It began with a discussion on CJ Stander and quickly rolled into lively territory.
Irish rugby has greatly benefited from some high quality imports over the past three decades and most fans will have their favourite. Deciding on who is the greatest ever takes some candid words, debate and some damn good reasons to pick one lad over the other.
That was the task at hand on The Hard Yards as James Downey, Andy McGeady and myself tried to settle on a definitive answer on Ireland’s best ever rugby import [from 51:00 below]. Then, just as a top three were agreed upon, a diligent/irate fan dropped us a timely line.
With regards to Stander, it was generally agreed that he was ‘the poster boy for Project Players’ – the best ever player to satisfy World Rugby’s three [soon to be five] year residency rule and represent Ireland at Test level.
As for greatest Irish rugby import, Stander is not there yet.
“Stander is definitely the best project player, in terms of what he has delivered, what he has come through, his success and the way he has bought into the Munster culture,” I argued. “If you were doing up a slide-show on the success of that scheme and why we should keep it, Stander would be the front page.
“In terms of overall best import, Doug Howlett is up there but it would be Isa Nacewa for me.”
Downey, who has lined out for Munster, Leinster and Connacht looked a bit further back. He commented:
“I’d look at someone like Jim Williams and John Langford at Munster. You’re right about Stander but, overall, you look at someone like Rocky Elsom. He won something. Isa won. Dougie won. They’re winning trophies. To have that tick beside the name is something else.
“Jim Williams’ impact at Munster was huge; and Langford. The players there spoke so highly of Langford. Brad Thorn is another one who made an impact at Leinster.”
When McGeady threw the name of Ulster Legend Ruan Pienaar into the mix, Downey’s reply prepares captures that winning mentality behind some of Munster and Leinster’s best teams. “Yeah,” he reasoned, “but no trophies.”
“When you’re finished,” Downey continued, “people ask about trophies, No-one asks, ‘Oh, what did you come runner up in?’”
That may sound harsh but when it comes to deciding on ‘best ever’, the highest praise doesn’t come easy.
In the final twist, the three of us settled on this top 5:
- Isa Nacewa
- Jim Williams
- Doug Howlett
- Rocky Elsom
- John Langford
And then this happened…
I am told that he was in our original notes but because I messed up the paperwork he couldn't be used in the show. https://t.co/YPrk6U9kC9
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) April 17, 2018
This one could run and run.
