THE ALL BLACKS, the Springboks and the Wallabies. All accounted for in 2016.
Rory Best had an emotional day on his 100th cap, as he captained Ireland to the third of their Southern Hemisphere scalps this year.
It’s a remarkable achievement for Ireland and Best, whose leadership began in truly testing fashion as Ireland underperformed in last season’s Six Nations.
The Ulsterman has been superb as captain ever since, however, and Ireland assistant coach Andy Farrell went as far as to say Best is now a contender to lead the Lions to New Zealand next summer.
Best’s leadership was exemplary against the Wallabies, as he dealt superbly with referee Jérôme Garcès and kept Ireland on the right side of a 13-3 penalty count.
“You’re a good ref,” said Best to Garcès at one stage, as he argued that both Stephen Moore and David Pocock were getting in the Frenchman’s ear. “He’s not the captain,” said Best, in relation to Pocock.
The Ireland hooker received a deafening standing ovation as he left the pitch late on in the game, having joined Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell, Ronan O’Gara and John Hayes in the centurions’ club.
Best’ father was interviewed in the build-up to the game, showing some emotion at his son’s achievement, and the hooker himself felt a few twinges on the big occasion.
“First of all, I hope you got my Dad being emotional on camera, because it’d be the first I’ve seen it in some 34 years,” said Best with a smile post-match. “Look, I think the way the week has gone and the disappointment of last week, the way we’ve built into it.
“We talk about a squad and to lose Johnny [Sexton] and Robbie [Henshaw], and then Sean [O'Brien] so late, you just hope the squad steps up. It’s something that, especially the last 12 months, we’ve worked really hard on.
“We had a tough old start to the Six Nations with so many injured, and the same in South Africa but you’re starting to see the rewards of it.
For me, it was obviously an emotional day. There’s such a great bunch of guys to captain and to be around. I suppose at this stage, it’s still really fun playing and training. The coaches make it so most of the time, other times they give us dog’s abuse!
“It’s a really good balance. For me, for 100 caps, it was very special. To have to make the changes that we did during the game.
“First of all you ask guys to fit in, and out of position, that’s hard. You just ask them to show a stomach for the fight and every man who stepped onto the pitch did that. That’s all you can ask. It wasn’t perfect but it was enough.”
Best said the reception he received after the game, as well as when he first came onto the pitch before the match with his two of his children, was very special.
“When I got the first cap, I never dreamed I would get 100. For me, personally, this week has shown why Irish rugby is such a special place to be around.
“The amount of support and well wishes has been really special. It shows why it’s so special to be in that green jersey.”
As for the achievement of beating the big three Southern Hemisphere teams in the same calendar year, Best expressed his delight. He says Ireland never bought into the idea that were was gulf in class between those teams and the Northern Hemisphere.
It’s obviously a pretty big achievement. To do it with so many players is a good sign for us and the depth that we’re building. After the World Cup, there was all this talk about the gap from the Northern Hemisphere to the South.
“The way England are performing, obviously Scotland won today. We didn’t feel there was a gap 12 months ago and that’s probably the biggest thing for us. We feel on our day we can compete with anybody.
“Since Joe came in, it’s been about consistency. We were disappointed last week so to turn around and get the result is very important. You have to show that level and we’ve now shown it against three top nations.”
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The one time he used an arm in a tackle he nearly decapitated a lad. He’s safer with his no arm efforts, plus he never gets carded for them.
He’s only ‘incredibly regretful’ because a ref finally had the stones to do something about his persistent cheap shots and dreadful technique during a game. Overrated player regardless, I hope he has the book thrown at him.
@Carmine Lorenzo: ah but he’s sorry
@Carmine Lorenzo: terrible challenge but far from overrated
@Stephen Duffy: He’s not as good a 10 as the likes of ‘Barnesey’ and Stephen Jones make out.
@Carmine Lorenzo: ah lads over rated. He is a work horse with a good brain and a winner. He is loyal to a club that yes we all cant abide but he is an outstanding player. Id love if he joined Munster….as unpopular that is to say but we would win a cup
@Carmine Lorenzo: I was surprised to read it was his first red card of his career. He is involved in high tackles quite regularly. Great player but plays on the edge too much for me.
He has been tackling like this for years and never sanctioned for it. He deserves everything he gets too. He’s a brilliant player but he’s a dirty player too.
@Batster: 100% agree. They need to make a statement for whole of rugby here.
His reaction indicated he realised he’d miss the Leinster game, bugger all remorse really. But the Sarries PR machine running to defend him, will ensure he gets the minimum ban possible….
Want to see him play. Class player
@ollie:
@ollie: You’re some fisherman
@Rosco Bosco: always liked him couldn’t care that he’s English. Fellas class on the ball and decapitates attackers. It’s wrong but he’s unreal
@ollie: aggressive kicking game too
@ollie: aw nobody is biting! I’ll help out. What do you mean Ollie? He’s a fouling no good so-and-so! There, is that better?
Ohhh that’s only the 4th …. maybe 5th time we’ve had to hear that sentiment??
@Dave O’Shaughnessy: actually, check how many bans he’s had
@Dave O’Keeffe:
I know, it’s terrible that he’s gotten away with it for so long.
No he is not sorry at all he is a dirty player and he is only sorry because he was been caught. He has got away with dangerous play for far too long. I hope he gets more than a slap on the hand.
Problem here is the fake arm tackle practiced by a huge percentage of today’s rugby players. They clench their muscles
and throw the arm in in what is essentially a hit rather than an attempt to grab the opponent. Unfortunately for Farrell this dodgy technique allied to the player changing direction and height at the moment of the tackle led to this incredibly dangerous tackle! Still lots of work to be done on tackle technique and defensive coaches expectations!
@CARMODY Neil: very well said.
Incredible knob
His good disciplinary record, are you having a laugh. At last a ref with the guts to stop him.
@Ian James Burgess: what do you mean the guts to stop him
It was a reckless challenge and the worst referee on the planet no matter how incompetent would have to send him off
A long time coming. Talented player but have absolutely no time for him. Filthy player.
So there is low medium and high level and if his is eventually classed as mid, what would high actually be? It would have to be a very frightening outcome it seems. Let’s just wait and see how much they are genuinely stamping out this kind of low life thug.
Big cj stander will shake him off his leg again
I am me….I can do this stuff……I am untouchable…..oh gosh, mebbe not!
Very poor tackling technique. Leads to fouls and dangerous play. Bout time he was sanctioned
Class act marred by cheap shots.
He’ll probably only get a two match ban
He’s a dirt tackler.