Isa Nacewa excited at prospect of Leinster return

Isa Nacewa turned down an unofficial approach to resume his playing career during his time with the Auckland Blues but when Leinster made inquiries earlier this year the lure of returning to the Irish province proved irresistible.

The 32-year-old, signed off as a Leinster player, in helping his side win the 2013 Amlin Challenge Cup and Pro12 titles, beating Ulster in the latter final that was to be Joe Schmidt’s last game in charge before taking up his current position as Ireland coach.

Nacewa fulfilled a role that was euphemistically termed 'mental skills coach' with the Blues but when contacted by former Leinster head coach Matt O'Connor and the Australian's interim replacement, Leo Cullen, he didn't hesitate.

Itchy feet

Well he did briefly, to consult with his wife, Simone, who also returns to Dublin along with their three girls. Nacewa, speaking at a gig that involved a Land Rover Defender parading the Webb Ellis trophy at Anglesea Road, said: “It was just too good of a challenge and an opportunity, not to come back.

“Of course I got itchy feet not playing but I always said Leinster was the one club I wanted to play for and when the opportunity arose I just jumped at it.”

He clarified that the Blues has asked him if he’d resume playing, adding “yeah, not officially, but asked would I, and at the time I couldn’t even imagine doing anything but playing for Leinster, or playing rugby in general: timing-wise it wasn’t right either.

“It was the right time when I left Dublin, to go home for family reasons,” he said before explaining his return. “It was too good an opportunity to take our girls away and experience where they grew up (twins Mia and Ellie and Lucy were all born in Dublin). It was a great opportunity for us as a family to get away and get more family time.”

He has enjoyed a brief chat with Cullen about his playing role ahead of the upcoming season. "I've always liked playing in the back three; whether that's fullback or wing it doesn't bother me. When you play with Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden; you just want to cover each other's back no matter where you stand on the field."

On returning to Auckland, Nacewa kept in touch with his former team-mates and closely followed Leinster’s fortunes on the pitch. “I watched recordings, too many nerves watching it live. It was strange having all the same emotions; but not being involved in the game-day 23 . . .

"I kept in contact with Shane Jennings, Isaac Boss, Ian Madigan, talked to them a lot. I'd be in contact with most of them every week nearly. It was sort of like I hadn't left."

O’Connor’s departure surprised him but it doesn’t change the dynamic. He returned to play for Leinster and he’ll do whatever is required.

“I’ll give as much or as little leadership as needed. Losing someone like Shane Jennings was a massive loss. People underestimate how much influence he had on the whole club.

“He’s the type of guy who if he didn’t travel to a World Cup was the glue in the changing room. He drove standards and expectations; so losing him alone is a big loss. If I can fill a little bit of that void then I’ll need to.”

The animation in voice and features is unmistakable when asked if Leinster can win silverware next season. He laughs: "Massively so – we have Jonny Sexton back."

He asserts that the province’s defeat to Toulon in the Champions Cup semi-final will be a galvanising factor in the group steeling themselves to do better in the new campaign.

Whole summer

“We lost to Toulouse; they beat us well, and you spent the whole summer thinking about that. It drives you to want to make a difference and go one better. We still have the team to do it. I wouldn’t have come back if I wasn’t going to be chasing a trophy.”

He has spent the last four months preparing his body for a return to professional rugby after a two-year hiatus, rising at 5.0am each morning to complete two sessions with the strength and conditioning coaches at the Blues, before attending to his day job.

It’s so that pre-season, which starts on Wednesday July, 1st will hurt that little bit less. He knows nothing can compare to the collisions of the match environment.

“I’m going to need an 80-minute hit out to test the nerve and test the body.”

“Excitement is one word, nervous would be another. I can picture every feeling in my whole routine of arriving at the RDS. I can’t wait to get back to game-day routine.”

For Leinster, the prodigal son returns – and supporters will relish the prospect.