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Sean O’Brien Not Rory Best Should Captain Joe Schmidt’s Ireland
Published: January 22, 2016
Rory Best is a “steady hand,” as the Irish Examiner called him, but because of his age, his competition for the No. 2 jersey and the demands of his position, Sean O’Brien not Rory Best should captain Joe Schmidt's Ireland.
So why has Joe Schmidt appointed the Ulster hooker as his skipper? Rory Best is one of the most likeable and personable players in world rugby and is respected by all in Ireland.
One need only look at the reaction to his initial exclusion from the 2013 Lions squad (he later replaced the banned Dylan Hartley) to see the affection for Best in the Emerald Isle.
Best has 89 caps, has led Ulster and is a player his team-mates will follow. Nonetheless, he is the wrong forward for the role.
Before looking at the virtues of the other candidates, here are the key reasons why his appointment is flawed.
Firstly, Best’s age. He turns 34 in August and realistically only has two years at most left as an international player. There is no way Best should or will captain Ireland at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan aged 37, so Schmidt will have to appoint a new skipper midway through the World Cup cycle.
Given how Ireland have consistently failed to live up to expectations at World Cups, Japan 2019 should be Schmidt’s priority. His captain at the tournament, and it won’t be Best, would benefit from as much experience leading the side as possible.
Secondly, Rory Best appears to be a stopgap appointment when there really is no need for one. Sean O’Brien is a fine candidate, who has led Ireland once and, crucially, is 28 years old and would be more than able to lead Ireland in Japan at 32. Thirty-seven is just too old.
Thirdly, Rory Best...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union
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