O’Leary ready to display Rebel spirit Down Under
The Ireland and Munster scrum-half has watched avidly this season as long-time county hurling teammate Setanta O hAilpín tears through every defence in the Australian Football League. A hugely successful cross-code convert himself, O’Leary, still keeps close tabs on his former brother in red.
“I played with him U14 all the way up and then with minors for two years before he headed off,” says O’Leary, who skippered the Cork minors to the 2001 All-Ireland title.
“I keep an eye on him. I’d have The Footy Show on and he’s kicking three or four goals every game and they’re talking about him all the time.
“The position change [from defence to attack] has benefited him greatly. Obviously, whenever I meet up with Seán Óg in Cork, I’d be asking after him as I’ve lost touch with him.”
Perhaps this tour would be the perfect opportunity for O’Leary to reconnect. This is the first time the 26-year-old has made the mammoth trek to the South Seas. And he’s out to make it a memorable one.
“It’s my first time down here in New Zealand and I’ve never been to Australia either so I was just really looking forward to this trip,” says O’Leary, who in spite of the injury crisis engulfing other parts of the squad, still had a fight on his hands for the No. 9 shirt with Eoin Reddan and Peter Stringer both on the plane.
“Yeah it was a bit funny that we (the scrum-halves) weren’t affected. So the pressure was still on, big time. Redser’s been flying with Leinster and Strings is Strings.
“But I was hopeful I would get picked and I’m confident I can go and do a good job. It would be great to get the first win down here.”
Equally there was a tight call for Declan Kidney to make in terms of his out-half partner. In terms of sheer proximity no one is better placed than O’Leary to judge the current toss-up between Ronan O’Gara and Jonathan Sexton for the No. 10 shirt.
“Even before the Six Nations, Rog was playing very well and Jonny too so it’s just down to the coach then to call it. Rog has got the nod this time and his form has been unbelievable. But you couldn’t argue if Jonny had have been picked and that’s the kind of competition we want,” enthuses O’Leary, who will win his 16th cap.
“All the injuries are negative but you look at the guys coming in, this is their chance to lay down a serious marker. It’s about strengthening the squad with the World Cup next year.”
O’Leary, who had special praise for Mick O’Driscoll on his inclusion in the line-up, continues to develop and blossom into potentially one of the best all-round No. 9s in the game. But there have been criticisms too; his box kicking coming into focus during the Six Nations. He responded at Twickenham with his best game in an Irish shirt and he knows his kicking could play a crucial part in New Plymouth.
“The kicking game is very important against any team and against the All Blacks it can be a great weapon, a great way of easing pressure and then putting the pressure back on them. Hopefully it’s not our only weapon.
“I’ll have to be on form on Saturday, I know that.”
He will at least be running into some familiar faces further in the tour, with O’Leary eagerly looking forward to one get-together in particular.
“There’s a few friends of mine from college who are in Oz so they’re coming up to the Wallabies match and Rua Tipoki then is back home so he’ll be at the Maori match so we’ll meet him in Rotorua,” he says.
“I’ve been on to him for the last few months and he’s mad looking forward to meeting up with us. He’s held in high esteem in the Maori community so it’ll be great to catch up.”
Having New Zealanders at Munster around over the past few years has helped O’Leary delve into the Maori mindset. It’s a subject which clearly fascinates him and, having faced it once at Croke Park in 2008, he can’t wait to line up against the Haka again at Yarrow Stadium on Saturday night.
“Yeah it’s just cool. I’ve had plenty of chats to Dougie [Howlett] and Rua about it; you appreciate that tradition and get a feel for how important it is to the locals, especially the Maori community. It is religious and it’s great it’s still going strong.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
