It’s not often you uncover a gem like Tadhg Furlong.
You don’t find men like that just lying around – guys who are ready-made and unfazed.
Ever since the Wexford product was thrust into the international limelight against Wales only 15 months ago – 15 months – he has taken it all in his effortless stride.
Playing with Ireland isn’t something that seems to bother Tadhg Furlong one single bit and being tasked with carrying the future of the country on his ridiculous shoulders doesn’t interrupt one second of his sleep either.
“If he is beginning to think Test rugby is a walk in the park, it is because he makes it look so,” those were the words that summed up the prop perfectly after that historic New Zealand game in Soldier Field.
Tadhg Furlong has arrived.
This lad has it all https://t.co/OX3hpo5weg
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 6, 2016
But throughout what was a monumental display against the All Blacks, 55 minutes of pure, unforgiving, wrecking ball havoc that saw the Leinster forward hammer into wincing New Zealand bodies and drive the scrum like he was still playing against kids in New Ross, there was one moment that stood out above the rest of them.
There was one moment that summed up Tadhg Furlong and his deadly effect – his heart, his energy, his merciless force. It summed up everything you get from the man but the so much more that he gives you than just your average prop.
Before half time, Ben Smith collected a Conor Murray box kick and looked for all the world like he was going to punish the Irish.
He spreads Murray on toast.
He leaves Josh van der Flier on his arse.
This man can score from here. He can make anything happen.
But not today.
Even when he thinks about the offload…
He’s punished further.
Tadhg Furlong was having none of it.
The tighthead prop scaled the length of the field and nails the full back. He bombed forward with fury and he caught Smith and buried him into the ground. He defied physics, logic, and whatever else we know about number 3s.
The tackle alone was a thing of beauty – cruel, disturbing beauty – but the position on the field from where he started from really is something else. It really sums up the Furlong effect.
This move began with Conor Murray clearing out a ruck with a lengthy box kick deep into New Zealand territory.
Tadhg Furlong takes off.
60 odd metres and 10 seconds later, Ben Smith is put on his arse.
The All Blacks are stopped in their tracks. Ireland move upfield. The marker is laid down. No leaks, no inches spared, no prisoners taken.
Not today.
Not on Tadhg Furlong’s watch.
