Alright, don't touch me...
Brian O’Driscoll: BOD as he is often referred to as, made his international debut at the tender age of 20, on 12 June 1999, in a 46-10 loss to Australia in Brisbane.
Since then he has established himself as one of the best outside centres the game has ever seen. Often being referred to as the worlds best outside centre over the last 5 or 6 years. A title that would be closely fought between him and his opposition counterpart, come this weekend’s match-up.
O’Driscoll played for Ireland before he played for the senior Leinster team. At one stage he was so popular in Ireland that T-shirts were made, bearing the motto “In BOD We Trust”.
Some BOD magic: [docathail]
Thats the kind of KAK this fleet footed star is capable of on the day, but does he still have what it takes to claim the title of the worlds best #13?
Run chicken, run...
Jaque Fourie: Fourie made his international debut on the 11th of October, at the 2003 IRB Rugby World Cup, at outside centre for the Springboks against Uruguay, at Subiaco Oval in Perth, and scored a try on debut.
He is still the only player in world rugby to have scored a try against every nation that he has faced. Fourie has scored 28 tries in 53 tests for the Springboks and has established himself as the premier #13 in South Africa since 2004 where he took over the reigns from Marius Joubert.
Fourie is a deceptively quick, incredibly strong, try scoring machine of a #13, who played a pivotal role in both the Springboks 2007 RWC victory and the 2009 series win over the B&I Lions.
Some Fourie Power: [irb]
Is Jaque the best in the world, with his pace, power, strength, tackle and turn over rates?
I love Fourie but i dont think he is a O’Driscoll yet. Brian is one of the most consistent rugby players i have ever seen. He has amazing leadership skills, and is a leader that the whole of Irish Rugby looks up to. I would not say that Jacques is quite there yet. But maybe one day.
I think Jaque has overtaken Brian in recent years. Jaque never had (and never will) the finesse and areas of true brilliance that a current rusty Brian has in his arsenal but his power, work rate, defence and finishing skills make him the best 13 in the world. He has not scored against every nation he has played against for nothing! I also think Brian has become very unsportive and dirty these days and if he was such a good leader then why did he not intervene when the Springboks invited them for beers after each game?
I heard something interesting yesturday, that the Springboks and the Irish have dinner together on the evening before they face each other, as a long standing tradition, and the Irish have refused to do it this year. I don’t know how true it is, but seems a tad petty.
@Brian, I agree that he has become a bit dirty. I was disappointed at times with his behaviour on the field during the recent B&I Lions tour
[...] form, nor reputation. The fact that he won baffles my mind in a year where Both Fourie du Preez and Brian O’Driscoll have been ahead of [...]