Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Welcome back Stephen Larkham - Fitzgerald tackle
Larkham has been out of rugby since his unfortunate injury in the World Cup and was meant to be heading to Edinburgh to start a new career there. That fell through though, and this season Larkham has been seen sitting on the sidelines as an anxious spectator at Brumbies home games.
The latest word is that he's going over to Japan to finish his career with a nice pay packet there. He's taken some time out though to play for the Barbarians, possibly as his last big showing on the international stage.
So what better way to welcome him back to rugby than with a big hit from a young man who was probably a teenager when Larkham was playing test rugby. Luke Fitzgerald put in this great hit, reminding Larkham that there's no such thing as an easy retirement from top flight rugby.
Note: Full highlights from this game are on the way, so check back soon.
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Luke Fitzgerald try against Cardiff
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Posted at 4:42 pm | 23 comments
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Viewing 23 comments
Third Centre May 28, 2008 3:15 pm
good tackle. Fitzgerald has huge potential and was one of the few positives from a ver poor game last night. Bloody Ferris (no. 6 for Ireland) ! He's a great tackler and runs good lines but has terrible hands !A shame they took Larkham off he's always a joy to watch !
Connachtfan May 28, 2008 3:37 pm
Fitzgerald is not physcially big enough to play centre....he will be eaten by Kiwis/Aussies... a world of pain awaits compared to the 2nd string Baa baas on display last night...
paul volley May 28, 2008 3:46 pm
could it be considered a dangerous tackle as fitzy didnt put larkham with care? just wanna put it out there so someone in the know can tell me, coz im just curious. dont want anyone gobing off saying "what the fcuk you talking bout? dipshit, thats a quality tackle" etc.however, who would care about putting larkham down safely? its good to see king crim back again though. fucking nice tackle nonetheless. fitzy will play wing/benchwarmer in nz i bet.
El ninio May 28, 2008 3:59 pm
the future of ireland were on display last nite, bowe, fitzy , kearny ect alll quality young players who will b pushing for places
flanker May 28, 2008 5:08 pm
paul volly, this isnt a dangerous tackle. you don't have to put someone down gently, care means not on the head or neck.however, nowadays almost every dump tackle is considered 'dangerous' by those wankers at the IRB, so i think that's why you're confused. Rugby Union is a brutal game, and it should stay that way not some kind of 7's with 15 men (ELVs).Larkham wasn't expecting the hit, and Fitzgerald was in the perfect place to make it, thats why it was so hard.why wasn't O'Gara playing?
jay May 28, 2008 5:14 pm
The pass Larkham receives is not that great (was it actually for him or the center coming in ?)Great tackle nevertheless...
jackohos May 28, 2008 6:20 pm
Come on now, Jay. The centre doesn't even put his hands up to try and catch the ball! It's clearly a dummy run.Great tackle too.
paul volley May 28, 2008 6:36 pm
re flanker: thanks very much for clearing that one up. you're right about your point on nearly every tackle being deemed as a dangerous one. and i have a feeling the reason ROG wasnt in the squad was because the munster guys werent in the squad after the heineken cup final.
paul volley May 28, 2008 6:36 pm
re flanker: thanks very much for clearing that one up. you're right about your point on nearly every tackle being deemed as a dangerous one. and i have a feeling the reason ROG wasnt in the squad was because the munster guys werent in the squad after the heineken cup final.
Dave May 28, 2008 8:33 pm
second string Baa-Baa's? the was a pretty stacked team, I would have called Ireland the second string team
Anonymous May 28, 2008 9:05 pm
Have u got the footage of Neil Best beating up Visagie?
Anonymous May 29, 2008 3:00 am
Yeah i wud love to see the neil best punch ups lol
Third Centre May 29, 2008 10:29 am
Ah he's not bulky but he's incredibly strong ! His dad is Dessie Fitzgerald and he's supposed to be doing some ridiculous weights. I think wing might suit him better but in the next few years he'll really come on.I love Bowe but he's just too slow for international level. I really hope he proves me wrong but he needs to find some pace to keep his place
martin May 29, 2008 5:54 pm
that was a great tackle, shame it was ruined by him worrying him about getting cited. he just droped him rather than slaming him to the ground legally. tackling is supposed to be destructive
WLLLLS May 29, 2008 10:04 pm
People get too bogged down with size these daysJust look at the size of O'Driscoll when he began, I know that the game has come on a lot, but it was O'Driscoll's pace and speed of thought that got him through his first season or two.Unfortunately in Ireland we don't have the luxury of huge players with the agility and speed of every other winger/centre as our development isn't as sophisticatedbut if you were to ask me if I wanted a Kevin Maggs type player in the centre in New Zealand and Oz or Luke Fitzgerald I'd pick the latter, a clever player who's only twenty and Ireland's second youngest cap who can read the game so well, and is agile as a cat can offer a lot more to our game than a lump of muscle, and has a lot more time to do weights and slowly reach the size that is "necessary" for international rugby
Anonymous May 30, 2008 2:32 am
fitzy is a winger until drico and co. retire, then he will roam free at 13 and step the poop out of everyone!
Anonymous June 13, 2008 5:31 pm
Taught the rule was that you have to bring the player you tackled to ground 'Safely'?
Gaz June 22, 2008 2:09 am
There is a whole world of difference between safely and comfortably!
Anonymous October 14, 2009 6:40 pm
Whoever sayed bowe hasnt got pace just saying that your a complete fool
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