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Ref mic picks up Peter O'Mahony's choice remarks for Sam Cane

By Ian Cameron
Sam Cane, captain of the All Blacks leaves the field during the International Test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Ireland at Forsyth Barr Stadium on July 09, 2022 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Ireland back row Peter O’Mahony has never been one to shy away from the more combative side of the sport. Just ask Sam Cane.

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Some six years after their first victory over the mighty All Blacks, Ireland dominated a Test to walk away with a series saving 23-12 win and a historic first victory against the men in black on New Zealand soil.

O’Mahony was at the heart of it of course. Indeed, the Munsterman is never far from the face-to-face stuff when he takes the field, and the second Test in Dunedin was no different, with the blindside literally in the faces of the All Blacks over the 80 minutes.

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A few particular choice words for All Blacks back-row Cane were picked up by referee Jaco Peyper’s mic.

“Who do you think you are? You’re a shit Richie McCaw pal,” O’Mahony is reported to have told the Chiefs’ veteran.

Given McCaw is arguably the greatest player to ever pull on a pair of rugby boots, it’s hardly the worst thing you could say to a [professional rugby player.

It may however be a little close to the bone for Cane, who has never quite won over the wider New Zealand public or at least not quite convinced as McCaw’s heir apparent on the openside. Frequent headlines decry his continued selection when fit for the All Blacks.

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McCaw has been a hard act to follow and the comment will doubt be water off the duck’s back for the veteran of 79 All Blacks Tests.

Whether you’re a fan of sledging or not, O’Mahony certainly shone for Ireland, an eye-cathing 50:22 on the hoof the pick of the highlights from the 32-year-old.

He backed up an equally impressive first Test last week in Auckland even if on that occasion the scoreline was drastically different for the Irish.

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Bull Shark 29 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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