There’s no need to fear, because ‘the Tullow Tank’ is here.
The British and Irish Lions have been receiving criticism far and wide after an unimpressive start to their tour of New Zealand with a narrow win over the Provincial Barbarians and a defeat to the Auckland Blues.
The challenge is only going to get tougher for Warren Gatland’s side in the weeks to come, starting this weekend when they play Crusaders who have won 14 from 14 in Super Rugby this season.
Crusader’s Coach Scott Robertson has named his team for the game, with seven All Blacks named in the starting lineup, including full back Isreal Dagg and the entire tight five of Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Luke Romano and Sam Whitelock.
Another All Black, Wayne Crockett, is starting from the bench. Yikes.
Warren Gatland’s side need a few game-changers, not just for Saturday’s match, but for the weeks to come and Stephen Ferris and Kev McLaughlin think one of the Irish members of the squad can be exactly that.
That man is Sean O’Brien.
Kevin McLaughlin played alongside O’Brien at Leinster for many years and he knows exactly what ‘The Tullow Tank’ is capable of.
“I’m delighted to see Sean in there now, the Lions need him to have a huge tour, he’s one of those guys that has traditionally played really well against the All Blacks and has had some really big games and is a game breaker and without Billy Vunipola on tour, I think Sean needs to step up and start carrying the ball and make some line breaks,” claimed McLaughlin.
McLaughlin knows just how big a loss the human wrecking ball that is Billy Vunipola will be to the Lions over the next couple of weeks, but he firmly believes that O’Brien can replace him.
“Haskell did a couple of good carries yesterday and stuff but I don’t think he’s the answer against the All Blacks whereas Sean has the class and Fez knows well having played alongside him for many years. Sean can change a game, he can be a gamechanger and he can bring what we’ve lost through Billy Vunipola not being on tour.”
Stephen Ferris has lined up alongside O’Brien during his days with the Ireland team and has faced him in provincial clashes with Leinster over the years.
“I totally agree with you Kev and he’s the type of fella who makes game-changing moments happen. I’ve played with him and against him when he’s made those happen and when he’s on form there’s no better back rower in the world whether he plays at six, seven or eight. I just think they need to get him on the pitch and he needs game time, he hasn’t played in a long time, he’s been resting a few niggles,” Said the Ulster man.
“I think when you’re missing Billy Vunipola who’s an absolute superstar and probably the biggest loss to this Lions team…Sean O’Brien has to step up to the plate and he’s more than capable of doing it,” said Ferris.
It’s your time to shine, Sean.
Skip to 23’00” to hear the lads wax lyrical about O’Brien.
