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'Unnatural strength': Maturing Irish prop turning heads after dominant display
By Sam Smith
Leinster’s dominant 47-19 win over rivals Connacht was powered by a second half showing which saw the hosts run away with the game after the break.
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A big reason for the second half blitz was the impact brought by the bench, specifically from prop Andrew Porter who came on and went close to being man of the match despite not playing the entire game.
The 25-year-old made 11 tackles and won one turnover and scrum penalty in a physical display of defensive power that has elevated Porter into the ‘world-class’ discussion. He showed brute force to disrupt Connacht runners that showed Porter has taken his game to another level.
Me trying to wrestle the massive bag of @YorkshireTea bags across the Sainsbury’s car park#LEIvCON pic.twitter.com/MSFtCCUg2W
— Dame Dot CottonCandy, Duchess of Whoville ?? (@comagirlx) December 4, 2021
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Despite coming off the bench against Connacht, Porter started at loosehead prop for Ireland earlier this month over the experienced Cian Healy in the 29-20 win over the All Blacks and was part of the Irish pack that steamrolled the Kiwis.
He made 10 carries on that night, along with seven tackles in an industrious performance where the entire Ireland pack had the wood over their counterparts.
Porter was labelled by fans as ‘one of the best players in the world at the moment’ after his display against Connacht in the United Rugby Championship which showed off ‘unnatural strength’.
Another fan said it ‘should be illegal’ to bring a player of Porter’s calibre off the bench.
Andrew Porter is one of the best players in the world at the moment. Unnatural strength and agility for a front row forward. The switch across to loosehead has gone as smoothly as anyone could have hoped. #LEIvCON
— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) December 3, 2021
70 mins. What a second half performance by Andrew Porter. If 55 mins is enough for man of match, Doris definitely in the fray. If not it has to be Van der Flyer. He was the one ?@leinsterrugby? player who kept threatening ?@connachtrugby? in first half pic.twitter.com/xTJ5E6Hto1
— Joe Healy (@joehealyfarmer) December 3, 2021
Andrew Porter might get POTM and he’s only played half the game
— The Champ Champs (@GifsRugbyNStuff) December 3, 2021
Andrew Porter has been everywhere since half time. He’s dominating Connacht. #LEIvCON
— Neil Treacy (@neil_treacy) December 3, 2021
Porter is an absolute animal.
What a player!#LEIvCON— El_Poderoso (@ronanodowd) December 3, 2021
The vanilla gorilla with an incredible turnover there
I’d say Connacht have had their fill of Porter tonight#LEIvCON
ADVERTISEMENT— Mick Hennessy (@mickado15) December 3, 2021
Porter is just a beast. #LEIvCON
— Pat O’Loughlin (@Pat_O_Loughlin) December 3, 2021
Bringing porter off a bench should be illegal. Someone email World Rugby. #LEIvCON
— Master Of None Podcast (@MasterOfNonePod) December 3, 2021
After bringing back 10 internationals into the squad, Leinster boss Leo Cullen said his side ‘isn’t where they want to be’ at the moment despite the dominant second half display.
“We’re not quite where we would like to be at the moment, but we had a fair amount of changes over the last couple of weeks so maybe it’s to be expected with the short turnaround in terms of prep.
“Guys came in tonight after November, had a week off then this week was a short week to get that sense of togetherness and cohesion back.”
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