Delighted Fitzgerald confident Boks Test will bring out the best in him
Luke Fitzgerald of the Lions. Photo: David Rogers, Getty Images
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ON a momentous day for Irish rugby, when seven Ireland players were named on the Lions team to face South Africa in the second Test in Pretoria, one of that contingent has put his selection down to an All-Ireland-winning GAA star.
Luke Fitzgerald replaces Ugo Monye on the left wing as the Lions bid to keep the three-Test series alive in Loftus Versfeld tomorrow (following the 26-21 defeat in Durban last weekend) and, after battling injury and illness early in the tour, the 21-year-old paid tribute to former Armagh footballer Enda McNulty for getting his Lions dream back on track.
Fitzgerald missed out on the first two warm-up games due to a knee strain and chest infection and did not see any action until the third match against the Cheetahs when he was asked to fill in at centre. It was a difficult time for the son of ex-Irish international Des and the Leinster man relied on phone conversations with McNulty and his family to keep him in a positive frame of mind.
"It was difficult," he said. "I had a lot of time to myself and that's when negative thoughts can creep into your mind. But I got some good advice from Enda McNulty who helps me out with sports psychology and all the advice from him and from home was very positive.
"He was telling me that it's a long old trip and anything can happen and to just keep plugging away and now I've got an opportunity in the second Test.
"I think it (the injury and illness) was a culmination of a pretty long season, I played over 30 games and it was pretty trying on the body. It was a bit of a shock to the system, but the (medical) boys took me aside and gave me a few days to recuperate."
His father, who won 34 caps for Ireland at prop, never toured with the Lions and the news of Fitzgerald junior's call-up was greeted joyously by family and friends.
"Elation," said Fitzgerald, of the reaction at home.
"Everyone was delighted, I've a few more caps to go to overtake Dad but I'm delighted to get the opportunity to represent the Lions and represent my country and my family, it's a real honour and I feel really privileged."
McGeechan has made five changes, with Rob Kearney called in for the injured Lee Byrne at full-back and Matthew Rees and Adam Jones coming into the front row for hooker Lee Mears and prop Phil Vickery respectively.
The fifth alteration sees Simon Shaw join captain Paul O'Connell in the second row, while the Boks have made just one change to their side -- fearsome flanker Schalk Burger returning for Heinrich Brussow.
Although seven Irishmen is the country's biggest Lions representation since 1938, it could have been nine players with out-half Ronan O'Gara -- named among the replacements -- deemed unlucky to lose out to the under-performing Stephen Jones and second-row Donncha O'Callaghan dropping out of the match-day 22, despite showing consistent form on tour.
The Springboks are widely expected to clinch the series at altitude tomorrow as the world champions have a daunting record at Loftus Versfeld and have got rid of any rustiness with last week's outing.
"There is massive pressure from being one down in the series but the last thing you want to do is go out and tighten up," said Fitzgerald.
"The Millennium Stadium is the most intimidating place I've played and Loftus is a bit of a cathedral too, but these are the cauldrons that can bring the best out of you."
- Hugh Farrelly
