For many serious rugby fans a typical Six Nations weekend usually involves taking in three to four tournaments. The Energia All Ireland League, the u20s Six Nations, the men’s Six Nations, and if you’re an early riser, Super Rugby. The famous tournament has traditionally kicked off in late February, taking up our early morning viewing before the pre-match nerves kick in for the boys in green.
Although we would mainly gaze at Kiwi, Springbok or Aussie superstars, there have been a few Irish guys who have made a name for themselves down under. In light of Oli Jager’s debut for Ireland last weekend and Cormac Daly’s Super Rugby debut for the Queensland Reds, we have compiled a list of some of our own who looked super down under.
Honourable Mentions:
As this list pertains to internationals, we must mention a couple of the honourable mentions. Just last weekend saw a new member of the club as former Clontarf lock and AIL winner Cormac Daly tog out in Brisbane. The Highlanders of Dunedin boast two recent inductees in Ospreys lock Jack Regan and Sligo man Conan O’Donnell, who represented them in 2021 and 2020 respectively.
John Ryan (2023: Chiefs)
Our final entrant on the list had a tumultuous 2023, culminating in a stint at the ever-present Chiefs. Following London Wasps going into administration, Ryan returned to his native Munster for a short spell before heading to New Zealand. There he showed his years of provincial and international experience on their title charge, which was ultimately derailed by Jager’s Crusaders in a home final.
Just in case you were wondering how John Ryan was doing for the Chiefs, pretty good!
This was a crucial scrum penalty win from the Cork tighthead to help the Chiefs seal the win.#CHIvCRU #IrishAbroad pic.twitter.com/lGbGhpiZah— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) April 29, 2023
Mack Hansen (2018-2021: Brumbies)
Mack Hansen is a true household name now, but when in Australia, not many knew of him nor his Irish connection. Mack won the first of his 21 Brumbies caps in 2019 where he lined out on the wing and at full back. He joined Connacht in 2021, scoring 6 tries in his first 7 starts, before becoming an instant starter for Ireland in the 2022 Six Nations, debuting with a Player of the Match showing against Wales.
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Oli Jager (2017-2023: Crusaders)
Ireland’s newest debutant is also the most successful in Super Rugby history. Munster’s Oli Jager won six domestic titles in a row at the Crusaders during their most dominant spell ever. The former Blackrock man joined Munster at the start of the 2023-24 season, becoming an instant starter before catching Andy Farrell’s eye.
Jamie Hagan (2016: Rebels)
After 12 names we have someone else who was capped for Ireland before their Super Rugby days. Former Leinster and Connacht tighthead Hagan won a sole Ireland cap in 2013 before he headed off to London Irish after 92 provincial caps. He joined the Melbourne Rebels for the 2016 season, playing in 11 of the 15 regular season games. The 36 year old is still trucking away with Narbonne in the Championnat Fédéral Nationale, France’s third tier.
James Lowe (2014-2017: Chiefs)
A former Maori All Black, James Lowe’s signing from the Chiefs to Leinster was an exciting one for good reason. The fan favourite ran in 26 tries in 53 games for the Chiefs, as well as 6 tries in 6 games for the Maori All Blacks. Since coming north he too won a European Cup in 2018, before kicking on with Ireland as a focal point of their attacking and kicking games.
Jamison Gibson-Park (2013-2016: Blues & Hurricanes)
Another current squad member next with Leinster’s Jamison Gibson-Park. Before working his way up the Ireland pecking order, he honed his craft behind All Blacks Piri Weepu and TJ Perenara at the Blues and Hurricanes respectively. Signing for Leinster in 2017 he has won league titles, a European Cup and a Six Nations title in a lucrative seven and a half year spell.
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Bundee Aki (2013-2014: Chiefs)
Back to Waikato again for one of Ireland’s greatest centres. Our first Super Rugby title winner so far on the list, Bundee featured in the 2013 final for the Chiefs. His career never wavered from there in the green of Connacht or Ireland. From Pro12 success in 2016, to Grand Slam titles in 2018 and 2023; the Irish public quickly grew to love Bundee Aki.
Quinn Roux (2012: Stormers)
Our second Stormer on this list, Quinn Roux made a handful of appearances for the club before he joined Leinster, all in 2012. Granted he only had the likes of Eben Etzebeth in front of him in the pecking order at the time, a man not easy to displace. After just 4 caps, he moved to Leinster and then to Connacht, picking up 16 Ireland caps during that time.
Michael Bent (2011-2012: Hurricanes)
Adored by Leinster fans and affectionately described as the best third choice tighthead in Europe, Michael Bent had an unceremonious start to life in Ireland. His time with the Hurricanes wasn’t much to be desired either, despite being a Ranfurly Shield winner. He only won 5 caps for Ireland, but came to the rescue in 2022, being drafted in for the A team’s clash with the Maori All Blacks.
Jared Payne (2007-2011: Chiefs, Crusaders & Blues)
This rock of Irish and Ulster defence was once an attacking prodigy in his homeland. Having struggled to break into the Chiefs side, Payne went back to club rugby where he earned a contract with the Crusaders and then the Blues. He was a part of the Blues team who made it to a semi final in 2011 alongside John Afoa, Alby Matthewson and Tom McCartney while coached by Pat Lam. He went on to be an Ulster legend and represent Ireland and the Lions in his later years.
Richardt Strauss (2007-2009: Cheetahs)
Long before this dynamic hooker was winning European cups with Leinster, he was lining out for the Cheetahs. Strauss played 36 times for former Guinness Pro14 club before moving to Dublin where his try scoring antics made him a fan favourite, and earned him an Ireland call-up upon qualifying in 2012.
Robbie Diack (2007-2008: Stormers)
Former Ulster flanker Robbie Diack was a cultural icon in Ravenhill, but made his first steps in pro rugby in Cape Town. Between the Western Province and Stormers, Diack wore the famous blue and white over 40 times before venturing north where he would go on to win two Ireland caps in 2014 against Argentina and Georgia.
Nathan White (2006-2011: Chiefs)
Yet another Chiefs representative now (and not the last), Nathan White was a Waikato captain before joining Leinster. The tighthead prop played for his local franchise on over 40 occasions, with his last appearance coming in June 2011. Four years later, he was representing Ireland in the Rugby World Cup.
Tom Court (2004-2006: Reds)
This Brisbane native had quite the stint in the northern hemisphere, but moulded into the player he became with the Reds. The accomplished shot-putter played just three times for his local club, but when they didn’t offer him a contract, he ventured north to Ulster where he would represent Ireland and memorably went on the 2013 Lions tour to Australia.
Isaac Boss (2001-2005: Chiefs & Hurricanes)
We start the turn of the century with a long haired number nine who went on to become a fan favourite in Ulster and Leinster. Before all that Boss was lining out for the Chiefs and Hurricanes. It wasn’t always at scrum half either with Boss deputising in the full back slot on a number occasions, including one start in 2005 for the ‘Canes.
Peter Clohessy (1997: Reds)
Our first entrant is arguably the most quirky. Munster legend Peter Clohessy was coming off a massive 26 week suspension when he signed for the Brisbane side, while also jetting off early as the Lions tour was starting. It was a short and successful time in another shade of red, with a typical Claw twist.
