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'I didn't see it coming. I didn't see that there was a chance that I wouldn't go'
Devin Toner has reflected on his omission from Ireland’s Rugby World Cup campaign in 2019, admitting he didn’t see his exclusion from the sport’s biggest stage coming.
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Then head coach Joe Schmidt’s snubbing of Toner was the biggest talking point when the Rugby World Squad was announced in September, 2019, with the 6’10 lineout specialist seen by many – including himself – as a sure-fire inclusion.
Nearly two years on and the Leinsterman admits he is still ‘disappointed’ with how it ended, despite grabbing three extra caps in the subsequent Six Nations in 2020.
“I was disappointed with how it ended. I didn’t see it coming,” Toner told Jim Hamilton on RugbyPass All Access: ‘[When] I didn’t get picked for the World Cup, it was a huge blow.
“I didn’t see it coming. I didn’t see that there was a chance that I wouldn’t go.”
South African project player Jean Kleyn ended up going to Japan, despite having just one Ireland cap to his name care of a pre-season against Italy. The Munster lock qualified for Ireland on August 8th, played his first game on the 10th and was named in Schmidt’s 31-man squad on September 2nd.
“I don’t know if it was a straight shoot out between the two of us [Jean Kleyn]. I was obviously behind a lot of them.
“Looking back on it, I’m thinking to myself, I didn’t show enough in the pre-season games. I didn’t work hard enough or show enough to be selected.
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“I was obviously disappointed with how it ended. But then, in the Six Nations, Faz picked me and I got three more caps.”
Toner broke the Leinster cap record, superseding Gordan D’Arcy’s 261 appearances, all while winning their fourth consecutive PRO14 title against old rivals Munster. But the 34-year-old isn’t planning on retiring, despite having not yet confirmed his immediate playing future beyond the 2020/21 season.
“I’ve got a year or two left in me to be honest,” said Toner, who comes to the end of his Leinster contract this summer, although he could yet stay for a 15th season at the province he has played his entire professional career. “I’m currently still in negotiations. Whatever happens, happens. It’ll probably be released in the next little while.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
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