Page 15 - Chiefs v Lions

PROFILE
THE BEST ATTITUDE
IT’S FAIR TO SAY RORY BEST HAS BEEN
around the block a a a a bit More than 100 caps for his his country two British & Irish Lions tours 179 appearances for his his beloved province
Ulster and and the the utmost respect from both team-mates and and rivals alike For many it’s the the the the latter that matters most most The last time Best wore the the the the the red jersey it it it it was at at at at the the the the the end of the the the the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour He hadn’t made the the the the initial squad and and when Dylan Hartley’s suspension provided an an an an opening it it ultimately resulted in in in two two starts and and two two appearances from the the bench – never truly within reach of the the Test side At 30 it it would have been no surprise if Best had presumed that was the end of his time as as as as a a a a a a a a a a a a Lion Fast forward four years though and and as as as as Captain of of the the the Ireland side that beat the the the the the record-breaking All Blacks Best was was a a a a a a a a a a a a a shoo-in He was was the the the the rst name on on the the the the squad list in in in the the the the eyes of of many even when faced with competition so erce that Hartley – – Captain of of Eddie Jones’ record-equalling England side – – didn’t make the cut at all all “You have to learn and improve from everything you do ” says Best referencing the the the 2013 tour “It obviously wasn’t the the way I I thought it it it would go go go or wanted it it it it it to to to to to go go go go go but you’ve got got to to to to to show show a a a a a a bit of mental strength You’ve got got to to to to show show the fortitude to to to to go go go go on on on on with things and I I I don’t think I I I thought I’d be here four years on on on on on so so personally to to get another crack at a a a a a a a Lions tour makes me very proud ” Ireland’s Captain may
know what it takes to beat the All Blacks but his rst challenge is is to secure a a a starting spot WORDS: ALEX MEAD
DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS SERIES 2017 // 15