RUGBY:GEORDAN MURPHY has given the broadest hint yet that he is set to retire from international rugby. The 33-year-old, who won his 72nd cap in Ireland's World Cup win over Russia in Rotorua, said yesterday that he will confirm one way or the other before the Six Nations.
“I haven’t made a concrete decision yet but I’m heading that way,” admitted Murphy when asked if he was considering retirement from the test arena. “I spoke to Declan Kidney at the end of the World Cup. I’m weighing up my options at the moment and I’ll probably make a call on it just before the Six Nations.”
The Leicester fullback, who made his Irish debut against the USA in June 2000, has always been based abroad, unlike contemporaries such as Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara and Paul O’Connell, and thus ventured: “I don’t think many of them will hang up their boots. If you’re based in Ireland, you’re centrally contracted so it wouldn’t be smart to retire.”
The aforementioned trio and the rest of Ireland’s World’s Cup contingent are likely to resume provincial hostilities in Friday night’s RaboDirect Pro 12 Leinster-Munster derby at the Aviva Stadium.
Leinster reported no more than “the usual bumps and bruises” from Friday night’s 36-28 victory over Edinburgh in Murrayfield, and, in addition to more of their World Cup contingent, Isa Nacewa (who was rested for the game in Scotland) is also expected to return. Over 41,500 tickets have been sold for Friday’s game, with the remainder on sale at the usual outlets.
Ulster have signed 36-year-old Stefan Terblanche on a three-month contract after being given dispensation by the IRFU to recruit a foreign player on a short-term basis to provide cover for Jared Payne, who ruptured his Achilles against Treviso on October 7th.
The 37-times capped Springbok, who scored four tries on his debut against Ireland in June 1998, has thus delayed his retirement following his final appearance for the Natal Sharks in last Saturday’s Currie Cup Final against the Golden Lions to link up with former Sharks team-mates Johann Muller and Ruan Pienaar. His arrival date is subject to the requirements of the UK Border Agency.
On Saturday, Ulster entertain Connacht, who will be without flanker Johnny O’Connor due to the calf injury he sustained in the warm-up before last Saturday’s clash with Cardiff Blues.
“We are waiting on results of a scan but it doesn’t look good for him,” admitted forwards’ coach Dan McFarland. “Whatever the results are he won’t be playing this weekend for us.”
McFarland added that another backrower, Ray Ofisa, is also a doubt. “He hurt his neck when a player fell on him in the tackle at the weekend and squashed his neck. He will probably be okay which will be a relief as we will need his experience, especially with Johnny missing out.”
The IRFU have filled two new senior management positions. Conor O’Brien, previously the Union’s Financial Controller and a part of the organisation since 1998, has moved into the position of Director of Finance. Scott Walker, having joined the IRFU as Domestic Rugby Manager in 2008, will take the new role of Director of Rugby Development and the Club Game.
TICKETS for Friday’s Pro 12 game between Leinster and Munster in the Aviva are still available from www.leinsterrugby.ie, the Leinster Rugby Store (Donnybrook), Spar (Donnybrook) and Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.
