Giant lock O’Connell and his team mates have stepped up their preparation’s for Saturday’s opening tour match with the Royal XV at Rustenburg (2pm Irish time).
O’Connell is one of five Munster players in line to make the starting line-up for this weekend’s clash.
The other Munster representatives hoping to feature in the fixture when the match day ‘22’ is confirmed this Thursday are David Wallace, Keith Earls, Ronan O’Gara and Donncha O’Callaghan.
Recalling his first visit to South Africa as a rugby player a decade ago, Paul O’Connell said he was instantly taken with the fiery passion the South African players possessed during that tour.
“I played in South Africa in 1999 for the Irish Colleges side and I’ll never forget how big their players were, how fast over hard grounds and how skilful they were,” O’Connell said.
“They have a fiery passion about their rugby that’s stronger, more aggressive than Kiwis.
“There’s nothing to compare with this experience, nothing.
“The closest I can think of in another sport would be the Ryder Cup- but without the blood and bruises.
“You play every game away, you are always in a hostile environment and you are charged with creating a team out of players from varied cultures and playing styles.
Paul O’Connell said he was excited by the manner in which the players from the four Home Unions had gelled since coming together last week.
“I think there’s a big buzz,” the giant Munster lock O’Connell said.
“There are a lot fewer people than I was used to four years ago and that’s the best thing about it.
“Everyone is on the pitch at the same time, everyone is in the gym together and everyone fits into the team room as one.
“I think there’s a lot of good friendships being made, a lot of characters emerging already and that’s going to be a big thing for us.
“Clive (Woodward) tried something different in 2005 which looked good on paper but we struggled.
“It was a tough tour because so many things were not in our favour.
“We had a very big squad and a very big coaching staff and, straight away, we failed to come together as a team.
“First of all, we have got to be a team.
“We have got to want to play for each other, first and foremost.
“If you have bonds, you will always be willing to play for others in the team and that will make a big difference.
“We are massive underdogs but we have a smaller coaching staff and a guy who knows the Lions inside out in Ian McGeechan.”
O’Connell said it was now up to the players to perform as the Lions hadn’t done the tradition proud in New Zealand four years ago.
“I said recently that the talent is there in the group, the coaching is there in the group and now it’s up to us to perform as a team,” Paul O’Connell insisted.
“I think it’s important that when the players wear the jersey on this tour, they live up to the tradition and the history of the jersey.
“I think when you look back at some of the players that have won the British & Irish Lions jersey down the years, there were great players.
“Maybe in 2005 we didn’t live up to that.
“A lot of things went against us on the tour and at the same time I don’t think we did the tradition proud.
“I think for me personally, looking back at 2005 is a big motivation.
“I know for a few other guys that were on the tour, it’s the same thing.
“Living up to the tradition of the jersey is a big thing for us.
“A lot of us when we play for our clubs give everything playing for Munster or Ireland.
“I think the same thing applies when we play for the British & Irish Lions.”
Colm Kinsella
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1 comments:
A good player. The return is very good idea. It must be very exciting to see him play. One more exciting rugby event would be in 6 Nations holidays. You should give it a try.
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