Finlay Bealham back to basics after Chicago high

Amazing how perception can skew into accepted fact. And even legend.

Last Saturday’s game in Soldier Field, Chicago, offered up any number of memorable images, and among the first was the sight of replacement Ireland hooker Finlay Bealham, face scrunched up in what appeared to be a look of utter determination, as he stared down the All Black haka.

It held the screen for no more than a second and would have faded into obscurity had New Zealand won, but the manner in which events unfolded served to elevate even the most obscure of moments into a haven for those who deal in hindsight.

“A few lads and people from home were sending me pictures,” explained Bealham yesterday, before the extended Ireland squad trained at a wintry Carton House.

“I think the sun was blinding me, I couldn’t really see so I was squinting a little bit.”

So much for that, then, but the meaning behind other moments was unmistakable.

Preparation time may have been limited for an Irish squad with little over a week together, but room was found in the overcrowded schedule two days before the game when the special No 8 tribute to the departed Anthony Foley was arranged.

“I’m not sure where it started, but on Thursday they brought it up that we were going to pay tribute to Axel,” said Bealham. “That was a really big moment for me, it was really touching and meant a lot to all the lads. Hopefully, he was watching down on Saturday with a lot of pride. We walked through it after the captain’s run on Friday and we all had our little positions. They had it down on a piece of paper where we were going to be. Everyone knew where they had to be, so there wasn’t too much confusion on Saturday.”

As impressive was the manner in which Joe Schmidt’s squad balanced the emotion of such acts and the occasion itself with the clear thinking and clinical execution of skills and structure that was required to account for the world champions.

Bealham reflected that. His job was to contribute off the bench against a side that has made a calling card of its ability to burn opponents off in the last quarter, and he did that, despite blowing damn hard, such was the pace in that last quarter.

Bealham packed down opposite Ofa Tu’ungafasi, a 6’ 5”prop weighing in at 125kg and boasting a few extra kilos and four inches on the Connacht man.

Yet, neither size nor reputation mattered when Ireland shunted the Kiwis just enough to set Robbie Henshaw up for that last try.

The aftermath was low key.

With functions to attend, it was the wee hours before players had the chance to wind down properly. Bealham made do with a few beers, a quick rifle through the bundle of messages on his phone and a long chat with his parents back in Australia.

A good week, then, but time moves on.

Saturday was just his third appearance for his adopted country. All have come from the bench. With Canada next up this weekend, a raft of changes is in the offing and that could mean a first start for the boy from Canberra with a grandmother from Enniskillen.

“Every opportunity you get to represent Ireland is a massive opportunity. We have parked the New Zealand game as of Monday night and we are solely focusing on Canada this weekend. They have a big strong pack, with some athletic forwards. We need to be prepared, accordingly.”