Fitzgerald vows to kick on with spur of Lions pain
Thursday November 05 2009
LUKE FITZGERALD is determined to use his "disappointing" Lions tour experience as motivation going into the November international series.
Though he was thrilled to be part of the Lions tour, the pain of being overlooked for the first and third Tests has stayed with him.
Fitzgerald's tour got off to a slow start due to illness and the fact that he was originally selected in the centre -- where Brian O'Driscoll and Jamie Roberts were lock-ins from early on. Fitzgerald shone when picked on the wing but England winger Ugo Monye had the momentum for the first Test only to spurn two try-scoring chances that ultimately cost the Lions the match.
The 22-year-old's form was rewarded with his inclusion on the left wing for the second Test and, after overcoming the eye-attack of Schalk Burger, Fitzgerald looked sharp and dangerous but was involved in the defensive mix-up that led to a try for JP Pietersen.
With the series lost, Lions coach Ian McGeechan made several changes for the dead-rubber third Test. Fitzgerald was dropped as the Lions won against an experimental South African side (whose thoughts had turned to the Tri Nations).
"From a personal perspective, it was a disappointing tour," said Fitzgerald, who has been in scintillating form for Leinster this season.
"I was sick when we started and then I was played in one or two positions.
"I was really disappointed to get dropped. I made one or two errors which maybe cost me the position. It was pretty cut-throat stuff. Then everyone came out looking well out of the last Test, because I felt they (the Boks) didn't really put out their strongest team.
"But I have made a conscious effort to really kick on and use it as a motivating factor for my future career," added Fitzgerald.
"I could have got down on myself but I decided I'd work harder on my physical development, back myself more and trust my own instincts. I don't want to jinx anything but I feel very strong and very confident at the moment."
- Hugh Farrelly
Irish Independent
