Ireland rugby legend Brian O'Driscoll has denied taking a shot at the whole of New Zealand, although he did admit his comments on Twitter came across as "petty".
O'Driscoll was one of a host of former players to criticise Sanzaar's decision not to cite All Blacks prop Owen Franks over an alleged eye‑gouge on Wallabies lock Kane Douglas during Saturday's Bledisloe Cup test in New Zealand.
"This is an absolute sham @WorldRugby ???! Makes a mockery of citing.
If nothing comes of this it's a farce," O'Driscoll tweeted.
This is an absolute sham @WorldRugby ???! Makes a mockery of citing. If nothing comes of this it's a farce. https://t.co/sDr92ggzcU
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) August 28, 2016
That did not sit well with many All Blacks fans and O'Driscoll found himself going back and forth with several users.
But after sarcastically suggesting the All Blacks were never guilty of foul play, O'Driscoll appeared widen his target to the entire country.
He said "You lot are so blinded by your beloved team. It bangs of not having a whole lot else."
The tweet was quickly deleted, but not before it was captured in a screen‑shot by one user and posted on Twitter.
But with the story gathering steam in New Zealand, O'Driscoll returned to Twitter to clarify his comments.
Replying to one user who labelled him "poor" for taking aim at the whole country, O'Driscoll said: "how's that the whole country?! I specifically said those fans that feel scrutinized."
Agree with this wholeheartedly. No special treatment *AB fans that feel scrutinized https://t.co/6Hhk4DB6vn
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) August 30, 2016
But after another user pointed out that deleting the tweet wasn't a good look, O'Driscoll added: "in fairness that was petty & hence why it was deleted."
O'Driscoll then tweeted Stuff sport, saying: "good night NZ. Looking forward to seeing u in the summer/winter."
@NZStuffSport good night NZ. Looking forward to seeing u in the summer/winter.
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) August 30, 2016
It did not end there, though, as O'Driscoll continued the fun and games on the social network.
O'Driscoll is no stranger to foul play having been on the receiving end of a nasty spear tackle from Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu that ended his tour with the British and Irish Lions tour in 2005.
