“To get the nod from Warren this weekend is hugely special, not just me but for all the clubs, people and family who have put effort into me.”
Peter O’Mahony will do clubs, people, family and country proud this weekend when the British & Irish Lions take on the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua [8:35 am Saturday].
The Munster captain has been asked the lead the Lions and, once again, do a job at blindside. He had a fine shift against Crusaders last weekend and many feel a similarly robust performance in Rotorua will lock down a starting Test Series spot.
One man who is not so sure is Ronan O’Gara. As proud as O’Gara is that O’Mahony will lead the Lions, he fears that the captaincy may ultimately come at a cost. On The Hard Yards rugby podcast [from 33:00], O’Gara explained his thinking.
O’Gara said, “It’s a huge honour for Pete and one he’ll be absolutely delighted with.” However, the three-time Lion added:
“There’s two definites in the [Test] back row. Sean O’Brien and [Toby] Faletau are nailed on.
“I think this is a nice way of saying, ‘Peter, you’re captaining against the Maoris but you won’t be playing in the First Test’.
“I can remember in 2009, I remember I got the captaincy for the game against Emerging Springboks. I means you’re not going to get good news on the Saturday. It’s a way of saying, ‘Fair play but welcome to the midweek team’.”
One hopes O’Gara’s instincts prove false on this occasion and another strong O’Mahony outing makes him undroppable at blindside.
As for the game itself, both myself and former Ireland international Kevin McLaughlin have predicted a Lions victory but O’Gara played in the 2005 loss to the Maoris and is not so sure. He said:
“The Maoris will be so up for it. When you talk about tradition and respect, these guys get into a different zone for this.
“It was actually this game where we spotted [future Munster signing] Rua Tipoki. The Maori are a fierce, proud tribe and it will be a fascinating game and I can’t wait to see Nehe Milner-Skudder, Damien McKenzie and James Lowe.”
It is shaping up to be one hell of a match.
