Best happy back in ‘comfort’ zone
While Best is relishing a return to the Ireland side at Murrayfield on Saturday, he’ll be in good company alongside John Hayes, who is about to become Irish rugby’s most capped player (on 93). Best, for one, couldn’t talk more highly of Hayes whose work ethic and longevity remains an inspiration to the Ulster hooker.
“He epitomises where you want to get to as an international rugby player,” says Best. “With John, it’s head down, hard work. You get what you see: he’s going to work hard for you and he rarely misses a tackle. If the ball comes to him he’ll catch it and take it forward for you.”
Away from expressing his awe at The Bull’s durability, Best admits he was surprised that four changes were made to a winning Ireland team. And though this week marked an unexpected recall, he’ll treat it as if it’ll be his last international cap. “Whenever you’re talking about an Irish game a chance is a chance, no matter how the team is going. You’re very lucky to get that jersey, and to get a start, and you have to treat it like that.
“It is something special, and I know Declan is a big fan of saying you treat it like it’s your last, and I think whenever you come from the bench, you have to take that mentality. Because you’ve been on the other side and you know you are lucky to get a start, and you have to do everything you can to perform and do the jersey justice.”
There are those who feel Flannery did little wrong to be omitted but there’s a perception that Best is a superior scrummager than his Munster counterpart. The easy summation is that Best brings scrum-power, Flannery brings explosiveness in the loose.
However, Flannery, arguably, has done little wrong at scrum-time in the first three games to merit demotion; in fact Ireland’s scrum has been lauded in this season’s Six Nations having subdued three of the more renowned front rows in world rugby. Yet the toughest challenge lies against a Scotland front three that includes the destructive Northampton tight head, Euan Murray. Having rotated in his formative years between prop and hooker, it’s little wonder Best thrives up front — though he’s reluctant to be categorised as just a scrummager.
“Whenever you’re talking across the board, everyone brings their individual bits to the table. I’m sure you could draw comparisons with Gordon D’Arcy and Paddy Wallace.
“It felt unlucky at the time, but I was lucky when I was growing up in that I was moved about a bit between prop and hooker, and I suppose that’s why I don’t mind being stuck in the middle. At the time I was saying ‘I wish they’d make up their mind, but in hindsight it’s been very beneficial to my game. I wouldn’t say it gives me an extra edge, but it’s something I enjoy.”
If the dark art of scrummaging remains his forté, doubts have stalked his lineout throwing and mobility in the loose. However, over the last four years, he has taken corrective action to improve other facets of his game.
“Around the pitch was an aspect I wasn’t up to international standard at before,” he admits. “I feel I’ve got myself there, and it’s just now a case of keep pushing on.
“From four seasons ago, I’ve trimmed down a couple of kilos. I’ve worked very hard with our fitness team both here and in Ulster as well as a lot of handling stuff with Neil Doak and other coaches.
“Now that Matt Williams has come in, I don’t know if it’s an Australian thing but they love people to be very comfortable with ball in hand and we do a lot of handling skills, and I’m more comfortable than I ever was.”
The first of Best’s 30 caps to date came against New Zealand in November 2005, but the younger brother of retired international, Simon, played in Ireland’s Triple Crown success in ‘07 which included the famous 43-13 win over England in Croke Park. That Six Nations campaign saw a confident Irish team at the peak of its powers, but that swagger and self-assuredness was sucked out of them in that year’s Rugby World Cup.
However, Declan Kidney’s arrival has coincided with a revival in Ireland’s fortunes, and Best has seen the benefits. “He’s brought the confidence we had two years ago. He’s instilled it in us again and you can see it — boys are a lot more buoyant around the place. He’s made us believe in ourselves again, which for the past year and a half wasn’t really there.
“When results and performances don’t go your way, it’s hard to be buoyant about the place and happy in yourself. Declan’s brought that in, he’s kept telling us we’re a good team and a good bunch of players, and I suppose now that we’ve got a couple of results under our belts, you can feel the difference. It’s a good place to be now, the Irish camp.
“His methods? Well, it’s Declan’s way. Every coach is different. You have to look at his track record, it works. He’s won two European Cups with Munster, which for many years people thought would never be done. You have to take your hat off to him and appreciate what he’s done.”
Now Best would like to pay Kidney’s faith in him.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
