Brian O’Driscoll: Press Conference Quotes

…Brian O’Driscoll fields questions from reporters…

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL: QUOTES

– ON THE TACKLE THAT ENDED HIS LIONS TOUR –

“Have I left it behind me? Totally. Of course it was a difficult moment in my life and in my career, but I’m a big believer in time healing all wounds.

“As soon as I started playing again I just got on with the rest of my life and signed off a chapter in my life that probably wasn’t the most positive. But you are going to get them. There’s no ill feeling, it’s just one of these things that happened.”

– ON CATCHING UP WITH TANA UMAGA –

“I’m not going to go for a day trip to Wellington. Of course if he is around there would be no animosity on my part. I’d have a beer with him or a chat with him or whatever. It’s not an issue as far as I’m concerned.

“I’d be happy to chat with him but I’m keeping the handbag gags to myself!”

– ON THE COMMENTS IN HIS LIONS TOUR DIARY ON THE TACKLE –

“When you’re fresh off the back of something like that happening, your emotions are going to be very strong. You possibly shout out before you sit back and think. That’s just human nature I think.

“I think I’m able to realise that when the boys (Umaga and Keven Mealamu) say there was no malice involved, you have to take guys on their word like that. I know Tana’s not a dirty player nor is Keven, so you just accept what they say and get on with it. But that doesn’t make it any easier.”

…O’Driscoll at Tuesday’s training session in Auckland…

– ON TANA UMAGA’S RETIREMENT –

“I’m sure it was a decision that was difficult for Tana to make. He obviously didn’t feel he would make it to the World Cup so it was time for him to hang up his boots at international level.

“He has been a phenomenal player for the All Blacks for a number of years and to stay in the All Blacks squad is no mean feat and it must be 10 or 11 years that he has been involved.

“But when you look at that it has to take its toll on the body and I’m sure that he is feeling every one of his years. It comes down to a personal decision and no one else can make it for you or know how you feel mentally and physically.”

– ON HIS RECOVERY FROM A DISLOCATED SHOULDER –

“I was adamant that I was going to be right when I got the opportunity to play and that happened after five-and-a-half months.

“Of course it takes a few games to get into these things – I was hiding it for a while and didn’t feel any confidence – but then you just have one hit and it’s all put behind you; you forget about it.”

– ON FACING NEW ZEALAND –

“It’s a massive challenge for me. The reason I’m looking forward to it so much is you don’t know how many opportunities you are going to get in a career to play against the likes of the All Blacks, particularly down here.

“It was a big disappointment last year not to be able to play in the three Lions Tests and again in November (for Ireland). But eleven months down the line, I have the opportunity to run out against the All Blacks in a Test match and I’m really looking forward to it. Not for any other reason than to prove to myself what I am capable of.”

– ON IRELAND’S CHANCES OF WINNING –

“In the past four or five years we’ve tried to tick some things off – trying to beat Australia, trying to beat South Africa, trying to beat England, we’ve managed to beat them in the last three years, and beating France over there in Paris.

“(To beat the All Blacks) It would be a fantastic achievement for us because we’d be the first (Irish) team to have done it, but you realise there is a reason why Irish teams haven’t won before. Because it’s bloody hard.”

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