Lions series 'bigger than the World Cup' - O'Connor
''I guess we were both over here in 2013,'' said O'Connor referring to Farrell and the last Lions tour to Australia. ''But he has done far more in the game than I have so I wouldn't make too many comparisons.''
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O'Connor hasn't done too badly. Returning to Australia as a Super Rugby Pacific winner with the Crusaders, he could now become one of only four players to face the Lions twice for his country. He played fly-half in all three Tests of the 2013 series and admits he has plenty of experience to add.
''I know how big of an occasion it is, it's massive." he said. "It's bigger than a World Cup. I was not aware of it back then and it's not something these guys have been a part of. You get one shot at it usually.''
The door opened for O'Connor following first choice fly-half Noah Lolesio's injury against Fiji.
Head coach Joe Schmidt is clear in what he's asking of the 35-year-old.
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''A calm voice. A voice of experience," he said. "The volume of noise, the microscope you're under, everything is ramped up in a Lions tour, the pressure you feel.
"So to be able relieve that pressure valve will be useful for us or, if it's needed, to ramp the boys up a little bit.''
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