FROM THE OUTSET, many believed Dave Kearney was on the outside. Back in Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad, but barring a series of back three injuries, a World Cup longshot.
And so it proved, with Kearney among those to be left out of Schmidt’s chosen 31 for Japan at the final cut, but after a year-and-a-half in the wilderness, the 30-year-old could take huge confidence from coming so close.
In starting the opening pre-season game against Italy at the Aviva Stadium in August, Kearney bridged a 21-month gap between caps number 17 and 18, after injuries had utterly blighted his career since the 2015 World Cup.
Shoulder, groin, ankle, toe, and various muscular problems caused Kearney to miss large chunks of the last four seasons and cause deep frustration for the Leinster winger, whose 14 appearances for Leo Cullen’s side last term was his most since the 2015/16 campaign.
Setback after setback, Kearney has put those injury tribulations behind him now and, with a consistent run of form and fitness in the last 12 months, played a big part in Leinster’s run to both the Pro14 and Champions Cup finals.
Although he missed out on selection for both deciders, Kearney was outstanding on the Leinster wing in three Champions Cup starts against Toulouse, Wasps and Ulster in the quarter-final, with the win over Toulouse at the RDS last January a real turning point for the Louth native.
He scored an excellent try that day, finishing spectacularly in the corner after a trademark Ross Byrne cross-kick, and it was the launchpad Kearney required for the rest of the season, as he then earned his way back into Schmidt’s summer plans.
Just as he did in 2015, Kearney impressed the Ireland coaches in training at Carton House, giving himself the best shot at World Cup selection with a place on the wing for that first outing against the Italians in Dublin.
An early first-half try did his chances no harm that day but ultimately it was Andrew Conway on the other wing who saw much more of the ball and was allowed to impress and stand out in the race for a seat on the plane.
By way of comparison, Munster’s Conway — starting on the right — touched the ball 13 times that afternoon, making two clean breaks and beating three defenders, while Kearney — on the left — had seven touches, made two breaks and beat two defenders. A lot of it comes down to luck.
“I felt pretty good during the games,” Kearney says. “I thought in my head I would get another start, maybe that Wales away game. Once I didn’t get that, I had a feeling that maybe I was going to miss out.
“But, at the same time, it was great to be back in the mix there. It was a year-and-a-half back to my last game. I enjoyed being back in and there were definitely positives to take away from it.
“Two years ago, I was in a bad position, just kept getting injured. To work my way back into the mix was good for me and good for my confidence.”
Once the initial disappointment had subsided, Kearney was able to take stock and return to Leinster imbued with renewed levels of self-belief after working his way back to Test rugby after everything he had been through.
“That was huge for me,” he continues. “At the start of the year, it is always my goal to get back into the Irish squad. Leinster gives you that platform to get in. It was great for my confidence from where I was up to two years previously.
“I was playing Leinster ‘A’ games in Donnybrook two years ago. Those days were tough. To finally get back in the mix and wear the jersey again was a positive to take and it does build up your confidence.”
Having returned to UCD for the final stages of Leinster’s pre-season preparations, Kearney hit the ground running in the opening game of the Pro14 campaign as he scored a hat-trick in the bonus-point win over Benetton.
Although he didn’t feature in last week’s victory over Ospreys, Kearney is back in Cullen’s team for tomorrow night’s visit of Edinburgh to the RDS as Leinster bid to make it a perfect start to their title defence.
With the frustrations and hardship of those dark days now firmly in the rearview mirror, Kearney — although watching the World Cup with a touch of envy — is clearly excited and enthused about what is to come.
Competition in the Leinster back three is fierce, even more so when Rob Kearney and Jordan Larmour return from Japan, but just as he showed last year, Kearney is in a good position to earn his starting berth regardless of who else is in the building.
“That’s all it takes really, just a bit of luck,” he adds.
“Getting those opportunities, that’s what I found the toughest part of getting back. You need consistent game-time and you’re kind of getting a week here and there and you’re not getting selected. You need a few games on the trot to actually get back into it and you definitely need luck as well.
“I think we chatted about that the last time, I said that Toulouse game was probably the changing point for my season. I wasn’t meant to start that game, it could have been Rob that pulled out. I came in and that’s your opportunity. That’s when you start to get more opportunities on the back of that.
“But yeah, I’m enjoying my rugby now again and I’m enjoying being back. Enjoying the training, enjoying playing games.
“I suppose during that period where you’re injured, there’s pressure on you then when you’re up for contract and you hadn’t played much. You don’t really enjoy rugby then.
“At the moment I am, I’m in a good spot and I’m enjoying it. The body is feeling good so hopefully, I can push on from last season.”
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Got to admire the man, far from the most gifted (bit like his brother) but obviously made the most of his talents through hard work and dedication (like his brother). If some of our more gifted players had the application of these boys they could have been world class.
@Dino Baggio:
Yup 100%. The rugby players that annoy me are the ones with bags of natural talent who don’t make the most of it, are too egotistical or just don’t work hard enough at it.
There’s a few Irish examples of this dotted around the world, including two in Paris and Bristol.
Then you’ve guys like DK or Billy Holland for example who might not have the most natural talent or physical gifts but absolutely maximise what they do have. They’re the types of guys I can identify with.
@Oval Digest: what a load of horseshit. Zebo won a load of caps for Ireland, went on a lions tour, is Munsters record try scorer & now earns 3/4 of a million a year playing for one of europes biggest clubs. How the hell do you know how hard or not he works on his game? Maybe the fact that he’s a higher achiever than Dave Kearney is because he worked that much harder on his skills all through his career?
@Tim Magner: maybe it’s the notorious slacker Donnacha Ryan he’s having a pop off /
@Tim Magner: I actually had to look it up to see if the old munster player John o sullivan had gone to Bristol. You’re right tho about John Muldoon the traitor
@Jim Demps: sorry confused
@Tim Magner: Tbf o sullivan did play with Connacht as well. Super super player when fit. Not a slacker like the rest of em.
@Oval Digest:I agree with your point but as a matter of interest who exactly were you on about.
@David:
David you should read the posts above you :: they will tell you :: Something about a player who did not have a good life where he was but to make a better life for his family (I think Munster is one of the nicest place in Ireland ) but not good enough for your man :: They tell us it is Zebo :: I don’t know ??
@Dino Baggio:
” far from the most gifted (bit like his brother)”
The most decorated player in Irish Rugby history ::two loins tours :: when he was fit he was always picked by all the Irish coaches he played under :: Best Irish F/B ever ::
Yes not the most gifted ::right Dino
@Martin Quinn: try scoring record is unreal alright and all those defenders he has beaten and tries he has set up, just the sheer range of handling skills, I can see where I was wrong alright.
@David: Zebo and Madigan I was referring to. I think in their effort to take offence the lads above might’ve missed that (and the point).
Both of these guys are immensely talented (far more talented than the other two I refer to), and have had great careers.
But also neither have really maxed out their talent, which is what I was getting at. Zebo’s fitness issues and unwillingness (read arrogance) to fit into different tactical systems and Madigan not progressing to be able to really control a game because he relies on his natural running ability means both will always be good/very good players without being top consistent test players.
Guys like Holland and DK will never be that but I really admire how they’ve gone about their business and maxed out their careers.
That’s all.
@Oval Digest: you’ll have to give me an example of a coach ever calling out zebo on his ‘fitness issues’. As for the Kearney brothers, maybe Dave didn’t work hard enough on his game/skills to reach the heights Rob did
@Oval Digest: Anything to back either of those criticisms up? Or that Kearney/Holland work harder than them. Funny how “flair” players are often deemed not to work as hard as others for some reason. I can’t vouch for Zebo but Madigan is renowned as a bloody hard worker. Don’t believe me ask Richie Murphy the Irish skills coach who’s praised his hard work numerous times. You don’t go from being an average goal kicker to a very good one without putting in a ton of work. As for not developing as a game manager it might be more to do with coaches moving him around from position to position constantly than him not working hard. Game management isn’t something you can train harder at. It’s learned through experience and trial and error.
@Oval Digest: can you rewrite that last one and sub in James Lowes name for Zeebs for the regional papers? I mean the career paths and styles are nearly identical minus all the international and lions caps.
@Tim Magner: I think it’s fairly clear Dave doesn’t have the natural talent Rob does, yet has done very well to get to where he has gotten to by fitting into systems and maxing out on his talent.
On Zebo’s fitness, a quick glance at his belly, particularly having come back from a summer break would give you clarity on that.
@Eddie Hekenui: I’m sure they do work hard. As pro rugby players that’s a pre-requirement.
But I think it’s fairly clear that neither have reached the levels that they could’ve by fixing the flaws in their game and building on the natural talent others don’t have.
Here’s Simon after returning from a brief trip home to Ireland last year for example. Probably not in prime condition.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DzuAhJXX4AAVixC?format=png&name=small
@Jim Demps: I wouldn’t say James Lowe is nearly as naturally talented as Zebo (particularly considering his condition). He’s not naturally a speedster for example which is usually a requirement for such a high quality winger.
But interestingly neither would I say he has maxed out on his talent considering he didn’t get capped by the ABs.
@Oval Digest: Rob was never Christian cullen but he has built a career on being the best in the business under a high ball and fantastic game intelligence covering the back field. What natural talents does he possess over Dave? Is he faster? Stronger? I think you have a picture in your head about the working habits of 2 players in zebo & madigan that you have convinced yourself is fact, but it’s just your own personal bias.
@Oval Digest: beauden Barrett wouldn’t be half the place kicker that madigan is. Would you also say that through arrogance and an unwillingness to work harder that he’s not maximising his talents?
@Tim Magner: Yes absolutely Barrett is a great example and I’ve actually called that out on here before. He’s obviously incredibly talented but to really push into the pantheon of greats of the game his goal kicking and game control lets him down. Both of these are learned things that should be easier to layer on than natural gifts. Whether it’s arrogance or not I’ve no idea.
@Tim Magner: Yep he certainly was faster and a more naturally gifted player for years, particularly when he broke through. I think people forget that about RK. And over the years he has smartly tweaked his game to remain at the top level despite some of those gifts fading. Earls would be a guy who has done likewise.
Zebo for example will need to improve and evolve his game once his natural speed diminishes. Whether he will or can remains to be seen.
@Oval Digest: I actually agree with ur general point, guys like Kearney and Billy and few more who’ve made the most of their ability and earned international honours should be held up as examples to young aspiring rugby players however your examples of zebo and madigan to show the opposite are poorly thought out. Guys who showed plenty of young potential like ian Nagle and Jordan Coughlan are probably better examples of unfulfilled potential but putting it down to a lack of hard work is foolish and something none of us know for certain.
I played rugby for years with talented guys who went on to become pros and talented guys who didn’t and the one thing I can say with certainty is that there isn’t a single guy with a pro contract in Ireland that isn’t a hard worker.
@Jim Demps: I didn’t put it down to just hard work Jim lad. Read the bit above where I say ‘I’m sure they do work hard. As pro rugby players that’s a pre-requirement.’
In Zebos’ case it’s definitely part of that considering his regular problems with physical conditioning. It’s also partly the ego of not wanting to fit into a certain game plan it seems.
Whatever the reason my point stands that I would respect guys who have maxed out on a limited level of talent than guys who ‘could’ve been contenders’ but didn’t quite reach the heights they were expected to.
So far, I think both Madigan and Zebo fit that bill. Great careers but you also wonder what could’ve been.
@Dino Baggio: you can beat all the players you like and there’s not much point in scoring a try every game if you cost your team 2.
Rob Kearney is hands down the best full back ever to play for Ireland.
@Jim Demps: yeah and all the winner medals too.
@Chris Mc: it’s a shame that you can’t do the eye rolling emoji on here
@Dino Baggio:
Ever Irish coach wanted him to play for Ireland:: with that it is enough to see where you were wrong. These Coaches have said of him that he is imperil in the air , that he brings all the back 3 together like no other F/B :: he is one of the best readers of the game
For a Fullback he has all the right tools to be FIRST CHOICE . Now you tell me why all those coaches (from the 4 Connors of Ireland J S :::EOS:: D K :: ) went for this player where you feel that he ” is far from the most gifted”
We should just leave it at you “being far from the most gifted of Posters”
“and sub in James Lowes name for Zeebs”
He has not and he won’t be involved with Joe so he won’t get the chance to dish his coach : But he might have problems with Farrell :: we should keep a close eye on him::
ps
I just copied Oval’s post and cut in J L name into it and lodged it away for including at a later date ::good idea Jim::PPS when you said Zwwbs you were talking about Zebo ?? Right :: :) :) :)
@Tim Magner:
Tim with the use of “Bias” in your last post you are showing your own bias to another posters opinion and you have your opinion and it is not bias>
I feel you can have an opinion and it does not have to be Bias ::
They all are good because they all played for Ireland ::and gave their all for country ::
@Chris Mc: not a patch on Girvan Dempsey
@Martin Quinn: is that why payne was being shoe horned in at fb then? If he wasn’t injured and had his career endes RK wouldn’t even be at this wc.
@Martin Quinn: says the most biased poster on here.