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Exactly four years on from historic All Blacks win, Rob Kearney returns congrats to cousin Joe Biden

Rob Kearney celebrates after Ireland's November 2018 win over New Zealand in Dublin (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Exactly four years after Joe Biden congratulated Rob Kearney on Ireland’s historic first victory over the All Blacks in Chicago, he has returned the gesture, congratulating his cousin on winning election to the office of the President of the United States.

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Biden wrote in 2016 ‘Congrats to cousin Rob Kearney on the Bidens. Irish Rugby’s 1st win over New Zealand in 111 years. History made in Chicago.”

Now four years on –  the span of an election or  Rugby World Cup cycle, depending on your inclination – the former Leinster fullback was finally able to return the congratulations.

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Sexton and Farrell explain that walk-off in Paris:

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Sexton and Farrell explain that walk-off in Paris:

While the election hasn’t yet been officially called, Kearney reached out to cousin Joe on Twitter, posting: “Congrats to you Mr President.”

Biden’s family lineage hails from the Cooley Peninsula in Couth Louth in Ireland, which he visited in 2016. The then vice-president met both Kearney brothers – Rob and Dave – and they broke bread over lunch at Fitzpatricks restaurant on the Carlingford Road.

In an interview with TV3 at the time, Kearney explained the connection: “It started off as quite loose and a weird connection and then Joe came to Ireland on a state visit and myself a Dave met him and then he invited the two of us over to The White House. We went over in the summer and met him there, and the relationship has gone from strength to strength.

“It was pretty cool. I spoke to him after the game and he had watched it. He’s actually a pretty big rugby fan.”

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Kearney hung up his boots last month after a stellar career with Leinster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions. The 2012 European Player of the Year lifted the European Rugby Champions Cup four times with Leinster, as well six PRO14 titles and the European Challenge Cup, and has recently signed a one year deal to play for the Western Force in Australia.

 

 

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B
BeamMeUp 25 minutes ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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