Friday, November 26, 2010
Brian O'Driscoll's brilliance against New Zealand

While the beauty of rugby is its many different facets, moments of sublime skill are perhaps right up there with why we have such an undying love for the game. Theres certain moments that will live on and be talked about for many a year to come. Brian ODriscolls try against New Zealand is one of those such moments.
Although its been included in the match highlights from the game, I doubt many of you would complain about having access to watching it again on its own and be able to find it easily when telling your mates about it or sharing with those who missed it.
The way that ODriscoll scooped up the ball with consummate ease said everything about the man and his high quality career. At times, especially in recent years, his powers have been questioned but in that moment, in that split second, there couldnt have been a true rugby fan anywhere in the world who didnt say Wow, or possibly some other choice word.
It was his 41st try for his country, and some will say it might have been his best. Of course in rugby you have to try things and sometimes they dont come off, but there arent too many other players around who would have the audacity and self belief to do that at such high speed, against the All Blacks. Instinct and natural ability take over.
This weekend BOD is set to win his 107th Test cap for Ireland and lead them for the 70th time. They play Argentina, a side who in recent times have caused them somewhat of a headache at times.
This clip features the try, but also includes another neat bit of skill from him during the game.
Time: 02:02
Posted at 3:02 pm | 94 comments
Posted in See it to Believe it
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Viewing 94 comments
Anonymous November 26, 2010 3:34 pm

the whole of the NZ backrow just lay on the wrong side every single ruck.
james November 26, 2010 3:46 pm

Anonymous November 26, 2010 3:52 pm

Anonymous November 26, 2010 4:03 pm

A great ambassador for Ireland - unlike the politicial tossers who have just sent the country down the pan!
dutchrugbyplayer November 26, 2010 4:05 pm

(u-p)rick November 26, 2010 4:07 pm

TB November 26, 2010 4:08 pm

BOD is classy all the way.
jm November 26, 2010 4:14 pm

Sure, he's not as quick as he used to be....but he can still cut the mustard at international level.
NiWiTa November 26, 2010 4:15 pm

Is it me or (excepting the French), are all the NH teams undergoing a massive period of transition? Without meaning to sound smug, England seem to be the only team improving a bit (although to be fair it is not hard from where we were!)
Anyhow glad these autumn tests haven't all been one-sided and the timing of BOD's one-handed pick-ups in both clips is awesome.
Nice one RD
NiWiTa November 26, 2010 4:18 pm

Most of us would call that skill and intelligence including me! However I wish we were able to bring back shoe-ing people....you never played the grey area when that existed! Many a time i've had the shirt rucked right off my back!
Anonymous November 26, 2010 4:20 pm

Anonymous November 26, 2010 4:34 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ5aqy4bHAQ&feature=related
View Video
Huh!! the 3rd November 26, 2010 4:48 pm

BUT.... That was SEVEN years ago.
My current problem is however, these moments (which don't happen very often) are masking the fact that he's not up to it anymore. He's anonymous in most games and isn't troubling defenders. He should be dropped, but thats not going to happen. If Ire keep picking him he has to move in to 12 and let Earls play 13. He can keep the bloody 13 jersey on, just move in. This Nov Earls is the only Irish back to make a line break. You're not going anywhere if you can't cross the gain line.
Anonymous November 26, 2010 5:23 pm

minstrel boy November 26, 2010 5:59 pm

The Other Conor November 26, 2010 6:20 pm

flying fijian1 November 26, 2010 6:52 pm

Disco November 26, 2010 7:07 pm

BOD should move inside (agreed, let him keep 13), D'Arcy out, Earls at 13, if Sexton is Ireland's RWC fly half, play him there and have Wallace as backup, Kearney out until he earns his place back, Fitzgerald at 15 and Bowe and Trimble on the wings. Try giving Boss a go at 9.
Anonymous November 26, 2010 8:29 pm

I am Elvis November 26, 2010 8:37 pm

WelshOsprey November 26, 2010 8:51 pm

Alwill November 26, 2010 10:26 pm

KG November 26, 2010 10:34 pm

Anonymous November 26, 2010 10:36 pm

TD November 26, 2010 10:53 pm

I would have much more enjoyed the highlights of France vs Argentina than this!...
Canadian content November 26, 2010 11:26 pm

But what was missed was his sublime pop pass to set up Reddan's break (which was subsequently ended with a shitty chip kick into mil's face).
The audacity to leave the ball hanging in the air as long as he did, sucking the AB's in to try and defenc it, timing it so that Reddan just barely got there and there and was able to explode into space. That was true brilliance that you see from BOD once a game. His deft handling is only getting better. At 13 he is able to create so much and truly does raise the game of those around him. I wish more tried to play like him and take the risks, rugby play has become far too professional. Bring on the magicians!
Kent November 26, 2010 11:52 pm

Mike November 27, 2010 12:11 am

Spelling is as impor November 27, 2010 12:14 am

fry November 27, 2010 12:15 am

But this was amazing, nevertheless - made even more spectacular as it was against NZ.
I'm hoping BOD makes it into the IRB Hall of Fame one day. (On the topic of the Hall of Fame, I wonder if Bill McLaren will one day be inducted - despite being a commentator, he's done about as much for the game as anyone could've.)
Anonymous November 27, 2010 12:28 am

to fijian flier this reminds me of the fijian pickup in the world cup a few years back except the fijian one was a bit better because he was at full pace
Anonymous November 27, 2010 12:30 am

Latham November 27, 2010 12:34 am

Anonymous November 27, 2010 12:40 am

Anonymous November 27, 2010 12:58 am

Douglas November 27, 2010 1:43 am

Anonymous November 27, 2010 1:44 am

robbo November 27, 2010 4:17 am

Stubby November 27, 2010 5:24 am

Roadpig November 27, 2010 5:52 am

Anonymous November 27, 2010 6:10 am

Mccaw does the same thing that every international openside flanker in the world does, mccaw just gets singled out by disgruntled fans as he and the all blacks are so good. tall poppy syndrome.
There were numerous occasions in this game where ireland were getting heavily penalised for killing the ball whilst defending their line and they wernt sent so it goes both ways.
the rake November 27, 2010 7:57 am

richie mccaw is the biggest cheater in the world, so god damn annoying, if only they hadn't banned stamping.
oh shut up.
Anonymous November 27, 2010 8:31 am

Richie Macaw and the rest of them are cheats, they always lie on the ball to slow it down. If they allowed rucking back in they wouldn't win a game.
All of their tries come from forward passes.
The refs don't give them enough yellow cards and Paddy O'Brien tells his crew to take it easy on them
There is a conspiracy with the IRB to ensure they win next years world cup.
Their scrum is a farce and I can't figure out how Tony Woodcock has survived for all these years without being penalised off the park.
Their guard dogs at the ruck always interfere with defenders.
The haka gives them an unfair advantage.
................
Can we move on now please?
Sander November 27, 2010 9:42 am

Probably the best Irish player ever, at least the best Irish centre. Age'll slow anyone down, but I think he'll continue to evolve his game, just like Tana Umaga did.
Flipje November 27, 2010 9:53 am

Great servant of the game.
Best Irish player? Probably but I guess K Woods, Gibson, John Hayes and specially Jack Kyle might be good candidates too.
Pity we have not been able to see him for one or two seasons in the Top 14....
Ps: please stop moaning about McCaw, who cares, the post is about BOD. There is plenty enough others posts to discuss Mc Caw & Co.
Jake November 27, 2010 12:05 pm

Sam Widge November 27, 2010 12:13 pm

Huh!! the 3rd November 27, 2010 5:48 pm

Anonymous said...
huh the third!!! earls had the only line break of the 3 test!!! did u watch the matches???? cos pretty sure their was breaks bods try was after kearnys break, reddan and many many more watch the newzealand match again on rte player
They were breaks created by passes into space. I was refering to the Munster Aussie match when Earls made at least 2 line breaks through tackles and and 1 when he was put in space. If you include Heaslip's interception, Ire had 4 in NZ game, Reddan, Kearney, Cronin and Heaslip.
I stand by my point, on it and over it.
Tired of this sh*t November 27, 2010 7:41 pm

im not an irish supporter, i tend to be a 'good rugby' supporter (which is good for me because i can enjoy any game) and this was well timed and fooled the NZ defenders....but ofcourse, to follow the trend:
McCaw is a cheat
This is done every week in the super 14
this is nothing
hahahaha laughable
Awful player couldnt walk onto MY team
over the hill
has been
etc etc etc
very sad indeed..
felix November 27, 2010 7:50 pm

Tommy Bowe is the best ever Irish rugby player.
McCaw is the best referee manager ever and has the highest stamina ever in world rugby.
there's a few troll-like statements but i truly believe them all!
Tired with this sh*t November 27, 2010 8:52 pm

He proves his worth in every game..
I know recently he has been a bit anonymous, but give it a bit of time in the 6N if he cant step up in those games then look at things a little differently. Generally he has been a fantastic player who is the cause of 90% of Irelands successful play within a game....if you watch any game most of irelands good play can be traced back to something BOD did, whether it was forcing a knock on, a turnover, an interception, a delayed pass, etc etc etc.....
Im not saying he is the only player to grace the world with flair but he is a damn good player!
With regards to McCaw, we all know he plays in the grey area, and i respect him for that, he does what everyone wants their flankers to do and he gets away with it....or he gets a shoeing for it! agreed he needs a shoeing but guess what, he'd do it again....and he'd get away with it again, that is why he is one of the worlds best flanker, and captain and has been year after year...
Anonymous November 27, 2010 9:11 pm

Anonymous November 27, 2010 10:39 pm

Dry your eyes. You people moan about everything. including the fact that BOD people down south dont think the sun shines from his arse.
Please take a teaspoon of cement and harden up.
Anonymous November 27, 2010 10:40 pm

Dry your eyes. You people moan about everything. including the fact that people down south dont think the sun shines from his arse.
Please take a teaspoon of cement and harden up.
Anonymous November 28, 2010 12:42 am

Anonymous November 28, 2010 12:45 am

oldback November 28, 2010 1:42 am

Alexander November 28, 2010 1:58 am

Big Hit November 28, 2010 6:00 am

Anonymous November 28, 2010 10:31 am

themull November 28, 2010 12:18 pm

Dub in Oz November 28, 2010 12:30 pm

Dub in Oz November 28, 2010 12:37 pm

Notice both Heaslip AND Bowe taken out off the ball here. All Blacks defending all the way. How do they get away with it?
Any line break and it's just take out your nearest man. And this isn't sour grapes coz I think they're the best in the world and don't need to do this shit. The only time they get called up on it is at the World Cup...
Mike November 28, 2010 4:33 pm

Let's not get too one-eyed about this - leave that to the (usually anonymous) whiners who claim that any clown could have scored that try against the best team on the planet ^^
Huh!! the 3rd November 28, 2010 5:06 pm

TMO should be shot over Earls' try( forward where exactly, even though the ball didn't leave the palm of his hand, if it did, he touched it before it hit the ground, therefore not a knock on, terrible).
And just to finish off on McCaw. As an Irish fan I love seeing McCaw play. He is head and shoulder's above anyone else in world rugby. The engine, the power, the handling skills, and he's kicked well a few times. He gets to every ruck, causes havoc (legally or not) and like BOD risks his future physical and mental health throwing his body around. Keep it up sir, you'll be remembered long after these posts are forgotten.
Sick of this sh*t November 28, 2010 7:06 pm

Oh and RD please remove all these videos, it is evident that none of us free viewers want to see the time and effort you put into making these videos available...
...so i think what you should do from now on is have a big vote as to what videos should be uploaded and also a vote on what title should be given to the video, then after a couple weeks of that if its been decided everyone wants the video then you can post it!
Regards,
The whining little bitches
(I speak on behalf of all RD FREE viewers!)
p.s if you can throw in some prizes or give us an incentive to keep watching then that would be great, like perhaps send us all a 'goodie bag' of RD stuff....
The Truth Hurts November 28, 2010 10:39 pm

The only reason he has looked like a star over the years is because he plays for Ireland... and we all know how pathetic Ireland are at sport.
I guarantee if BOD was Australian, New Zealand or South African he wouldn't have been looked at twice.
Sure BOD has become an Irish Rugby Legend, but who really cares... After all, he's Irish.
Ahhh Potato and Leprechauns
Jono November 29, 2010 1:03 am

Anonymous November 29, 2010 2:32 am

I work with an Irish guy... and iv never herd someone complain more than this guy. He's always sick or injured or under the weather.
Basically a massive bitch.
MAN THE F*CK UP IRELAND.
Tom November 29, 2010 4:48 am

What I learned is they're never happier than when they are miserable.
They love to moan about crap.
On the plus side they also love to have a laugh and a drink, which suits me fine, and the craic is great, but the time in between the craic... not much fun.
And the thing with BOD, jesus christ, you'd think he'd been paralysed.
They still go on about it, as though BOD is the first guy to get spear tackled in the history of rugby.
Any other country would let it go after a few months at most.
Anonymous November 29, 2010 8:07 am

Gavin November 29, 2010 12:37 pm

I know one English guy. He's dick. I know one Kiwi. He's an asshole. I know one Aussie. He's a prick. I know one Saffa. He's a twat.
Can anyone see where I went wrong?
Obvious troll fails obviously.
*yaaaaawn* November 29, 2010 1:28 pm

Anonymous November 29, 2010 2:23 pm

mise November 29, 2010 3:46 pm

Of course, plenty of ppl do this sort of thing in training or as on e poster said - in his sleep.
But this try is about more than dreaming, sleepy.....
Re the general discussion:
We've had it, many times. But I would say that his ability to adapt and develop his game has been excellent over the years, and his defensive marshalling has also been excellent (esp in 2009-10 season, not so much this year thus far)
When u are at a match, u can really spot good defensive marshalling (less easy to spot in highlights./on tv as the cameras are too focused on close ups of where the ball is)
case in point: the number of offloads SBW even _tried_ once he came on against Ireland- he was worried about an intercept, IMO.
Like a few others, it would have been great to see him with a better international team,just to see what he could do (though as an Irish fan have to say that would have been annoying too!)
Huh!! the 3rd November 29, 2010 5:04 pm

Go over all the threads and it's the same story. Then when an Irish poster defends our reactions from 5 years ago, all other posters go 'ah, we told you, you can't stop bitching abut it'.
It seems to me other nationalities have hard ons for it more than us paddies.
Great pick up,
great skill to spin in the tackle and ground the ball,
great try by a great player against a (the) greatest team in rugby history, in a great game.
Great. I think I said great there.
ps, to guy below me. Since the highlights aren't up, I used this thread (which involved an Irish team, will be read by Irish fans) to highlight a ridiculous decision. When RD kindly gets round to posting the vid, I'm sure the comments on Earls' non try will rain in.
Yes, we are shit at November 29, 2010 5:29 pm

Not good at sports!!
Lets start with golf.
4 majors in the last 3 years. 2 would be more than the rest of Europe combined since the 90s. In a game dominated by the USA, and other large population countries, we have a huge amount of players in the world's top 100, haven't checked but, there was 7 recently. Harrington, McDowell, McIlroy, Lowry, Maybin, McGrane, Clark have all been top 100 in last year. 2 in top 10. For the ignorant, thats 20%.
Ire rank top 3 in Amature Boxing with Cuba and Russia. And we are beginning to throw our weight around in professional, 2/3 European belts, with more contenders in the next year.
Although I'm not a fan, we consistantly produce world class jockies, horses, and horse racing studs.
This shit is off the top of my head, but I'm sure there are other areas. Not bad for a tiny windswept wet backwater on the edge of Europe.
Don't know where you are from, but if you're Eng, Westwood shouldn't be No.1. No majors and out for half the year shouldn't qualify. If you're SA, Els' 3 majors came when Tiger wasn't around, Ooesthusien had a great win ranted but has disappeared since and Goosen hasn't done shit in years. I could go on.
Anonymous November 29, 2010 7:46 pm

Personally bod is a fantastic player in my eyes and I would be happy do him to retire in good grace now his ability has waned a little (A LITTLE!!!!) however there is no one else within the irish team who could even begin to fill the void he'd leave...... And it's these little pieces of magic that keep proving he is worth every second on the pitch!
patrick December 01, 2010 4:44 pm

AndrewB December 02, 2010 2:05 am

Adrian December 02, 2010 12:39 pm

Even so, this is better by everybody's favourite obese pot-smoking Fijian freak
@ 1:50
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCERIFXj1c0
Anonymous December 02, 2010 4:13 pm

....now considering BOD was pretty anonymous in the match this is o'so typical of him to step up and produce....
Jono December 03, 2010 6:30 am

How would that affect his ability to pick up the ball?
He picked it up, it's good handling, but that's about it.
Adrian December 03, 2010 10:32 am

As I said - Bod's was GREAT.
I actually thought you might ENJOY Caucau's absurd talent
Did you watch it?















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