The Final Curtain : BOD - running amongst mere mortals

SaveOurLyric

I can only assume that the boards.ie population are either too overcome by grief to post, or are in traumatic denial of the truth.

Folks, Brian O'Driscoll has only 9 days and one game left as a rugby player. And not a thread to be seen on the topic ! Shame on you.

Ireland's greatest ever. Not only that, but a player of all-time world greatness; in contribution to his teams at the highest level, moments of beauty, sublime skill, thrilling match-winning moments, and stunning instances of once-off instinctive rugby genius.

By Jove, what a privilege to have watched him play.

We saw the trophies roll in in the latter years. We had our one more year. We had our Gotterdammerung of the final salute from the Lansdowne Road faithful complete with giant banner. But the final act is at hand.

Watch the you tube highlights, your old match recordings, your DVD collections.
And shed a tear for the passing of greatness. You will not be seeing his like again in a hurry.

Show the love. With one voice : "I love you Brian".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JLASzADsaI

Pudsy33

Shhhh! :mad:

fire_man

Haven't we heard enough about his retirement already. Hasn't done much in last 2 years in my opinion.

Pudsy33

fire_man wrote: »

Haven't we heard enough about his retirement already. Hasn't done much in last 2 years in my opinion.

Ah yes, bar that 6 nations championship and all that. Christ.

.ak

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Ah yes, bar that 6 nations championship and all that. Christ.

Show pony.

fire_man

He has been a fantastic player but he was average in six nations imo and last 2 years.

.ak

fire_man wrote: »

He has been a fantastic player but he was average in six nations imo and last 2 years.

Average by his standards, maybe.

NoelJ

.ak wrote: »

Average by his standards, maybe.

His performance against Italy was terrible. He only played a vital part in three of the tries.

Tox56

Just insane. How does one player possess so much skill and awareness but also have the ability to hit so hard, at some stage in his career he must have been pound for pound the hardest hitter in the Irish squad, have the mentality to create something from nothing when the team needs it over and over (clichés I know but he did it all the freaking time).. quick without being absurdly fast but knew how to take a gap, but then at the same time he could legitimately be used as a bosh centre due to his low centre of gravity and absolute commitment (Ireland used him extensively to truck it up in the latest 6 Nations to great effect). Not bad at the breakdown either. We take it for granted at this stage but he just did everything

The only area of his entire game you could say was 'meh' is his kicking, but later in his career he certainly sharpened it up. All the physical tools AND the best possible mentality a rugby player could have, that's just freakish, we won't see many more like him

trancemuzic

The greatest centre ever to play the game

A privilege to have witnessed his career

Imagine what Joe could have done with a young Bod in the centre coming up to the next World Cup 😂

Podge_irl

I was renowned for having a better outside break and softer hands than BOD.

True story.

.ak

Whilst NZ fans would probably disagree with me I think he deserves the title GOAT, for the very reason he wasn't blessed with an athletic of physical prowess like McCaw has. He worked so hard to get to that level but anyone who seen him play at schools level will tell you he was a bit of a chubser.

Podge_irl

I think getting into discussions of greatest of all time is a little silly - particularly in rugby where different positions are so different.

All I'll say is he is the best player I've had the privilege of watching live and I will bore the **** out of my kids about him.

Swiwi.

.ak wrote: »

Whilst NZ fans would probably disagree with me I think he deserves the title GOAT, for the very reason he wasn't blessed with an athletic of physical prowess like McCaw has. He worked so hard to get to that level but anyone who seen him play at schools level will tell you he was a bit of a chubser.

If that's your criteria, then sorry .ak, but Piri Weepu wins by a country mile...

Fireball07

Swiwi. wrote: »

If that's your criteria, then sorry .ak, but Piri Weepu wins by a country mile...

Yeah, I don't think being fat in the past means he should be greatest player ever.


Obviously he worked very hard, but that's not what him the best, most players who get to the top have put in almost unbelievable amounts of efforts.... what made him the best was the pure, unbelievable skill, the intelligence. Being able to do things no one else could do. And being able to do the things that everyone else did better than the others.

.ak

Swiwi. wrote: »

If that's your criteria, then sorry .ak, but Piri Weepu wins by a country mile...

It's not my only criteria, but it's something that sets him apart from McCaw.

Swiwi.

.ak wrote: »

It's not my only criteria, but it's something that sets him apart from McCaw.

Ah yeah I was just pulling your leg. I'm
not really into comparing players across countries but BOD certainly one of the greatest, so many tries for a centre it's unreal.

Tox56

.ak wrote: »

It's not my only criteria, but it's something that sets him apart from McCaw.

To be honest at that level (greatest of all time) I don't think there's anything to separate any one player from the next, we're talking about insanely good rugby players here, the fact they play different positions just further complicates things. That's before you get to different eras, with very few people around who would have seen the entire careers of players like Edwards and BOD. I prefer to do it by putting a group of guys (Carter, BOD, McCaw among them of the modern players) on the very top level rather than picking one out from the rest

thomond2006

I believe D'Arcy's legacy is now equal to O'Driscoll...







....because of The Beard.

thebaz

fire_man wrote: »

Haven't we heard enough about his retirement already. Hasn't done much in last 2 years in my opinion.

was it just co-incidental that Ireland conceded to the All Blacks when O'Driscoll was of the pitch - why do i respond to the BOD jealousy - good luck Brian , best Irish player in history - class act

Clearlier

Fireball07 wrote: »

Yeah, I don't think being fat in the past means he should be greatest player ever.


Obviously he worked very hard, but that's not what him the best, most players who get to the top have put in almost unbelievable amounts of efforts.... what made him the best was the pure, unbelievable skill, the intelligence. Being able to do things no one else could do. And being able to do the things that everyone else did better than the others.

I always thought that the key to him was his mentality. He came into an Irish squad that had a losing mentality. Woody was trying to change it but one of the stories I like best about him was when at the 99 world cup somebody (sports psychologist I think) was having a meeting and asked who thought Ireland could win the world cup. He was the only one to put up his hand.

There were others too but he was in the vanguard of the change in mentality of Irish rugby. He was a winner who lead the way in setting high standards and that's probably his greatest legacy. His impact has been profound and it wil continue to reverberate long after his retirement.

On a side note it's a pity that there's no footage (that I'm aware of) of his early years with Leinster. In the days before rugby league coaches came into and implemented defensive systems he had the freedom of the park and took it more or less as he pleased.

TrapperChamonix

His Greatness will not be truly recognised till he has gone

Eponymous

I have to admit to a bit of BOD Retirement Fatigue. It's dragged on too long.

Last HEC, Last 6N, last game for Ireland in the Aviva, Last game for Leinster in the Aviva, last Rabo Home game, except for the following week which was his last Rabo Home game and last Rabo semi-final and now we have next week which is definitely his last game.

I'm sure that at this stage even he finds it embarrassing. Even more than the cringeworthy Des Cahill interview on the pitch after the Embra game.

That's not to take anything away from one of the true greats of the game, but I'll almost be happy now when it's done.

Midnight64

There is not a single coach / team manager in the world who would not have given their right-arm for the ability to select him at 13.

The plaudits coming in from around the world reflect the high regard and respect he is held.

Hopefully, I will get a ticket for Saturday week (#fingerscrossed)

Buer

It's funny how it works out. At this point, the praise for BOD is arguably over the top. However, when he was actually in his pomp from about 2001-2007, I don't think he got the respect he deserved. He was genuinely a frighteningly good player throughout that period bordering on unplayable for opposition sides.

But a lot of people didn't like him. A lot of people tried to denigrate him, mock him and downplay him as a player. Sadly a lot of those people were his fellow countrymen. It's odd to see some of those same people now fawning over him as they jump on the BOD retirement bandwagon.

He's the best player I've ever seen. What he did, he did in an Irish team. Not the all conquering NZ sides that scored for fun or behind the freakish SA and English packs that delivered the game on a plate to their three quarters. Nor even the Aussies who had the most creative half back combination of the professional era delivering ball to their backs.

He did it with decent and unspectacular test players around him. He did it with Kevin Maggs, Peter Stringer, Keith Gleeson, Victor Costello, Reggie Corrigan, Frankie Sheahan etc. He did it on his own, half the time. He had an uncanny ability to step up and deliver a big moment when needed. Not simply because he had the talent but he had the mentality to do so. When Ireland needed 3 points, he had no problem stepping back and popping a drop goal which he did in several very tight, massive games in his career. He backed himself.

His defensive and breakdown capabilities made him a freakish specimen that, under other circumstances, he could genuinely have been a test level flanker given the time he came through at. Size has since made that hugely unlikely but he still never yielded an inch to opponents who had over half a foot and 25kg on him.

In the last year or two, he hasn't been the force he once was but he still can deliver a moment of magic. His presence alone has proven of benefit to the sides he has been in. I don't think we'll see his like again, in this country. He's not a once in a decade player, or once in a generation player. He's not once in a life time player. He's a once in history player for us.

And we won't see the likes of him again.

elefant

Podge_irl wrote: »

I was renowned for having a better outside break and softer hands than BOD.

True story.

That you Ross?

jacothelad

Swiwi. wrote: »

Ah yeah I was just pulling your leg. I'm
not really into comparing players across countries but BOD certainly one of the greatest, so many tries for a centre it's unreal.

I often wonder how the rugby world would have viewed BOD if he had been a N.Z. player, turning out in the best side on the planet rather than for a decent but ultimately limited Ireland. Imagine just how destructive offensively he would have been given the freedom they create. He would probably be right up there with Mike Gibson then......:D (joke). I think BOD IS the best player I've ever seen because he was so good at just about every facet of the game. He isn't the best prop, 2r, etc but that is a different argument.

jacothelad

thomond2006 wrote: »

I believe D'Arcy's legacy is now equal to O'Driscoll...







....because of The Beard.

No. He simply copied the strategy of iHumph with his Beard of Power that allowed him to tackle players and kick 60 metre goals...then the daft eejit shaved it off and became iHumph again.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Easily the most important rugby player in the History of the game in Ireland. And in my mind the best back of the professional era.

Amazing and pretty sad that most of the undeserved flack he got came from the usual begrudgers in our own country. The amount of people gleeful when he was dropped (totally unfairly I might add) for that third test was horrible

Iang87

I was wondering what boards was missing today but thankfully someone made the obligatory BOD is about to play a match lets talk at how great he was thread

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Iang87 wrote: »

I was wondering what boards was missing today but thankfully someone made the obligatory BOD is about to play a match lets talk at how great he was thread

The most capped player in the history of the game is playing his last game this weekend. If that's not worthy of a thread I'm not sure what is?

Also, if you're so uninterested in it why bother posting to tell us how uninterested you are?:rolleyes:

former legend

I was lucky enough to be in Stade de France that day when he scored his hat-trick but what stood out for me was, with the game in the balance in the second half, he absolutely pole-axed Phillippe Bernat-Salles in a tackle, just ploughed him into the turf. Wonderful moment and maybe a side of him the world hadn't seen before.

There have been players with better hands, faster players, better kickers, bigger tacklers, better breakdown operators, but no-one has combined it all into a single package like O'Driscoll.

It has been an absolute privilege watching him over the years, as a Leinster fan and an Ireland fan. Hero.

Iang87

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

The most capped player in the history of the game is playing his last game this weekend. If that's not worthy of a thread I'm not sure what is?

Also, if you're so uninterested in it why bother posting to tell us how uninterested you are?:rolleyes:

I didnt post in the other BOD is great threads I think i just got annoyed that there is another. Apologies if I personally am offending you but its pretty much just another lovefest thread with the same stuff as the others

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Iang87 wrote: »

I didnt post in the other BOD is great threads I think i just got annoyed that there is another. Apologies if I personally am offending you but its pretty much just another lovefest thread with the same stuff as the others

The only one annoyed here is you. You're annoyed at a thread praising a very successful rugby player. Bit sad no?

From what I can recall there has been one BOD thread this season, and that was before his last ever international. If anything the fact that this weekend is his last ever game has gone completely under the radar in the forum. But anyway, I'd suggest maybe not looking at the thread if it offends you so much?

Buer

Iang87 wrote: »

I didnt post in the other BOD is great threads I think i just got annoyed that there is another.

Yah, I'm f*cking seething about it too.

Iang87

Carry on sure repeating yourselves and thanking one another for the same posts. Will we assume so he'll be man of the match in the final too whether he plays or not

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Iang87 wrote: »

Carry on sure repeating yourselves and thanking one another for the same posts. Will we assume so he'll be man of the match in the final too whether he plays or not

Hopefully, would be a fitting way to sign off with a good display

Teferi

This one is for you Ian

.ak

Iang87 wrote: »

Carry on sure repeating yourselves and thanking one another for the same posts. Will we assume so he'll be man of the match in the final too whether he plays or not

To be honest, you're adding nothing to the thread, so don't bother. If you're surprised by the amount of attention that Ireland's greatest rugby player is getting on the eve of his retirement after 15 years then perhaps you'll be surprised by a very many things in the future.

Don't post in the thread if it annoys you - much easier to ignore it all.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

I've made a point out of trying to get to see him live as much as possible this season. Sadly the few times I picked he wasn't firing on all cylinders bar the Cardiff game in the RDS prior to Christmas. He was just an absolute joy to watch that day

Swiwi.

Buer wrote: »

It's funny how it works out. At this point, the praise for BOD is arguably over the top. However, when he was actually in his pomp from about 2001-2007, I don't think he got the respect he deserved. He was genuinely a frighteningly good player throughout that period bordering on unplayable for opposition sides.

But a lot of people didn't like him. A lot of people tried to denigrate him, mock him and downplay him as a player. Sadly a lot of those people were his fellow countrymen. It's odd to see some of those same people now fawning over him as they jump on the BOD retirement bandwagon.

He's the best player I've ever seen. What he did, he did in an Irish team. Not the all conquering NZ sides that scored for fun or behind the freakish SA and English packs that delivered the game on a plate to their three quarters. Nor even the Aussies who had the most creative half back combination of the professional era delivering ball to their backs.

He did it with decent and unspectacular test players around him. He did it with Kevin Maggs, Peter Stringer, Keith Gleeson, Victor Costello, Reggie Corrigan, Frankie Sheahan etc. He did it on his own, half the time. He had an uncanny ability to step up and deliver a big moment when needed. Not simply because he had the talent but he had the mentality to do so. When Ireland needed 3 points, he had no problem stepping back and popping a drop goal which he did in several very tight, massive games in his career. He backed himself.

His defensive and breakdown capabilities made him a freakish specimen that, under other circumstances, he could genuinely have been a test level flanker given the time he came through at. Size has since made that hugely unlikely but he still never yielded an inch to opponents who had over half a foot and 25kg on him.

In the last year or two, he hasn't been the force he once was but he still can deliver a moment of magic. His presence alone has proven of benefit to the sides he has been in. I don't think we'll see his like again, in this country. He's not a once in a decade player, or once in a generation player. He's not once in a life time player. He's a once in history player for us.

And we won't see the likes of him again.

When you put it like that Buer, it's hard (impossible) to disagree. I'm imagining you as some sort of debating nerd at high school

Iang87

Fair enough my point is clearly being missed. This is the longest retirement I've ever seen in rugby. Johnny wilkinson is retiring the same day and there isn't as much from the english media about one of their all time greats.

My point is the constant lovefest for BOD is a little overboard. I dont see myself disputing if he will be remembered as one of the greats and he should be.

errlloyd

Not much left to be said, not much left to be seen.

I guess I'd want him to play out the 80

pickarooney

Never got to see him live. Last chance was in Toulon but circumstances conspired. Although it was hardly his finest hour, that said.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Iang87 wrote: »

Fair enough my point is clearly being missed. This is the longest retirement I've ever seen in rugby. Johnny wilkinson is retiring the same day and there isn't as much from the english media about one of their all time greats.

My point is the constant lovefest for BOD is a little overboard. I dont see myself disputing if he will be remembered as one of the greats and he should be.

Wilkinson only announced his retirement last week and the English media has had massive coverage of it, including a wall chart in the times of his accomplishments

We've all know BOD has been retiring for the last year so that's why it's going on longer.

Plus Wilkinson isn't playing in England anymore

You might call it a massive "lovefest" but the amount of coverage is a testament to how important he is/was to the game in Ireland and worldwide.

Even RugbyHQ in Australia did a top 5 BOD moments and they never dedicate a top5 to a single player

Tox56

errlloyd wrote: »

Not much left to be said, not much left to be seen.

I guess I'd want him to play out the 80

Well if we're wishing for things the best scenario would be Leinster up by 50 and BOD (having set up 4 tries) free to come off to a standing ovation with 5 minutes left

Swiwi.

The way I like to think of great players, is the ones you fear when your team is playing them. At the height of his powers BOD was a player to be feared. I remember the ABs playing Ireland in Dublin maybe 2010?, and BOD was threatening to bring Ireland single-handedly right back into the match.

Other players I have feared down the years in no particular order: Wilkinson, Horan, Eales, Habana, van der Westhuizen and so on.

I think Brian's real international mark was the Lions 2001, though, and also 2009.

Noopti

Iang87 wrote: »

Fair enough my point is clearly being missed. This is the longest retirement I've ever seen in rugby. Johnny wilkinson is retiring the same day and there isn't as much from the english media about one of their all time greats.

My point is the constant lovefest for BOD is a little overboard. I dont see myself disputing if he will be remembered as one of the greats and he should be.

You can't compare the two.
- Wilkinson isn't playing for England, so he didn't retire internationally in this years 6 Nations.
- Wilkinson only announced his retirement recently
- Wilkinson isn't playing in his home country where people can see him play week in and out

So basically he is retiring from playing for Toulon.

Buer

Swiwi. wrote: »

When you put it like that Buer, it's hard (impossible) to disagree. I'm imagining you as some sort of debating nerd at high school

I was the coach.




We never won a single debate.

sydthebeat

Horan and BOD would be my fantasy centre partnership.

MrMike

Its a pity he didn't bow out in the Heineken cup final this weekend!