Captain Corrigan copes with clash of rugby cultures

IN the heady days of youth, boys dreams about captaining their country — walking out in front of a packed Lansdowne Road, the roar of the crowd ringing in your ears, the pride of introducing your team-mates to the president, the tear-inducing moments as you belt out the national anthem. Now, welcome to Reggie Corrigan’s world.

The crowds are sprinkled across the grassy banks of the Teufavia Stadium in Nuku’alofa. Few seem interested as the teams emerge from the tunnel. Corrigan introduces his team to a dignitary no more than 16 years old, a Tongan spiritual leader.

Ireland’s Call cackles over the PA system. And the only voices singing along are those of his team-mates.