Fans of the Lions were appalled by the famous spear tackle, though Tana Umaga (L) and Brian O'Driscoll have now put it behind them. Photos / Getty Images
Fans of the Lions were appalled by the famous spear tackle, though Tana Umaga (L) and Brian O'Driscoll have now put it behind them. Photos / Getty Images
It has taken 1518 days - 50 months. But Tana Umaga has finally met Brian O'Driscoll for the first time since the former All Black captain's tackle that ended the Irishman's test series as captain of the 2005 Lions after 60 seconds of the first test.
The meeting took placeat an unlikely venue - a training ground at the Nice Rugby Club beside the Mediterranean.
As Leinster were training, a familiar face appeared on the touchline. For the first time since that night in Christchurch four years ago, O'Driscoll and Umaga shook hands.
Umaga is the backs coach at French club Toulon, and had gone to Nice to meet some friends.
"I have friends over there and one of them at the rugby club just said, come down to the ground," explained the New Zealander.
"I had no idea Brian was going to be there. When we got down there, my friend said, 'I've got someone for you to meet.'
"I was a bit reluctant because I saw the Leinster boys there and didn't want to be a nuisance. But when I got there, Brian came up and we just started chatting. It was good to catch up."
Was the meeting uncomfortable for the New Zealander? Did they discuss the spear tackle in which Umaga and Kevin Mealamu were involved that wrecked O'Driscoll's shoulder?
Umaga smiled. "It wasn't uncomfortable chatting with Brian at all. It was good to have a chat about how things are going for both of us.
"We didn't mention 2005 and the Lions tour. It is a long, long time ago.
"In the end, it is invariably other people who talk about the past, not the players. I just enjoyed the chat with him."
