With the six week long World Cup starting today, it’s not only a time to embrace the array young of talent that will feature for many of the participating Nations, but an opportunity to appreciate and savour the sport’s more senior players. Irish veteran Paul O’Connell will bow out of the International scene after the competition and international rugby will be poorer for it.
Not known for his flamboyant rugby style or his ostentatious field presence, O’Connell has ascended to the top of the game by personifying the consummate professional and taking on his workload with a high degree of nonchalance. Using his high work ethic as a foundation, O’Connell has built a very successful rugby career which has spurred him on to become one of the best locks in the game over the past decade.
The 35 year old’s credentials speak for themselves and certainly etches O’Connell’s name alongside the all-time greats of rugby.
- Munster: Two Heineken Cups 05/06 and 07/08, Three Celtic Leagues 02/03, 08/09 and 10/11; One Celtic Cup 04/05
- Ireland: Three Six Nations Championship 09, 14 and 15, One Grand Slam Winner 09, Four Triple Crowns 04, 06, 07 and 09
- British and Irish Lions: Three Campaigns 05, 09 and 13; One Series Winner 13
Rugby World Cup success hasn’t been forthcoming with Ireland not once passing the quarter final stage which O’Connell will undoubtedly see as a slight blemish on his otherwise impeccable international record. In saying that, Ireland now have arguably their best ever chance to better their best ever performance at a Rugby World Cup after recording back to back wins over Australia and South Africa in last year’s autumn internationals. And while O’Connell will know better than most that previous form means nothing in a World Cup, he’ll also know with the year they’ve had and the squad they have, they’ve never had a better opportunity to win a World Cup.
Heading into his fourth World Cup campaign, there’s no doubt O’Connell has the experience to lead them to Twickenham on 31 October. He’s got the squad behind him as well as the coach in New Zealand-born Joe Schmidt to go all the way. However the one question mark dogging his endeavour to be ranked among the best that ever was is something that can’t be answered until it’s actually done. That is whether O’Connell actually believes that he and Ireland can win the World Cup – an aspect of a man you wouldn’t have expected considering his illustrious career to date.
The World Cup was the one trophy that eluded fellow Irish legend Brian O’Driscoll. And when we asked O’Driscoll in our interview with him in April, he always bristled when the tournament was mentioned, as has O’Connell when consistently asked about Ireland’s World Cup performances. Many great players have played the entirety of their careers without enjoying World Cup success – unfortunately world sport rarely follows storybook endings.
Like all tall poppies, O’Connell has had his critics who’ve been consistently swept aside by his success at provincial and international level. But come Ireland’s defining moment at this year’s World Cup, no words of any critic will ring out louder inside O’Connell’s head than the words of the man himself. Let’s just hope that when everything’s all said and done, O’Connell is remembered for his fearlessness in battle, his ability to lead like few others and his unwavering commitment to the Ireland rugby shirt, not whether or not he could steer Ireland to World Cup glory.