Was there ever any doubt?
That the Lions would beat New Zealand? Yes.
That Sean O’Brien would have a stormer? Hell no.
With the Lions in must-win territory, the Leinster and Ireland flanker put his reputation, his heart and his soul on the line. He pushed aside all thoughts of his 0-6 record against the All Blacks and backed himself to make a difference.
To do his job.
Two days out from the Second Test against New Zealand, former Ireland and Lions outhalf Ronan O’Gara backed ‘The Tullow Tank’ to step up when the heat was on. He told The Hard Yards:
“Playing in New Zealand is a challenge but that’s why Sean O’Brien is doing so well – because he’s a great tourist. He’ll play well again on Saturday.
“You really see the characters on the team [when the pressure is on].”
In the First Test, the Lions were battered, swarmed, breached and swamped. O’Brien was a sensation:
O’Brien dusted himself off and got back to it. Word close to the Lions camp was that they took part in two fierce contact sessions in midweek to get battle-hardened. O’Brien was front and centre.
At the Cake Tin, in awful playing conditions, O’Brien was at it again. He was immense. Nine carries for 28 metres gained and 12 bone-jarring tackles. Pouncing on loose, bouncing balls and carrying it back into the fire.
With the Lions 18-9 down and conceding a slew of penalties, Anthony Watson’s break sparked them into life. Within 30 seconds, Toby Faletau was bouncing Israel Dagg to score a crucial try, to make it 18-14.
None of that would have happened without O’Brien though. Conor Murray too.
The Munster scrum-half hauled tackler Dagg away and O’Brien held off both Beauden Barrett and opposite number Sam Cane on his own.
Credit: Sky SportsHis strength gave the Lions crucial time and Elliot Daly played emergency scrum-half to spark the move that got the Lions right back in the contest.
A word, too, for Johnny Sexton’s cut-out pass…
Credit: Sky Sports
ALL BLACKS 18-14 LIONS! Faletau is over for a try in the left corner! Live on SS1 and brought to you by @SLI_Global https://t.co/9pQYBxXa32
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 1, 2017
With the Lions 24-21 ahead in the final moments – after Murray’s converted try and Owen Farrell’s penalty – the All Blacks attempted to chip over the advancing lines and run in a late try.
Who was there to catch the ball, fend and safely get the pass away? Who was doing his job?
Sean O’Brien.
The man stepped up.
His record is slightly improved – won 1, lost 6 – but he’ll be ready to make that even better next weekend at Eden Park.
