Simon Zebo's flair and ruthless tryline instinct made him a once-in-a-generation player

For those prepared to indulge such instinctiveness in their rugby players it has been a privilege to watch Simon Zebo over this past decade and a half.

Tue, 21 May, 2024 - 15:45

Simon Lewis

It would be extremely difficult to separate memories of Simon Zebo the try-scoring phenomenon from the infectious smile and big personality that always accompanied the moments that will make the soon-to-retire Munster wing one of Irish rugby’s all-time greats.

Equally, it would be wrong to focus purely on that personality as the attribute that most defined the 34-year-old during his 15 years as a professional player with Munster, Racing 92, Ireland and the British & Irish Lions.

Whether it is the all-time record 72 tries in 173 appearances for his home province, the 25 in 60 for Racing in France, or the nine in 35 for his country, Zebo’s flair and ruthless instinct to cross the tryline has marked him out as a once-in-a-generation.

From the hat-trick in his maiden Heineken Cup campaign at Northampton Saints in 2011, to that audacious heel flick to collect a Jamie Heaslip pass out of contact and keep the ball alive against Wales in Cardiff two years later and on through the try in Chicago that helped lay the foundation for Ireland’s historic first win over New Zealand in 2016, Zebo has left us with memories to last a lifetime and leave an indelible mark on Irish sport before he set off to realise his ambition and play in France’s Top 14 for three seasons.

Back at Munster since 2021, he has cemented his position as the province’s most lethal finisher but on Tuesday Zebo announced he would be hanging up the boots at the end of the current season, bringing to an end a glittering career that had its foundations in his hometown, at PBC and Cork Constitution.

Those early experiences set the tone with a Munster Schools Senior Cup with Pres in 2007 and two All Ireland Leagues in 2008 and 2010 at Con on Temple Hill. And it will hopefully end as it is currently progressing, in a rich vein of form at full-back as the defending URC champions bid for back-to-back league titles.

There are at least two matches remaining as the table-topping men in red prepare for a final regular-season match at home to derby rivals Ulster on June 1 before a guaranteed home quarter-final the following week. That Zebo is still contributing meaningfully to his team’s runs of eight consecutive victories en route to the play-offs suggests both he and Munster could be involved beyond the quarters and a second trophy lift inside 13 months is within reach for the province.

Simon Zebo, Ireland, is tackled by Dan Biggar, Wales during the 2013 Six Nations. Picture: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

It is certainly the sort of individual form that prompted questions about Zebo’s future beyond his current contract following another strong performance at 15 in the home win over Connacht on May 11, head coach Graham Rowntree dropping a serious hint that minds had been made up when he replied: “Nothing lasts forever. He is in a rich vein of form. We have some healthy competition and young men coming through in that position. We’ll see.” Ten days later came the official announcement with Zebo stating: “After much thought, I’ve decided that this season will be my last playing the game I love.

“It has been a dream come true, making memories and friends for life and travelling the world with amazing people. A huge thank you to my family, friends, teammates, coaches and supporters – without ye none of this would have been possible. I am truly grateful for all the love and support over the years.

“I’ve loved every second, it’s been some craic and I can’t wait to see what’s next. Lots of Love, Zeebs.”

It has truly been some craic for player, team-mates and supporters alike, if not for national team coaches who appeared wary of such an individualistic streak within their precision-tooled systems.

But for those prepared to indulge such instinctiveness in their rugby players it has been a privilege to watch this past decade and a half, made all the better for that broad smile and Zebo’s connection with those who willingly paid to watch him strut his stuff.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Irish Examiner (@irish_examiner)

France was the natural home for his talents, albeit in a team of Galacticos at Racing that could not quite deliver the trophies their collective gifts merited, Zebo’s high point in Paris arguably coming with two tries in a narrow 2020 Champions Cup final loss to Exeter Chiefs behind closed doors at Bristol’s Ashton Gate.

His return home to Munster followed a Top 14 semi-final defeat to his old team-mate Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle the following June and his second stint in red promised further greatness with two tries on his “debut” against the Sharks. Yet, though his comeback did not have quite the impact many had expected of it, with a string of injuries restricting Zebo to just 29 appearances in three seasons to date, he still managed to weigh in with 13 tries to date. Since 2021 he has surpassed Brian O’Driscoll as Ireland’s record European try scorer with 35, ranking him third in the Champions Cup all-time list behind Chris Ashton (41) and Vincent Clerc (36).

Indeed, his recent form has been sparkling with his try at Stade Felix Mayol in January instrumental in securing a famous victory at Toulon, the full-back chasing down a short chip over the defence from Jack Crowley to score under the posts just before half-time as he celebrated Munster try number 72 with gusto, enveloped by his joyous team-mates.

Munster said they will pay full tribute to Zebo at the end of the season but what a fitting way to end a wonderful career it would be were he to bow out having played a part in a title-winning campaign with his home province. And what memories to add if supporters were able to witness that trademark Z try celebration at least once more along the way.