Lions legend Ian McGeechan feels Rory Best was the stand-out European hooker of the autumn internationals. He is still picking Dylan Hartley as his Lions captain, though.
Back in 2013, if someone had told you that Best would be a leading contender to captain the Lions on 2017’s tour to New Zealand, you would have slowly backed away.
Best had not initially made the squad but was a replacement for Hartley when his verbal outburst at Wayne Barnes landed him a suspension. Shaky coming on tour, Best’s lineout throwing fell to pieces and he did not come near the Test squads.
Three years on and the Ulster hooker has done a sterling job as Ireland captain. Since taking over from Paul O’Connell, Best has led his team to victories over South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. After the recent win over the Wallabies, Ian Henderson told us:
“I think Rory is an unbelievable captain having played with him at club and international level. I’m sure that’s been noticed elsewhere too.”
Henderson may be slightly biased but talk about Best for British & Irish Lions captain has steadily grown. Assistant Lions coach Andy Farrell has told the press that Best ticks every box to captain the touring side and journalists [plus fans] from the four countries involved have endorsed him.
Dylan Hartley talked about as a Lions captain, but Rory Best is the better player.
— Paul Cully (@paulcullystuff) November 19, 2016
Rory Best – What a leader of men! Superb on and off field. #IREvsAUS Surely a leading contenter for Lions Captain.
— Hubert Gallagher (@hubiegallagher) November 26, 2016
In McGeechan’s XV of the autumn series – for The Daily Telegraph and involving Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales – Best is one of five Irish players named.
However, the Scot is honest when admitting he would probably go the way of England coach Eddie Jones and start Hartley as Lions captain for the tour of New Zealand.
Best is encountering a problem that English hookers Jamie George and Tom Youngs have experienced since Jones took charge. There may be better hookers available but Hartley is seen as a pack leader and a leader of men. Back in March, Jones recalled a breakfast-time meeting with Hartley that made his mind up as perfect captain material.
“He came in, we sat down and got the food, then he got up and started talking to the staff behind in the kitchen and I could immediately see that they had a rapport with him. One of the ladies came out and started talking to him at the table. He has got that ability to have a rapport with people and, because he has got that, he can lead them to places.”
To Jones, it was a “no-brainer”.
Hartley can talk to the staff, but can he talk to the referees like Best?
Crafty beggar, our Rory 😂 https://t.co/3pQ641zBxO
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 28, 2016
No contest.
As for the other Irish players in McGeechan’s XV, he includes Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, Conor Murray and Robbie Henshaw.
Michael Lundy joins Wooly for a wide-ranging discussion that starts with a chat about Ger Loughnane, dodgy transfers and Davy Fitzgerald’s training methods. Subscribe here on iTunes.
