10 Questions With Jebb Sinclair

As the first member of Canada’s senior men’s team to play on a Currie Cup winning side, Jebb Sinclair is quickly developing a resume that ranks him among the most accomplished of Canadian professional rugby players.  The Pro Report had an opportunity to speak to the New Brunswick native, shortly after his thrilling championship victory with Western Province.

 JH:  Thanks for taking the time to chat with us about your recent months in South Africa with the Stormers in Super Rugby and most recently with Western Province in the Currie Cup.

Obviously, the Currie Cup Grand Final on October 27th would surely have been the highlight. Can we start by you giving us your thoughts on that game and the experience of playing in a big South African final?

 JS:  Yes, it was great, especially being underdogs and being written of by so many of the "experts". To play to away games in the semis and finals and come away with the wins was something special.

 JH:  Your time in South Africa began when you answered the call for the Stormers, who had seen their back-row decimated by injuries and Springbok call-ups. You are an experienced flanker, who also played lock for Canada at the World Cup, yet your overseas coaches seem to like you at #8.  How did that evolution come about?

JS:  I played a lot of 8-man at the club level in Canada so it wasn’t completely foreign to me.  I enjoy it a lot.  Personally, I think I just have pretty good ball skills and can clean up at the back under pressure.  Obviously, it made it easier playing behind such a great pack, they made me seem a lot better than I was! 

JH:  There were a number of great moments for you throughout these last months in the way of big contributions, and while some of those came in the way of tries and big hits, many of them seem to involve fantastic work in the tight, during line-out drives, mauls or on defense. Coach Parfrey back on the Rock would certainly have been very proud.  How would you compare the level of physicality you experienced in South Africa, with other experiences you’ve had?

JS:  These derbys in South Africa are quite physical.  A lot of the guys on either team grew up supporting the team they play for and hating the team they play against, so there’s a lot of anger there, and rivalries.  Everyone tries to put 10 or 20 percent more into every tackle when they get a chance! Even in training when we knew we would have a big one against the Bulls or the Sharks coming up, everything would just get a little sharper and harder!

JH: During your time with this country’s national program, Canada hasn’t had a whole lot of exposure to the top five teams in the IRB rankings. Seeing as you’ve been taking the field every week, with and against many of the best players in the world during Super 15 and Currie Cup action, what else impressed you about the level of competition?

JS:  A lot of it is just the pride and belief all these players have in eachother and mostly themselves.  They have the ability to shake things off.  I guess it comes from playing rugby your whole life and knowing that a particularly dark time will rebound quickly.  Their work ethic is incredible too.  Definitely something I’ve worked on myself as well, and I know it will stay with me a long time.  These guys aren’t happy unless its right and its the guys pushing each other and not so much the coaching staff.

JH:  Speaking of coaching, South Africa is famous for having some of the best players in the world, but it also has some of the best management. Has there been an aspect of your game that you’ve been able to target for improvement with the help of some of the coaching you’ve received down there?

JS:  Yes, I’ve really tried to be involved with planning lineouts; especially lineout defense.  So much about a game now is the platform, and if you’re able to make another team’s platform unstable it can really change the game, as we saw in the Lions and Sharks games.

JH:  You seemed to find a real home in Cape Town during your time there, and you’ve said previously how warm and welcoming you’ve found the rugby community there. For those who have never had the chance to settle into a deep rugby culture like that, can you talk about what it all felt like?

 JS: Well, for the first little while it was a skeptical environment.  A lot of the community couldn’t understand why they would bring in a foreigner, especially a Canadian, when they have so much depth all over the country.  But after a few games I was welcomed and once the Currie Cup started, it was whole-heartedly.  It’s crazy how much South Africans love rugby.  The media attention is non-stop and people are not afraid to come up to you in the grocery store or the gas station and tell you that you had a good game, or a really bad one as has happened a few times.   Ha ha.

JH:  Your time in South Africa has obviously been a very special experience, and before you make your return to the London Irish program in the Aviva Premiership, you’ve also been named to Canada’s November tour of Europe. What are your thoughts about the opportunities Canada’s men’s team will have, against Russia, Samoa and the Maori All Blacks?

JS:  Once the team was named, I was really happy to see a lot of returning faces. I’ve noticed that I might have turned into an old guy too! I’m excited about the Russia test because I think, over the last couple of years, we've been building a rivalry with them, and I always enjoy their straight forward approach. 

Samoa is an exciting test.  It’s the kind of game that we are really looking for.  Getting a crack at a proven top ten side.  These are the games we crave.  As for the Maoris, I think any time you get to be part of a game against a New Zealand side, it is an amazing experience for any rugby player.

JH:  As we mentioned, you were in the second-row for Canada at the World Cup, and certainly the tight-five is an area where Canada has being trying to focus on developing a deeper pool of talent. With players like Andrew Tiedemann, Jason Marshall and Brett Beukeboom joining the likes of yourself, Jamie Cudmore and Tyler Hotson overseas, Canada’s November tour squad seems to suggest that those efforts are succeeding.

JS:  Yes, I was really happy when I heard “Tiedes” had gotten a contract in France.  He's been ready for one for a while now, so I’m happy it happened for him.  The training we get in Canada is second to none, but nothing can compare to the games you get week-in and week-out in Europe.  That’s where these guys will really pick up experience. 

I was happy to see “Beuks” get picked up too.  He's a quality player that will thrive in the English rugby environment.  Obviously, the more headaches we give the coaches in the selection meeting the better.  It means guys are working hard every day at training to get their shot. 

JH:  After the November tests, you’re set to make your way back to London Irish. What will be your approach as your rejoin that club in mid-season?

JS:  It will be the same as last year, when I came late, really.  Just try to get on the same page with timing and stuff, as soon as possible, and try not to rock the boat too much.  London Irish have come into a bit of form lately and have looked good in their last five or six games, even in a few narrow defeats.  So I’ll just be looking to catch up with the boys I haven’t seen in a while and work on fitting into the systems as quickly as possible. 

 JH:  Having played and scored tries in World Cups, the English Premiership and Super Rugby, you’re starting to boast to a resume that few Canadian rugby players can match. What advice would you give to a young Canadian rugby player, who dreams of running out one day alongside All Blacks and Springboks?

JS: I’m not going lie to you, so much of life is just being in the right place at the right time, I’ve been extremely lucky to have certain opportunities come my way at the right time in my life. But hard work, determination and not sweating the small stuff are the most important things, I think. 

And it’s not so much just the rugby, I really try to fit in with the guys as much as possible and leave rugby on the field. No matter who they are, every guy likes going out after work and having a bite to eat and stuff with the boys, and fitting into a team’s culture is something that has helped me along the way.

JH Thanks for this Jebb! Good luck on the November Tour!

You can follow Jebb Sinclair on Twitter:  @JebbSinclair

Jeff Hull is a freelance contributor to Rugby Canada.  His Pro Report can be read regularly on this website, as well as on Facebook, Twitter or in the blogosphere.

To contact the author, write to:  jhull@rugbycanada.ca