Size does matter, but how much?

Michael Moynihan
In the aftermath you may have missed it, but the remarks bear revisiting.

Paul O’Connell, speaking before Ireland played South Africa last weekend, had an observation or two about physical presence.

“There is no doubt about it, the physical part of the game is suited to the South Africans,” said O’Connell.

“There is no doubt having big athletic men helps you be successful in rugby . . . we have some great athletes but we could be bigger as well, we could be more physical.”

O’Connell chose his comparison well, says Dr Liam Hennessy of Setanta College, who spent ten years as the IRFU Director of Fitness.

The Tipperary native points out that you don’t need scientific evidence to recognise how imposing the South African physique can be.

“If you go and stand on a street corner for ten minutes somewhere like Stellenbosch, you soon realise how big the South Africans are physically,” says Hennessy…………… see more at :- http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/size-does-matter-but-how-much-297934.html