Bernard Jackman believes Isa Nacewa’s impact on Leinster’s youngsters will have a lasting impact despite ending his playing career.
Nacewa made his final appearance in a Leinster shirt on Saturday evening as his side claimed a historic double by adding the Guinness Pro14 title to their Champions Cup triumph.
The Kiwi was withdrawn after 20 minutes after picking up an injury but was given the responsibility of hoisting the silverware into the air in the post match celebrations.
And Jackman, speaking on the Sunday Paper Review, feels Leinster’s youthful side can count themselves lucky to have learned from a ‘special’ Nacewa.
“For example, Leinster played 22 games in the Pro14; Sexton started three; Rob Kearney, Cian Healy and James Ryan started four,” Jackman said.
“This used to be a big issue with Leinster when we didn’t have the Galacticos, we could go to the Borders and lose, even though on paper we had a team that should have been able to win.
“Nacewa, as a foreign player, is there in November and during the Six Nations. And the reason he’s so special is that when he comes in on a Monday morning before a Zebre or Treviso game without his international buddies, he has the same attitude as the week of a Champions Cup final with Racing.
“When you have youngsters in the team they look up to senior players for role models and for guidance. And he just portrays those high standards week in, week out.
“He spoke in the press conference about why he was retiring and he spoke about how he couldn’t meet Leinster’s high standards anymore. How many players have that self awareness?
“That shows how significant he is in that culture that he feels he can’t do what he needs to do and he’s going to walk out at the top.”
Written by James Hopper
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