Heaslip Retiring / Appreciation Thread [MOD WARNING: POST 1]

kuang1

prawnsambo wrote: »

Not necessary anyway since he's deleted it.

Apologies Thomond...but what did the tweet say?

CIARAN_BOYLE

To be honest I suspect this is the source of his back injury.

Hate to see a player go out through injury. Especially one who proved to be as durable as Jamie.

Faugheen

Rackard wrote: »

Clegg wrote: »

:rolleyes:

He was nominated for World Player of the Year in 2016, his last season as a pro.

Which was a huge surprise

No it wasn't. Even in his last season he was still our best back-row. He tackled more than anyone else and there was centimetres per carry between him and Stander. His work rate was out of this world and nobody could get past him.

Imagine a thread about him being forced to retire and still beating him with a stick because they didn't like him. That's all it is at the end of the day.

He was one of the greatest players to don the jersey in my opinion. What a warrior and we'll never see an 8 like him again.

irishfan9

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt commented: "Jamie was an intelligent and incredibly robust player. The string of trophies he contributed to is lengthy, including three European Cups, three Six Nations, including the 2009 Grand Slam, and a couple of PRO12 trophies thrown in for good measure.

"There are so many moments that spring to mind, whether it be his superb second half against Northampton in the 2011 Heineken Cup final or his clever line and tireless work ethic that combined to see him score the international Try of the Year two years ago, or his crucial try-saving tackle on Stuart Hogg on 'Super Saturday', to help tip the balance in retaining the Six Nations trophy. Utterly professional, driven to succeed and a leader with the actions he delivered."

$ausage$

As an ulster fan I think the highest praise I can give him is to say I always thought he was a hateful c**t.

PhlegmyMoses

Giant of a man for Ireland. Hope he has good luck with the future

Rackard

Faugheen wrote: »

No it wasn't. Even in his last season he was still our best back-row. He tackled more than anyone else and there was centimetres per carry between him and Stander. His work rate was out of this world and nobody could get past him.

Imagine a thread about him being forced to retire and still beating him with a stick because they didn't like him. That's all it is at the end of the day.

He was one of the greatest players to don the jersey in my opinion. What a warrior and we'll never see an 8 like him again.

Yeah - I'm beating him with a stick :rolleyes:
Said already he was excellent player but over rated, in my opinion, in the last few years.

One of the main things that highlights this is - he hasn't been missed whatsoever for Leinster or Ireland (or the Lions) since he was out.

Maybe it's because with mileage on the clock, he slowed down obviously and wasn't the force he once was, which is natural enough.

irelandrover

Rackard wrote: »

Yeah - I'm beating him with a stick :rolleyes:
Said already he was excellent player but over rated, in my opinion, in the last few years.

One of the main things that highlights this is - he hasn't been missed whatsoever for Leinster or Ireland (or the Lions) since he was out.

Maybe it's because with mileage on the clock, he slowed down obviously and wasn't the force he once was, which is natural enough.

I'm sure he will be gutted to know you feel that way, and that you think he didnt deserve the world player of the year nomination.

Larbre34

He was a player ahead of his time, and he must be jointly the most decorated in the history of the Irish game?

Leinster

Heineken Cup (3): 2008–09, 2010–11, 2011–12
Pro12 (3): 2007–08, 2012–13, 2013–14
European Challenge Cup (1): 2012–13

Ireland

Six Nations Championship (3): 2009, 2014, 2015
Triple Crown (2): 2007 & 2009
Grand Slam (1): 2009

British and Irish Lions tours (2): 2009, 2013,

Buer

Rackard wrote: »

One of the main things that highlights this is - he hasn't been missed whatsoever for Leinster or Ireland (or the Lions) since he was out.

He was massively missed by Leinster in the closing stages of last season. His absence was arguably the difference between winning and losing the Pro12 and he was a huge loss in the first 40 minutes in Clermont for his workrate and experience.

And there has been significant criticism of Ireland's play up front being one dimensional during this 6N which is an area he excelled at by varying the point of attack as a distributor and moving the point of attack in close quarters.

The Lions had a world class No. 8 available. I doubt Heaslip would have been in the 23 due to Faletau simply being a better player at this point so no arguments there.

To think that he hasn't been missed whatsoever though is miles off.

stephen_n

Rackard wrote: »

Yeah - I'm beating him with a stick :rolleyes:
Said already he was excellent player but over rated, in my opinion, in the last few years.

One of the main things that highlights this is - he hasn't been missed whatsoever for Leinster or Ireland (or the Lions) since he was out.

Maybe it's because with mileage on the clock, he slowed down obviously and wasn't the force he once was, which is natural enough.

If you don’t think he has been missed by Leinster or Ireland you don’t watch much rugby as he has been hugely missed by both. Maybe if the only metric you use is ball carrying you should expand your horizons a little and you might get it.

Akrasia

Sad day for Irish rugby. He was an excellent asset for Ireland and Leinster and by all accounts a total gentleman and a mentor to his younger team mates

I wish him every success in his future ambitions and I hope that he chooses to stay on in the sport in a coaching or management role. If he chooses, his contribution to Irish rugby could be far from over.

Thanos

Well i think we all saw the writing on the wall. That wolverine blood is just not as effective at healing once the adamantium starts to get into the system...........

Your ever-presence will be missed.

irelandrover

irelandrover wrote: »

I'm sure he will be gutted to know you feel that way, and that you think he didnt deserve the world player of the year nomination.

It's a thread on a player retiring, not a memorial thread for a dead person. Rackard is stating their (unpopular) opinion but they're hardly being a dick about it. Perhaps you think there should be two threads about Heaslip's retirement, one for loving comments and one for a discussion about his career?

The way to respond to someone who you feel is being disrespectful probably shouldn't be snideness.

I have to agree with everything Buer has said though. He would have been key to Leinster actually coming away with something last season.

prawnsambo

It was said before about him anytime (few enough) that he was out. That he wasn't really missed because we had (mainly for Ireland) equally good players replacing him. Except that when he got back, you could see immediately what we were missing.

razorblunt

Friend sent this. I lol'd.

Shefwedfan

Rackard wrote: »

Yeah - I'm beating him with a stick :rolleyes:
Said already he was excellent player but over rated, in my opinion, in the last few years.

One of the main things that highlights this is - he hasn't been missed whatsoever for Leinster or Ireland (or the Lions) since he was out.

Maybe it's because with mileage on the clock, he slowed down obviously and wasn't the force he once was, which is natural enough.

You should start watching some rugby. Leinster miss he hugely and will miss him for the match against Saracens. If ever you wanted Heaslip it would be that game

Also saying Ireland are not missing him? are you having a laugh? If he turned up with his boots in the morning he would be one of the first names on the team sheet for Scotland and England match....

connemara man

I can't believe this needs to be said but the man has just retired, can there be a bit of respect shown.

Webbs

As a Welsh supporter all I wanted to see was his name not on the team sheet.
His ability to play whatever style was asked of him be it doing the dirty close in ball carrying or slightly wider out where he excelled in getting over the gain line was second to none in Ireland. He would no doubt still be No8 for Ireland but for this injury. Always seemed a gentleman on and off the pitch.

Jack Kanoff

He was a true great of the modern game & will be missed by club and country... nothing more I can say

connemara man

Jamie was and will be remembered as an Irish Rugby great always gave 100% and has a CV other players would like a fraction of. It's a shame he wasn't able to go out on his own terms and will be a loss to Irish rugby however you feel about the man personally

thebaz

brilliant career - the only thing missing was a World Cup - he was brilliant for leinster in the vanguard that helped transform them from under-achievers to European winners - internatioally - Grand slam , All Black winner and Lion - not sure how anyone can knock that

phog

It's sad to see any player retire because of injuries but for a guy that played such a physical game and was almost never injured it's almost harder to see him retire through injury.

One of the things I love about the league and european cup is that you get to see great players playing in the likes of Thomond Park, they're there right in front of you to see, dread if they're the opposition but still admire. Heaslip was one of those great players.

He's had some career and can look back on it with pride.

Best of Luck Jamie

GavMan

thebaz wrote: »

All Black winner

Please stop with that carry on

thebaz

GavMan wrote: »

Please stop with that carry on

ok right, loads of Irish players have beaten the All Black - its no big deal , just took over 100 years to do

Bridge93

Is there any suggestion that the knee from Pape was the beginning of the end given it was his back that did for him?

Surely a fitting place to see that gif of him trampling O Gara one last time before it's laid to rest

$ausage$

connemara man wrote: »

I can't believe this needs to be said but the man has just retired, can there be a bit of respect shown.

He retired he is not dead like.

arsebiscuits1

$ausage$ wrote: »

He retired he is not dead like.

Yep, that'll help your case

Zzippy

$ausage$ wrote: »

He retired he is not dead like.

If you have a problem with moderation on a thread, do not argue or backseat mod on the thread, feel free to PM the mod in question with your concerns.

$ausage$

already have - noted.

Annabella1

Great number 8 difficult to pick out a better one in a green jersey
Was marmite like with the other provinces in the later years
Met him at a training session with the kids he was a total gent

Deusexmachina

Super player - particularly in his early years as a professional. Funny, I don’t think he likes rugby much. Happier in business I suspect.

irishfan9

Deusexmachina wrote: »

Super player - particularly in his early years as a professional. Funny, I don’t think he likes rugby much. Happier in business I suspect.

bizarre comment, of course he likes rugby.

FACECUTTR

Class player. Wish it in the best going forward.

chupacabra

Nothing to add that hasnt already been said. One of the great heroes of Irish Rugby. An inspiration to many a young fella.

The Million dollar fries in Bear are savage too.

awec

irishfan9 wrote: »

bizarre comment, of course he likes rugby.

In fairness didn’t heaslip give an interview years ago where he said he doesn’t watch rugby or something like that?

mfceiling

irishfan9 wrote: »

bizarre comment, of course he likes rugby.

To be fair he did say before he never watches games or seems to bother much with the game outside of playing it.
He'll be sadly missed...a great player.

Deusexmachina

Deleted User wrote: »

It's a thread on a player retiring, not a memorial thread for a dead person. Rackard is stating their (unpopular) opinion but they're hardly being a dick about it. Perhaps you think there should be two threads about Heaslip's retirement, one for loving comments and one for a discussion about his career?

The way to respond to someone who you feel is being disrespectful probably shouldn't be snideness.

I have to agree with everything Buer has said though. He would have been key to Leinster actually coming away with something last season.

Super post. Some posters on the Rugby forum hate any criticism of their heroes and get very bitchy, very quickly.
A discussion forum is a place for discussion, including dissenting views.

Deusexmachina

awec wrote: »

In fairness didn’t heaslip give an interview years ago where he said he doesn’t watch rugby or something like that?

Exactly what I was referring to. He even said he sometimes doesn’t bother watching the matches when he is not involved.

Podge_irl

awec wrote: »

In fairness didn’t heaslip give an interview years ago where he said he doesn’t watch rugby or something like that?

He doesn't watch it socially I think was his point. He likes it in the way that anyone who is committed to their career and enjoys what they do does. But obviously has other things going on in his life.

irishfan9

awec wrote: »

In fairness didn’t heaslip give an interview years ago where he said he doesn’t watch rugby or something like that?

he said because he spends so much time week to week preparing, watching film etc. that he wouldn't watch a random game at the weekend as he enjoys switching off in different... that's hardly not liking rugby.

also he said since his long term injury he often finds himself watching games of rugby.

Deusexmachina

irishfan9 wrote: »

he said because he spends so much time week to week preparing, watching film etc. that he wouldn't watch a random game at the weekend as he enjoys switching off in different... that's hardly not liking rugby.

also he said since his long term injury he often finds himself watching games of rugby.

Nope. He was not refrrring to ‘random games’ at the weekend. It was specifically about Leinster / Ireland games.
As far as I remember, he said that he doesn’t particularly like watching rugby. It’s something he does for a living. He enjoys other things in his spare time.
It’s not a criticism, so don’t worry.

irishfan9

Deusexmachina wrote: »

Nope. He was not refrrring to ‘random games’ at the weekend. It was specifically about Leinster / Ireland games.
As far as I remember, he said that he doesn’t particularly like watching rugby. It’s something he does for a living. He enjoys other things in his spare time.
It’s not a criticism, so don’t worry.

i don't care if it's criticism, it's bluntly not true... he played rugby for 20+ years, of course he likes rugby.

Clegg

I think Irishfan is right on this one. Heaslip was interviewed maybe a month back and said he actually enjoys watching games now. I suppose we should have taken that as a sign that all wasn't well re: his injury status.

Deusexmachina

irishfan9 wrote: »

i don't care if it's criticism, it's bluntly not true... he played rugby for 20+ years, of course he likes rugby.

Not necessarily. He was paid for it.

Sangre

So Heaslip is now officially gone.

It will be quite a burden for Kearney to take the flak for all the ****e spewed online. I'm sure those broad shoulders will be up for the task though.

Sangre

Deusexmachina wrote: »

Not necessarily. He was paid for it.

He was a professional rugby player since the age of 11? The CV gets more and more impressive!

molloyjh

Deusexmachina wrote: »

Nope. He was not refrrring to ‘random games’ at the weekend. It was specifically about Leinster / Ireland games.
As far as I remember, he said that he doesn’t particularly like watching rugby. It’s something he does for a living. He enjoys other things in his spare time.
It’s not a criticism, so don’t worry.

He's clarified that elsewhere. He loves rugby. But he also loves other things. When he was "at work" he was fully switched on and loved every minute of it. When he's away from rugby he's also fully switched off from it. He seems to be a really well balanced guy. It's incredibly important to him but doesn't run his life.

He spoke about it really well on Fitzys Left Wing podcast a few weeks ago. Worth a listen as he's very interesting in how he approached the game and life outside it.

AnneFrank

he was always full of it, no doubt we'll have to listen to him now as a pundit

Clegg

AnneFrank wrote: »

he was always full of it, no doubt we'll have to listen to him now as a pundit

If he was "full of it", which I don't think he ever was, it's because for near enough to a decade he was one of the best rugby players on the planet.