This time it's for good.
Isa Nacewa's second farewell to Leinster carries permanence with it, and the man who may be Irish rugby's greatest-ever signing has penned a lengthy and generally brilliant farewell letter to supporters.
Nacewa confirms that "this is it", turning up the finality of it all with a series of staccato declarations: "There won’t be a timeout. Time out to recuperate and to rehab and to get the mind and body right before coming back for another go. No. Not this time. This is it. This is goodbye".
His greatest memory, he says, is every occasion he has led Leinster, and meditates on a perfect, trophy-laden farewell. "I wasn’t in the best shape of my life in the lead up to that game but I was never missing it. One last rumble against Munster".
While his farewell shines with as much silver as it does tears and teeth, Nacewa has memories beyond just the victories:
The journey hasn’t been about this season either. It hasn’t always been about medals. It’s been about Thomond Park in 2011. It’s been about Connacht in 2016. It’s been about six European debuts against Bath when the world outside of the four walls of the RDS was against us. It’s been about Clermont in 2017.
Because there have to be down days, and there will again, but you are supporting a team and a group of players that are extremely proud of who and what they represent.
Nacewa reserves a few lines for Leo Cullen - "Remember his own journey and remember what was said in his first season. He never sought the easy option and he never sought an excuse" - and thanks all of the coaching staff, support staff and even Matt O'Connor, "who took a punt on a retiree in Auckland".
So why is Nacewa leaving? Allow the man himself to answer that.
So, why are we leaving?
There is a sign in the RDS tunnel as you walk out that signifies what it means to pull on that jersey and it’s the last thing you see before you walk out into the cauldron of brilliant blue.
It says Ár mBaile, Ár Muintir which translates as Our Home, Our People.
And that’s where we are going. Back to our home and to our people.
But we will always remember Ár mBaile, Ár Muintir.
Slán go fóil,
Isa
Read the full piece here.
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