aren’t some talented young hurlers in Cork, things can’t be that bad, but given the lack of success at underage for an extended period it seems unlikely there are bunch coming through to revive the senior team. Just seems like some managers do out of desperation and an easy answer, just bringing some young lads onto a sinking ship won’t do them any good.
So, basically he’s getting his young lad on the team!
His young lad who’s widely considered one of the best young hurlers in Cork….
His young lad I have seen since u 14. A very good talent
His young lad is a serious talent.
Pa Callaghan is the fella he should be after…
Ye a very good player and putting him senior can bring him on more look forward to seeing him in the league
@John S: @John S Truth the last thing we need now is nepotism further hurting our chances of becoming a side that can even be competitive with the likes of the top tier teams such as Wexford and Clare.
From what I seen of him last year I taught Cronin was a good player
@ John S. – to be fair to him, shane Kingston is a handy enough hurler; he hasn’t come out of nowhere & is there on merit. Plenty of younger players from the Dev squad – time will tell
Pa O’Callaghan should be in there…refusing the invite again, what his beef i wonder?
Pa callaghan is a good prospect
Pa callaghan much better