Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Josh van der Flier: 'I get jealous of people in other sports'

Josh van der Flier in South Africa last July with Ireland (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

If you want an illustration of the dedication which has made Josh van der Flier a World Rugby player of the year, you only have to listen to him talking about his notebooks. It reveals the kind of meticulous preparation which, along with abundant natural talent, has seen the Leinster and Ireland flanker become such a star performer.

ADVERTISEMENT

“It’s something I have started doing in the last few years,” he explained. “I have one notebook for when I’m in Irish camp and one for Leinster. At the start of the book, that would be my goals for the season, my main work-ons. I will have an attack section, a defence section, a fitness section, all different things that I want to improve on. It’s every area of the game, whether it’s breakdown, carrying, passing or tackling.

“Then, if a coach or a player says something I definitely want to make note of, I write that at the back of the book. There will be all little bits of pieces I have gathered, feedback you will get from a coach or another player. Then, in the middle, I go week to week with a double page for each game and kind of structure it out that way.

Video Spacer

WATCH: Chasing the Sun Season 2 Trailer | RPTV

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 1:28
Loaded: 22.32%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 1:28
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
    • en (Main), selected
    Video Spacer

    WATCH: Chasing the Sun Season 2 Trailer | RPTV

    The brilliant Chasing the Sun 2, charting the inspiring story of the Springboks at Rugby World Cup 2023, can be watched on RugbyPass TV

    Watch now

    “I have everything in that notebook then and, if I run out of space, I take pictures of the important stuff. The main stuff at the front and back is kind of important to keep. That’s how I do it anyway.”

    Then there is the mental preparation for the physical battle out on the pitch. “That’s one thing that is hard about rugby,” continued the 31-year-old openside. “At times, I do get jealous of footballers or golfers or people in other sports.

    Fixture
    United Rugby Championship
    Leinster
    26 - 12
    Full-time
    Munster
    All Stats and Data

    “If you are going to play a sport like that, you are obviously pumped up and you are ready, but you are not going in having to be fairly violent and physical with people. You have to get yourself to a certain mental state for a rugby game. Certainly I do anyway, which takes a lot out of you.

    “You have to get to a stage where you are happy to get stuck in and hit people hard and be real physical and also be kind of calm as well. That’s one thing that becomes mentally difficult, certainly the longer a season goes on because of how much it takes to get revved up for a game.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “It was 13 months in the end last year from starting pre-season to finishing. Physically, I felt great all year. At the end of the season, my body still felt really good. But mentally it’s difficult in a long season.”

    With rugby being so demanding and such an all-consuming passion, van der Flier acknowledges it is important to switch off on occasions. “I have got a lot better at it since I met my now wife who is good at doing activities or different things,” he said.

    “She has been great for that. Before I met her, there were six of us living in a house together and we were all obsessed with rugby. All we talked about was rugby. If it was a day off, we would be outside throwing a rugby ball around, which is great and we absolutely loved it, but I have got a lot better at switching off away from rugby now.

    “After we went out of the World Cup last year, it was very difficult because it was still going on. So, rather than doing something relaxing, we went and did as many tourist things as we could every day to be as busy as possible because I felt if I stood still I would just be playing all the games back through in my head, which is the nature any time you lose in a big tournament.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “That was a hard one to switch off from. But then, once the final was over, I was able to switch off a lot better because the World Cup was over for everyone.”

    Having had a break following Ireland’s July tour of South Africa, the 2022 world player of the year is now up and running on another season and ready for next Saturday’s huge BKT URC derby against Munster at Croke Park.

    “I had five weeks off after the summer tour and having that break definitely allowed me to freshen up,” he said. “The body is feeling good, the mind is feeling good, I am feeling really fresh and I’m excited to crack into another season.”

    That campaign has begun really well for Leinster, who have kicked off with three successive bonus point victories in the league as they look to secure their first piece of silverware since 2021. “It was obviously tough not to pick up any trophies last year because everyone wants to win. It means everything to everyone here, but there is definitely a huge amount of excitement for the year ahead.

    “We have a great coaching staff, a lot of great players and a lot of depth in our squad, so there’s no reason why we can’t give it another big shot this year. We are in a great position. We are very hungry and excited for the year ahead.

    “One thing we have certainly learned is how close it is and the narrow margins you can look back on at the end of a campaign. If you win, you don’t tend to notice them so much, but you certainly do when you lose. One thing that sticks out for me is we probably played better in the European final against Toulouse than Ireland did in the last Test against South Africa.

    “But a bit of magic from (Ciaran) Frawley and we managed to get the win in that Springboks game while we didn’t win the other and that’s just the nature of rugby, I suppose. It does come down to fine margins.”

    So, despite all the ups and downs and the physical and mental toll it takes, does rugby still remain the job he would rather do than any other? “Absolutely,” he insisted.

    Related

    ADVERTISEMENT

    HSBC SVNS Singapore 2025 | Day Two Men's Highlights

    HSBC SVNS Singapore 2025 | Day Two Women's Highlights

    Jet Lag: The biggest challenge facing international sports? | The Report

    Boks Office | Episode 39 | The Investec Champions Cup is back

    Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry? | New Zealand & Australia | Sevens Wonders | Episode 5

    Kobelco Kobe Steelers vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

    The Rise of Kenya | The Report

    The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

    Trending on RugbyPass

    Comments

    0 Comments
    Be the first to comment...

    Join free and tell us what you really think!

    Sign up for free
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Latest Features

    Comments on RugbyPass

    A
    Aric Boyer 2 hours ago
    George Skivington talks up 'relative unknown's England chances

    I Could Hardly Breathe! Months of tireless fundraising had finally come through for my small nonprofit, and we had $300,000 in Bitcoin to supply food, shelter, and medical aid to refugees fleeing war. That fund was hope, a future for families who had no other place to turn. It all fell apart in an instant. Our treasurer, a man I'd trusted like a brother, vanished overnight and took the entire fund with him. I was heartbroken. The weight of the people who were depending on us pressed against my chest. I could hardly breathe. I looked at my screen, powerless to do anything as the blockchain ledger confirmed my worst nightmare, the funds had been moved through a series of wallets, vanished into thin air.

    Sleepless and remorseful, I consulted a crisis management expert in a desperate phone call. With the calm, panic-slashing tone of her voice, she spoke GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES . Her confidence was the sort that spoke of seen miracles. At that straw of hope, I grasped and called them immediately.

    From that first call, GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES treated my case like those refugee lives were in their own hands. Their lead investigator explained their approach, tracing transactions through blockchains, monitoring wallet activity, and leveraging relationships with international exchanges. They explained it all in plain terms, never once making me feel dumb for my ignorance. They understood both the technical complexity and the human stakes.

    There were daily progress reports. They followed the laundering path our treasurer had attempted, following the trail through the decentralized exchanges and privacy-focused mixers. Each breakthrough was like a heartbeat resuscitating a stilled chest. On the nineteenth day, they called with the words I had scarcely dared to hope: "We got it back."

    I got down on my knees and wept. $300,000 was safely recovered to our nonprofit wallet. But GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES didn't hesitate. They guided us through implementing enhanced security measures, such as multi-signature wallets, cold storage solutions, and rigorous internal oversight. They even advised us on vetting future financial officers.

    Our mission is stronger today than ever. Refugee families are still being assisted, and I sleep well knowing our funds are secure. GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES not only retrieved our Bitcoin, they restored my faith in resiliency and human kindness. You can reach them on web at ( https://graywaretechservices.com/ )    also on Mail: (contact@graywaretechservices.com)

    1 Go to comments
    A
    Aric Boyer 4 hours ago
    Don't get out over your skis on the Highlanders

    I Could Hardly Breathe! Months of tireless fundraising had finally come through for my small nonprofit, and we had $300,000 in Bitcoin to supply food, shelter, and medical aid to refugees fleeing war. That fund was hope, a future for families who had no other place to turn. It all fell apart in an instant. Our treasurer, a man I'd trusted like a brother, vanished overnight and took the entire fund with him. I was heartbroken. The weight of the people who were depending on us pressed against my chest. I could hardly breathe. I looked at my screen, powerless to do anything as the blockchain ledger confirmed my worst nightmare, the funds had been moved through a series of wallets, vanished into thin air.

    Sleepless and remorseful, I consulted a crisis management expert in a desperate phone call. With the calm, panic-slashing tone of her voice, she spoke GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES . Her confidence was the sort that spoke of seen miracles. At that straw of hope, I grasped and called them immediately.

    From that first call, GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES treated my case like those refugee lives were in their own hands. Their lead investigator explained their approach, tracing transactions through blockchains, monitoring wallet activity, and leveraging relationships with international exchanges. They explained it all in plain terms, never once making me feel dumb for my ignorance. They understood both the technical complexity and the human stakes.

    There were daily progress reports. They followed the laundering path our treasurer had attempted, following the trail through the decentralized exchanges and privacy-focused mixers. Each breakthrough was like a heartbeat resuscitating a stilled chest. On the nineteenth day, they called with the words I had scarcely dared to hope: "We got it back."

    I got down on my knees and wept. $300,000 was safely recovered to our nonprofit wallet. But GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES didn't hesitate. They guided us through implementing enhanced security measures, such as multi-signature wallets, cold storage solutions, and rigorous internal oversight. They even advised us on vetting future financial officers.

    Our mission is stronger today than ever. Refugee families are still being assisted, and I sleep well knowing our funds are secure. GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES not only retrieved our Bitcoin, they restored my faith in resiliency and human kindness. You can reach them on web at ( https://graywaretechservices.com/ )    also on Mail: (contact@graywaretechservices.com)

    4 Go to comments
    TRENDING
    TRENDING Sale boss Alex Sanderson: 'I’ve had two lads come up and apologise' Sale boss Alex Sanderson: 'I’ve had two lads come up and apologise'
    Search