NSW coach Michael Cheika’s strong friendship with Brian O’Driscoll could result in the duo reuniting at the Waratahs but the former Leinster mentor says it won’t happen at the expense of home grown talent.
Reports in the British press have again linked the Ireland captain to a possible move to Australia when his current contract ends in June next year.
O’Driscoll won the 2009 Heineken Cup under Cheika and has spoken to him of his desire to play Super Rugby in Australia.
With the Waratahs struggling on the field – they finished 2012 with a record eight straight losses – and battling for media coverage off it, Cheika acknowledges O’Driscoll is the type of player to lift the performances and profile of the franchise.
It’s something South African recruit Sarel Pretorius failed to do for the Waratahs, the halfback enduring an ordinary one-season stint before being cut at the end of the 2012 competition.
Cheika said NSW would only consider signing the former British and Irish Lions skipper if his recruitment didn’t interfere with the Waratahs development program.
“Obviously I know Brian very well and it is no secret that he is one of a number of top players over there who would love to come down and play in the Super 15,” Cheika told AAP on Wednesday.
“It would be a big decision for him to leave Ireland – and being NSW and having a big catchment area of players our priority is to develop from within.
Cheika took over from Michael Foley as Waratahs coach last month on a three-year deal. The Waratahs began their pre-season training in Sydney on Wednesday but Cheika said he had not spoken to O’Driscoll since taking the reins of NSW.
“I saw him before I left – I went to say goodbye. But we haven’t spoken since,” he said.
“I wouldn’t want to do that to him or the club. He is in the middle of a season, the Heineken Cup is still on and they are focusing on that.
“It is still my club and it is very close to me and I would not want to disrupt their season. That is Brian saying how he feels about things and what he might like to do.
“It would be a big decision for him to leave Ireland but the thought is there with all the top players – there is no doubt about that.
“If we did do that we would go for a top player, a player who has done it at Test level.”
mudskipper
Guest
BO'D could be a good signing... but does he have anything left to play for/give?
Comrade Bear
Roar Rookie
I'd watch the 'Tahs if BOD was in the side. I thought I would never want to watch them again after the 2012 version.
Derm
Roar Guru
I know Johnno. Was just ripping you.
Albo
Guest
I tell you what the lads flocking out of Dirty Nelly's and The Lord Dudley to the stadium would boost crowd numbers if BOD played.
Johnno
Guest
Pot Hale i just did tell everyone what I really think mate lol, read my comment .
Derm
Roar Guru
Tell us what you really think, Johnno. don't hold back now! :)
Johnno
Guest
The name of the article says it all really "no substitute for locals" -The continued protectionism and even Xenophiba and conservative and traditionislists attitude of Australian rugby fans confuses me. Not to mention the double standards and hypocrisy. Just like the AB's jersey traditonislists not wanting it despite having a rumoured $20 million bikes thrown at them , staggering. -Australia does not have the best 150 players in the World. As a fan who would you prefer to watch in your team. An SBW, a Jonah Lomu, a Brian O'driscoll, a Johnny WIlkinson, a Manu Tuilagi. -Or infieror locals like Dean Mumm, and Lachie Turner . Give me Jonah lomu or SBW anyway of the week. The fact that some rugby fans in OZ would prefer there team had a infers less talanted local over a SBW or Jonah Lomu, believing it is better for Aussy rugby is staggering. Guys like this bring in tv ratings $$$, crowds, merchandise. . Dean Mumm and Berrick Barnes do not sell tickets, or young rookies 3 years away from being wallabies people that no one including the traidontislists enjoy watching. And this is proven as they don;t go to tahs game. What's so funny about rugby traidonislists is they applaud all the improts in the A-league , and the NRL thinking it is a good thing for soccer and rugby league, and for the nationalt ams of these sports, and love he Del Piero's , and are happy souths have 6 improts 4 Brugess brothers englishman, and 2 kiwis, never complain, and think all he influx of kiwis into the NRL is good for the kangaroos and the national team and australian rugby league development , but cry when more imports are mentioned in Australian rugby. And in cricket ask yourself traditionalists is it bad Kevin Peterson rumoured to be interested in coming out for the big bash T20 cricket. If he comes KP will obviously take a talented young locals spot. Is that a good thing yes. As KP will bring in the tv ratings$$$ , and crowds over that talented young local. So tradiotnislists have to think with the money more. Theses same tradiotnilists will go and watch Kevin Peterson play and are happy if he comes out he is taking a locals spot, as they wont pay to watch the local . And they complain about imports but if a SBW, or a O'driscoll comes out they will stills hinge about imports in Australian rugby but pay to watch them play, and not pay to watch talented locals. The double standards and hypociscy of some Australian rugby fans is staggering I think.