Jonathan Sexton has been sitting well the maturity. The circumstances of the opening irish were never simple. Under his shoulders fell the enormous task of happen to Ronan O Gara as emblematic 10 of the XV of the Clover. And he himself asked for more, looking for a complicated adventure in Paris. The result was a figure that always seemed to torment his ghost, someone who could not materialize their infinite virtues in the domination that so many predicted. And you get to 33 years of age. Award-winning this Sunday in Monte carlo as a Player of the Year -was afónico and his speech, he read a companion – breaks the hegemony of new zealand in the award during the past six years, and it robs its namesake Beauden Barrett.

In a steady progression, Sexton has been passed in the last few months any exam and is the opening most complete in the world: strategist, notable kicker and passer, able to put your body at risk and to respond to the pressure. Even his career -in a press conference recently joked with a reporter because he suggested that it was slow – it is acceptable for someone of their size. The irish, the only european of the nominees, exceeds that of Barrett, his compatriot Rieko Ioane and south african Faf de Klerk and Malcolm Marx. In the panel of judges were another great of irish rugby as Brian O’driscoll or the new zealander Richie McCaw. Once appointed the nominees, players and players have decided the awards.

Sexton has led this year to the irish to the third Grand Slam-win all the matches – the Six Nations and has won all the matches he has started with the XV of the Clover, including the first victory in a series against Australia in 39 years and the first win against the All Blacks in Dublin. With his club, the dubliners of Leinster, won the domestic league Guinnesss Pro14 -to clubs, scottish, welsh or Italian – and was proclaimed champion of Europe in San Mamés, a title that allows them to occupy the top of the winners continental with four gimped.

Paris, your account is pending, has also been remedied. In the French capital failed her multi-billion dollar project with Racing -who he defeated in the final of Tempobet San Mamés – and suffered the onslaught of the press gala. His performance was noted, with Ireland, with failures and improper for a kicker of his height and a certain lack of consistency. That’s why his distant kick from 45 metres with the time served that was in February, the victory at Saint-Denis was therapeutic.

With the coaches, rivals -especially the English coach Eddie Jones – expressly desiring him in every tackle, their longevity is commendable. Especially when he went through a stage with several concussions, a fact that has hampered the careers of major projects such as the welshman George North. The experience has also enabled him to improve your accuracy with the game on the foot, good luck with that determines the strategy of each party. The train with Dave Alred, the guru of Jonnhy Wilkinson, the last opening european win the award (2003).

The 10 is perhaps the great threat to New Zealand for the World cup next year. In their last seven matches against the All Blacks sum of three victories, three defeats and a draw. Anyone would sign to a team that wins 90% of their encounters. His demons seem to have cleared the horizon. The father of three children -Sophie, the youngest, was born in August – has found peace by becoming the player that he was destined to be.

rugby, against homophobia

The rugby international has responded with agility to the aggression homophobic suffered by the ex-captain welsh Gareth Thomas at the hands of a teenager of 16 years. The multi-talented player raced with the FIFTEENTH of the Dragon between 1995 and 2007 and came out of the closet two years later, confessing, since then the hell went through your sexual identity at the pressure which means the professional sport. He himself denounced by social networks, their aggression and caused a gesture planetary as the All Blacks take the laces of his shoes with the flag rainbow in Italy.

were Not the only ones. It was almost natural for Wales to endorse the initiative, which also supported other giants of the rugby as France. It was a strong response in a sport that he lived this summer in a serious controversy after Israel Folau, one of the stars of Australia, said that homosexuality was a sin. In the party that faced his selection with England, coach Michael Cheika left in the hands of each player if they wanted to wear the laces, a group which militates, another figure planetary as David Pocock, an activist in favor of establishing in Australia the gay marriage. The English did the same, but there were two cases dissidents. Sam Underhill, who stressed their support to the cause of LGBT, decided not to take them, arguing that they were not comfortable; while, Ben Te or said that they had not arrived.

The tour in the fall of the big south for the northern hemisphere has concluded this Saturday with a heroic act of Fiji, making Paris his first victory against France (14-21) and sowing new doubts about the wishing to be reborn in the XV del Gallo. England, who has only given in to the All Blacks beat Australia (38-17) and Wales, closed a November immaculate with a win against south Africa (20-11). Disappointed Argentina, defeated in Dublin, Paris and Edinburgh.