Ask most Lions rugby supporters for their player of the Test Series and you would get either Jonathan Davies, Owen Farrell, Conor Murray or Maro Itoje in response.
Davies won the Players’ Player of the Series and few were arguing. Justin Tipuric? He didn’t play a minute of Test rugby on tour.
And yet, when SportsJOE asked Robbie Henshaw and Iain Henderson for the Lions star that impressed them most on tour, the Wales flanker was their unanimous choice.
Down at Tullow RFC at the announcement of Bank of Ireland’s sponsorship extension with Leinster Rugby, Henshaw told us:
“Justin Tipuric, from me playing with him, was definitely up there. He was very unlucky not to get a Test start.”
Having packed down with him in a couple of Lions warm-up games, Henderson went a few steps further. “Justin Tipuric was phenomenal,” he declared.
“I think he is an incredible player and unfortunate not to get any Test match time. I think he was class.
“I got on really well with him too. I thought he was one of the lads who really stood out for me. I thought he was good player beforehand but being on the Lions and playing with him, I thought he really stood out for me, really impressed by him.”
As for what elements of Tipuric’s game that really made an impression, Henderson marvels about his wide skill-set, handling and his kicking ability. “I think he used to be a 10 when he was younger.
“He’s extremely skillful, he doesn’t look like a lineout forward but he’s very good in the lineout. He’s quite light, easy to get up and has really good hands. All round he’s just a really good footballer.”
Tipuric had been tipped, by some, for a starting Test role but it was somewhat of a surprise that he missed the entire drawn series with the All Blacks. He was hindered as being part of a midweek team that were slow to get going on tour and there were hamstring concerns that may have damaged his selection hopes.
As for a backline player that stood out, Henshaw selected Saracens and England star Owen Farrell.
“He was a stand-out. His composure was evident. He’s a world-class player in training and, on the field, he replicates that.”
Leinster Rugby will be sponsored by Bank of Ireland until 2023 after an extension of their current deal was announced at Tullow RFC this week.
