Green dream trumps All Blacks for Boss

Playing in the famous All Blacks jersey is a dream for most young New Zealanders, but not for Tokoroa-born Isaac Boss, scrum half with the Ireland team at Rugby World Cup 2011.

Hailing from the same North Island town as Australia's Quade Cooper and despite having played provincial rugby for Waikato and Super Rugby for the Chiefs and the Hurricanes, the ancestral lure of Ireland proved too much.

Boss's grandmother was born in Glenarm, County Antrim, and he has always enjoyed a curious interest in his Irish roots.

"Ever since I was a kid I always had dreams and aspirations about going across to Ireland, that's why I left when I did," he said.

He signed for Ulster in 2005 and made his Ireland debut in June 2006 as a replacement in the 27-17 defeat by New Zealand at Eden Park, not that he felt too many mixed emotions.

"If I had become an All Black I don't think I would have been a very good one because I never had the dream to wear the All Black jersey," he said with an honesty that might surprise a few New Zealanders.

Nothing to prove

"Everyone strives to make the World Cup. It's nice to be 'home' but that's a sidetrack, it's not about proving to anybody that I could have been an All Black."

After making two appearances during Ireland's lacklustre Rugby World Cup 2007 campaign, he found himself in the international wilderness and did not make another appearance for more than three years, before coming off the bench in the 20-10 win over Samoa in November 2010.

Boss switched Irish provinces in 2010, moving to Leinster, where he vies with Ireland teammate Eoin Reddan for the No 9 shirt, a contest he credits for putting him back in the international picture.

"I think it's improved both our games," he said. "It's definitely the reason why I've come back into the green jersey."

Munster youngster Conor Murray is also in the mix to be Ireland's scrum half at RWC 2011.
Boss is keen to add to his tally of RWC appearances on familiar territory.

"One of our games (versus Russia) is in Rotorua, that's half an hour away from where I grew up. It'll be great if I can get on the pitch there," Boss said.