Nathan Sharpe

Saturday 15 December 2012

Nathan Sharpe

Nathan Sharpe:

In rugby, often the workhorses of the front 5 can be overlooked when men of the match awards are handed out, or world player of the year nominations happen. Cauliflower ears, scarred faces and bruised knuckles are not box office enough.

Calling time:

Last Saturday, Nathan Sharpe finally drew a line under a sterling career. I had the honour of witnessing his final match as the whole of the Millennium Stadium rose to acclaim the Wallaby warrior.

He may not have had the column inches of a Matt Giteau or a Quade Cooper, but 'Sharpie' has been a phenomenon. He is firmly among a list of illustrious locks of this era. Men such as Martin Johnson, Fabien Pelous, Brad Thorne, Bakkies Botha, Viktor Matfield, Simon Shaw and Paul O'Connell have become legends of rugby. Sharpie deserves his place alongside them.

What he did have, was a fairytale finish as his Australian colleagues provided him with the perfect send off. I was directly behind the posts and his conversion attempt was spot on for accuracy, but did not have the legs to climb the crossbar.

Career Impact:

If anything, Sharpe's career must be contextualised. The Wallabies have not been renowned for many years for having a frightening front 5. Critics have deemed many of their packs 'powder-puff'. Nobody in their right mind would call Sharpie power-puff. The man is 18st+ of bristling aggression combined with mental fortitude. Despite being a sniper's dream, Sharpe would have been the first man out of the trenches, leading the charge towards the enemy.

Sir Clive Woodward believes terrifying front 5's should have 3 players who look like they would eat their own young. Unfortunately, Sharpie has had to do his fair share of others eating, since John Eales hung up his massive boots.

Roll of Honour:

Sharpe bows out with 116 Australia caps, 8 tries, a 2003 World Cup Final appearance, 162 Super Rugby games and a starting spot in the Wallabies Team of the Decade. To those bulging achievements can be added 2003 Super 14 Player of the Year gong.

His international career started way back in 2002. Since then, he has made 1000s of tackles, clearouts, scrums, lineout's and dominant ball carries. If anyone's body has earned some rest, then it is his.

The true measure of the man is the esteem in which his team-mates and opponents hold him in. I have heard nothing but fulsome praise for the big man.

My overwhelming memory of him, was a photograph playing England in the 2003 World Cup Final (I have searched but have not been able to find it). Martin Johnson is careering down Sharpe's channel and the expression on his face is incredible. I have not seen such a look of determination, ferocity and can do-attitude on anyone else except John McClane in Die Hard.

Sharpie: The Cult Hero

I will leave you with three observations some Aussies told me yesterday:

The first Nathan Sharpe does when he goes to the sea is swim two lengths

Nathan Sharpe can slam a revolving door

Nathan Sharpe can kill two rocks by throwing a bird