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The curious case of Darren Cave's premature retirement at the age of only 32
By Neil Best
Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind
There is no doubt whatsoever that Darren Cave has made a huge contribution to Ulster Rugby over the last decade plus. He may not have been the absolute best player without debate to have worn the 13 jersey - given the likes of Jared Payne have featured during the same period - but he has without question made the greatest contribution.
So how is it then that Cave comes to announce his retirement at the tender age of 32 and a few days? He has not experienced a career-ending injury, nor has he in any sense dropped off a cliff in terms of form. Only two weekends ago he made his mark in a European Champions Cup quarter-final, with Ulster narrowly losing out to holders and favourites Leinster.
The answer is simple - it’s a peculiar Belfast and Irish rugby thing. If Cave was playing in England he would have the ability to keep playing professionally for a few more years, to move sideways or step down a level. The same is true if he was playing in France. I’m sure he has had offers in those quarters. Similarly had he been an Ulster import, he would have been happy to head closer to home and stay on the field.
But he’s a Belfast - or more accurately Holywood - boy and the prospect of commuting to keep playing or up-routing his family for what may only be one or two seasons understandably maybe didn’t appeal.
In seasons past, Connacht provided the step down or sideways move for many Ulster and Ireland players, but they have raised their game and those opportunities have long gone. Even at Ulster in seasons past, a way would have been found to keep a club legend like Cave involved, but there is no longer budget for sentimentalism.
He is viewed as blocking the progress of up and coming talent, the likes of James Hume and Hayden Hyde, the end-of-season arrival from Harlequins. With Will Addison and Luke Marshall already on the books and Stuart McCloskey seemingly able to play every minute of every match, it was always likely there would be no further swansong for Cave.
Yet, Cave leaves Ravenhill having given the fans some tremendous memories, many of the best on big European occasions. And of course this season isn’t over yet.
Ulster proved against Leinster that at close to full strength they can go toe to toe with the best club sides around. Ulster fans revelled in the courage and commitment of their team. They lost but the fans felt like winners. Likewise, the criticism of Jacob Stockdale came from outside, not inside the player pool or fan base
The mental exhaustion that was Dublin last Saturday week was always going to inhibit their ability to do an away PRO14 job at Glasgow. Other results didn’t go Ulster’s way either, but things remain firmly in their own hands.
If they box off their fatigue, a win away at Edinburgh will almost certainly put them back in the end of season play-offs where anything could happen. It would be a fitting send off for Cave, and one or two others if Ulster could once again finish the season in the PRO14 knockout mix.
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
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Latest Comments
You forget this is Rassie Erasmus who is still holding the Springbok keys. Even with Felix Jones orchestrating a really tight RWC SF last year. It still wasn't enough to get England past their particular Springbok Monkey in world cups. The reason is FJ was going off of what they did in 2019 not necessarily adapting to current Springboks. So yes, Australia can get passed England because let's be honest, England have a one track strategy, Springboks do not. Even with rush defense I wouldn't be surprised if Rassie continually tweaks it. Also bear in mind Rassie is happy to sacrifice a few mid year and inter World Cup matches to pin point how opposition plays and how to again tweak strategies to get his Springboks in peak performance for the next World Cup. As much as most teams like to win games in front of them and try to win everything, Rassie always makes sure to learn and train for the greatest showdown International Rugby has to offer. Tbh, most people remember World Cup wins and ignore intermediate losses as a result but will remember also WC losses, Ireland, even if they won games in the interim. So even if games are won against the Springboks, it's likely Rassie is just getting a feel for how opposition is moving and adapt accordingly…in time.
Go to commentsDanny don't care. He pretends to care but he don't. He says all this stuff to justify his reasoning but no one can claim that legitimately. He knew exactly what he was doing and wondered if his old team mate would overlook it, which he did. Ref has got to be sidelined or properly trained. It's one thing for refs to move up the ranks but if it was me I would require refs to either have played in different clubs or not at all having the temptation to bias in high stakes games like this. This has got to be stamped out. But then again World Rugby is so destroying the game of rugby in an attempt to be more “safe” and “concussion free”. What they are doing is making it more infuriating for the fans and more difficult for the refs to officiate evenly and consistently. It's fast become Australian Rules football. If guys don't want concussions, they should have played chess. Stop complaining you oldies of the game. When they played the game was vastly heavier hitting than it is now but of course they can't see that.
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