You have to be at the peak of your powers to impress Chris Rattue.
The Kiwi journalist expects the very best from international players and is not backward about coming forward. He has earned a reputation as one of New Zealand’s most exacting rugby writers.
Following the All Blacks’ 21-9 victory over Ireland, in Dublin, Rattue was tasked with the New Zealand Herald and he did not shirk.
He was not happy with the fading effort of New Zealand captain Kieran Read, slammed Julian Savea as ‘useless under the high ball’ and remarked that tight-head Owen Franks was out-played by Ireland’s props. He also joined Stuff in doling out a 4/10 rating for scrum-half Aaron Smith.
‘Horrible, including string of bad second half kicks,’ he wrote. ‘Not even NZ’s best halfback anymore.’
Stuff did not rate the Irish players but Rattue had a crack. Andrew Trimble [7] rated the best of the Irish backline while most of his praise was reserved for Ireland’s loose forwards and a bullocking young lad from Wexford.
While SportsJOE gave two Irish players 9/10 ratings – to Jamie Heaslip and Tadhg Furlong – NZ Herald handed one to Sean O’Brien and declared:
‘Every bit Beauden Barrett’s equal as man of the match. Stupendous amount of running, decent defence. If only he had held the ball with the tryline begging.’
Heaslip, who ‘kept hammering away’, got an 8 while there were some positive words about Josh van der Flier. The flanker was on as an early sub for CJ Stander and in getting an 8 was described as having a “brilliant” match.
There was acclamation for Furlong too. Of course there was…
When Tadhg tells you to sit down, you don't look for a chair https://t.co/eQXtOJRNyD
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 20, 2016
Rattue described Furlong as “magnificent” but did not make much of Rory Best yap, yap, yapping away to referee Jaco Peyper all game.
He did not make much of the Irish bench either. Iain Henderson had ‘not much going on’ while Paddy Jackson was “aimless” and wasted the dominance of the Irish forwards.
Hard to please but they expect the best of the best in New Zealand.
Aaron Kernan joins Colm Parkinson on The GAA Hour to explain the work he’s doing for the Club Players Association. Derry captain Chrissy McKaigue talks Slaughtneil and a Dublin club advertising for hurlers gets a sore touch. Subscribe here on iTunes.
