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Isa Nacewa appreciation thread - Part II

prawnsambo

The last time he retired there was always the feeling that it was too soon and seemed wrong. This time, there's no question of him playing again unfortunately.

He will finish with over 180 caps and over 700 points scored. Arguably the best foreign player ever to set foot in this country and certainly one of the most influential. Hopefully he'll retire with some more silverware in his pocket. He deserves no less.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbSxiHLMTVE

I think this is the original retirement thread back in 2013. I think we can do better.

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irishbucsfan

Top geezer

Clegg

Nacewa is absolutely the best ever import into the provinces.

He's excelled at 11, 14, 15 and even had a late career renaissance at 12. World class player at his very best and an incredible on field leader.

ProudDUB

Absolute legend !

prawnsambo

It had to end, sadly. He could never compete with James Lowe's hair and took the honourable approach to bow out gracefully.

crisco10

Whatever else happens the rest of this season, for me 2009 to 2018 will always be the Isa and Sexton years! Two players who have always driven the standard up, and in Isa's case produced the goods on the "cold, wet Tuesday nights" when the internationals were away.

The real shame is we were denied him for 2 years in the middle.

Who would have thunk the 1st November 2003 would be such a fortuitous day for Leinster rugby?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/rugby_world_cup/3230005.stm

Faugheen

What an absolute legend. He's not as good as he was when he came back but he's still an absolute stalwart who wouldn't look out of place in any club side. Leinster were blessed to keep him for so long as he absolutely would have made the big bucks in France if he wanted to.

Hopefully we can win the double so he can bow out a winner, which is exactly what he is.

Burkie1203

Sometimes words don't do justice to a guy. This is one such case. So......

Dave_The_Sheep

Always loved this try above most of his others. Absolutely bamboozles four defenders, and leaves Hamilton on the floor without touching him. Class.

One of the smartest rugby brains out there, I feel.

prawnsambo

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

Always loved this try above most of his others. Absolutely bamboozles four defenders, and leaves Hamilton on the floor without touching him. Class.

One of the smartest rugby brains out there, I feel.

Locky should have been pinged there for his lineout shenanigans.

Dave_The_Sheep

prawnsambo wrote: »

Locky should have been pinged there for his lineout shenanigans.

And it was arguably a forward pass from Horgan, but once Nacewa took over it was pure class from there on in. You're not bringing me down on my appreciate for this!

dub_skav

Absolute gent and certainly the best import to the Irish rugby system.
When you look at his class, versatility, longevity and leadership there were none better.

Thanks for everything Isa. Now, just the small matter of 2 trophies and some "one more year" chants in the RDS (and Lansdowne).

arsebiscuits1

Jesus there wont be a ticket had for the RDS semi now for Isa's farewell.

Ref might have to stop play for 5-10 minutes until the crowd dies down.

Assuming he doesn't play the full 80 like he always does haha.

Side note.

2010-11 season. He played 32 times for 2400 minutes. What an animal.

Thanks Isa. Sincerely

Dog Botherer

My favourite Isa moment (possibly improved by nostalgia and poor memory) is of him catching a touch finder one handed on the 22 after sprinting across the pitch to field it, not even breaking his stride, then ran it back, kicked it, and ended up with a line out on the oppositions 22. Think it was raining as well.

If anyone else remembers this i’d love to see video of it again. Equal chance that i’ve completely made it up though!

Thud

Dog Botherer wrote: »

My favourite Isa moment (possibly improved by nostalgia and poor memory) is of him catching a touch finder one handed on the 22 after sprinting across the pitch to field it, not even breaking his stride, then ran it back, kicked it, and ended up with a line out on the oppositions 22. Think it was raining as well.

If anyone else remembers this i’d love to see video of it again. Equal chance that i’ve completely made it up though!

Wasn't in Croke park was it? remember he made one huge momentum building catch in that game

Burkie1203

What a side

https://twitter.com/OwainJTJones/status/988751173015560192?s=19

Dog Botherer

Thud wrote: »

Wasn't in Croke park was it? remember he made one huge momentum building catch in that game

I feel like it was dark and rainy. Might be completely wrong though.

Trojan

prawnsambo wrote: »

He will finish with over 180 caps and over 700 points scored. Arguably the best foreign player ever to set foot in this country

There is no arguably about it. What a legend. I hope the team can pull off the double for him.

errlloyd

If the Isa we signed in 2008 and the Isa we signed in 2015 were two different players, I'd have them as the top 2 Leinster foreign signings. Pretty comfortably too.

Last year Isa Nacewa was the top try scorer in Champions Cup. This year he took up a new position and adapted as if it was no bother. He started 12 against Saracens and we wrecked them. I hope to hear some Isa chants, and one more, one more year.

Buer

It's funny to think that, 6 months after he arrived, people were far from convinced on his value to the team.

I never thought I'd be so disappointed to see a guy with a jheri curl leave.

stephen_n

What else can you say but... Isa, Isa, Isa, Isa

razorblunt

I hope he stays retired this time, that's the biggest compliment I can give him!

Steve

As in the Christy Moore song ... some jet off to frihilihana, Isa could have yet he stayed and has been the cornerstone of Leinster rugby for (ever) a long time.

Probably one of the best all round players Leinster ever had.

molloyjh

Dog Botherer wrote: »

I feel like it was dark and rainy. Might be completely wrong though.

Are you thinking of the one vs Leicester where he caught the ball with one hand and a hip while on the move?

Dog Botherer

molloyjh wrote: »

Are you thinking of the one vs Leicester where he caught the ball with one hand and a hip while on the move?

That sounds like the one!

Fake Edit: Actually it was against Clermont, there's a clip of the catch right at the start of this vid, can't find more unfortunately. Insane skill.

ProudIRISHman

Dougie Howlett Lite

Good but definitely not the best import.

[Deleted User]

It is not a coincidence that Íosa is Irish for Jesus, and Jesus is God.

Isa = God

Dave_The_Sheep

stephen_n wrote: »

What else can you say but... Isa, Isa, Isa, Isa

Going to be a bit awkward when Strauss and Isa are displayed on their final appearance in the RDS together as retiring ... and all they can both hear is Isa, Isa, Isa!

prawnsambo

About three minutes into this. Good few replays of it which give a better context.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B20Lggt_Rf4

leakyboots

Super player, probably the best of the imports across any of the four provinces you'd argue - brilliant footballer, intelligent and tough as nails but creative too. Always wondered - why he was out of the game for 2 years? There's a poster on another forum who hints at something negative but never spells it out.

[Deleted User]

ProudIRISHman wrote: »

Dougie Howlett Lite

Good but definitely not the best import.

Go on then, who was a better import