Tana Umaga faced a stern interrogation with regards to his spear tackle on Brian O'Driscoll during the 2005 Lions Tour at his press conference today, but had backup in the form of Kiwi inside back Sonny Bill Williams.
Umaga and All Blacks hooker Kevin Mealamu dropped the Irish centre head-first onto the canvas less than two minutes into the opening Test, dislocating O'Driscoll's shoulder in the process, and thus ruling him out of the rest of the series.
12 years on, it remains Umaga's legacy as far as the Lions concept is concerned. While speaking as head coach of the Auckland Blues ahead of their fixture versus Warren Gatland's side this Wednesday, he was asked by a British journalist how he felt about the fact that it 'still lingers' with fans in Ireland and Britain.
Umaga responded:
You know, it's not about that time now. If people can't put it behind them then I suppose they never will.
A second journalist then asked him to recall the events of that week, before Sonny Bill Williams - sat to Umaga's left - interjected, telling the journalist:
Mate, let's just leave it alone, mate!
A smirking Umaga then said, "That'll be a no."
"Mate, let's just leave it alone mate" ✋️ #crackup @SonnyBWilliams ? pic.twitter.com/6UsHJb2V4J
— ☀e (@sonnytoiparker) June 5, 2017
Kick off this Wednesday is scheduled for 8:35am Irish time, and Umaga will likely receive a frosty reception from the travelling contingent - not that he'll be too bothered.
