Sam Warburton has been 'brilliant' after Lions Test XV omission, says Sean O'Brien
Saturday 24 June 2017 11:11, UK
British and Irish Lions flanker Sean O'Brien has praised the reaction of tour captain Sam Warburton, after the Welshman was left out of Warren Gatland's starting XV for the first Test against New Zealand.
O'Brien will start in Warburton's favoured position of openside flanker, while fellow Irishman Peter O'Mahony will captain the side from blindside, with Taulupe Faletau completing the back-row.
Warburton is among the replacements for the clash at Eden Park in Auckland and as a result, Saturday's fixture - live on Sky Sports - will be the first time a Lions tour skipper has been left out of the opening Test since England's Doug Prentice missed out in 1930.
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O'Brien, who was left out of the first Test himself on the tour to Australia in 2013, admitted Warburton's absence is by no means permanent, though, and has praised his response since being left out.
"I know and everyone else knows the competition that's here, especially in the back-row, and that's [Warburton's omission] just a call that's been made on, I suppose, the last few games," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"But as I said, that can all change over the next few weeks. Sam [Warburton] in fairness to him has been brilliant.
"He went around to everybody last night after selection and shook their hand and congratulated everybody.
"He's been very positive in training and everything. That's his leadership qualities, and you have to react well to stuff like that and he definitely has a good head on his shoulders.
"I suppose lads are always a little bit nervous come team selection, but Gats just got up and read it out and said a few words afterwards about how tough the decision was. We all know we're lucky to be starting this first Test.
"That was one of my goals when I got selected for the Lions: to make sure I was in contention to be involved in the first Test.
"I remember four years ago, I was pretty upset to be honest with you after selection was called out, and I was angry and I'd a lot of mixed emotions so I can imagine how a lot of the lads felt last night."
The Lions head into the game having beaten the Crusaders, Maori All Blacks and an under-strength Chiefs side, but the All Blacks will pose an entirely different proposition altogether, particularly at Eden Park where they have not lost a match since 1994.
New Zealand scored an astounding 80 tries during the 2016 season, and one of the criticisms of the Lions so far has been a lack of attacking thrust and scores.
O'Brien, who missed Ireland's victory over New Zealand in Chicago through injury, is under no illusions the Lions will have to go for it from the off if they are to stand a chance.
"Absolutely we have to go and try and play," O'Brien added. "There's no point in sitting back and letting the All Blacks run at you and let them have a free run at things, they're too good.
"They're too big and strong to be letting them do that so we're going to have to play a lot of rugby and see where that takes us.
"That's [ending New Zealand's 37 game run at Eden Park] hopefully what we can go out and achieve."
O'Brien's international colleague O'Mahony will lead the Lions out as captain, in an amazing turn around in fortunes from little over three months ago when he started just one Six Nations clash.
Despite his new lofty standing in the Lions squad, however, O'Brien said it would change nothing between the pair, as he heaped praise on the Munsterman.
"Me and Pete are good buddies and that won't change," he added. "I'll definitely be giving him the same abuse I normally give him! I'm always at him, poking and prodding him and messing with him.
"It's a great honour for him as well and richly deserved. A fantastic player and a fantastic leader."
Watch the Lions take on the All Blacks on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1 from 7.30am.
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