Thank you Isa

[hugonaut]

A total boss, contributed a huge amount to Leinster rugby. Thanks Isa!

[enby]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwLZaqafa_o



Love that tackle against Toulouse and the try from the kick-off against Ospreys

Thanks Isa, best of luck to you and your family

[suisse]

I.left Ireland just after the Europen win in 2009 so I never saw as much of the brilliance u guys saw. But staying up until the most unholy hours to.see this guy.was totally worth it. I saw his try v Leicester in a dodgy love motel. But what I think leinster will miss most is those grey winter nights.when the internationals are away. Nacewa used to talk n guide his inexperienced wingers through a game. U could even see this on a.small PC monitor. No.lecturing. he gave us everything. A brilliant player, one of the very best.

Man crushcrus

[Leoslovechild]

His tackle on Chabal stands out from all his brilliance and skill for me.Chabal had just dumped Jamie hard and Isa absolutely destyroyed him as if to say you may take our forawrds on but our backs are just as hard.Laid down a marker for that whole game.Thanks ISA and in my opinion the best overseas player ever to play not just in Leinster but in Ireland

[alanair]

Try V's Leicester ............and everything else.........complete ledgebag...

[wetherbydave]

Agree with Leoslovechild, that was everything that encapsulated Isa as a player and my standout moment. Was a joy to watch him play and will be sorely missed thanks Isa

[Hippo]

Terrible news. What an outstanding player and individual, it has been a privilege to see him play here.

[Logorrhea]

The other hit I remember, was the one on Ashton in the HEC final.

Missed his man earlier on, came back and absolutely smashed him. Ashton limped away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXdlC6vu38w (skip the Jim Carey nonsense for 5 seconds to get to the rugby (actually made me chuckle))

[Leoslovechild]

The other hit I remember, was the one on Ashton in the HEC final.

Missed his man earlier on, came back and absolutely smashed him. Ashton limped away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXdlC6vu38w (skip the Jim Carey nonsense for 5 seconds to get to the rugby (actually made me chuckle))

Yes one of the best moments in the stadium that day as it looked like Ashton and Foden may have worked a decent move to get them back in contention

[Peg Leg]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwLZaqafa_o



Love that tackle against Toulouse and the try from the kick-off against Ospreys

Thanks Isa, best of luck to you and your family

His feign to land in the corner v scarlets and then taking the ball under the posts...... love it.

[lummix]

Absolute legend, hero and gentleman. Thanks Isa,

Is he totally done with playing, he's very young is he injured? You'd have thought he'd have at least 3 or 4 seasons left in him

[Blue Voodoo]

Isa, we will miss you ! you are great ! we loved the way you loved Leinster ,and gave your all.Good luck with your future ,Thank-You

[ronk]

Absolute legend, hero and gentleman. Thanks Isa,

Is he totally done with playing, he's very young is he injured? You'd have thought he'd have at least 3 or 4 seasons left in him

He plays with a tough style that takes a lot out of him. He has one year with us and would have had to up sticks anyway. It's a good wedge of cash but it can't be easy for his wife with 3 kids under 3 and away from her family and friends (and with a busy husband).

Pro rugby is a very demanding sport. Sure you're a long time retired but money isn't everything. If it was to Isa we might well have lost him earlier anyway.

[mikey]

Heino Final-Murrayfield: Last few minutes, a box kick from Leicester drops on their 10m line, Isa has to dive forward onto it only to be engulfed by a bunch of players in green and blue. The commentator says Isa dived on the ball like it was the trophy itself. We retained possession and used up more precious seconds.
It's those moments as much as the try two years later in the QF that mark out the man. I don't want to use the word legend, it's been overused by the turnips to the point of parody but he will never be forgotten by Leinster fans.

what he said....

a Leinster Immortal....

[leinster4life13]

Legend of a player who is definitely retiring way way too soon. Surprised he wouldnt try pick up a contract back in NZ, Is this partly related to his arm injury?

[Sea_point]

Fantastic player, utmost respect for the standards he set and maintained throughout his stay in Ireland. In the discussion regarding his departure on the Connacht forum I refer to him as Leinster's John Langford, which I believe to be fully appropriate.

He set the benchmark for future NIQ's pulling on the Blue jersey...

[johng]

Legend of a player who is definitely retiring way way too soon. Surprised he wouldnt try pick up a contract back in NZ, Is this partly related to his arm injury?

I think so. Partly.

Although the search begins now for the neighbour from hell who turned mrs Isa off Ireland.

Hanging's too good for them.

[Peg Leg]

Are we losing Isa because of the NIQ policy including or excluding munster props and his not being allowed to renew with us beyond next season?

[wwed]

What I will always remember about Isa is the performances he put in at low profile Magners\Rabo games when the international players were away. He carried the team so many times, both through his own individual performance and his leadership of the team.

It's one thing to shine in the big games, but the true mark of the man is how consistently he performed in those games when no one would have blamed him for dropping his standards a bit.

[Broken Wing]

Thanks Isa. You owe us nothing but we owe you so much. One of the genuine heroes of Leinster rugby.