What comes to mind when you first think of the Irish? Is it leprechauns, four-leaf clovers or drinking Guinness in an old, characterful pub?
If you were to ask All Blacks reserve-grade coach Heath Smith what first comes to mind when he hears the word Irish, I think he’d reply hard-working, adaptive and solid Australian rules football players.
There are at least eight players for the All Blacks Reserves who herald from across Ireland, from Derry to Dublin.
A number of the young men are in Benalla working on the Winton solar farm to complete the regional work requirements for the visas that they are on.
What has allowed the Irish imports to flourish in the All Blacks Reserves right from the off is their background in Gaelic football.
From an Australian perspective, the sport functions like a mix between AFL and international football, but Aaron Horan said there were a few key differences between the games.
“It has similarities but this (AFL) is a lot more brutal,” Horan said.
“When we first got on the pitch, it was a free for all. You can’t believe that you can just tackle anyone from the neck down really.
“I think its a bit exciting.”
The shape of the ball has also been something that the Irish players have had to get used to as it bounces unpredictably compared to the round ball of Gaelic football.
Smith was impressed by how quickly they were able to get their head around the game.
“They’ve picked it up really well, really fast,” Smith said.
“Considering that there’s no tackling in Gaelic footy they tackle really well.
“We’ll have to get them to stay around until finals.”
The Irish boys are staying around Benalla for either three or six months but the All Blacks are hoping that they’re here until the end of the season.
The social aspect of the football club will be weighing on their minds if the Irish players have to decide between leaving or sticking around until the last ball is kicked for the year.
“It’s a good work-life balance for us here,” Horan said.
“Something similar for us I suppose from home. Gaelic football is a central part of life. It’s something nice to be part of.”
The Irish boys also said experienced players had stayed back to help them with their kicking.
The sense of community that the All Blacks Football Netball Club provides the Irish travellers with is what they relish the most.
If you head to an All Blacks Reserves game you will be able to hear the Irish contingent before you can pick them out on the field.