“Ronan O’Gara sent me a really nice message. That really stood out for me.” Devin Toner and Ronan O’Gara only played together for Ireland on three occasions but they were in the same national squad training camps for three seasons. O’Gara, coaching since his 2013 playing retirement, has often spoke highly of the Leinster lock […]

6 years ago

“It was a complete shock.” Even now, a little over two months on, Devin Toner is at pains to talk about it. The Leinster lock kept his counsel during the entire World Cup, after he missed out on Ireland’s 31-man squad, but with life moving on and the focus back on the provinces, he is […]

6 years ago

“He’s probably the best coach I’ve ever come across” If there was a moment that summed up the South African World Cup success, it came in a four minute period late in the first half. England set up a rolling maul in the 30th minute, and bashed the South African line for phase after phase […]

6 years ago

“How much does this mean to you?” the Springbok head coach was asked. Rassie Erasmus’ answer was about 90 seconds in length and he did not take his gaze away from the William Webb Ellis trophy. In fairness to the World Cup bauble, it is some piece of kit. Ireland have been trying 32 years […]

6 years ago

What a performance by the 27-year-old openside. Heading into this World Cup final, we all marvelled at England’s young back row duo of Tom Curry and Sam Underhill. We told ourselves that Billy Vunipola had the potential to win the game on his own, if he hit form. Pieter Steph Du Toit blew them away. […]

6 years ago

For Siya Kolisi, this was once an outlandish dream. Growing up in the impoverished town of Zwide, life wasn’t about living, it was about surviving. But as he practiced his skills with a brick that would become his favourite toy, at least he could imagine. Now, his faraway dreams have become a reality. He’s the unexpected […]

6 years ago