November Series, Champions Cup, Guinness PRO12, Six Nations, Lions Tour to New Zealand. That’s all gone now.
What Jordi Murphy has now, however, is the knowledge that he played a massive part in Ireland defeating the All Blacks for the first time in their history. No-one is going to take that away from him.
The memories of that 81 minutes – 25 of which he played magnificently in – will have to keep him going over the tough months ahead. His anterior cruciate ligament was ruptured and his season is, barring a medical miracle, over.
This was a good start.
Thank you very much for all the messages of support. Tough news to take after what was an incredible weekend. Now onto the road to recovery👍
— Jordi Murphy (@Jordimurphy) November 7, 2016
It was also no surprise to see Murphy so team-focused despite his personal anguish. It’s in his character. It was evident at Soldier Field on Saturday when he did as much for his team AFTER he got injured than he did before.
The damage came just after the 25 minute mark as Murphy rushed forward, thinking the All Blacks were attempting a quick line-out. His leg crumpled on the heavy Soldier Field surface and it immediately looked bad.
Waiseke Naholo and Liam Squire were quick to check on the Irish flanker.
Murphy knew his game was over; he knew it was bad. As the medics reached him, the tears began to flow.
His form had dipped after last year’s World Cup but he ended 2015/16 in such form that he started the first Test against South Africa in the summer. He was as good in that win as he was against the All Blacks in the setting November sun. In the form of his life.
His try from the rolling maul was some nice, personal gratification but he made every second count on the pitch. Jamie Heaslip and Rory Best let him know that as the stretcher took him off and the crowd, almost to a person, warmly applauded.
Murphy followed the rest of the half from the changing room and did not want to be lying down on a treatment table when his teammates came in at half-time.
They didn’t need that sight. It was remarkably similar to the actions of Paul O’Connell sitting up in the Irish changing room – despite tearing his hamstring off the bone – after his side had defeated France at the World Cup.
‘You finish the game with your shield, or on it’ – Les Kiss, October 2016
Murphy finished the game on crutches but he was determined to get back onto the sidelines to cheer Ireland on.
You could hear him roaring instructions and encouragement whenever play drifted near the wing and the TV microphones picked him up.
With five minutes to go, he had grabbed the edge of a seat and, placed between Tadhg Furlong and Billy Holland, watched as Conor Murray forced a scrum and, a minute later, Robbie Henshaw scored the clincher. You couldn’t hold him back.
Clip via Irish Rugby TV (YouTube)
It’s never quite the same feeling, winning off the pitch as opposed to on it, but it feels pretty damn special all the same.
Murphy put aside any of his own worries and focused on doing anything he could to help Ireland.
One hopes he gets healed and back without any lasting issues. He has started, and experienced, some huge Irish wins over the last two years – England, South Africa and New Zealand – and deserves to get back for many more.
We’re not putting it past him.
You can check out the full Irish Rugby TV tunnel cam video here:
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