George Hook: O"Driscoll"s retirement is extraordinary for Irish rugby

Updated 07 March 2014 05:39 PM

George Hook believes that there has been increased media coverage surrounding Brian O’Driscoll’s retirement as it marks something different in Irish rugby.

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Saturday will mark the final home appearance for one of Ireland’s greatest servants and Hook believes it will be decidedly different to any other player’s final home international as O’Driscoll is in control of his own destiny.

“It is extraordinary that for the first time in history everybody is going to a game becuase it marks the retirement of somebody,” he said.

“Normally we wouldn’t have known that. Kyle, Slattery, O’Gara for example didn’t know at the time it was their last game.”

Hook said that he was aware from an early age of the genius on the rugby pitch, with one moment in 2001 standing out above all others.

“I was in Brisbane for the final Lions Test when he scored an extraordinary try against Australia.”

“Then I knew I was looking at something special.”

The radio presenter and rugby analyst also jokingly suggested that the fans are really more concerned with his impending retirement than O’Driscoll’s.

“I think a lot of people are getting emotional by the fact I’m retiring next year and that probably accounts for the sale of 55,000 tickets,” he said.

Declan Whooley

Article source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/rugby-league-koukash-calls-change-152929076--spt.html

George Hook: O"Driscoll"s retirement is extraordinary for Irish rugby