The more things change. The more they stay the same.
The 21-18 scoreline was a fair reflection of this titanic battle between Connacht and Leinster in in the RDS. The men from the west led by a point at the break, but a stronger second half showing helped eke out a victory for the home side.
This second half storm was spearheaded by the province’s on form number 15, their 31-year-old flier Rob Kearney who appears to have finally shaken off the hamstring injury demons that have plagued him for the guts of two years.
The Dundalk supremo was at his brilliant best on Monday, in a display that was very much in line with solid form that he showed constantly towards the end of the 2017 year, both for Leinster and for Ireland.
Payne still out and Zebo off so R.K is getting a good deal https://t.co/yy2Czq7Ltq
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) December 22, 2017
Kearney made 11 explosive carries in the hard-fought PRO14 clash. He built up a frightening head of steam with each carry, he led a number of ailing Connacht defenders a merry-dance on his way.
In fact, according to stats from ESPNscrum, Kearney ate up 115 metres of ground with ball in hand, beating seven defenders on his way.
With carries like this one. Just look at him prowling the vicinity as Luke McGrath made progress. Just look at him anticipating the opportunity and you’d better believe he was ready to explode when it came his way.
It did, and his stocky legs got busy and pumped up and down like pistons, like they always do.
So close for @leinsterrugby 🙈
They get held up just over the line after a fine Rob Kearney break – watch it live on @TG4TV#GUINNESSPRO14 #LEIvCON pic.twitter.com/ESevGXQwXa
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) January 1, 2018
In truth, Kearney’s display was laced with that same hunger from start to finish, it was laced with that same hunger that he’s shown in his last two months of rugby.
Indeed, over those last two months, he has shut all critics up who claimed he was past it, who claimed he was a full back on the wane. And he’s been subject to plenty of that nonsense.
Because he always seems to be the fall-guy. He always seems to be the easy scapegoat.
Kearney is well aware of the naysayers, but he says nothing, he just goes about his business, and his business is serving his country and province with distinction and honour and shutting those naysayers the hell up.
He has been a model of composure under the high ball for a decade of test rugby, he’s been an attacking weapon for all that time, too.
It’s no wonder he’s the first choice full back for Joe Schmidt and Leo Cullen when he’s at full health.
Rob Kearney made his Leinster debut 12 and a half years ago as a sprightly 19-year-old in a Celtic League game against the Ospreys. He’s still sprightly, the only difference, now, is that he has more experience.
He’s still cutting swathes through opposition defences. Just ask the Connacht backline.
This man is going nowhere soon.
