Latest news with #KeithEarls
The Irish Sun
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘I lost myself' – Keith Earls hails fan reaction after feeling ‘tired and disconnected' amid post-retirement struggles
KEITH EARLS thanked fans for their support after revealing he had become "tired" and "burnt out" since retiring from rugby. The former New Zealand . Advertisement 2 Keith Earls retired from rugby after the 2023 World Cup Credit: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile 2 He revealed struggles since retiring Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile Since then, the 37-year-old threw himself into post-rugby work with Eleven14 - a However, his commitment came at a cost, as he outlined in a lengthy Earls explained: "The last two years since I retired have taught me more than any course, book, or business coach ever could. "I built something I was proud of. A real business. Real customers. But somewhere along the way, I lost myself in it. Advertisement Read More on Keith Earls "I was always working. Always thinking about the next move. Saying yes to everything. "And even when things were going well… I felt tired. Disconnected. Like I was building something for everyone else while missing the moments that actually mattered to me. "It took hitting that wall mentally, emotionally to realise: The business isn't my identity just like "Not a badge. Not a burden. Not the full story of who I am. Advertisement Most read in Rugby Union "Now? I still build. I still care. But it's different. I've started choosing presence over pressure. Structure over chaos. Quiet over performance. "I don't need to chase a purpose anymore. Living well is the purpose. Ireland stars Conor Murray, Johnny Sexton and Peter O'Mahony make incredible gesture to Keith Earls ahead of 100th cap "If you're tired from building something that's burning you out you're not alone. You're not behind. You're just human. "I'm looking forward to building Eleven14 while staying true to my values." Advertisement His honest and open admission prompted supportive comments, both from general fans and former rugby colleagues. Jean-Marie Stander - wife of former Ireland international CJ Stander - said: "Think this is so relatable for many people". The outpouring of backing clearly blew Earls away, as he posted a follow-up message to say thanks. Advertisement He said: "Just wanted to say thanks for all the messages, shares and replies to my last post. "Honestly didn't expect that response, just felt like something I needed to say out loud. "Things are great. I feel more calm, more clear, more grounded than I've felt in a long time. "I've got a beautiful family and great friends. A business I care about on my terms now. Good people around me. I'm very lucky." Advertisement
The Guardian
20-06-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
The first Lions match is about laying down a marker – but Pumas bring range of threats
Every single member of the British & Irish Lions squad is in the perfect sweet spot at the moment. Blair Kinghorn aside, they all arrived into camp with a spring in their step and a smile on their face because their dreams have been realised. Speaking from experience, it is amazing how quickly you can leave national allegiances at the door. At this stage, there is no sense of what the Test team will be, no division, or feeling that you have to make do with being a midweek dirt-tracker – the thing you are probably most nervous about is who your roommate will be. You know it will be someone from a different country and my first roommate was Keith Earls. As the youngest member of the 2009 squad, he was responsible for looking after the Lions mascot and I felt like I needed to mind him. I soon realised there are few as competitive as Keith and he did not need minding at all. You can arrive into camp with preconceived ideas of what certain people will be like. Whenever I had played against Ronan O'Gara I had to be so mentally switched on because he was such a fierce competitor with incredible drive and had this uncanny ability to catch you out of position with a spiral kick. He was pretty chirpy on the pitch too, but he is someone I am still in touch with to this day. There were quite a few players about whom I was thinking: 'I'm not quite sure about you, I may not even like you.' But you then meet them and spend time in their company and you switch to: 'This is my teammate,' and feeling: 'This means everything,' really quickly. I'm sure the current bunch have already had a few good nights out and they need that. They will learn more about each other from 30 minutes in the pub than they ever would in the gym or on the training ground. Friday's match against Argentina is a first hit-out but, at the same time, it is probably the hardest game they will play before the Test series. If Argentina were playing against Australia on Friday, I'm not sure who my money would be on. It's a daunting fixture but the Lions have to embrace it. They can't worry themselves about underdogs tags – this is the best of the best from the four nations and there can be no excuses. I don't expect them to be perfect against the Pumas but the minimum I want to see is evidence of what they are trying to do in attack and defence. Make no mistake, everyone wants to play in the first match. Even all the Leinster players who were in action against the Bulls last Saturday, even Finn Russell after his topless celebrations during Bath's open-top bus parade on Sunday. That said, as much as there can be a sense of Fomo for all those not involved, there can be some Romo – relief at missing out – too. In 2009, I was desperate to play in the first match of the tour against the Royal XV and gutted to be overlooked. As it turned out, those who were selected didn't cover themselves in glory, needed a late comeback to avoid defeat and those players suddenly had some catching up to do. It's amazing how your currency can rise when you're not involved. The team Andy Farrell has selected is largely as you'd expect, all players who were at the Portugal camp, but I'm delighted Marcus Smith gets an early opportunity to show what he's all about. During the Six Nations he just got on with the job, having last year been England's most dominant player only to find himself out of favour or playing in a position that isn't his most preferred. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion As it has turned out, that versatility has worked to his advantage and when I look at this Lions backline, I see a lot of muscle, a lot of physical specimens, and the need for a second pair of playmaking hands becomes clear. You would still say Kinghorn is the favourite to fill that role, but given he is still involved with Toulouse, Smith has the chance to lay down a marker. And he must stay true to himself to do that. He is an incredible individual talent but he's also a selfless player. Everything he does is with an eye on creating space for his teammates and Farrell will be aware of the threat he poses if Duhan van der Merwe, Bundee Aki, Sione Tuipulotu and Tommy Freeman can deliver front-foot ball. Smith will have to be mindful of the aerial threat Argentina pose. He will be only too familiar with how strong Rodrigo Isgró is in the air given they are teammates at Harlequins. Smith constantly looks to Isgró with the boot to win the ball back, so effective is the winger in that regard. But Argentina have threats all over the park. It is a mighty challenge for the Lions first up, but the XV selected have got the ability to deal with it.
