I’m out to stop the new cheats, vows Donncha O’Callaghan
Players were warned before the World Cup that ‘diving’ would not be tolerated, but that failed to prevent Scotland‘s Stuart Hogg from indulging in theatrics during their Pool match against South Africa, earning a ticking off from referee Nigel Owens.
Springboks star Bryan Habana was also accused of diving, while last season the Rugby Players’ Association called for action following a spate of incidents involving players feigning obstruction to earn penalties or have opponents yellow-carded.
Former Ireland and Lions hero O’Callaghan, below, who also has a mentoring role at Sixways, told The Rugby Paper: “There’s a big onus on a few of us older guys because the game’s changing and there are traditions that need to be upheld.
“It’s an awful thing to say but the more professional the game of rugby gets, the more going down the soccer route you can get as well. I know players need to be protected in the air, but we don’t need fellas rolling around on the floor like fruit.
“There’s an onus on guys like me to instill it into the younger guys that if you take a knock or someone takes your head off, you get up and get on with it. We need to preserve the sportsmanship that made us all take up and love the game.”
O’Callaghan, a Munster legend capped 94 times by Ireland and four times by the Lions, was a shock signing by Worcester on the eve of the season. But, at 36, he still feels he has plenty to offer after tearing himself away from Thomond Park.
He said: “To be somewhere for 17 years and have to make the call was tough, but I wasn’t playing at Munster and I felt like a bit of a fraud just watching the games. I felt I was taking out more than I was giving and I didn’t like that feeling at all.
“Worcester’s given me a new lease of life and my wife saw me after our first match against Northampton, with my bloodied nose, black eye and friction burns all across my face, and said, ‘you haven’t looked this happy in the last year!’
“My objective is to put in big performances on Saturdays, but from Monday to Friday I have a clearly defined leadership and mentoring role. When I leave this place, I want the young English second rows here to be togging out every week.”
Warriors boss Dean Ryan was the driving force behind O’Callaghan choosing Sixways, with the big man revealing: “Dean made a huge impression on me with the Barbarians last year and he’s a top quality coach.
“I find him an invaluable teacher. He can really hit the main point that gives you a bang for your buck at the weekend and if you’re not producing the goods you’re going to get it down the barrel.
“I like the way he goes about his business. If we’re organised and play for each other, I think we can do really well in the Premiership.”
NEALE HARVEY
