Andrew Porter says talking to his coach helped clear his mind
Ireland and Leinster prop Andrew Porter says he doubted whether he was “fit to play professional rugby” after returning from last year’s World Cup after losing to New Zealand in the quarter-finals. Ta.
In an interview with the Irish Independent’s Left Wing Podcast, Porter, who helped Ireland earn a bonus point in their first game of the Six Nations, said he felt confident when Ireland’s scrum failed after the All Blacks game. I admitted that I was about to lose it. He was severely punished in Paris.
“Yeah, like a lack of self-confidence. It sounds like you’re questioning your own worth. And then, even after you came back, you wondered if you were cut out to play professional rugby.” says Porter, who is an ambassador for the Irish Cancer Society.
“Those things were always going around in my head and I was trying to convince myself that it was true, but obviously it wasn’t.
“I almost convinced myself when I came back that there was no place for me in rugby. That’s what self-doubt is. It can creep up on you. It can creep up on you. I think it’s something I’m trying to work on seriously, especially with the Irish coaches.”
Porter had some help, including advice from his Irish coach, but initially thought he could overcome the crushing disappointment and self-doubt on his own.
“I’m always available. But I thought I could handle it myself. It’s one of those cycles where you’re like, ‘Oh, I’m a professional athlete.’ We should be able to deal with this,” he explains. “It’s probably a pride thing. Sometimes people don’t want to admit that they need help. Yeah, I think this has been kind of the story of my life so far.
“But it’s proven in the past that it’s worked for me. But yeah, sometimes pride takes over a little bit and you try to deal with everything on your own and sometimes it gets out of hand.” I think so.”
Meanwhile, Wales are gaining momentum ahead of the game against Ireland with the return of fly-half Sam Costelow.