In the world of rugby, few rivalries are as intense and storied as the one between Ireland and New Zealand. As the two powerhouse teams prepare to face off once again, all eyes are on Ireland’s newest captain, Caelan Doris. At just 26 years old, Doris has quickly risen through the ranks and established himself as a formidable force on the pitch. Now, as he steps into his leadership role, fans and pundits alike are eager to see how he will guide his team against the mighty All Blacks.
A Rapid Rise to the Top
Doris’s journey to captaincy has been nothing short of remarkable. He first captained Leinster on New Year’s Day in 2022, taking over from co-captains James Ryan and Garry Ringrose. Since then, he’s skippered Ireland twice, taken over sole captaincy of Leinster, and been appointed Ireland men’s captain. It’s an impressive list of accomplishments for any player, let alone one so young.
But Doris isn’t letting the pressure get to him. When asked about his leadership style, he kept his self-assessment short and to the point: “probably actions first.” It’s a fitting description for a player who leads by example on the pitch, consistently putting in standout performances and inspiring his teammates with his work ethic and determination.
Learning from the Best
Of course, Doris hasn’t gotten to where he is today entirely on his own. He’s had the benefit of learning from some of the greatest leaders in Irish rugby history, including Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell, and Johnny Sexton. As Ireland head coach Andy Farrell put it:
“He’s like a sponge, learning from the leaders he’s had the pleasure to sit alongside in his international career. He’s taken it all in. He’s calm, he’s not panicking, he’s taking it all in his stride. That puts everyone else at ease.”
– Andy Farrell, Ireland head coach
But while Doris may be learning from the best, he’s also determined to do things his own way. He’s aware of the temptation to simply copy what other successful captains have done, but he’s focused on finding his own path and trusting his instincts.
A Rivalry for the Ages
Of course, no discussion of Ireland’s rugby team would be complete without mentioning their intense rivalry with New Zealand. For over a century, the All Blacks had a stranglehold over Ireland, never losing a single match. But that all changed in 2016, when Ireland stunned the world with a 40-29 victory in Chicago. Since then, the Irish have won five of their last nine encounters with New Zealand, establishing themselves as a true force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
But the memory of their last meeting still stings for Doris and his teammates. In the quarterfinal of last year’s World Cup, New Zealand defeated Ireland 28-24, bringing a premature end to a tournament that many had predicted Ireland could win. It was a devastating loss, one that Doris has admitted took him time to get over.
“[There are a few] days of deep, dark pits, and feeling ‘how can you go back to this?’ almost, and just proper hurt, blaming yourself, all sorts of different negative thoughts.”
– Caelan Doris on Ireland’s World Cup quarterfinal loss to New Zealand
But now, as Ireland prepares to face New Zealand once again, Doris is ready to turn the page. He knows the challenge that lies ahead, with the All Blacks boasting a formidable back row of Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi, and Sam Cane. But he also knows that his team has what it takes to come out on top.
Leading by Example
As Doris leads his team out onto the pitch at Aviva Stadium on Friday, he’ll be thinking of all those who have contributed to his career and helped him get to where he is today. From his early days playing rugby in Lacken, Co. Mayo, to his time at Blackrock College in Dublin, to his meteoric rise through the ranks of Leinster and Ireland, Doris has always been surrounded by supportive coaches, teammates, and family members.
But in the end, it will be Doris’s own actions that will speak the loudest. He’ll face up to the haka, soak in the energy of the crowd, and then do what he does best: lead by example. With his calm demeanor, calculated approach, and unwavering determination, Doris has all the makings of a truly great captain. And if he can guide his team to victory over New Zealand, he’ll cement his place in Irish rugby history.
As Doris himself put it:
“I’m still in the process of doing that but enjoying it. The temptation [with captaincy] can be [to think] ‘he did this that way, I’m going to have to copy that’ but as you get more comfortable in the role you can do things your own way a little bit more and find your own way a little bit.”
– Caelan Doris on finding his own leadership style
It’s that kind of thoughtful, introspective approach that has earned Doris the respect of his teammates, coaches, and opponents alike. And it’s what makes him the perfect man to lead Ireland into this new era of rugby, starting with Friday’s clash against New Zealand.
So as the two teams take the field and the first whistle blows, all eyes will be on Doris. Will he rise to the occasion and lead his team to victory? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure: with Caelan Doris at the helm, Ireland’s rugby future looks brighter than ever.
