Ireland want to show cocky Kiwis who’s Boss

USED to be there was only one boss in the Irish senior rugby set-up. Move over Eddie, make room for another.

The name is Boss, Isaac Boss. It’s a quick return to his native New Zealand for Isaac. Back-up scrum-half on the Irish senior squad that leaves this weekend for a short tour of New Zealand/Australia, Boss only joined Ulster late last season direct from Waikato, having played a full super-12 season with the Wellington Hurricanes.

Irish-qualified through an Antrim-born grandmother, 25-year-old Boss was a member of the New Zealand U19 side that won the 1999 World Cup, but turned down a tour place with the All-Blacks last November (a Grand Slam-winning tour, in which Ireland were well and truly beaten).

Reason? His stated aim is to stake a claim to the Irish number 9 shirt for the World Cup of 2007, in France. With this selection those plans are now well advanced, a fact he was pleased to acknowledge at Tuesday’s announcement of O2 as the new main sponsor of Irish rugby.

“When I came I looked at this kind of thing as being a bit of a bonus; obviously Kieran Campbell getting injured meant I came through a bit earlier, but I’m very happy with the way things are going, can’t complain at all; hopefully, I can make the most of the opportunity now.”

Having experienced top-class rugby so recently on both sides of the world, Isaac is in a pretty unique position to comment on Ireland’s chances down under.

Forget that beating last November, he says; look to Ireland’s more recent form.

“I reckon we’ve got a very good chance. The All-Blacks will be strong no matter what side they put out but these Irish boys, after winning the Triple Crown they’ve just gone from strength to strength. We’ve got a few key players too, I think we can do very well.”

Given how easily New Zealand won that test, their dominance of the Lions this time last year, their natural sporting arrogance anyway, is there a chance they’ll underestimate Ireland? The panel named by manager Graham Henry, short so many big names, would suggest so, but Isaac isn’t biting.

“New Zealand are a very confident rugby nation, great depth of talent. They have a few players missing but those that are brought in have been there before, tremendous debuts, played for the All-Blacks in some key moments.

“They’ve got the luxury where they can pick so many different players, and still not give an inch. It’s going to be interesting. You could say they’re taking it too lightly, but, at the same time, the guys who have been picked will be seeing this as their chance, they’ll be lot more on edge than the other guys would have been, and that can make it harder.”

Best of times then for Isaac; ironically, it’s also the worst of times. Left New Zealand just as their winter was over, came to Ulster just as our winter was starting, now headed back down under into the heart of yet another winter. For any self-respecting scrum-half, isn’t timing everything?

He laughs: “I’ve been tasting the winters on both sides of the world; finally it’s been great to see a bit of sun here in Limerick, but I’m sure it won’t be like this back in New Zealand.”

Don’t worry Isaac, it will be hot enough!