AT THE BEST of times, rugby can be an unsympathetic beast.
Perfect goodbyes for departing or retiring players at the end of the season are few and far between.
There are the lucky ones who get to bid farewell in winning fashion out on the pitch, but there are more of the unfortunate ones whose careers are cut short through injury or whose time in the game peters out in non-selection.
There are, of course, far more important things in the world right now than any possible rugby sign-offs but it’s a fact that lots of professional players will leave clubs and provinces this summer without a final chance to wear the jersey. Some will retire.
One high-profile player facing this strange possibly scenario is Rob Kearney, who has helped Leinster to four Heineken Cup trophies and various other honours but could now leave the province without featuring for a last time.
The 34-year-old’s current IRFU deal expires this summer and, as it looks unlikely that we will have rugby back any time soon, Kearney could well have starred on the pitch for Leinster for the final time.
Speaking to the Irish Times last week, Kearney indicated that it had been and still is his intention to play on next season but any potential move abroad is now up in the air due to the coronavirus crisis.
Whether Kearney plays on remains to be seen but there is a considerable chance that he has worn Leinster’s blue jersey for the final time.
Speaking on a videoconference call yesterday, Leinster’s head of rugby operations, Guy Easterby, opted against discussing specific individuals, but indicated that it will be tricky for outgoing players to get a final game in.
“I wouldn’t like to talk about individual players but the reality is most player contracts run out on 30 June,” said Easterby.
“If [the rugby season] does get up and running, I don’t see it much before that time.
“But I think for individuals, they will be dealt with on an individual basis. If we have players out of contract, then we’ll work on that with those players.”
Easterby did indicate that the province are keen to see players who have had distinguished careers in blue getting some sort of fond farewell.
“The last thing we’d want is for people who have been unbelievable servants to Leinster Rugby to finish on a note like this,” said Easterby.
“We’ll with working with those individuals, so hopefully this plays out and befits the service they have given to the club.
“We will do our very best to make sure people have the opportunity to say a proper goodbye to Leinster Rugby because it is no more than they deserve.”
Former Ireland scrum-half Easterby – who shared the province’s gratitude to all frontline and essential workers – indicated that Leinster had already completed the vast majority of their business in the contracting market before the Covid-19 outbreak struck.
That means Leinster can happily avoid much of the uncertainty currently affecting other teams.
“We’re pretty much done with our panel for next season,” said Easterby. “That’s a positive, in terms of not jumping into the unknown or freezing recruitment during this period, so fortunately it’s one of the challenges we don’t have, we’re reasonably settled on what our squad is for next year.”
While Easterby wasn’t willing to discuss figures, the current suspension of rugby and the possibility of the cancellation of domestic games will have a financial impact on Leinster.
The province had been due to host Saracens in the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals at the Aviva Stadium earlier this month, while their clash against Munster at the same venue in the Pro14 had been scheduled to take place this coming weekend.
“It would be a lot of money,” said Easterby of missing out on those fixtures. “In our model, we don’t budget for a home quarter-final but it is very important to us to try and achieve that.
“Then we have the Munster game which is that annual game in the Aviva which is an important part of our financial model.
“But there is still hope among a lot of us that there might be some conclusion to the season, whether those games can go ahead… it’s probably looking less likely but we’re not prepared to give up on it, it’s about how Covid-19 plays out the next few weeks.
“Suffice to say, it’s not a very positive thing that we can’t play those games.
“As a business, we’ve had some success over a period of time that allows us to have a sound financial footing that allows us to ride out a period of time to hopefully come through the other side of this.”
Leinster’s players have launched the #ShaveGrowOrMo initiative to raise funds for Feed the Heroes and the province’s charity partners, Down Syndrome Centre and MS Ireland.
Legend Rob, thanks for the memories
@Brendan Phelan: I don’t understand much about rugby but say for example no other club came in for him at the end of the season , what would stop him playing on for Leinster?? If he wanted to of course and Leinster were happy for him to train and earn a place.
@John Jones: Nothing stopping that scenario. Would be a case of Leinster wanting him to stay and paying any contract, and Rob being happy with the terms of the contract.
@Peter McCarthy: given that most of Leinster’s financial security has been as a result of all the last decade of success which RK was a huge part of – they more than owe him. Not to mention how invaluable a mentor he would be.
He got paid about half a mill for playing about two games this year, I would take that as a brilliant sweet send off, best of luck to him.
@Pretty Ladee: The most outrageous contract ever signed in the history of the IRFU to the point of suspicion considering his role and influence within IRUPA.
There was never a point where that contract seemed likely to have been offered for rugby playing reasons given Kearney’s decline and complete lack of demand from teams abroad.
@Rochelle: the best full back Ireland ever had and all you can say is the IRFU got his contract wrong. I’d rather see an Irish legend get a decent paid day than a heap of mercenaries getting paid to block irish players.
@Chris Mc: He hasn’t been a great fullback in many years, players should be paid what they’re worth not given gratitude contracts for things they achieved in 2009.
@Rochelle: what decline? He was one of the few good players at RWC – key for Leinster in the only true challenge they faced all year and then systematically removed to suit a FB who was found out against England. Meanwhile Sexton who really was in a decline was handed captaincy and Murray who’s been in a decline for 2yrs was played ahead of the form player of the year. So if u want to talk about favouritism look in the right places.
@Rochelle: Kearney was Ireland and European poty in 2012, key to our 2wins over the ABs and best player on the pitch when we beat England for the GS. So don’t know what your reference to 2009 is?
@Rochelle: we should of spent the money on another South African to bolster any gaps leinster raised players are leaving in the Munster squad.
@Rochelle: unless you have a crystal ball how can you decide if a player will be good value over the period of their contract? Irelands greatest ever full back simple as that.
@ger: He only played against Japan, Russia and New Zealand and none of those were good days for Ireland!
@Gavin Quirke: bitter comment but the point Rochelle makes it right. He was on far to much money at that stage of his career. No other negative about the man. Class player in his. Consistant for a decade. You can’t deny he was overpaid. Heaslip got the same. Insane money at that age.
@Chris Mc: Treating a player/person less favourably because of their nationality is discrimation.
@Rochelle: with supporters like you it must be a sad place for our players at times.
He got paid about half a mill for playing about 2 games this year
@Pretty Ladee: he wanted to play considerably more – he signed a contract last year because Larmour was found out against Ulster and Leinster needed him against Toulouse. Had Leinster any tough opposition this year, he would have been badly needed. But Farrell who had such great form with selection decided to remove him for a FB who was found out against England while retaining the out of form Murray and the seriously in decline Sexton.
I’m sure any contracts due to expire at the end of the season will be honored past the printed date in the unlikely event we do see out the season, but this was likely Kearneys final season in blue anyway.
I’m sure there would be plenty of clubs happy to take him on, London Irish depending on what kind of sign off he’s looking for, I think the big money move ship has sailed.
@Sean Fahey: I wouldn’t be so sure. It would definitely be a nice gesture but financially the game is in trouble. Even in Ireland, we’ll need to tighten the belt.
you have always had an issue with him. So your opinion doesn’t hold much weight. He was outstanding in the GS winning match against England and against ABs in Aviva – that’s only 2 yrs ago. He was one of our few form players at RWC, starred for Leinster in the only challenge they faced all year and then was systematically removed to suit a FB who was found out against England. Meanwhile Sexton who really is in decline was handed captaincy and Murray who has been out of form for 2yrs was played ahead of the form player of the year. That’s where the favouritism in rugby lies not with Kearney who is now set not even to get an appropriate send off.
Kearney was short changed all year. He was vital for Leinster in their away match v Lyon and would have been key against Saracens. Larmour prices against England that he is no FB. and expect Addison in the jersey next season. Throwing Kearney away like Farrell has done was seriously irresponsible especially from the sane coach who wouldn’t start Cooney citing the importance of experience. Kearney was scapegoated so Farrell could win favour with the media. Leinster should keep him on if they can – he deserves a proper send off not one behind closed doors.
@ger: They beat Wales & Scotland without him…
Kearney might move to another Irish province should his time at Leinster be up. He’d certainly improve the Munster back three and would be an upgrade on Haley.
The lack of games and financial gains from the home fixtures is going to have a massive affect on world rugby and will lead to a rebalancing on players incomes.
The squads will be reduced dramatically as that is the quickest and easiest way to trim expenditure and people will just not get their contract renewed unless they are vital to the team.
Academy players will come through quicker as a necessity and overseas players will be let go to the wayside.
Check out the current position of rugby Australia as an absolute disaster of a position.
They have no sponsor after rejecting the current one and then failing to negotiate with anyone to take over. They have lost heavily twice in massive payouts to The fullback and the public are openly revolting against the management who are all kiwis
There is a better than 50/50 chance according to the Australian media that Rugby Australia will be forced to declare bankruptcy and they are putting it all down to the CEO rather than the covid 19.
They have massive problems on and off the pitch but I would like to think that Ireland are in a much healthier position and can last even if we don’t get to complete the six nations or indeed the Nov internationals