AS IRELAND’S prop crisis continues in New Zealand, Declan Kidney could do worse that cast an eye over the progress of Brumbies prop Ruaidhrí Murphy when he lines up against Wales in Canberra tonight.
The 24-year-old former Castleknock College and Leinster Academy front rower was picked off the potential professional rugby scrap heap by former Munster forwards coach Laurie Fisher earlier in the year and has played 11 games for the Brumbies this season.
Equally at home on either side of the scrum, a massive bonus in the modern game, he currently sits behind two Wallaby props, Ben Alexander and Dan Palmer, in the pecking order at the Super Rugby franchise.
He will be packing down at loose head against Wales, which means a tussle with Scarlets 20-year-old tight head convert Rhys Jones. It might be just the opportunity he needs to show his full range of skills.
But as well as deciding which side of the scrum he prefers, he hopes one day to have to make the decision between playing Test rugby for Ireland or Australia. The IRB have just put a dent in his Wallaby dreams by declaring he will have to serve a 36-month residency period, while his Irish hopes seemed dashed when he left the Leinster Academy to help Exeter Chiefs reach the English Premiership.
From there he returned to Australia, where his father owns a business in Perth and he has lived for 13 years of his life growing up, but isn’t ruling out adding to his Irish under-19 and under-20 caps if required.
“Playing for Ireland at under age level was fantastic and I was so proud to pull on the green jersey and be part of a successful side. I’m not saying that I wouldn’t pull on a senior jersey if that opportunity arose,” said Murphy.
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