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Leinster

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jonesy2 says...

you lot are kidding or else this is a sad state of affairs for you. here's a little segment im calling, players who are better at fullback than rob kearney:

kurtley beale, luke morahan, israel dagg, adam ashley-cooper, pat lambie, joe pieterson, andre taylor, cory jane, isia toeava, james o'connor, robbie robinson, jesse mogg, odwa ndungane, ben smith

Posted 16:48 26th May 2012

adamk says...

@leinster_goy Funny thing is, for all the grief he got during the WC, he wasn't actually that bad. His game against Australia was outstanding. He missed some easy kicks and was never really given the opportunity to kick on from it once it was sorted. A 10's job isn't just to place kick, and that's why every other team in the world has a backup kicker on the field if the kicker has an off day... but instead DK brings on ROG who, looking back on the WC, had a far worse tournament then Sexton.

Posted 14:57 24th May 2012

leinster_goy says...

@adamk

it's easy to forget that Sexyboy is not exactly a youngster anymore - he'll be 27 in July, in fact! this means that he should just about be entering full maturity in rugby terms, which is an exciting prospect for us Leinster fans...and bad news for the rest of Europe. most Leinster fans would agree that he is the best fly-half in the NH at present and he should remain so for the next 5 years at least

you are right to highlight his excellent defence, often overlooked. for a player who is quite slight in comparison to other outhalves, his strength and technique is at times phenomenal. an example - at the very end of the semi-final, parra took a quick tap and passed it to cudmore who expected to barge over the line...but Sexto bashed fearlessly into the canadian, a man far superior in weight and size, and stopped him dead in his tracks

i also agree that he needs to brush up on his kicking a little. from the tee, he will typically land 7 kick out 8 in the average match but the 8th kick can be quite a stinker (he had one in the first half of the final last week). but the important thing is that it never seems to knock his confidence, such is his mental strength

his poor kicking in the world cup was a complete aberration...in fact i recall him saying in a recent interview with the irish times that he was having personal problems at the time which affected his performance, and that he won't reveal what these problems were until he retires. so perhaps he is due a bit of slack from supporters who continuously knock him for what happened

Posted 11:13 24th May 2012

adamk says...

No doubt Kearney is the best FB in NH rugby, and probably in the world (can't think of many in the SH that are stronger attackers then him), but I still would've loved to seen Sexton to win it.

He's completely under-rated as a player. His leadership on the pitch is outstanding for a guy of his age, he knows exactly where people need to be and he stifles any attack from the opposition. He reads the line better than any other player (with maybe the exception of BOD) and seems to do it in an instinctive manner.

His commitment to a hard work ethos is evident and unquestionable. In the Cardiff game he missed one tackle against an already beaten Cardiff team, and you could see his frustration as he thumped the ground. He's an absolute animal when he's got his game mode on and his probably the best shoot-up defender in the team, shooting out to wrap up a player and stop an offload, sometimes he looks awkward whilst doing it but it's hella effective. Not to mention his ability to run a backline is currently unparalleled by anything else in NH rugby. He's instrumental to Leinster's running game and creates space without even thinking about it.

On top of that he's not a bad fly half too. ;) Actually, in all seriousness, his ability at 10 is probably what let him down. i.e; his kicking from hand can be questionable, his territory game and place kicking might not be 100%, whilst Rob's basic FB skills are beyond 100%.. so for that reason you'd have to pick Rob.

But for me, Sexton is the better all round footballer. Gotta ask yourself, if Rob was injured again would Leinster make it to the final? It'd be a yes for me. But would they make it without Sexton? Absolutely not.

Posted 15:15 23rd May 2012

pog_mahone says...

typical NZ graciousness from jonesy2. Will just make the first time Ireland stuff the Kiwis all the sweeter. Nonetheless it is true. Kearney has been in the best form of his life this season.

Posted 08:34 23rd May 2012

APV1 says...

@ ArmchairGeneral - I currently prefer Brown at 15, over Foden. But I agree that we have some outstanding 15s available for consideration. And what if Beale's the new Wallaby 10?

Posted 14:38 22nd May 2012

ArmchairGeneral says...

I'd say it makes Lions selection now less spicy. He's now sure to start ahead of halfpenny and Foden as better player plus current Lions 15. But agree Lions depth at 15 is awesome... As it should be. I would like to see Beale vs Foden again... see how it goes in the midweek game Vs Rebels. A shame that game is after the 1st test.

Posted 13:49 22nd May 2012

jonesy2 says...

Headhunter99 -- hahahahahahahahahaahahahahahhaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahhahaha oh mercy!

Posted 13:31 22nd May 2012

APV1 says...

He had a much better HC than 6N and deserves this award. Well done!

It also make the selection for the B&I Lions a little more spicy...

Posted 12:44 22nd May 2012

howrtings says...

Unbelievable season - was excellent under the high ball and is now attacking the line with real purpose.

I would still seriously question his bottle when it comes to making crucial last line of defense tackles (Richie Gray's and Fofana's tries in the 6N comes to mind)

If he could address this - then he really would be the complete player.

Posted 11:26 22nd May 2012

sextons_on_fire says...

What a legend!!! Man or woman, gay or straight...you have to admit Kearney is one sexy mofo!!! LOL hahahahaa

Posted 10:27 22nd May 2012

melkdave says...

Was it ever in dought given the shortlist of candidites this year.Although its deserved the shortlist was a tad woeful this year imo

Posted 01:02 22nd May 2012

Headhunter99 says...

Totally deserved - without doubt the best player in the world in his position at the moment.

Posted 23:32 21st May 2012

Kije says...

Well deserved. It has been a pleasure to watch him all season, amazing skill under the high ball, a great athlete.

Posted 23:21 21st May 2012

Norm says...

clear and deserved winner! Keep er lit Kearney! ferris make it yours in 2013!

Posted 22:39 21st May 2012

agardiner22 says...

Awesome under the high ball and seems to have his running lines back to full speed. Well deserved

Posted 22:37 21st May 2012

chris33910 says...

No argument there. Must be great to play with this guy watching your back.

Posted 20:50 21st May 2012

leinster_goy says...

Mazel Tov Robbo!

Posted 19:36 21st May 2012

lawynd says...

I can't believe Wilko didn't win it! ;)

A well deserved award, he's back to his best not a moment too soon, with a tough tour imminent and the Lions tour next year.

Posted 19:33 21st May 2012

marzie says...

Ataboy Rob! The way he came back from a year out with injury to not only match but better his glorious Lions' form is a testament to not just his skill set but his character under adversity. The sight of him fielding a high ball is one of the biggest thrills in modern rugby and I believe he is a better runner who picks more incisive attacking lines than a couple of years ago. It takes serious balls to keep your eyes on a garryowen in mid-air whilst every instinct is telling you that you could be clobbered at your most vulnerable and Kearney does it better than anyone else in the world right now. Top man.

Posted 18:48 21st May 2012

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