Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Brian O'Driscoll career summary after 99 Test caps

Friday, March 12, 2010

Brian O'Driscoll career summary after 99 Test caps

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll will tomorrow reach the milestone of having played 100 Tests for his country when his team hosts Wales in the Six Nations match at Croke Park. He is only the Irish second player to reach a century of Test appearances, following on from prop John Hayes.

O’Driscoll has played in three World Cups, three Lions tours, and experienced wins in both the Heineken Cup and Six Nations. He’s still only 31, but has already captained his country 63 times. He becomes only the 13th player to reach one hundred Test matches.

Making his debut against Australia as a 20 year old in 1999, O’Driscoll’s coach on that day was none other than current Welsh coach Warren Gatland. He’s said it was an honour for him to have been involved with the man they call BOD back then.

"And during the Lions tour I could see just how much he had developed as a player and a leader, how much he understands the game and the impact he has on other players,” Gatland said.

"I think he has a few more years left. Ireland have looked after him, they have not overplayed him. He is important to them as an individual and captain as they work towards the World Cup," he added.

Welsh captain Martyn Williams has called him the best player in the northern hemisphere for the last decade, while teammate Geordan Murphy has said that every team in the world respects O’Driscoll, which frees up space for the players around him.

“He's a good guy with it, as well. It's unbelievable that he has such stature in world rugby at a relatively young age," Murphy said.

O’Driscoll himself has played down the milestone, calling it just another week in rugby.

"Sure it's nice getting a lot of text messages coming in from past players and coaches. It's lovely from that point of view.

"But I don't see any reason to get caught up in the hype of it all. Someone said to me '101 Test matches is more impressive than a hundred'. So maybe John Hayes should be the one that's up here," he said at the press conference earlier in the week.

"I didn't set a target in 1999 that I wanted to achieve 100 Test matches. A few years ago I thought it would be really nice to make a hundred. But I haven't gone 'I want to achieve 120', I'm just going game by game and really enjoying it still."

A captain who leads by example, O’Driscoll has been a huge factor in Ireland’s success of late, and if all goes to plan, he’ll be there leading his side in New Zealand in 2011.

This clip was requested and is a basically just a short summary of O'Driscoll's great career so far.

Time: 02:52
Note: Thanks to the BBC

Glad tot, being Irish, best player ever, what a legend!!

By Ross O'Carroll-Kelly, at March 12, 2010 8:26 pm
*Glad to be first!!!

but seriously...what a player, absolute champion, theres not a team in the wolrd would say no to picking him for 13

By Ross O'Carroll-Kelly, at March 12, 2010 8:27 pm
Well said! + second comment nice :)

By Anonymous, at March 12, 2010 8:28 pm
what a guy

By Unknown, at March 12, 2010 8:50 pm
What can anyone say… I am irish so therefore every thing I say will be taken with a pinch of salt. But I have been a rugby fan long before Brain O’Driscoll ever arrived in world rugby. I ask you guys pick a starting 15 from the last 30 years and can you really leave him out?....... that’s how good he is.. tanga umanga is the only 13 that can push him.. and even then ……… Tanga is only left smelling his socks.

By Anonymous, at March 12, 2010 9:46 pm
Well im welsh and my fav player is Williams, but BOD is up there in my all time top 15.

I aggree hes the best player in the last 10 years from the Northern Hemisphere.

By Anonymous, at March 12, 2010 9:49 pm
it's late I should be in bed, but lets watch that vid again.........

By Anonymous, at March 12, 2010 9:52 pm
this clip is more career international highlights than overall play highlights, but good to see nonetheless. (most other clips aren't good enough quality - back in the early 00's the clips weren't as good quality!)

His defense, tackling, rucking, and last millisecond change of angles/body positions make him world class: even his kickin is decent these days (back in the day he didn't need it!)

Have a look at this: its a good laugh, and related to BOD:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OThc0hx7yzY&feature=related
(as is the commentary free version)

By mise, at March 12, 2010 10:47 pm
ledgebag

By Anonymous, at March 12, 2010 11:21 pm
Overrated, but still a good player.

By Louis, at March 12, 2010 11:59 pm
With BOD his defense has been as good if not better than his attack...and that's saying something because he is not a massive guy like Jauzion or Tindall for example. Punched well above his weight.

Has slowed down in the last few years though.....one of the grets though. Up there with Horan, Sella and Gerber.

By jpm, at March 13, 2010 12:03 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpLd-Vi8qZA&feature=related

not only a great player but a philosopher o top of that.

By Anonymous, at March 13, 2010 12:50 am
If BOD was a South African he'd be lucky to get over 10 caps.

By Anonymous, at March 13, 2010 12:52 am
" Anonymous said...

If BOD was a South African he'd be lucky to get over 10 caps."

bbq me up another spoof there....

BOD is king

By Anonymous, at March 13, 2010 1:11 am
"If BOD was a South African he'd be lucky to get over 10 caps."

I'm starting to see the humor in these SH trolls

By Conor, at March 13, 2010 1:16 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPJRr9uOsm0&feature=related

says it all

By Anonymous, at March 13, 2010 1:19 am
Absolute hero. Great natural ability, bravery and passion. Has re-developed his game over and over again and has been really consistent over the last 10 years.

Beautiful hands, a wicked step, low centre of gravity and counter-rucking skills any flanker would be proud of.

All the more remarkable considering how often he's double-teamed in most games!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXsnwOwRc2I

thats probably the most comprehensive tribute to him there!

the low quality vid where he's in yellow away to Borguoin is one stunning. As is the one he set up for Will green against Bath.

By Third Centre, at March 13, 2010 1:45 am
It's easy to jump to the conclusion that he's "overrated" due to how much people, especially the Irish, hold him in such high esteem. And with as many times as he's been THE deciding factor in either winning a match for Ireland, how can you blame them?

I'm not Irish, but without a doubt, I think he's one of the best rugby players there is in the world, regardless of position. You can tell he was just born to play rugby, and that's pretty much all you need to say.

I love that "Last Man Standing" clip...rugby is about having fun, so try not to take it all too seriously.

By felix, at March 13, 2010 2:09 am
In BOD we trust!!

By Psalm 19:16, at March 13, 2010 2:49 am
oh shame he hasnt won a world cup or lions tour.

By Anonymous, at March 13, 2010 2:58 am
....shit its andy goo...oh no, its O'driscoll, the hair and gloves made him look like someone else....

....but on a serious note this guy is top notch....

Dont feed the trolls guys..just laugh at them..

By Jay, at March 13, 2010 5:24 am
atrocious lid in 2004

By ed, at March 13, 2010 12:12 pm
BOD is too small to be a top centre in South Africa. He'd excel at the Super 14 level, but international level, especially when playing the Australians is a whole new ball game. BOD's suspect defense and selfish gameplay would not work against a top Southern Hemisphere team. Compared to the kicking backs from the NH, he's flashy, but he doesn't stand out when compared to the SH big boys. He would NOT make the current Springbok side as he'd be the fourth best centre in the country and even that's arguable. He's nowhere near as good as the classy JDV. Mr "I dominate the Lions backline" Jaque Fourie is also significantly better than him. Bulls powerhouse centre Wynand Olivier is also better.

It's nice that the Irish have a talented player, but lets not pretend he's an all time great!

By Anonymous, at March 13, 2010 12:36 pm
Huh? Off topic here but what happend to the GP video?

By Anonymous, at March 13, 2010 12:42 pm
Anonymous South African, please stop being sarky. He's scored more test tries than any south african bar Joost de W, including a fair few against New Zealand and Australia. This is rather more than Olivier has managed. And wasn't it Roberts and O'Driscoll who were owning the South African backline until they both got concussed?

Also, O'Driscoll isn't too small at all - one of his strengths is that he has an extremely chunky and solid build, but since he's only 5"11, his centre of gravity is much lower, which makies him harder to tackle. If he was taller, he'd be LESS effective.

By VivaJohnHayes, at March 13, 2010 1:44 pm
VivaJohnHayes

they were "owning" Adi Jacobs, a player selected because of the color of his skin, not his talent.

Jaque Fourie has played about 50 tests less than BOD, yet nearly has the same amount of tries, he also plays against the All Blacks and Wallabies every year, not Italy and Scotland.

Its sad that BOD will never win a world cup or lions tour, but then again... losers don't deserve to win much.

By Uli, at March 13, 2010 2:51 pm
Congrats O'Driscoll. One of the best players ever and deserves all the plaudits he gets.

By Anonymous, at March 13, 2010 3:40 pm
Truly a great, nobody can take that away from him.

By David, at March 13, 2010 5:24 pm
and ireland well deserved the win, we were bloody crap, couldn't do a damn thing right. :(

I'm depressed.

sorry to double post.

By David, at March 13, 2010 5:26 pm
Ignore the trolling trouble causers please guys. They don't deserve a response.

By Greiffel, at March 14, 2010 1:12 am
Good clip of O'Driscoll, but it ignores the sheer amount of defensive work he does and has done for years. He leads from the front like a true captain, not a Martin Johnston type but has his own way of leading. Well done to the lad.

By Anonymous, at March 14, 2010 2:53 am
his defense is so solid and he's v strong - I don't think the size of players in SH would be the issue - cf rossouw

his usefulness in rucking and turnovers wouldn't be as needed as in previous years: he was pinged today a lot by a SH ref who seemed to be taking the SH style 'rucking advantage to the attacker' interperation

By mise, at March 14, 2010 2:54 am
Uli -

they were "owning" Adi Jacobs, a player selected because of the color of his skin, not his talent.

Jaque Fourie has played about 50 tests less than BOD, yet nearly has the same amount of tries, he also plays against the All Blacks and Wallabies every year, not Italy and Scotland.

Its sad that BOD will never win a world cup or lions tour, but then again... losers don't deserve to win much.

It doesn't take a genius to work out that you never have or never will win anything. Stupid troll.

By the way, his 'comments' remind me of the South African coach a few years back who said that maybe 2 of the Irish team would be in the Boks squad...the day before Ireland beat them.

No offence intended to the intelligent Saffa posters.

By Mike, at March 14, 2010 12:06 pm
Impressive how one-eyed souht african fans are!! Shouldn't be allowed to post on RD!

By Anonymous, at March 14, 2010 1:02 pm
BOD one of the all time greats (from a Saffa)

By Wessel, at March 14, 2010 1:31 pm
To the person who said bod would be fourth choice for sa and is nothing compared to j de villiers. Are you thinking of the sdame j de villiers who cant get a game for munster!.

By SextonOnFire, at March 14, 2010 6:43 pm
Firstly, the owner and person who runs the site is South African. Secondly (connected to the first), not ALL South Africans are pricks. It's just a handful who come on here to cause trouble. My theory is it's one shithead that does it all actually.

He's a youngster though, and needs to get a life. I'm sick of him making us look like assholes.

By FrankyH, at March 14, 2010 6:47 pm
Glad to hear from some true Bok fans here, separating you from the other 1 eyed nationalist idiots (of both countires). The comments about his defense by 1 anon is pretty childish. Everyone who watchs him knows he's the best defensive back in rugby, including Carter and Stirlo. Just look at his tackle on Roberts yesterday. He's giving way 3 stone and 7 inches yet drove him back, beautiful. How about his 4 turnovers v Eng last week?

My problem is his tendancy to shoot out of line. It works sometimes (v Eng in '09 and the hit on Kirshner in Nov) but on the Lions tour it was exposed couple of times (Habana's try sticks out, though he was concussed at this stage after the Russeuw tackle).

I'm a huge fan of Fouire and JdV, and don't bad mouth them like some here do Drico. I'm sure Leinster fans will point out the vid here somewhere of O'Driscoll wiping the floor with JdV 1 on 1 in Oct when Munster went up to Dublin and got handed their asses.

And the assertion that he's a poor player because he didn't win a world cup. What bullshit. Blanco, Umaga, Sella, Guscott, Cullen, Mortlock and on and on... terrible players all!!!

By Huh!! the 3rd, at March 14, 2010 7:56 pm
Best center of the professional age. What are the definciencies in his game?

By TeddyBruckshot, at March 15, 2010 4:00 am
Kicking and speed.

By Anonymous, at March 15, 2010 9:38 am
So because the stout potato managed to get passed JDV once, he's definitely better? Ummm... you do realize that was around the time when JDV first joined the Euro club and thus he wouldn't have been used to the defensive patterns. Stout potato has nothing on JDV, sorry girls.

By Anonymous, at March 15, 2010 9:41 am
He should have been awarded by the IRB in 2009 instead of McCaw. What a pity...

By Anonymous, at March 15, 2010 11:14 am
Habana's far better than him.

By Anonymous, at March 15, 2010 12:16 pm
Habana's not a centre Einstein.

By Benson, at March 15, 2010 6:27 pm
Habana at centre is far better than him, slick.

By Anonymous, at March 15, 2010 9:39 pm
To anon above

Had nothing to do with defensive systems. As my post stated '1 ON 1'.

BOD showed JdV the ball stepped him twice left him for dead and scored.

Also, to other anons just above, in Nov '06 AIs Habana played 13 for SA v Ire and directly opposite BOD, other than the try he scored BOD completely had him in his pocket.

By Huh!!! the 3rd, at March 15, 2010 11:34 pm
I'm gonna be a bit off but the video looks more like a resume to me rather than a nice diplay of his greatness...
Bod is certainly one of the most - if not the most - gifted center of his generation but if I were someone who knew nothing about rugby, this vid wouldn't give me a hint of what the man has done and brought for the game...

By jay, at March 16, 2010 1:15 am
Is there any logic in arguing with someone who can't even bother using a name with their comments?

Anyway, 'Anonymous', you're just being a knob deliberately. Stick your chest back in, get off mommy's laptop and have a think for a second about the last time Habana played centre. He was atrocious, and contributed to us losing badly in the centenary game. Gaps opened up all over the place.

Yes he scored a good try, but it had nothing to do with him being at centre. Or do you REALLY think he's good enough to play Test rugby there, based on the one game you saw him play?

By Benson, at March 16, 2010 12:20 pm
jacque fourie is a beefhead. hes big and strong and good but basically a lesser version of bastaraud or nonu. id take jauzion or odriscoll anyday ahead of fourie merely for their defense.defense is stopping the other team scoring points. making incredibly big hits does not make you good in defense it means your strong and brave and naive.

By Anonymous, at March 16, 2010 4:38 pm
I'm quoting the stupid anonymous South African :'BOD's suspect defense and selfish gameplay would not work against a top Southern Hemisphere team'

Suspect defence?

wasn't it brian o'driscoll who charged into danie russouw (i believe)
and russouw had to be taken from the field

By ang, at March 18, 2010 9:22 am
These arguements are ridiculous.Anyone who knows anything about rugby knows o driscoll is an all time great! Fourie and de Villiers are class players also and the Lions/SA contest between Roberts/BOD and Fourie/JDV was awesome. Lions lost down there..SA were pathetic on their NH tour but still WC winners,blahdyblah.
Respect on all accounts
BOD is a legend of the game and congrats on the 100 caps.

By Anonymous, at March 24, 2010 4:09 pm
I dont know how this turned into an ireland v SA debate but since o driscoll has been playing for ireland the record between the 2 sides is 3 all with ireland winning the last 3...
no bad when you consider the player base in both countries...SA has the biggest player base in the world and can still only kick the ball and drown out the game....the irish have less than a 10th the amount in their player base and its only the 5th sport in the country........"Potatoes"?????..there are so many htings wrong with you ......pathetic SA loser

By Anonymous, at March 24, 2010 4:49 pm
Great video, especially with some Irish music from Thin Lizzy.

Well played BBC.

By cheyanqui, at March 25, 2010 5:54 pm