Peter Burke
For these series of four articles I will start with Leinster. Now as always these are very subjective, some will agree and others will absolutely disagree and voice their opinion which is welcomed as wouldn’t life be boring if we all agreed with eachother. So to kick-off we will start with Leinster and the other provinces will follow in due course. This list by the way is in no particular order.
Isa Nacewa
What a man, what a player and what an influence. On an individual level, Nacewa was named both the Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association and the Leinster Rugby Player of the Year, as well as being chosen as full-back on the ‘Magners League Dream Team’ for 2011 and was shortlisted for the European Player of the Year, losing out to Sean O’Brien. Nacewa played his last game on 25th of May 2013 at full-back in the 24–18 win over Ulster in the RaboDirect Pro12. He played 8 seasons overall and has to be considered the best overseas signing by any of the provinces, and arguably one of the best players for Leinster of the pro era.
Felipie Contepomi
The Argentinian outhalf wasn’t registered for the Heineken Cup in his first season and Kidney wasn’t warming to him in the second season either..
In 4 years he proved his worth and in just 30 Heineken Cup games he scored 342 points, including 14 tries. In 116 appearances in total, he accumulated 1225 points, including 33 tries, almost exclusively in the 10 shirt.
Cheika – “He was a very instrumental figure in helping to build Leinster’s identity and their story. Felipe had an ability to join up the players off the field with his passion”.
Rocky Elsom
Well he was named the one season wonder, and sure why not he was outstanding in his field and on it. Rocky Played 21 of 23 games in that breakthrough 2008-09 season and was an huge influence in the 9 Heineken Cup games. Big and powerful carries, he crossed the whitewash six times. A beast of a tackler and he was man of the match in the quarter-final, semi-final
Jamison Gibson-Park
Well now what a signing JGP is. A former Taranki, Blues, Hurricanes and also the Maori All Blacks player arrived at Leinster On the 12th May 2016, Park left New Zealand to join Leinster ahead of the 2016–17 Pro 12 season. He has over 130 caps for Leinster and approaching 40 caps for Ireland he has cemented himself as being in the top 2 scrumhalfs in world rugby (some French lad might have something to sat about it).
James Lowe
The James Bond of Irish rugby. What a player and he always looks like he’s enjoying every minute of it, whether he’s playing for Leinster or Ireland. He is charismatic and hugely personable. Onfield hes a demon for the ball, always drifting across from his wing looking for opportunities to exploit. Before arriving in Leinster he had nearly 50 caps with Tasman and over 50 caps with the Chiefs. On 6 March 2017, Lowe signed for Leinster in the PRO14 ahead of the 2017–18 season. He has since gone on to take ownership of his jersey and continues to entertain the crowds with his play.
Brad Thorn
A half season signing, on a short-term contract by Joe Schmidt in March 2012, he togged out for 8 games but had a massive influence and was a key man in the quarter-final, semi-final and final wins over Cardiff, Clermont and Ulster, so adding a European Cup to his World Cup and Super Rugby wins. Always early for training and always last to leave he was the consummate pro.
Chris Whitaker
A good and imaginative scrumhalf he played 59 games in his three seasons with Leinster, 16 in the Heineken Cup. He played the full 80 minutes in their last six games.
“Chris delivered exactly what that team needed at ‘9’ with a guy like Felipe outside him, and then Johnny in the semi-final and final,” says Cheika. “He understood service and was tough defensively, and a real team player. That’s why he’s turned into a quality coach.”
Nathan Hines
Cheika was on the ball with this signing. The Aussie-born Scottish test backrower had two seasons with Leinster, playing 46 games. Rarely missing from the park during the 2009-10 run to the semis and he scored his only Leinster try in the comeback win over Northampton in the decider.
That was his penultimate game. Forced out by the IRFU against his will, not the first time and certainly not the last.
Scott Fardy
Some man for one man. While playing for the Japanese side the Seawaves in March 2011, an earthquake hit and all were issued evacuation orders – Fardy stayed to help out with the rescue efforts, a mark of an outstanding individual.
He came over to Leinster at the start of the 2017/18 where he won a Heineken Cup and PRO14 medal. In the 2019/2020 season he played 22 games for Leinster including playing in the PRO14 final and yes another medal. Fardy earned his third straight PRO14. In April 2021 Fardy announced that he would retire from rugby at the end of the season.
Richardt Strauss
Strauss was a magnificent player, sometimes panned by some pundits (I’ll say nothing). He arrived from the Cheetahs, he qualified through residency three years into his nine year stint with Leinster. In his second season Strauss started all nine games as Leinster regained their European title with that famous comeback win over Northampton, and started all but two when they retained it a year later. He played over 150 times for Leinster and 17 caps for Ireland.
Michael Ala’alatoa
Now yes I’ll admit he is not everyone’s cup of tea but he does a hell of a job in one of the toughest positions on the park. Born into a rugby household where his father was a member of the Samoa squad in the RWC 1991, Ala’alatoa was introduced into the sporting world and played rugby. He has since played for, to name but a few, West Harbour, The Waratahs, Crusaders and more. He joined Leinster on 12 April 2021 and has had a relatively successful time with them but he is leaving at the end of the current 2024 season.