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Despite playing just 14 minutes, North reaches obscure statistical milestone
By Ian Cameron
Despite playing just 14 minutes against Ireland in Dublin, George North has advanced considerably in his bid to run down an obscure statistical attacking record held by Brian O'Driscoll.
North came on in the 66th minute for Liam Williams, but somehow managed to beat four defenders during his short time on the pitch.
The figure brought to 100 the number of defenders that North has beaten in the Six Nations and he is now 63 defenders beaten away from O'Driscoll's record.
North is only two games back from injury with Northampton Saints, but showed his undoubted quality in his 14 minute window at the Aviva Stadium.
North has 30 Six Nations caps to his name, which averages out at an impressive 3.3 defenders beaten per appearance.
North was the first teenager from anywhere in the world to score 10 Test tries and was capped 21 times before his 20th birthday.
It's been a difficult two seasons for North, whose fluctuating form and intermittent struggles with injury seeing his stock as a player fall considerably.
Despite being one of the team's most high profile stars, he was unable to break into the British and Irish Lions Test team in New Zealand during the summer.
Elswhere Brian O'Driscoll has been reacting to the news that Jamie Heaslip is retiring with immediate effect.
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Even with absences we still had the cattle to make the playoffs. As it was, we nearly stumbled our way into the top 8. Which shows just how easy it was to get there. And still we failed. As for Razor, there are many instances of him patching up the Crusaders roster. Numerous. Several players I'd never heard of. Also, using AB legend John Afoa was a classic.
But, some of the games we were losing were from schoolboy errors, or downright confusion. Either the players were really dumb (they weren’t) or they were poorly coached. Given the repetitive nature of errors, brain fades, poor decision making, & loose structures, this all lands with the coaching group.
With only six playoff spots now in SR, & Aussie franchises now consolidated to four, 2025 looks like a tight one. I'm picking we'll have to tough it out under Penney & hope for the best.
Go to commentsAgree we need a 10, 12, 13 refresh. ASAP. Well, next season now lol. Reiko should be put back on the wing. He'll be an absolute menace there. Imagine 11 Reiko 14 Clarke 15 Jordan as the backfield unit.
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