Ulster’s finest has got the ROG seal of approval.
The former Munster outhalf worked with some of the most inspirational and dedicated rugby players of the last 25 years with his province as well as at international level.
The Racing 92 coach was led out by Keith Wood, Brian O’Driscoll, and Paul O’Connell in various battles on the field, and today has shared a brilliant story about how tough Ireland’s new captain is.
Rory Best was anointed as the man to lead us through the upcoming Six Nations earlier this week by Joe Schmidt,
He’s previously led out Ireland in the Six Nations, but has never before been granted the full authority and prestige that a long term captain can command within a squad.
The hooker is one of the most dedicated and battle hardened rugby players to ever wear the Ireland jersey, but if there was any doubt as to why Schmidt has picked him to take over the captains role from the legendary O’Connell, and O’Gara let everyone know in his Irish Examiner column today.
Ireland’s record points scorer recalls an incident a few years ago when Best was rated as extremely doubtful for a Six Nations game due to a shoulder injury.
But the Ulster man was not going to let a pesky AC joint injury stop him from playing, and pushed himself well past the pain barrier to line out for his country.
“It’s probably five or six years ago he was sidelined for a period with a serious AC joint problem. The medical team with Ireland estimated a six-week lay-off, whereby Rory reminded them he had a very high pain threshold.
“I’ve a fair ability to take pain,” he whispered. A front-row scrummaging forward remember, with a busted AC joint, played a week later. Obviously the joint was in bits, and I suspect will never be the same again.
“When you are in Irish camp, the medical staff occasionally might show you scans, certainly some of the senior players, for education and understanding. It was like black and white — “this is what Rory’s AC joint looks like and this is what it is meant to be like.”
“But that inspires players.”
If there was any doubt as to why Schmidt picked Roy Best, there won’t be anymore.
