Lions 2009 - Lion O'Driscoll quietly confident

Eurosport - Fri, 19 Jun 17:12:00 2009

Brian O'Driscoll believes the British and Irish Lions have built the ideal platform from which to launch their assault on world champions South Africa.

Brian O'Driscoll - 2009 Lions - 0

The Lions have forged a sense of togetherness on an unbeaten run into the Test series that O'Driscoll (pictured) feels was missing when he captained the ill-fated 2005 tour of New Zealand.

"We are where we want to be. We have won all our games, our training has been good, the environment has been good," said O'Driscoll.

Having experienced heartache twice before, O'Driscoll is determined to ensure 2009 goes down in history as a triumphant year for the Lions.

"I think we are better equipped (than in 2005) to win the opening Test because the team is more together. We have more of an idea what we need to do," he added.

"We need things to go right for us but I feel we have the capability to create a huge amount and the work rate and the mentality as well.

"I want to be part of a winning Lions series, I have said it from day one. I had no interest in touring and being part of a squad that lost the series. I have been there and done that. I would like to be part of a team that creates history and does something special. That starts on Saturday."

O'Driscoll has experienced wide-ranging emotions in a Lions jersey. In 2001 he scored a brilliant solo try as the Lions beat Australia in Brisbane only to lose the series 2-1.

In 2005, he faced down the haka as captain but lasted only 40 seconds of the first Test against New Zealand when he suffered a dislocated shoulder.

This season O'Driscoll has captained Ireland to the Grand Slam and won his first ever Heineken Cup, but those past Lions experiences still rankle and there is something missing from his CV.

"This is where you want to be, this is the pinnacle of being a rugby player in Britain and Ireland, being down here against the world champions," he said.

"I won't over-think things. I will treat it like another Test match and try and enjoy the atmosphere as much as I can and play as best I can. We will play it seriously but we will play it with a smile on our face."

PA Sport

Comment 1 - 13 of 13

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  1. a carniverous predator or 22 of them!

    From ptothej, on Fri 19 Jun 11:09PM

  2. lee r , your comments are spot on. that does not happen­ very oten on these pages. lions to go unbeaten all tour

    From STEVEN, on Fri 19 Jun 6:23PM

  3. I think O'Driscoll is right to be quietly­ confident. Ask any rugby fan in Britain and Ireland who­ knows anything about rugby to select a starting 15 from­ all our countries to face the Springboks, and to do so­ HONESTLY (excluding home country bias!),and I think­ everybodys list would bear a striking resemblance to­ that of Mr McGheecan.We could probably debate the very­ closest of calls,i.e wallace or williams in the back­ row but the fact remains they are both very fine­ players and either would do us proud. I firmly believe­ that these are the most talented and equally­ importantly most on form players we have. The boks will­ take the lions lightly at their peril. In reality I­ believe the springboks will be developing a few nervous­ twitches right about now, after all they can sense when­ a carniverous predator is about to attack.

    From Lee R, on Fri 19 Jun 4:37PM

  4. Love the game, love the lions and all that goes with ,­ can not wait I hope it is a good game... one for the­ history books. There are too many writers on these­ sites that have a more football mentality, remember­ ours is a sport wher Bok and Lion fan will stand next­ to each other having a few beers and good bit of­ banter, lets keep it like that and enjoy it.

    From stalin, on Fri 19 Jun 4:22PM
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I wouldn't surprise me one bit if the Lions won all­ the games. Makes me wish I'd bet on that outcome­ before they started. Wonder what odds the bookies would­ have given me?

    From FineLarry, on Fri 19 Jun 1:36PM

  6. In my humble opinion I would say beating the All Blacks­ at home would be the ultimate. The '71 tour was a­ tough time for those involved but a yardstick for Lions­ tours which followed. '77 was close and I reckon­ that they were unlucky not to win as they dominated up­ front throughout the tour.....'83 was a disaster­ compounding the difference between northern and­ southern hemisphere, the writing was on the­ wall.....and since then it has been a one horse race­ with the emergence somewhat in '89 &­ '97....however, if NZ sides flatter to deceive in­ World Cup Competitions they are, in my mind, the team­ who all other sides judge themselves against.

    From sean h, on Fri 19 Jun 1:32PM

  7. Im just curious....

    As Lions fans who would you say is­ the ultimate Lions victory?

    Australia Wallabies at­ home

    New Zealand All Blacks at home

    South Africa­ Springboks at home

    From Joe, on Fri 19 Jun 12:31PM

  8. lts the first time all 22 test players are togeather as­ a unit, cant wait , Lions eat Springboks or didn`t you­ know much about your own natural enviroment.

    From trufftastic, on Fri 19 Jun 11:38AM

  9. The Lions are toying with the Boks. Most of your lot­ haven't palyed a competitive game in weeks, while­ the Lions have been maybe not setting the world on fire­ - but they have won every tour game.

    Once it's the­ strongest 15 out there - SA will have a surprise.­ Roberts & O'Driscoll will be awesome.

    From Matthew, on Fri 19 Jun 11:22AM

  10. I am sorry, is that the undefeated toothless Lions. The­ ones that cant even make room for the world player of­ the year, who happens to be a winger. And is that the­ mighty Boks with a scrum half/full back at 10? And does­ any one really think that Adi Jacobs can contain­ Roberts and O'Driscoll? Jacque Fourie must be­ gutted.

    If the Lions can win enough line out ball they­ will win by at least 6

    From william, on Fri 19 Jun 11:02AM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Come on Bokke!!! Skin them alive!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From Dini, on Fri 19 Jun 10:56AM

  12. Typical arrogant comment from you lot.....all rugby­ enthusiasts and supporters want a good, hard, fair­ game.......to quote Willie John 'it matters a great­ deal who is going to win, but not at all who has­ won'...work that one out, if you can?!

    From sean h, on Fri 19 Jun 10:53AM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    The toothless and clawless lions are no match for the­ BOKS!

    From marlo.torr, on Fri 19 Jun 10:40AM
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