Alex Kendellen's extreme reaction when offered Emerging Ireland captaincy shows what it means to him
Munster's Alex Kendellen's big aim is to become the Reds' captain down the line but knows that performing for Emerging Ireland could earn him a Test call up
Alex Kendellen admits he nearly bit Simon Easterby's hand off when he was offered the Emerging Ireland captaincy.
Kendellen, 23, was due to travel on the first Emerging Ireland tour of South Africa in 2022 but he suffered a concussion in the lead up and had to stay at home.
So when the call came again - this time with the offer of the captaincy thrown in by head coach Easterby - there was no hesitation. "Simon rang me on Tuesday, got my thoughts on it and if it's something I'd like to do and I nearly bit his hand off," admitted the Munster star.
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"Unfortunately I got knocked out the week before we flew over so I didn't make it to the last one. It means a lot to be honest, not just for me but for my family, my friends back home, it's a huge honour and it's one I'm looking forward to, to be honest. I'm looking forward to climbing into the tour now and playing games."
Emerging Ireland will face the Pumas in their campaign opener on Wednesday (3pm Irish time), before taking on Western Force on Sunday (12pm) and the Cheetahs on Wednesday week (6pm).
The flanker knows that it could mean missing valuable game time with the Reds, who were shocked to be beaten by Zebre for the first time last Saturday.
"It's tough," said Kendellen, who previously represented Ireland at under-20 level, when he was also appointed as captain. "I love playing with Munster. It's incredible. It makes it extra special when you are captain. My main goal is to make the 7 jersey my own, hopefully that comes down the line.
"I want that 7 jersey more than anything and this is a great opportunity to show a different group of coaches what I can bring to table as well.
"You're putting on a green jersey and that doesn't come around too often. So it's a special moment for all of us players here, it's an opportunity for us lads to put our hands up with senior coaches here coaching us.
"It's a massive opportunity for all of us. Yeah, there's pros and cons to it but it's putting on a green jersey and those days don't come around too often."
Kendellen and those on the trip only have to recall that six players who went on the 2022 tour have been capped by Andy Farrell at senior level. Farrell visited training at Abbotstown prior to the squad's departure and he will keep a close watch on proceedings at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, where all three games will take place.
Kendellen remarked: "Even the lads down in Munster, the Jack Crowleys, the Calvin Nashs, you see them perform on the biggest stages, in World Cups and Six Nations, so yeah, it’s massive for us as players to look at that and see what they’ve done and how they’ve taken their opportunity.
“I was lucky enough to pick a few of their brains during the week about what this tour is like and they’ve been very good to me."
But Kendellen stresses that the tour will only be successful for individual players if they work together. "We're under no illusions, everyone is in the shop window here but it's about bringing the team together and trying to work as best you can for the guy next to you is very important," he said.
"I think that leads to performance then, so it's important for us to come together as quickly as possible, get training under our belt and then enjoy the games.
"You're putting on a green jersey, that's enough motivation in itself. Everybody here is here for a reason, everyone's a great player, they bring something different to the table."
And the Corkman is clear on what he wants to achieve with the captaincy on this tour. "I'm trying to learn from the leaders around me. I've got incredible leaders down at Munster who have done it all.
"The likes of Peter O'Mahony, Tadhg Beirne, he's incredible since I've come in. It's about taking bits from them and trying to bring it into your own game.
"It's leading by actions, I suppose, that's my big one, it's just trying to do it on the pitch and let my actions speak louder than words," he said. "It’s important to just show what you can do on the pitch and hopefully these young lads follow me into these games through my actions.
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