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Watch: All 34 of van der Flier's record breaking tackles
By Peteso Cannon
The flanker made an incredible 34 tackles against Connacht (yes, in a single game) and in doing so broke the Pro14 record for tackles made in a single game.
Although the 24-year-old made a colossal 34 tackles, perhaps even more impressive is how he managed to not miss a single one.
Leinster scrum coach John Fogarty spoke highly of van der Flier, saying “he’s got an incredible appetite for work.”
“He has become very, very accurate over the last few seasons so his entries into contact have improved hugely.”
“That has led to good outcomes and he doesn’t get himself injured too much because of his good work on his entry into contact.”
“He is a really good example to a young player as to how they should apply themselves and he’s a great example for our guys, young and old.”
“To throw out numbers like that is pretty impressive and it’s due to his appetite for work.”
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Latest Comments
Yet Ethan Blackadder was one of our best against the World Champion Springbok. When he came back to the Crusaders later in the season , he made a huge difference, ( a long with others like Codie Taylor), we nearly made the Play Off's. Ethan has plenty of rugby left in him. His family , Dad Todd Blackadder must be very [proud of him. Todd Blackadder was a 3 time champion captain of the Crusaders, '98, '99 and 2000.An icon in this area. Also twice captain of Canterbury , '97 and 2001 when we won the NPC and Ranfurly Shield winning captain in 2000.
Go to commentsIt's the same criticism of Dmac and Mo'unga as well. Sadly the way the game has been heading recently it's the only way to break down a defence, and a player of Lawrences nature would have a very limited chance at doing that because he's too one dimensional.
Noah Lolesio is your sort of player and that worked OK, but only because his team is far more creative than Englands for example. The highly organized Irish attack was also another that didn't require much from the 10, but that is now changing with Prendergast who is in that league mold like the most new age 10's.
So it is in fact your two which would require even more change to make the most of than Marcus Smith.
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