THE GAME HAD yet to begin and Richardt Strauss had already struck the right chord.
While many of us at the Aviva strained our eyes for assistance in singing along to Amhrán na bhFiann, Strauss was the image of quiet determination as he echoed the national anthem.
Simon Zebo remarked after the match that most of the players lining up before the 16-12 loss to South Africa, Strauss’ native country, were taken by surprise that their new hooker was singing in Irish.
“I really tried,” he told TheScore.ie. “It was something for me.
It would have been special or would not have felt right if I didn’t [sing]. I’ve committed myself to Ireland and was really proud to play my part.”
“I’m not normally a guy that gets over-emotional,” he added. “I actually get fired up when people start crying.
“As we ran out onto the pitch, I felt myself being really emotional.
“After a while I told myself, ‘you have to get this aside, you’ve got a massive job to do’. As soon as the first contact was made, you have to calm down, play your game and do your job.”
Bloodied but unbowed
All eyes were on Strauss in the opening exchanges, with the home supporters hoping for the 26-year-old to replicate the form that has electrified Leinster’s forward play and led to Springbok captain referring to him as ‘an extra loosie’.
Less than three minutes were on the clock when he had to be replaced for provincial colleague Sean Cronin as medical staff tried to stem the blood flowing from his bottom lip.
Was it a special welcome from his countrymen?
“Yes it was,” he confirmed. “It was an accident, though, by Ruan Pienaar’s boot.”
Richardt Strauss at Carton House today. (©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)
If it was a mistake from the Ulster scrum-half it was only of the only ones he made in a typically assured performance that was capped with a crucial second-half try. Strauss said:
We thought we were playing well and had to keep doing what we were doing. Obviously the breakdown didn’t go as well in the second-half and they got back into the game.
“We made a couple of bad decisions and let them in at a really bad time … with sides like South Africa, New Zealand, you’re really going to struggle to get back into the game.”
An Irish rugby player
Strauss does not believe that Ireland’s intensity dropped off in the second-half but conceded they were ‘that second too late when we committed guys too late to the maul’.
“The size of some of those South Africans – you don’t want to get too up close and personal with them every day,” he said. “Their weight and stuff took its toll.”
It is encouraging to hear the hooker talk about Ireland and South Africa as ‘us and them’. He confirms the impression when he declares that he has cut all bonds with South Africa. Strauss commented:
When I left there I made a commitment to play and that I’m an Irish rugby player. If the public want to go on about me being a South African, back in South Africa, that’s up to them.
I don’t see myself as a South African rugby player at all. There’s no ill feelings there, it’s just that I see myself as an Irish rugby player.”
With Gloucester-born Dan Tuohy speaking to other sections of the media about his hopes of featuring against Fiji on Saturday, and Michael Bent from New Zealand alao making his Ireland debut, the national camp is getting a distinctly international flavour.
Strauss admits that it is occasionally ‘difficult as one of the outsiders’ but insists there is a good vibe in the camp.
“Hopefully the [supporters] accept us when we take the field,” he added.
Its not every week you would have a South African cutting all ties in playing with his country to play for Ireland. I would say best of luck to him. He might teach the Ulster players the national anthem is well.
Delighted to have you Mr Strauss. The more of you the better. Who needs home-grown players anyway? Big Jack certainly showed us how!
agree. what has nationailty got to do with anything anyway. surely, the days of ‘nationailsm’ are over (except for enterprises like The Shakedown). ireland is made up of people from all over the place now. if you live here, why not be allowed to play for the irish team?
@Ian
Over the years, many Ulster players were threatened by Loyalists about singing the National Anthem so many still don’t
What do ya mean? Sure wasn’t Tommy Bowe belting it out!
To expect Northern players to sing the national anthem of the Republic of Ireland is as ludicrous as expecting the Southern players to sing God Save the Queen
They are playing for IRELAND. They should sing the IRISH anthem. It’s about time we did away with that clap trap Ireland’s Call….such an embarrassment. Likening it to the southern lads singing god save the queen is a ludicrous argument. It’s the IRISH rugby team!
@PatD
Yes, its the IRISH rugby team, not the Rep of Ireland rugby team. If Richardt wanted to show his commitment to the country he has made his home then I have no problem with it (and fair play to him for it). Just as I have no problem with any of the lads taking pride in signing their national anthem on home soil. But its not the anthem of the team nor should it be. The team is made up of Irish men from every county including those in NI, it transcends political borders and all the shíte that goes with bickering over those borders and long may it stay that way.
New Zealand have been doing exactly the same thing with Fuji and Samoa for years!
Congratulations to Richard. We’re delighted to have you.
If i was Rory best id be an extremely worried hooker
Tommy Bowe is an Ulsterman true, but also a Monaghan man.
Actually a Kildare man. Born and bred in Rathangan. Go and ask him…
The family did move to Monaghan afterwards I might add. Not to offend the Monaghan clan.
Strauss has a way to go yet to match Besty. Rory Best has one of the highest tackle counts in Irish rugby, hits his man and is a very good scrummager. The only hooker in Ireland needing to be worried is Cronin, who could see his bench place taken by Richardt.
The most important thing is he wants to play for Ireland after that if he’s the best ( no pun intended ) hooker then he plays. I’m happy he’s with us.
Chris, some sort of record – 48 thumbs up and no thumbs down!!!
Straussy is a legend!! Loved him singing the anthem
absolutely
hypocrisy,if o Driscoll or paul o Connell cut all ties with Ireland and joined England and sang god save the queen you’d all be out with your pitchfork and flaming torches baying for blood
As far as i know a former ulster player , Irish born and bred, recently declared for the scotch
your irish now boy keep up the good work
delighted to see Richardt declaring for Ireland, best of luck in your international carreer