ANDREW PORTER sat for his media duties this week dressed in shorts and a T-shirt with the sleeves ripped off.
It was not a fashion statement but a joke at the prop’s expense.
Not that he was forthcoming with the details as he insisted: “I didn’t do it. It wasn’t my decision. I’m not going to say who did it either, not going to rat him out!”
But many would not have been surprised if it was the Leinster star’s own choice to turn out like that and show off his muscles — he could easily have gone for a quick gym session beforehand as there is no one fitter in rugby.
In an attritional sport, and playing in a position that punishes the body, Porter is like the Duracell Bunny that can just go on and on.
Whereas many front-rowers are normally called ashore around the hour mark or sooner, loosehead Porter’s early departures tend to only come in games that are already in the bag.
But in the tight ones — be it South Africa or the All Blacks at the World Cup or the recent November internationals — the 29-year-old nearly always goes the full 80 minutes.
Porter’s shortest game in this season’s Six Nations so far was against Scotland when he was replaced by Cian Healy after 69 minutes.
Scotland’s Zander Fagerson is the only front-rower in the same stamina bracket having played 67 minutes against Ireland and 68 against Italy.
So how does Porter do what few, if anybody else at all, can manage?
He said: “I would have always enjoyed training and enjoyed pushing myself, but I wouldn’t really do much extras in-season.
“Some days are obviously tougher than others, pre-season you’re kind of dreading a small bit, there’s good days and bad days.
“But bottom line, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else really at the moment. Where else would I rather be, really?
“In training you’re in with your mates, even if you do have tough pitch sessions and a tough pre-season, you’re there doing it alongside your mates. It’s a win-win situation.
“I go to the well a good bit in pre-season and post-season and a lot of my time off feels like time on as well because I just enjoy training so much and I enjoy just being ready for if I need to play 50 minutes or 80.
“I suppose I like to cover all bases and just be as best prepared as I can, but in terms of in-season I wouldn’t really do that much extra.
“The training that we do is something that prepares us incredibly well. They’re incredibly intense training sessions.”
Porter insisted that preparation allows him to go full tilt for all the time it is needed.
But he also stressed that it is not just about fitness. It is also about know-how.
Of course he would not have got the know-how without the stamina that has allowed him to play more than anyone else.
He added: “I’m getting a few more minutes than four years ago.
“A bit more experience under my belt in my current position.
“I suppose I was playing tighthead back then and it was relatively new to me because I made the switch from tighthead to loosehead quite early in my professional career.
“So I suppose I’m a small bit of a different player. I’ve gone through good and bad experiences along the way.
“I think that’s added to my arsenal. Hopefully I’m a better player, a more rounded player.
“It probably just came off the back of a few good games that I was playing more minutes.
“I just want to be able to cover all bases and have every box ticked really and be as best prepared as I can.
“It definitely comes through the games, playing, and you can see the games as working on your fitness as well.
“The amount you’re sprinting, the easy option would be just to plod along and hope that the ball doesn’t come towards you.
“But I suppose I’ve changed my mindset to try and get to everywhere I need to be.
“The extra minutes have helped that and helped my development as a player as well.”
CARDIFF CLASH
Wales will see that progress up close having been able to track Porter’s development as he played 72 minutes against them last year, 73 the year before and 66 in 2022.
But Porter acknowledged that it is hard to get a handle on what type of Welsh team Ireland will face today under interim coach Matt Sherratt.
They may have lost 14 internationals in a row but Porter continued: “We’re not going to take it lightly. We’re treating it like any other game.
“We know the talent that Wales have in their squad. They have some great players and on their day they can play some great rugby, so we’re preparing as best we can.
“Wales are a different team when they’re playing at home.
“They’re a very proud nation and they take a lot of pride from playing in the Principality.
“It’s always a great atmosphere, playing there under a closed roof.
“It’s definitely a step up in terms of atmosphere, and the noise levels go up again.
“It makes it that bit more difficult on the field trying to listen for calls and stuff like that as well. It’s a great experience to be a part of.
“I’ve been on both sides of the result over there, winning and losing.
“It’s a fortress for them. So we’ll be looking to go out there and give our best.”
