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Could have died, revisted v 0.3 |
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Written by Sparky
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Tuesday, 24 January 2006 |
 I feel sorry for the Brit fans who have only been presented with the Alastair Campbell/ Clive Woodward/ Ian Robertson/ Brendon Gallacher version of the incident at Christchurch.
Let me tell you the other side of the story.
BOD was a highly respected player in New Zealand and a very popular choice to be Lions captain with All Blacks fans. He has a Mana about him, a flair to his play and an intensity on the field that we respect.
Lions first test at Jade Stadium, opening minute. Mealamu and Umaga, two guys renowned in NZ as arguably our two best on-field and off-field ambassadors, pick O'Driscoll off his feet to clear him out of a ruck where he was interfering with the ball. This is not an unusual tactic, England used it throughout the 2003 World Cup and in the recent autumn internationals. Mealamu and Umaga let O'Driscoll go when he is in a lateral position (not driving him end down as is claimed - watch the video clips again girls and boys). Unfortunately Mealamu slightly twists his arm, intentionally or unintentionally, as he lets go, O'Driscoll spins to the ground and falls on his shoulder. His shoulder is dislocated, a sadly too common rugby injury. Brian is helped off the field, he receives a massive round of applause from Kiwis at Jade Stadium and Justin Marshall jogs over to express sympathies.
The British Lions are humiliated 21-3. Their performance that day won the TSF "Fernie" for worst performance of 2005.
As a diversion to the utter, utter humiliation of this defeat Alastair Campbell (familiar to diversion from his time as Minister of Spin but sadly not aware of rugby) devises a strategy to blame O'Driscoll's injury on All Black captain Tana Umaga. Spear tackle would make good headlines he thinks. A complaint is made to the IRB officials, who quickly decide there was no malicious intent in Umaga or Mealamu's action. Personally I think Mealamu's actions may have been worthy of a penalty and a yellow card. But Umaga is definitely innocent. The Lions management spend the next week goading Umaga, trying to get him to apologise for the alledged crime. Umaga tries to call the number he has for BOD's mobile but every time he calls he finds the phone off. Every soccer pundit comes on the TV/radio and says Umaga must be burned. The Lions hope that this will unsettle Umaga and the All Blacks.
Umaga makes his statement the next week at the Cake tin in Wellington. He plays the game of his life, scoring a great try, setting up a couple of other through masterful off loads. His All blacks destroy the British Lions 48-18. The next week it's 38-19 to the Blacks. Umaga scores two tries. The Spin doctor's tactics of trying to scare Umaga backfire. Tana is a proud, proud All Black.
A lot people in New Zealand feel sorry for BOD. Okay he came out with the "I don't want to hear another word about the incident" line but he was probably told to say it by Alastair Campbell. He can't really of meant it. A number of guys connected with the Lions such McGeeghan, Greenwood have gone on record saying they felt Umaga and Mealamu didn't do much wrong.
BOD then publishes a book in which he pours oil on the incident. He says that Umaga refuses to call him and claims the New Zealand medical facilities were third world. He shows a very heartless attitude towards a bloke who died of a heart attack at the first test. He sounds like a spoiled brat or a wingeing twat. A lot of people in New Zealand feel let down by O'Driscoll. I think he'll look back in 20 years time and realise he let himself down too.
Brian is hopefully coming down to NZ in June with Ireland. I hope he gets a positive reception. I hope he is on top of his game and avoids injury. I want NZ to remember O'Driscoll the great player. Not Brian O'Driscoll the whining puppet of Alastair Campbell. BOD is a great player, lets hope he does more playing and less writing in 2006. |
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