GOLDEN FUTURE
Kendellen has potential to become Ireland’s David Pocock
DAVID POCOCK was one of the all-time great flankers. The powerAussie ful openside tormented opponents with his ferocious tackling and a limpet-like ability to turn over possession at the ruck.
Capped 83 times across a stellar international career, Pocock was nominated three times for a World Player of the Year award and dove-tailed brilliantly alongside Michael Hooper and Scott Fardy in a backrow which spearhead the country’s surge to the 2015 World Cup final.
In the pantheon of world class opensides, the Zimbabwe-born flanker sits right up there with Michael Jones, Richie McCaw and Thierry Dusautoir.
Pocock was a born leader, too. He was handed the captaincy for the first time at the age of 23 and was respected across the game.
Dare we say it, there is a bit of Pocock about Munster’s rookie backrower Alex Kendellen. In terms of size, the pair are remarkably similar. Both are relatively short for their position at around the 6ft mark while both tip the scales at around 16 stone. In a global game dominated by backrow giants, neither would be classed as heavyweights. Pocock was immensely strong, intelligent and possessed a relentless workrate, however. Traits which have set Kendellen apart through every age grade.
The 21-year-old has been earmarked for the big time since his schooldays at PBC in his native
Cork. Having represented Munster at Under 18 and 19 levels, he was quickly inducted into the province’s academy in the summer of 2020. He made his senior debut against the Scarlets in March of last year. It was an early snapshot of his talent. Kendellen starred for the Ireland U20s in the summer. He and Ulster scrumhalf Nathan Doak were both tipped for big things. Both have made big impressions at their respective provinces this season.
Kendellen has leadership qualities also. Ireland U20s head coach Richie Murphy felt he was the right candidate to lead Ireland’s next generation last season.
Is the Munster captaincy down the line? He certainly has the credentials.
‘I think it’s his attitude. He is a quiet individual, but he leads from the front. He is an incredible athlete and a very good rugby player,’ Murphy noted in June of last year. ‘When he is in the group, guys tend to look and listen to him. When he speaks, he’s not a screamer or a shouter, he is very calculated in how he thinks. He’s also very good at driving the coaches’ messages through the team, so he was a standout leader within the group.’
Kendellen has burst onto the scene this term, featuring in 15 of Munster’s last 16 games. Injuries to Gavin Coombes, Jack O’Sullivan and Chris Cloete left
the selection door ajar.
Despite only being in the second year of the academy, Kendellen has looked made for this level. His contract status is changing in the summer anyway with the Leesider moving onto a full-time senior deal.
Tonight, he will feature in an imposing backrow with captain Peter O’Mahony and the in-form Jack O’Donoghue for company
against Cardiff Blues in Musgrave Park. A combination which looks set to be rolled out against Toulouse in next weekend’s Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final clash at the Aviva Stadium.
Crucially, Kendellen is packing down on the openside flank this evening. The same number seven jersey which Pocock wore with distinction. Kendellen has been deployed across the backrow, but many feel that this is his best position.
A win against the Welsh strugglers — who are currently 14th in the URC standings — will all but assure the hosts of a home quarter-final in the play-offs.
All of a sudden, there are good vibes around this operation again. The confirmation of Graham Rowntree as head coach has seemingly had a galvanising effect on this young group.
Most importantly, this late-season surge in Europe and on the domestic front is being powered by a talented core of born and bred youngsters, with Kendellen to the fore.
There will be plenty more of them on duty in Cork this evening, including Ben Healy, Diarmuid
“He is quiet but leads from the front”
Barron and Thomas Ahern.
Expect a big performance from the hosts and energetic display from their young openside. Comparisons with the great Pocock are lofty for such a young prospect, but Kendellen has the capacity to justify such an illustrious tag in the years ahead. MUNSTER: M Haley; C Nash, C Farrell, R Scannell, S Zebo; B Healy, C Murray; J Loughman, D Barron, J Ryan; J Kleyn, T Ahern; P O’Mahony (capt), A Kendellen, J O’Donoghue. Reps: S Buckley, J Wycherley, K Knox, J Jenkins, J Daly, C Casey, J Carbery, S Daly. CARDIFF: H Amos; O Lane, R Lee-Lo, M Llewellyn, T Cabango; J Evans, L Williams; R Carre, K Dacey, D Lewis; S Davies, R Thornton; J Botham, J Navidi (capt), J Ratti. Reps: K Myhill, B Thyer, K Assiratti, M Screech, E Jenkins, J Hill, R Priestland, G Smith. Ref: Sam Grove-White (Scotland) TV: Kick-off at 7.35pm, Musgrave Park. LIVE on TG4 from 7.20pm.