Ireland's Rugby Star Hugo Keenan's Love Affair with State of Origin

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Hugo Keenan, Ireland's star fullback, has traded in his rugby gear for NRL passion after falling in love with State of Origin. Keenan, who scored the series-winning try for the Lions in Melbourne 11 months ago, has become a huge fan of the iconic rugby league competition.

The memories of the MCG are fading, but Keenan is focused on creating new ones, starting this Saturday for Ireland against the Wallabies at Allianz Stadium in the inaugural Nations Championship. Keenan's pathway to becoming one of Ireland's most important players was not typical. As a youngster, he played for his Dublin high school's under-14 C team. But it didn't deter him, and he worked his way up to eventually secure a contract with Leinster.

Over the last two seasons, Leinster have partnered with NRL club the Melbourne Storm to run a unique exchange program under which two younger players from each team trade countries and codes for a month. Keenan and his Leinster teammates have become firm fans of the NRL and the Irishman enjoyed visiting 4 Pines Park to watch Manly take on the Storm last Saturday night.

“State of Origin over the last few years is the one that you watch back home,” Keenan said. “The level of intensity, everybody loves it and it’s always on a Wednesday, and we watch it in Leinster and there’s a good buzz about it.”

Keenan also revealed that he has been trying to get into the actual NRL a bit more and Leinster now have a connection with Melbourne Storm as well, so they’ve had two of their academy lads over in November. So if he had to choose a team, it probably would be Storm because of that affiliation.

The partnership between Leinster and Melbourne Storm is only going to help the development of young talent, according to Keenan. Keenan believes getting yourself out of the comfort zone is one of the reasons why he went back to Sevens. It’s something similar to just challenge yourself in different environments, different codes of the game and learn new skills and progress yourself.

Keenan and his teammates are now gearing up for a big challenge against the Wallabies on Saturday.