FOR THE LAST few years it looked like Brad Thorn and Nathan Hines were having a competition about who could age more gracefully. The two teak-tough second rows were both known for their longevity as well as their skills but the New Zealander pipped the man from Wagga Wagga by a single year in terms of retirement age.
The 39-year-old Hines stepped away from rugby this afternoon after Sale’s loss to Exeter in the Aviva Premiership and he leaves behind a great legacy.
Irish fans will best remember him from his two-year stint with Leinster where he formed a strong second row partnership with Leo Cullen. While Leo was more of a traditional lock, Hines’ handling was sublime and he offloaded in contact with an ease usually reserved for back rows or centres. He also scored contributed Leinster’s only points in the 2011 Heineken Cup final that weren’t scored by Johnny Sexton.
Hines then enjoyed three stellar seasons with Clermont before his swansong with Sale this year. Hines was also one of rugby’s biggest chancers when it came to skirting the laws… just ask these three Ulster forwards.
He probably isn’t as much of a cult hero as Brad Thorn is… but he is pretty damn close.
Poor Joey’s football career is in steady decline due to his quick thumbs and quick tongue. He thinks he’s smarter than everyone yet he can’t see what’s happening.
He’s becoming more of a rent-a-rant than Eamon Dunphy, and he’s twice as bitter. Not looking forward to when he goes into punditry.
Dunphy is entertaining, Joseph Barton is not.
Here’s a stat Joey….. One England cap. It shall remain that way too cos you add nothing to the league in terms of football. Delusion jokeshop.
does the 98% stat not count as a produced stat? …
How he is still in football is beyond me. Nothing but a thuggish mouthpiece.
Far from me to ask whats this idiot doing on this fantastic on line newspaper, There is better stories like the Donegal people walking to Dublin to protest about the cuts to all services and the banks.
This is sports section!
lies, damned lies and statistics