And O'Gara believes it would have been more beneficial to him if he had been given time off after last season's conclusion rather than being picked for the Ireland squad.

"You always want to be playing for Ireland against the best teams in the world, but, in my case, I would have liked to have gone on holidays after we lost to Leinster [in the Magners League]," he said.

"It would have been great if I could have had the four weeks off back then and had a long pre-season and really attack this season, but I was informed there was a full-strength team going so that was my decision made for me.

"I was happy to go out there but as it turned out I didn't play well and I lost my place for the Australia game. That's the way it goes and you just get on with it then.

"You never want to turn down the opportunity of playing for Ireland and that was always there. I was trying to weigh up the decision in my head and I had mixed feelings myself about it.

"I was happy to go and give it all but I didn't play well against the All Blacks, and Ireland didn't play well, so you're watching for the rest of the tour and you feel like it's a bit of a waste of time. But you have to take your medicine when it comes to you."