Ireland continues to laud Kiwi trio
Kiwi halfback Jamison GibsonPark is being hailed as the best halfback in Britain and Ireland after helping the Irish win a test series in New Zealand for the first time.
While New Zealanders continue to debate the All Blacks’ captain and coach’s futures, Ireland continues to extol the contributions of their three Kiwi expats.
Veteran Irish Times rugby writer Gerry Thornley sang the praises of Gibson-Park, Bundee Aki and James Lowe in his end-oftour review yesterday, noting that it had been ‘‘an emotional return home’’ for the trio.
Gibson-Park, who left for Leinster in 2016, impressed with his ‘‘speed to the base, decisionmaking, passing, running and ground covered in open play [which] more than vindicated his decision to up sticks for Leinster at 24. Would probably be the [British and Irish] Lions’ starting 9 now,’’ Thornley wrote.
Aki, a Connacht player since 2014, had ‘‘enjoyed some home cooking, having his entire family see him play for the first time in nine years, captaining Ireland in the tour opener and lengthy stints off the bench in the first two tests before giving his all in the third,’’ Thornley wrote.
Patrick McCarry, writing for Ireland’s SportsJoe website, said Aki ‘‘may have only started one test, but his reputation as one of the best centres in world rugby has only grown’’.
He said the former Chiefs and Counties Manukau midfielder ‘‘went straight into fifth gear’’ after coming off the bench to replace a concussed Garry Ringrose in the second test. Aki ‘‘made a number of huge carries and tackles for Ireland as they won by 11 points.
McGarry was equally impressed with Aki in the third test where he started at inside centre with Henshaw outside him.
‘‘Aki is often type-cast as a guy that will take the ball straight up the guts, but he showed lovely footwork on Saturday and stepped inside charging Kiwi bodies on three different occasions to get his side well over the gainline.’’
Thornley said Lowe had played every minute of the series, although his start had been ‘‘a bit of a slow burner, but the value of his left boot was illustrated in the third test, whether punting for distance or threading kicks along the line. Made a series of important carries.’’
The significance of the series win for the three Kiwi expatriates was lost a little amid the deep despair felt by All Blacks fans.
But Gibson-Park – who grew up on Great Barrier Island and in Gisborne – said the series victory was ‘‘the best by far’’ moment in his rugby career.
‘‘I have had some special moments over my career and this was definitely the best,’’ he told The Irish Independent. ‘‘I never dreamed of a day like this.
‘‘I was rooming with Garry Ringrose and he said to me: ‘When was the last time you played here?’ I was like, ‘June 2016’ [when the Hurricanes won the Super Rugby title], and he said: ‘Could you have ever dreamed of being back here in six years playing for Ireland?’
‘‘I said no, obviously. It has been one heck of a journey and one to be proud of. My family were here too.’’