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Best with his son Ben and daughter Penny after the game. Dan Sheridan/INPHO

'It's nice for my mum and dad and my young family to be here and hear that'

An emotional Rory Best was given a rousing reception as he played his final game at the Aviva Stadium.

IN THIS SEASON of goodbyes, there have been a number of farewells for Rory Best along the way. And not all of them have been on his terms. Think of the disappointment of being forced off not long into Ulster’s European defeat to Leinster here back in March, or his final game in the white jersey being soured by a hammering at the hands of Glasgow.

But today ended — fittingly and emotionally — on his terms. It was, in many ways, a final Aviva Stadium performance that belied his 37 years, as every single person inside the ground rose to their feet on 52 minutes.

Best, having recovered from two early lineout blemishes, responded with character and with tenacity to lead from the front as Ireland ensured this was an occasion to remember for the skipper and head coach Joe Schmidt.

The Aviva stood as one as the Ulster hooker made way for Sean Cronin and then again at full-time when Best was joined on the pitch by his children — Ben, Richie and Penny — and wife, Jodie. 

14 years after making his debut at Lansdowne Road, an emotional Best said: “This place has been unbelievably special for me over many, many years. The support we got today summed up the support we’ve got throughout my career.

“I can still remember coming off the bench and coming down into the corner here into a scrum alongside my brother [Simon]. Those are the things you remember, the little bits and pieces, the trips to the stadium on the bus, the moments after the games when you look around the stadium and everyone’s wrecked, when you’ve given your all for this jersey.

“These moments are made special by your team by your family and by so many people.”

With his team-mates gathered with their own families on the pitch, and the majority of the crowd still in their seats long after the final whistle, Best was given a guard of honour by the teams.

joe-schmidt-and-rory-best-after-the-game Best and Schmidt embrace at full-time. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Afterwards, in the post-match press conference, Best was able to reflect further.

“It is obviously incredibly special,” he continued. “This place has given me some wonderful memories, some ones that you have had to use to try and be better and to get that reception from the supporters here it’s nice for my mum and dad, my young family and my wife to be in there and to hear that.

“It’s nice to see that over a fairly long period of time you have done more things right than not and to get that appreciation is lovely. Ultimately it was about making sure that we were able to build on last week. It’s nice to get the standing ovation and the applause but the performance and the result was far from important than that.”

It was not all about Best here, and he made sure of that, ensuring that he paid tribute to the man sitting to his left. 

“It would be very remiss of me not to mention a coach that came into Ireland a good few years ago with Leinster. With Ireland, he has transformed the international game here,” he added.

I have been very privileged to work with him both as a player and a captain, I can’t be grateful enough for everything that Joe Schmidt has done for me as a player, the team and the country.

In thanking his players and management staff, the Ireland head coach became visibly emotional afterwards.

“For me, it’s been good to take the emotion out of it, as emotionally connected as I am to the team and the performance to the Aviva Stadium and what it’s meant over the last 10 years,” Schmidt said.

“I was here at the first game of rugby with my kids watching an U20s game with the four provinces mixed into two teams.

“So I was here for the first game of rugby and ever since then I’ve had some really special experiences just absorbing the atmosphere. It’s phenomenal for such an open stadium, the volume of noise that gets created.

“And we are incredibly lucky with the support that we have and that was very evident with the reception that Rory got coming off today.”

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    Mute rugbyanbeer
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    Oct 21st 2022, 10:04 PM

    Connacht played great rugby in torrential rain,huge respect for the Connacht supporters, turned out in force again

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    Mute Julian
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    Oct 21st 2022, 9:55 PM

    Work in progress!! A badly needed win. Hopefully a win on the road next week!! Onward!!

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    Mute Reg Gordon
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    Oct 21st 2022, 9:54 PM

    A wins a win but if we don’t sort out our discipline we are in for a long season.
    First half was awful, the second half was much better.
    Carty has the yips this year and we need to do something about that or we will lose games we should win

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Oct 21st 2022, 10:04 PM

    @Reg Gordon: i thought there were a lot but then stat came up on screen that it was only 10 pens (and that was deep into 2nd half) so may not have been that many over the 10 target

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    Mute Oliver Curley
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    Oct 22nd 2022, 9:27 AM

    @Kingshu: it appeared that way because a lot of the penalties were at crucial times deep in opposition areas

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    Mute Criiochúr Daniel Daithí O'Chathail
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    Oct 21st 2022, 10:06 PM

    Would definitely have both Hansen and Baloucoune starting in green against South Africa or at least Australia. Both of them can do serious wonders out on the wing.

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    Mute rugbyanbeer
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    Oct 21st 2022, 10:18 PM

    @Criiochúr Daniel Daithí O’Chathail: Hansen is a brilliant footballer,very clever reads the game ,anticipates where the gaps are,reads the game .Balaoucoune great going forward, needs to get more physical

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    Mute Joseph Blocks
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    Oct 21st 2022, 10:34 PM

    @rugbyanbeer: Balloucoune also needs to get more involved off his wing like both Hansen and Lowe do. They offer a serious amount getting stuck-in outside what normal wingers do. Needs to raise his standards massively to compete with their kicking games too. The gap is big, but he has potential.

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    Mute Stuart Collins
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    Oct 21st 2022, 11:04 PM

    @Criiochúr Daniel Daithí O’Chathail: Franckie horn ( Lions no 8) 60 meter try against ulster with Balaucoune chasing him and couldn’t catch him would be concerning…

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    Mute Gary Galligan
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    Oct 21st 2022, 11:08 PM

    @Criiochúr Daniel Daithí O’Chathail: agree .. both deserve it .. but I think if Stockdale hits his heights he’s truly world class

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Oct 21st 2022, 11:08 PM

    @rugbyanbeer: Balacoune defense is one of his main strengths, never thought it would be questioned even.

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    Mute Gary Galligan
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    Oct 21st 2022, 11:09 PM

    @Stuart Collins: not really cos he made a lung bursting attack play just before that In thin air altitude..

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    Mute Stuart Collins
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    Oct 21st 2022, 11:15 PM

    @Gary Galligan: maybe so.. Put it down to altitude then. You do t see many forwards scoring tries like that..

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Oct 21st 2022, 10:08 PM

    Bp win, difficult at times, but Scarlets are a shadow of thier former selves. Away to Ospreys will be tough, they are a good side at home with their best players out, then away to Munster and home v benneton. Looking at the fixtures at start of year, I could see where Connacht would get the 11 wins need to make playoffs. Best concentrate on Challange cup to be honest.

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    Mute Paddy Kennedy
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    Oct 21st 2022, 10:24 PM

    @Kingshu: Best to keep your opinion to yourself to be honest. Looking forward to seeing Munster embarrass themselves tomorrow.

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    Mute mike ryan
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    Oct 21st 2022, 10:54 PM

    @Kingshu: absolutely no reason they can’t go 3/3 so wouldn’t be throwing in the towel at all, of course 0/3 is possible but thinking like that will only help it into being

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    Mute TL55
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    Oct 21st 2022, 10:56 PM

    @Paddy Kennedy: No need for that. Besides he’s most likely correct. Connacht unlikely to make top 8 & even if they do will struggle against Leinster, Ulster, Stormers or Bulls.

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Oct 21st 2022, 11:06 PM

    @Paddy Kennedy: to make playoff you need about 11 wins and 10bps. Look at the fixtures left and tell me where Connacht will pick up the points needed? With only 1bp so far prob need 12 wins, therefore do you think Connacht will win all but two of the following?
    Ospreys a
    Munster a
    Benneton h
    Ulster h
    Leinster a
    Sharks h
    Lions h
    Zebre a
    Dragons a
    Edinburgh h
    Cardiff h
    Glasgow a.
    Said since start of season if Connacht had Edinburghs fixtures, they would comfortably make the playoffs, but have to play the other provinces twice, just disadvantages them too much.

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    Mute Joe Vlogs
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    Oct 21st 2022, 11:54 PM

    @Kingshu:
    I think the following could be possible, w implying a win:

    Ospreys – w
    Munster – w
    Benetton – w
    Ulster – l
    Leinster – l
    Sharks – w
    Lions – w
    Zebre – w
    Dragons – w
    Edinburgh – w
    Cardiff – w
    Glasgow – w

    If the other sides take points off each other, it will help our cause too. Some sides would be daunting away, but I think can be beaten at home, while others are off form. Optimistic, but I think we can qualify for Europe…playoff might be a bit too high a bar, but in the best case scenario, outlined above, we would have a good shot.

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    Mute TL55
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    Oct 22nd 2022, 12:19 AM

    @Joe Vlogs: To be guaranteed European Champions Cup you need to make playoffs and possibly 6th place as 1 Welsh team & 1 Scots/Italian team guaranteed a position. Leinster Ulster & the SA sides all likely to make it.

    Definitely not a level playing field. Particularly difficult for both Connacht & Munster given the start they’ve had & the games they have to play.

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Oct 22nd 2022, 12:32 AM

    @Joe Vlogs: yeah reviewing it maybe I am being pessimistic, 9 more wins may do, and if league is closer maybe even 8 to make playoffs but for H cup its near even harder, since its not top 8 as Welsh and Scot/Ita side are guarenteed one each. Means Connacht would have to finish above one of Leinster, Ulster, Munster, Stormers, Sharks bulls. Would like to see Connacht in the playoffs as they have the ability to beat bigger teams and cause shocks. They deserve a fair league, not one stacked against them.

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    Mute Harry O'Callaghan
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    Oct 22nd 2022, 5:45 AM

    @Kingshu: Scarlets were missing 16 players. Pretty much their entire 1st team…

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    Mute Michael Murray
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    Oct 21st 2022, 10:13 PM

    Connacht’s reputation for high penalty count certainly had them in thevreferees sights tonigjt…thought he was a bit one eyed.

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    Mute Mike Faherty
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    Oct 21st 2022, 10:18 PM

    @Michael Murray: I thought it was a good referee performance. He was consistent for both teams, let it flow in terrible conditions, set plays were well managed and made the right call for Boyle’s yellow.

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    Mute Cathal Carr
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    Oct 22nd 2022, 12:05 AM

    @Michael Murray: in fairness they’re aren’t ill disciplined. 80% of them are for the same thing, not protecting the ruck.

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    Mute thesaltyurchin
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    Oct 22nd 2022, 10:19 AM

    @Michael Murray: Looking at the first try and HansenVMcnickol again, while both were exceptional plays, not sure they were clear tries. Not like Connacht needed them, the Welsh went missing in parts under pressure from a decent upfront Connacht performance. Prendergast is a big player for them now, back row were excellent. Dunno compared to some of the reffing we’ve had it definitely felt better.

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    Mute mike ryan
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    Oct 21st 2022, 10:43 PM

    Could only half watch it but Porch seemed excellent again and Hawkshaw looks a player, the team managed the yellow card well and took advantage against 13, would have been a shame to not to get points in those last 10. Some good counter rucking by Scarlets but not much else, their scores coming from poor discipline – kicker had a bit to spare against the wind, credit to him and a missed tackle following kick tennis, could be held up as a reason to/not to engage with the tactic

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Oct 21st 2022, 10:21 PM

    Just on this ref called a lot of pens for Playing the 9, it not really a rule I like or fully understand. If the 9 is down and big forward does the SH job are they then the 9? You can hit their hand but not tackle them? Surely if someone tackles them before they lift the ball, its tackleing a man without the ball, and dont need a special rule? And once they lift the ball can they be tackle, or still not allowed to play the 9?

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    Mute Jonny Walls
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    Oct 21st 2022, 10:37 PM

    @Kingshu: completely agree. And half the time the SH sees the counter ruck happening and a lack of supporting forwards on his side – and he either tries to seal off and buy for time or stands there without trying to play ball and hopes to be ‘take out’. One area SHs do need a rule change is when they are being man handled and shoved by their opposite number (who is usually offside too) during a scrum.

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    Mute Joseph Blocks
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    Oct 21st 2022, 10:40 PM

    @Kingshu: you can’t play/takle anyone who isn’t attached to the ruck. The 9 generally isn’t, so you can’t play him until he’s touched the ball. If anyone else is playing 9 then the same rules apply to them. Although the refs tend to be more defensive of the 9s as that’s their primary job and players should know not to interfere.

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Oct 21st 2022, 11:42 PM

    @Joseph Blocks: but why when they have lifted the ball are you only allowed to hit their hand, but not tackle them?

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    Mute Joseph Blocks
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    Oct 22nd 2022, 5:42 PM

    @Kingshu: A player that’s part of the ruck can’t tackle the 9 because they’re technically coming from an off side position. Hitting their hand isn’t considered a tackle. Any other player coming from an on-side position can tackle the 9.

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    Mute Harry O'Callaghan
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    Oct 22nd 2022, 5:38 AM

    In fairness to Scarlets they were missing Wyn Jones, Javan Sebastian, Vaea Fifita, Sam Lousi, Blade Thomson, Tomás Lezana, Gareth Davies, Aaron Shingler, Carwyn Tuipulotu, Johnny Williams, Scott Williams, Dan Jones, Dan Davis, Lewis Rawlins, Samson Lee, Dane Blacker. 16 injuries is outrageous. Pretty much their entire 1st team.

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    Mute thesaltyurchin
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    Oct 22nd 2022, 10:24 AM

    @Harry O’Callaghan: Still there was a decent smattering of top players, particularly out wide. Dunno what’s up with Rhys, he’s not a ‘Patchell’ of the player he was…. I’ll get my coat.

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    Mute Paddy Waggon
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    Oct 22nd 2022, 4:36 AM

    Cathy needs to sort head out. Not sure putting him captain was good idea. Definitely not near irish squad anyways

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    Mute Ben Lowe
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    Oct 21st 2022, 10:37 PM

    Probably gonna upset the connacht fans here but I can see Hansen playing for leinster in few years.
    Class player and with it harder now to get into the Hcup it might be difficult to keep your top players playing out west, i hope im wrong as i dont want them to become a feeser club but as a leinster fan id love to see him in blue.

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    Mute Cathal Carr
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    Oct 21st 2022, 10:45 PM

    @Ben Lowe: Leinster have two international left wingers. Connacht only have two left wingers full stop, with Hansen and Wootton. Defeats the purpose of the national team and game time for him to go there.

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    Mute mike ryan
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    Oct 21st 2022, 10:50 PM

    @Ben Lowe: bring back the red thumb

    But seriously, with Leinster’s conveyor belt I doubt they’ll be short

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Oct 21st 2022, 11:47 PM

    @Ben Lowe: with the improved standard of the URC with the addition of the SA sides, playing in the HCup will become less important for national selection. Theres certainly less of a gap, and the URC playoffs are of a higher standard than a lot of HCup group games. Playing regularly for your province should count for more than 2 or 3 Hcup appearances.

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    Mute Trev
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    Oct 22nd 2022, 12:29 AM

    @Kingshu: excellent point

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