When a man like Sean O’Brien arrives back onto the rugby field, it doesn’t matter if he’s playing Zebre or the All Blacks, he will not be fazed.
Sean O’Brien doesn’t sidestep for no man. He doesn’t hesitate because of the jersey he’s playing and he sure as hell doesn’t leave anything in reserve.
To a fault, the legend of Carlow places his giant heart on his giant sleeve every single time he goes to battle and he leaves it there for everyone and anyone to take aim at. What’s worse is that he does it again and again and again.
Ireland are a different animal when they have Sean O’Brien literally driving the team up the pitch and dragging opposition bodies along with him. He came back to face New Zealand – a hurt, angry number one team in the world – and he made 19 carries against them – 19.
He still managed to storm off the pitch, seemingly raging at his performance.
O’Brien is the sort of man who bows to no-one. He doesn’t look at New Zealand and think about rankings or history or tradition or any of that nonsense. He just looks at the ball, he gets it in his hands, and he looks at the power he has in his own body.
If they can deal with that, fair play to them.
Pride and passion are two driving factors in Sean O’Brien’s frightening momentum – when you couple those with strength and speed, you’re in business.
That’s what makes the Tullow Tank such a destructive prospect and it’s what makes Ireland such a force when he’s available. It’s also one of the reasons an inspiring figure like Peter O’Mahony has to bide his time just now.
How do you argue with CJ Stander, with Jamie Heaslip and with Sean O’Brien as your back row? You don’t, really.
And Ireland’s forwards coach, Simon Easterby, is fully aware that the country has an embarrassment of riches in that area of the field. He knows that better than anyone.
“I’d like to think [O’Brien’s best is yet to come],” Easterby’s words would’ve struck fear into the Australians for one.
“He was pretty good at the weekend. He’s put a bit of that disappointment [of being injured] into his performance against New Zealand.
“Let’s hope he keeps improving, because an on-form Sean O’Brien at the top of his game is a value to any team.”
He’s certainly not the only option they have at flanker.
“There’s a few guys who’d want to put their hand up and if they get an opportunity they’d be chomping at the bit,” Easterby said.
“Pete’s one of those guys. He played against Canada but missed out on selection last weekend. Another guy that when he’s on form, there’s not many better.
“We’re fortunate we’ve got a couple of those more experienced players coming back, but credit to the guys who have played over the last few weeks in the two tests against New Zealand, putting huge pressure on selection. That’s what you want in all positions, but in particular the back row will be a difficult one.”
Aaron Kernan joins Colm Parkinson on The GAA Hour to explain the work he’s doing for the Club Players Association. Derry captain Chrissy McKaigue talks Slaughtneil and a Dublin club advertising for hurlers gets a sore touch. Subscribe here on iTunes.
