Ireland's visionary

By WYNNE GRAY

He arrives with his sports drink and spectacles. The refreshment is a ubiquitous companion these days for rugby players but the glasses deliver a new slant.

For such a gifted player as Brian O'Driscoll, a centre who has that great rugby gift of vision, the glasses seem incongruous.

Things take on another twist when he reveals he has worn glasses since he was five, that he is "pretty blind" but is yet to use contact lenses on the rugby field. He has some but has persevered with them only for another of his sporting passions - golf, which he plays off single figures.

"I can't read things like the scoreboard," O'Driscoll revealed as he took time away from his preparations for today's Carisbrook test against the All Blacks. Taking high kicks did not bother him as long as the floodlights were powerful.

"Everything is a little smaller but in rugby you don't need a huge amount of detail, you just see the ball and men in front of you. It is not a problem and I have never known anything different with my eyesight."

The 23-year-old is equally at ease in conversation. That does not surprise, as it is rare to find an Irishman who does not converse as smoothly as the Guinness sits in a pint.

When he drapes himself in a chair it is also easy to see he has the physical attributes needed for his demanding job in midfield. He is not tall, has powerful legs and his arms are like pistons. Opponents talk about his low centre of gravity, his pure speed and ability to shrug off tackles with his powerful lower torso.

"He impresses me with his awareness and high skill level where he tries to keep the ball alive," All Black centre Tana Umaga said of his confrontation in Dublin last year.

"He is very hard to contain, very strong on his feet and in the modern game there is no substitute for pace. We will have to work very hard to cut down his space."

Ask O'Driscoll what he prides himself on, what he wants to bring to the Ireland team and he takes a moment.

"Excitement," he says, "a bit of a spark, just something a little different to everyone else."

Most Irish rugby scouts have seen that for some time. Inspiring captain Keith Wood says the centre was a huge talent through his school and college days and in the international squad in his teens.

"He has a great amount of flair and what I like is his industry both on and off the field. He wants to make things happen for himself and the team. He is special and a frightening talent."

O'Driscoll's father, Frank, played two tests against Argentina and sent his only son to Blackrock College, one of Ireland's famous rugby nurseries. O'Driscoll was first capped in 1999 against the Wallabies, was a Lion last year and in 25 internationals he has shown the sort of skills which have brought him three tries in individual tests against France and Scotland. His parents remain his biggest fans and supporters and will be in Dunedin today.

The centre nominated Carlos Spencer as a player he admired in the early years of Super 12 and whose array of moves he tried to emulate and improve.

"He had so many little skills and touches which others follow and try to copy. I have always liked watching Carlos.

"It is like watching a skateboarder or snowboarder who has moves named after themselves and that would be a great thing to do in rugby. I like to keep the ball alive, try to keep it away from contact, keep moves going. It makes for a great spectacle for the crowd but it is not so interesting on the lungs."

With his prowess comes the fame and the attention. O'Driscoll accepts that as a consequence of his profession. The trick was to use it as a positive weapon. Recognition in Ireland was not quite as claustrophobic for rugby players as it is in New Zealand.

"It could be a lot worse but we have the soccer and gaelic football players who are feted and I still have somewhat of a life."

He got a notion of New Zealanders' passion for rugby in Timaru last week when he was swamped by fans.

"God almighty, there were O'Driscolls coming out from everywhere, the town was full of them," he snorted.

He got the benefit of their wisdom and has also had time to discuss the game with Mike Gibson, regarded as the prince of centres from the Emerald Isle.

"I spoke with him a month ago and for someone who played in such a completely different era, the fact that the game has changed so much in the last 10 years, his rugby brain is still very much at work.

"He knows what is going on and you can hold a proper conversation with him, whereas others would have old-fashioned views.

"He has not let his brain wander, he is very astute about knowing what happens these days and does not drift in the 'in our day' routines."

Like his teammates, O'Driscoll was disappointed Ireland did not use that ability to beat the All Blacks last year in Dublin. It was a royal chance which got away.

Carisbrook might not offer the same opening but the Irish were certain that if they could worry the All Blacks and build some pressure they could emulate the deeds of their national soccer side.

"Apparently the country has gone mad about the World Cup. We have all been watching but you don't get into the same fever away from home."

The country knew how to rejoice in success and if Ireland were to create history with a first test win against the All Blacks today, O'Driscoll quipped, they might not make it to Eden Park for the second test until a day before the match.