O’Brien feels at home on big stage

THERE were many smiling faces at Croke Park on Saturday evening, but few members of the Ireland squad were happier than wing-forward Sean O’Brien.

The 22-year-old was called into the action at the interval following an ankle injury to Stephen Ferris and contributed handsomely to an improved second half performance.

“It’s a dream come true for me to be out there and to be part of a team that beat the World Cup champions,” said O’Brien, who made his international debut a week earlier against Fiji.

“I knew Stephen was limping and I had a feeling what might be coming; so I had time to get the head right during the half-time break. A few months ago, I wasn’t thinking about this but it’s here now and it’s all happening. Now I want to keep my place with Leinster and step up for the Six Nations.”

He revealed the Ireland game plan after the restart: “We said we needed to go at them a little more and have a crack. The lineout worked very well although there are a few issues to be addressed in the scrum. A target of ours was to win this game and to go out on a good note. Winning is a habit and we want to kick on from here.”

O’Brien admitted the game was a huge step up from his Fijian experience.

“South Africa are a more physical team than Fiji, they’re the world champions and you had a lot of big fellas running at you. The pace was quicker and the physicality tougher and you certainly didn’t have as much time at the break down.

“I like that part of it and I learned from that today. Everyone’s mindset was the same, we knew what we had to do and went out and did it. The sense of excitement hasn’t set in, I’m just a very happy man. We’re building a squad with some great young fellas and more coming so it’s looking good.”

O’Brien’s involvement in the defeat of the world champions is a massive story back home in Co. Carlow.

“The support I’ve been getting is phenomenal”, he says. “They’re very proud, especially my family. I’m delighted for them as well.”