Boss relishing return to New Zealand
'Fairytale stuff' for Ulster's Tokoroa-born star
After an encouraging first season with Ulster, Isaac Boss could be about to top it all off by making his Ireland debut against the country of his birth.
Still basking in the glow of Ulster's Celtic League success last weekend, the Tokoroa-born scrum-half is ironically going back to his roots to start his Test career.
Ireland's first assignment on their three-match summer tour is a clash with New Zealand on Sunday week.
And in another ironic twist, the venue for the nations' 19th clash is Hamilton's Waikato Stadium – Boss's old 'home pitch'.
The 26-year-old explained: "I'm very excited about this tour as it's a really good opportunity for me to get involved in the Irish set-up and get some game-time.
"From my own perspective, I can't wait for the first Test in Hamilton – I'd love to be involved in that game, especially as it's on my old home pitch.
"Eight months ago I wouldn't have thought I'd be in this position – having a chance to make my Ireland debut against the All Blacks – it's fairytale stuff really."
Having built up a burgeoning reputation with Waikato (NPC) and the Hurricanes – he helped the Wellington side through to the Super 12 semi-finals in 2005 – Boss surprised many observers by signing for Ulster.
Qualified for Ireland by virtue of a County Antrim-born grandmother, he made his Ulster bow last October and quickly built up a reputation as a quick-witted and powerful player.
With Kieran Campbell out injured, Boss has been Ulster's first choice scrum-half for the past five months.
An untimely injury saw him miss out on a start for Ireland 'A' in March, but fully fit again, Boss seems ideally placed to push his World Cup claims.
He is also bidding to do what others like Campbell and Leinster's Guy Easterby have failed to do – put pressure on Munster's Heineken Cup hero Peter Stringer, who has been Ireland's starting scrum-half for 63 of their last 71 Test matches.
As evidence of his will to don the green jersey, Boss forgot all about time zones last month when he excitedly rang his father Allan at 1.30am New Zealand time to inform him of his call-up to the 30-man touring squad.
A Rugby World Cup winner with the New Zealand Under-19s in 1999, Boss added: "Coming over here to play was always on my mind.
"The prospect of the weather wasn't too attractive but I think it was a good time to come away.
"I've certainly joined Ulster at the right time – I wasn't so sure at first but I'm very happy with how the season has gone – no complaints at all.
"Being in a team that's winning competitions makes it a lot easier and hopefully I can make the most of my opportunity with the Ireland squad over the next few weeks."
Boss, who can also operate at full-back, believes that although the All Blacks have "a few players missing," they will be doubly determined to start their season with a confidence-building brace of wins.
The second Test against Ireland follows a week later in Auckland and Boss said: "Playing the All Blacks in New Zealand is a daunting prospect.
"No matter what side they put out, you know they'll be strong.
"They have great strength in depth and a luxury of picking so many different players – it's going to be interesting to see how the Test matches pan out.
"I reckon we have a good chance though. After winning the Triple Crown, these Irish boys have gone from strength to strength.
"We've got some key players back and I think we can do very well down there."
