'How they seem to be playing down the importance of the backstop is just incredulous...' - Brian O'Driscoll on Brexit fears, Ireland's form and Japan hosting RWC
Mention Brexit to Brian O’Driscoll and his eyes roll. He just can’t quite get his head around it, this unfathomable possibility that a hard border could soon potentially be reinstated to separate the Republic of Ireland from Northern Ireland.
The Dubliner had nothing but the utmost pride representing a united, 32-county Irish team during a record 133-cap career that spanned 16 years.
His commendable tenure took place in a rejuvenating era that was a far cry from the tense past, the provocative border checkpoints, the frightening Troubles and all the intimidating paraphernalia that affected day to day life in the six counties and beyond.
That was before the 1998 peace agreement brokered between the British and Irish governments and most of the political parties in Northern Ireland on how Northern Ireland should be harmoniously governed.
Only last year O’Driscoll delved into the wonder of how Irish rugby managed to overcome this fractious divide long before there was ever any formal political agreement.
(Continue reading below…)
His acclaimed Shoulder to Shoulder TV documentary was a throwback in time, a collection of vibrant stories about a divided island that somehow continued to be represented by just one rugby team.
That all-important Irish unity on the rugby pitch won’t ever change but less than 12 months on from that BT Sport film premiere, the unchecked movement of people from one Ireland jurisdiction to the other is now under threat, a development that leaves the iconic rugby figure fearful about an uncertain political future.
“Who knows what is coming down the line with all of that,” he said to RugbyPass about the October 31 Brexit deadline date that falls two days before the World Cup final in Japan, a showpiece fixture he hopes will feature Ireland despite the struggles they have been having with their form in 2019.
Life of Brian! Which @BrianODriscoll sums you up right now? ? pic.twitter.com/y16wuuMyr1
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) August 9, 2019
“Your guess is as good as anyone’s (about what might happen with Brexit) but the one thing it hopefully will show is the power of rugby and the ability of sport to unify.
“Even when people have such massively differing opinions politically they are able to park them for an afternoon and support the same team. That is quite amazing and it shows you the strength of what sport can deliver,” said the now 40-year-old O’Driscoll, an age that is old enough for him to faintly remember how inconvenient it used to be going from one place to the other.
“I remember as a kid going up (to Northern Ireland) and having vague recollections of police checks and border controls, so the thought of going back there does feel as though it is such a step back in time.
You wouldn't believe it but I'm standing between two countries here. No borders, no checks – people passing between Northern Ireland & the Republic would barely notice any difference. Brexit means hard borders and the return of The Troubles. It's reckless, dangerous and unfair. pic.twitter.com/Dv3X9hcwrH
— Chris Davies MEP (@ChrisDaviesLD) August 27, 2019
“I hope that the politicians in Westminster fully understand the magnitude of what impact that will have and the knock-on effect that can have from a negative perspective with the Troubles that have happened over the last 40, 50 years and how it could invite that to restart. So I hope they understand and my fear is they don’t.
“It [Ireland north and south] is hard to get your head around if you’re a foreigner, but there are certain politicians in the UK over the course of time who have understood it.
“I realise that a civil war necessitates a 1,000 people to be killed in a calendar year for it to be called a civil war, which was never the case up north. So it has not ever been a case of a civil war, but you know it can bring that bloodshed at a whim.
One of the all-time greats doing what he does best.
Try saving tackle ??
Turnover ??
Leader ?? @BrianODriscoll pic.twitter.com/JsJitn7Dvv— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) August 1, 2019
“How they seem to be playing down the importance of the backstop [an agreement to prevent a hard border] is just incredulous. The lack of understanding of circumstances and the ability of history to repeat itself is a scary thought.”
Scary in a very different way is the gradual downgrading of Ireland’s World Cup credentials. Last November, Steve Hansen claimed they were the world’s best after seeing off the All Blacks in Dublin.
Now, following a 2019 schedule where their play has become riddled by inconsistency, there is a concern that underachievement will again be Ireland’s lot at the finals. Eight times they have tried to reach a first semi-final, eight times they have failed. O’Driscoll knows only too well from memory, having featured at four finals from 1999 through to 2011.
Ask him if there is one grievous body blow he would love to take back and the response is immediate – 2011, Wellington, Mike Phillips raiding down the blindside off a ruck to score in an Ireland versus Wales quarter-final that the Irish were tipped to win following a seismic pool win over Australia in Auckland.
“That Mike Phillips try, that was such a body blow and it just fed them with positivity. We really struggled to change the momentum of that game the whole time, so I’m not saying that try was the difference, but it gave them some leeway to go on and relax a little bit.
“If you could change that, you stay within one score and anything can happen, so probably that moment. I suppose alternatively you could pick Australia in 2003. There was a question over Paddy O’Brien and a questionable scrum penalty he gave against us when it could have been for us.
The vision. The finish.@mikephillips009 sniped down the blind side to score a beauty for @welshrugbyunion at #RWC2011 pic.twitter.com/GFXiQLRPfU
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) July 31, 2019
“We kick that goal we beat Australia and you potentially have an easier quarter-final against Scotland. Ifs, buts, maybes, we didn’t deliver, didn’t manage to do it on the big stage. You can’t point fingers anywhere else. You have got to look at yourself.”
It won’t be until October 15 when O’Driscoll, a Land Rover ambassador who is also doing some TV punditry, lands in Japan to take in the knockout stages of an eagerly awaited tournament. He can’t wait.
The previous tournaments he was at all passed by in a blur. Such is the existence as a player at these events, you can’t really take many moments to genuinely appreciate where you are and enjoy the country you are visiting.
Who knew the Japanese Gardens were so beautiful down there! ? #notI https://t.co/NndePM8BwC
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) August 29, 2019
Japan 2019 will be different, however. “There will be lots of guys who will have never been to Japan before so understanding a different culture, understanding a different climate, it’s going to be humid… I’m certainly looking forward to experiencing it from a very different level of going before.
“Any time I have travelled to World Cups I have never really got to see the country whereas to go as a broadcaster is a real treat because I will have lots of downtime and I will get to see the country properly.
“It’s a great opportunity to get into a new market and to showcase the game as a hugely positive thing and all the attributes that we associate with rugby and broadcast them on a world stage and hopefully deliver a really good spectacle.
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An impossible task but hoping we get at least 5 out of 15 correct… #RugbyWorldCup #Japan2019
“It probably would go a long way if the host nation were able to manage to get themselves to a quarter-final, albeit not at the expense of Ireland who are one of five or six teams who are capable of winning it.
“People at home in Ireland will laugh at that but the reality is they can still win the group. Can they beat New Zealand or South Africa in a quarter-final? Of course, they can and if you are in a semi-final, can you win the World Cup? Of course, you can. We just need a lot to go right for us.
“We need a limited injury profile. We need Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray and all our best players absolutely humming. We do need lots to go right for us but can that happen? Of course, it can. As Irish people, we are either top of the tree or bottom of the barrel and we need to find some middle ground at the moment where I think the team lies.”
Having watched Ireland get torn asunder by England, the legendary Brian O'Driscoll has stated his preferred midfield partnership for the World Cup
https://t.co/vdKfCFJhxz— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 27, 2019
In general, O’Driscoll, the scorer of seven tries in his 17 World Cup appearances, expects a feast of creative rugby to materialise, entertainment that will get fans up off their seats around the world and cheering an avalanche of scores rather than people having to endure multiple defence-dominated spectacles that won’t do much for rugby’s global appeal.
“That [defence] still exists but particularly with the tackle laws and the concerns around high shots now receiving red cards, it definitely opens more opportunities for players of all shapes and sizes,” he reckoned.
“In particular that is the great thing about rugby, that it has always been one for the masses and when you see players like Cheslin Kolbe excelling at 5ft 8 and 13 and a half stone, that is brilliant to see.
“The focus will hopefully be an attack-minded World Cup rather than a defence-fest. Certainly, everybody wants the game to be able to showcase itself as the game that it is on the biggest stage because there will be a lot of people watching that never watched rugby before and you want it to be the best version of itself.”
WATCH: Brian O’Driscoll suggests that England on current form are his pick to win the 2019 World Cup
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Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
20 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
9 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
78 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
20 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
9 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
20 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
20 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!
20 Go to commentsthe success of the premiership can be summarized by : only 10 teams. It makes a huge difference with the overcrowded top 14 (let us not talk about Leinster and URC…)
2 Go to comments