Rory Best has captained his country before but Joe Schmidt’s decision to have him lead Ireland through the Six Nations must rank as his greatest honour.
The Ulster hooker will lead his team out against Wales, on 7 February, as they chase Northern Hemisphere history.
Never before has a team competing in the Home Nations, Five or Six Nations won the competition, outright, three times in a row.
Best follows the likes of David Humphreys, Willie Anderson and Willie John McBride as Ulster captains of the national team. He has led Ireland on four previous occasions, winning three times, but this is his team.
Schmidt could have gone for any of the Leinster trio of Johnny Sexton, Sean O’Brien or Jamie Heaslip but choosing the 33-year-old – and having the appointment largely backed by fans and pundits – speaks volumes of the man.
Ever since he first lined out for Belfast Harlequins, Best was the first guy through the door and teammates followed. Tenacious was the word associated with the Craigavon native in his early years.
Stephen Ferris, his friend and former teammate, recalls his first encounter against Best. Playing for Dungannon, Ferris was at the bottom of a ruck, attempting a turnover, when Best steamed in and planted his studs up his leg and ripping his shorts.
To this day, Best claims he was aiming for the ball.
“He played second fiddle to Jerry Flannery in his formative years with Ireland and it wasn’t until 2010 that he nailed down his place. Interestingly, Best laid down his marker during an infamous beep test on a tour to Australia two years beforehand.
“With players dropping like flies, Best and Flannery went at it for beep after beep. Perspiration reaching critical levels, Flannery pulled out and Best kept going. He ran a couple more lengths for good measure – just to drive home the point.”
For the past six years, Best has been one of the first names on the team-sheet, whether it has been for Eddie O’Sullivan, Declan Kidney or Joe Schmidt.
He is the very definition of the hooker-as-extra-loose-forward, a modern day position brought about by the importance of the breakdown. Without fail, Best will contribute at least two turnovers per match and post a tackle count in double figures.
Playing on with a broken arm against New Zealand, in 2013, sums up his drive; his zeal.
It was a shame that Best’s efforts in that game could not be rewarded by a win. He scored a first-half try and was faultless from lineouts – something he desperately needed after losing his throwing radar earlier that year.
With the media, he is articulate, considered and as honest as his privileged position allows. If Ireland win, it is about the team. If they lose, he does not shirk the result or
Best’s biggest regrets revolve around World Cup campaigns that went awry.
He was dropped after an iffy start to the 2007 World Cup but was first-choice hooker for 2011 and 2015. That Ireland promised to win both tournaments only to fall far too short rankles.
Best will be 37 by the time the 2017 World Cup rolls around.
Don’t be surprised if Best is still hanging around, pitching in and clearing rucks.
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