CHRISTMAS IS A peculiar time for Simon Zebo and indeed all rugby players. He’ll allow himself “a little turkey” but the other festive treats will have to stay on the table.
He’s already had his break following an exhausting run of games for province and country. So, while the rest of the world is enjoying their holidays, he’s looking towards a Pro12 fixture against Leinster (TG4, 5.30PM) on St Stephen’s Day.
2016 has been a successful year for Irish rugby overall. Scalps over the three Southern Hemisphere sides in Test matches brought a much needed reprieve following a disappointing Six Nations campaign, and Zebo played his part.
11 minutes into Ireland’s November Test against Australia, Zebo was summoned from the bench to replace a visibly shaken Rob Kearney. The number 23 coming on to claim his 28th International cap.
After his introduction, he played an instrumental role in the Iain Henderson try courtesy of a bouncing kick of the ball that put Keith Earls through the cover before the offload to Henderson.
After 54 minutes, Ireland were holding a slender six-point lead and trying to repel the Australian resurgence, when the ball was recycled to Zebo. He opted for a kick into touch but it didn’t travel far. The ball skewed off his boot and gifted possession back to the visitors.
The camera shows Zebo facing across the Irish line, wincing, and gesturing an apology at someone. He can’t quite remember who it was, though “it was probably Besty (Rory Best),” he tells The42.
Seven minutes later, Australia are four points clear and transferring the ball across the pitch when Zebo takes his place in the Irish line. He finds himself staring down Michael Hooper and starts closing in on him, quickening his pace with each stride.
Hooper collects the ball just before Zebo crashes into him. It’s the second wind Ireland have been looking for to break the Wallabies’ countering momentum.
Ultimately, it was the moment which led to Ireland’s triumph — Zebo’s family and friends would probably endorse that sentiment, he agrees — but within the confines of the dressing room, he’s a grounded man.
“It was just one of those moments where you have to back yourself, you try and make a big statement. I think we probably needed it at the time. If you’ve got the confidence to do it, you’ve gotta do it.
“We got the result and we didn’t think too much about the game. For sure at our next international camp, we’ll review it but at that moment in time we were just enjoying the win. We beat southern hemisphere sides and we have to enjoy that moment.”
But in those moments when Australia were on the rampage, surely the players were contemplating the worst?
“We wouldn’t really think like that. It’s easier for spectators to see the momentum change in the game and things like this but as players, we play minute by minute and moment by moment.
“If something goes wrong, if they score a try or a penalty, it’s literally, ‘Next job, what can we do now to swing the momentum back for us?’ Even when I sliced the ball off the side of my boot, it’s not something you dwell on for too long because if you do then, the game will slip away from ya.
“We were all pretty calm and Besty was leading us quite well and we knew what we needed to do. Just one or two crucial moments in the game got us that momentum that we needed to get us over the line.”
The sense of self-belief he carries has been a mainstay characteristic of his game since he first arrived on the international stage back in 2013 with that famous Six Nations debut against Wales.
He could have played a conservative game that day, given it was his first chance to impress at that level. But Zebo put on a show and treated the crowd to a back-heel of the ball following a pass from Jamie Heaslip which led to a try. He also collected a try of his own and signed off with that trademark ‘Z’ sign salute.
There was no pretense behind the performance, rather it was just the kind of expressive display that comes naturally to him.
“It was a special moment. That was probably my first introduction to the international stage as doing something like that.”
“Before I was on the international stage, I was trying to make friends and enjoy myself and enjoy the craic and it translated into doing something. I try to play with no fear and entertain the people who pay to come and see us.”
I’d back my skill level and my talent over anything, that’s why I believe I am where I am out of belief and confidence and playing with no fear. The more you think about things, the more you lose the ability to express yourself on the pitch and 10 times out of 10 it might have gone backwards or went under my hand but I’d belief and confidence in myself.”
In Ireland’s first clash against the All Blacks this year, some of that audacious play manifested itself again. A box-kick from Conor Murray on the hour mark prompted Zebo into a sprint. Waiting on the other end ready to gather the ball was All Black Aaron Cruden, but the Munster man was plotting an ambush.
He launched into the air, arms outstretched and cupped the ball into his chest before rolling off Cruden’s shoulder to make as clean a landing as you can get considering the height of his leap.
The winger however, can still see the imperfections of what appeared to be an excellent move.
“I probably jumped a little bit early but yeah it’s one of those things again. Conor just put up a great box kick and I just really went after it. And (Aaron) Cruden who wouldn’t be the biggest guy in the world, I fancied myself against him.”
As regards jumping, we do this thing at the gym called the CMJ (Counter-Movement Jump) and I’d say I’ve probably the worst recorded jump ever and then when it comes to the pitch, I don’t know how it works.”
Away from the rugby pitch, Ireland lost an iconic figure this year, which brought the rugby fraternity together in a powerfully emotional way.
Zebo still remembers the first time he met Anthony Foley. He was an U20 player looking to impress a legend of the province.
“There was about 40 or 50 young boys out there and he was the head coach and he was trying to pick us and I remember just shaking his hand and being star struck and being in awe of the man and what he’s achieved.
“He epitomised Munster rugby and everything I wanted to do. To see the man who’s been there and done it and potentially was about to be my coach, I was very excited.
“I’d say he would have been more impressed if I had gone head first into a scrum. Me and Axel have and had a great relationship. He’s a great character and we had a very close relationship.”
After Foley’s death, Munster recorded a comprehensive victory over Glasgow Warriors in Thomand Park. Zebo crossed the whitewash that day and, in honour of his fallen hero, he pledged the score to Foley.
I’d be quite religious. Whenever I get the opportunity to go to mass that’s good but I’d be a big believer in prayer. It’s happened to me a couple of time with people I’ve lost, I dedicate the very first try to them. I’d be quite spiritual. I’d be pretty confident that every time I go out on the pitch, my grandfather is looking after me and Axel is looking after me.”
“I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and when it’s your time to go, it’s your time to go. I’m sure he’s looking after us right now. Every game we’ve won he’s with us and we’ll try to keep it going.”
The rugby calendar doesn’t take the Christmas break into account but Zebo is comforted by some important upcoming fixtures against Connacht (Pro 12) and of course the Stephen’s Day meeting with Leinster.
He also has another rap video to plan in the new year with Paddy Jackson, but when asked by The42, he refused to divulge the specifics of their next hit.
“Oh definitely, when we get a bit of time together, I think there could be a third song coming. I don’t want to give too much away. He’s Jay Z and I’m Kanye so we’ll have to pick and choose our songs very carefully and make sure it’s perfect.”
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Zebo is class.
King Zeebs
I remember seeing him early on in his career and thinking here was a player that Munster don’t normally produce. He was all skill on the pitch and he was brave enough to take on players and back himself. Since then he has gone through something similar as Earls. He has had to beef up and learn how to defend. Doing this without losing what made you special in the first place can be difficult but, if achieved, you can become a fantastic player. I dont know if he is there yet but he is on his way.
He’s well able to defend and no need for the beefing…
The best back three player Ireland have. He’s still got it when it comes to unexpected moments of skill (that don’t just look nice, but often lead to tries), but he’s improved so much when it comes to defence, he’s already made several try saving tackles, that he looks such a complete player now. He’s really growing into the fullback jersey, while he does all the things that one expects of a fullback, he’s putting his own spin on things there, often coming flat and becoming a key playmaker in attack. Has a cannon of a left boot, and gets a serious fizz on his passes. Zebo has come in for a ridiculous amount of stick over the years, probably one of the most unfairly criticised players in recent years imo, but he’s risen above it all and made himself into a serious player.
@Thomas Moroney: *He’s already made several try saving tackles this season.
Thomas, there are no negative comments on this article about Zebo and there haven’t been for along time. It’s a pity the same thing can’t be said about another player (J.Heaslip) that’s unfairly targeted in every article he’s mentioned in.
Oh come on Gary, plenty of anti cj posts too.. Let’s not start a provincial back and forth about who’s best players are not rated by the other side
@Gary: Just because he hasn’t gotten as much in recent times doesn’t mean that the sheer volume of vitriol directed at him never happened. I’m not denying that Heaslip has come in for a lot of (unfair imo) stick over the past while, but Zebo has gotten it pretty thick. It’s not even a wholly provincial thing, he seemed to rub some of the Munster fans the wrong way too.
@Thomas Moroney: I think the Zebo we see now is far better rounded player. There were times perhaps two years ago when his positioning and tackling were weaknesses in his game. However, he has vastly improved in both these aspects of his game. He was arguably the winning of the game for us against Australia in the Autumn off the back of his defence.
@PScald: any anti CJ posts are trolls, he is well liked by real rugby fans in Leinster. Heaslip is unfairly targeted by people who think they’re making a good point.
PScald, the only negativity CJ gets is form Airliss Loveliss (or something like that) and we all know he secretly fancies CJ.
Thomas, the difference is a while back when Zebo didn’t have the defence he has now, he was getting a fair bit of negativity just like the way Kearney is now. Zebo is now on fire and the negativity has stopped. Kearney is way off form and most Leinster fans including myself have said Kearney shouldn’t be at 15. Heaslip has never left the side down and has been constantly good but he still gets vitriolic comments posted. (It’s not provincial bs it’s just an observation.)
@Gary: Gary, I don’t think you understand, I’m not having a go at Kearney or Heaslip. Zebo may not have been in the form he was now forever and always, but he has been a serious player for a long time now, and it’s only now I feel that people are beginning to recognise it. I genuinely read someone only a few months ago claim that the only good thing that he’d done in his career was the heel flick against Wales. A lot of the stuff that gets used against players is nonsense, both Heaslip and Zebo get criticised for things like mannerisms and how they dress (admittedly I don’t like watching Heaslip’s interviews, but I don’t let it undermine my view of him as a hugely dependable servant on the field for Ireland). Kearney is in my view, out of form for quite a while, and it’s pointless pretending that his form is what gets him starts for Ireland at this stage. I don’t hate the guy, he’s contributed so much to Irish rugby and was on of the best fullbacks in the world once, I just think he needs a break from the Irish jersey and a chance to sort himself out at Leinster, it’s for his own good. The criticism that certain players get is, I feel, utterly unfair. Kearney and Heaslip have gotten their fair share in recent times, but while Zebo is getting praise now I feel that he’s gotten a huge amount of unmerited hatred, and the recent change of opinions doesn’t make that go away. I’m not saying that what others like Heaslip and Kearney get is okay, I’m merely stating that Zebo hasn’t been treated fairly until now.
The Kearney one is really interesting. He had a bad season last season, but after the way he played in Chicago and then on his return for Leinster before going off injured, it’s very difficult to question the guy’s form. People seem to have just written him off and cite form so it doesn’t sound personal.
I certainly haven’t written Kearney off. If he were to continue to improve and come any where near his best, I’d be as eager to have him starting for Ireland as anyone else. But I don’t feel he’s there yet, I still feel that the alternatives to him at full back (Payne, Zebo, TOH) all have form sheets that stack up better than his. He still has plenty of time to change that, hopefully we will see continued improvement. I have nothing personal against him, nor do I for any player who has represented Ireland.
@Conor Paddington: Kearney may have done a lot well in Chicago but was still at fault for two tries. The fact remains regardless of form that he’s a poor one on one tackler and an ineffective counter attacker. He is certainly improving on his performances last season and remains a decent player who can operate at international level but it certainly doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t desire to move him on for a more well rounded option at fullback.
On Heaslip I would have been critical in the past. But over the last 2 years he is one of the most consistent work horses for Ireland. His tackle count, ruck clear outs, first up carries will be missed when he retires. As a Munster fan, I used to shudder at the thought of Zebo at fullback. Poor positioning and not the strongest tackler. He has worked hard at that and I would argue he is one of the most improved players. Long may his form continue;:)
Well Martin, there’s a few things other than form that often get players selected for tests. Schmidt may favor him due to how dependable he was in the past, or he may feel that his attributes fit into the game plan better than the others. I’m not sure as to the veracity of the latter possibility, but if it works, I won’t complain. I still feel that the alternatives offer more though.
Kearney is fine if you want to play a containing game. Solid under the high ball, sound boot, nothing too elaborate in attack. Simple yet effective. Zebo is also excellent under the high ball, a cannon of a left boot, but is a far superior open field runner, far more prolific try scorer, far better distributor. Yes his game is far more risk/reward than Kearney, but in my opinion a flashy player in a team that doesn’t give up too much anyway is a welcome threat. It boils down to the type of game you want to play.
That jump though.
It’s called “flashy”.
A more approriate word is called ‘brilliance’.
I can never understand why any article about Zeno attracts more trolls and negativity than any other
He is proving to be a valuable player with a little more spark than the auld reliables
That is what Ireland have been lacking the last year or two. The fact that he is growing aware of when to use his “flashiness” and when to stick to the protocols is encouraging and bodes well for the player.
I think a lot of people here form opinions and then are loath to change them.
It’s a good job our coaches give people a second chance…
Flashy is good. Entertainment in sport is good.
Absolutely fair point. The kearneys get dog abuse too. Really can’t understand it
Kearney’s form or lack of came down to him changing his style of rugby from having the ability to counter attack and kick long and accurate to run into the first player who wanted to tackle him. This was a moc tactic to allow Kearney’s team mates to know where the first tuck was going to be.
He was never a good last man defender never ever.
He has attributes that made him a top class international full back a few years ago and if he goes back to that style of rugby ( as he is showing signs off) then he has lots to offer both Ireland and Leinster.
He is not just a favourite of joes. He’s a favourite of every coach he’s ever played for maybe apart from gatland.
It bugs me that when ever any player gets praise on here ( Zebo’s well deserved turn today ) that we have to abuse another player to make a point.
Because Zebo is a fantastic back 3 player that doesn’t mean someone else playing for a different team is crap.
Pro 12 is like 3rd division football?
That comment is Sunday league so
@Adrianholland: What’s 3rd division football?
What’s this football thing of which you speak?
There is no doubting the class that Zebo possesses but in years gone by he was also a liability with his poor defence.
Has kept his off the cuff attack and improved his tackling beyond all recognition.
Now a first 15 player having progressed from a decent squad player.
As for Heathslip I really don’t care what attitude he has off the pitch or how he is arrogant or whatever I only concern myself with how he performs and on that point he is still more than worth his place
Gary and Conor, fair point regards cj..
However this garbage about zebo defence and tackling is just that.. he has always been a solid defender. The issue was his rucking and the coaches preference for Kearney. Let’s not kid ourselves here. No one selects zebo for his defence. It’s what he offers going forward with ball in hand. I think it more than a little disingenuous to suggest “now that he sorted the flaw we saw in his game he’s great”
Kearney still can’t tackle his way out of a paper bag and still gets selected ahead of him as recently as last month with no form to speak of..
Happy Christmas to you all by the way… Hope it’s a lovely time for you and your family’s.
Martin, first merry Christmas.. secondly lets remember he only started the November internationals because of injury to Kearney. Now all of a sudden on the back of a game and a bit he is the “full package”?
Get up the garden…. what he did was prove again his ability. He’s been an try scoring international since 2013 on the wing and at full back.
Joe isn’t the messiah, he a bloody good rugby coach who’s made mistakes and will continue to make mistakes as he’s only human.. ending your points with “well JS is the coach and that’s that” doesn’t validate your opinion. Quite the opposite in fact..
Oh and to answer your question, why did joe tell Kearney he needed a big one today before the all blacks match? Because he knew he had no form and was picking him because of loyalty.. it happens all the time with coaches. They have their favourites. He picked him because of his body of work.
Good man Martin, tis great to have the young ones around even if it means a silly o clock start to the day.. All the best bud