When the chances come, Ireland must attack as 15
THE FIJIANS love the rugby ball. Whether they are on an overseas mission in Lebanon, at home on the beach, in Murrayfield or at the RDS, they can all flick it, chip it, spin it and catch it. And when the mood takes them they can transfer it the length of the field using every available man.
Their secondrows can out-sprint their wingers and their centres can out-tackle their backrow.
The problem is, they simply can’t control it. I was fortunate to commentate for Setanta during RWC 2007, where I witnessed at first-hand Australia versus Fiji in Montpellier: a happy coincidence considering Ireland’s opponents this autumn. It was an extraordinary game which opened my eyes to the magic of Fiji.
The score finished 55 points to 12 to the former world champions, but Fiji threatened the Wallabies like no other nation could. They had extraordinary players, many of whom are not on tour, and they could score from anywhere. However, I was amazed to see Fiji’s attitude at the lineout.
Lazy is an unfortunate term, but the Fijians’ first-phase is just that. This unit skill is a real indicator of structure: the higher the level, the quicker the unit should form, interpret the call and execute. Last Saturday Jerry Flannery’s darts were exemplary. However, Fiji simply don’t occupy this space.
In France 2007, they were the complete antithesis of the modern professional lineout, which is a tell-tale into their world. Last weekend Scotland hammered their scrum and stifled their lineout. Changes have been made to their scrum.
That said, when the islanders sniffed a chance at the ball they were devastating.
In Edinburgh, loosehead Alefoso Yalayalatabua was under real pressure, as was Welsh-based debutant Deacon Manu. Their number eight, Asaeli Boko, an amateur, conceded multiple errors, which was a pity as they lie just one behind Scotland in the world rankings.
The team I watched in Montpellier and previous World Cups are a different outfit from tomorrow’s. The outstanding nomadic winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca and many of his ilk simply don’t travel on these poorly-rewarded tours.
In considering the new Irish caps, control is everything. Your average Fijian is very athletic and can prove more than a handful. In a game I believe Ireland will win comfortably, there is still scope for embarrassment along the way.
Take last week’s inside centre, Seremaia Bai, for example, and the hits he made on the Scottish forwards. Johnny Sexton and Gordon D’Arcy should be careful about drifting aimlessly into the inside channel.
The veteran scrumhalf and survivor from RWC 2007 Raulini has a sharp eye for space. In fact, he is the catalyst for the 50-metre break. He provided it against Scotland with reasonable success, but he created a brilliant try against Australia from a terrible Fiji lineout in 2007. Along the way he hoodwinked George Gregan. The Irish fringe defence must remain switched on.
How should Ireland approach tomorrow’s game? In many ways the game is one to be negotiated and managed more than played. Unfortunately, it is no dress rehearsal for next week.
Fijian fullbacks will like a high ball in the RDS like a hole in the head. Sexton clearly knows the ground and he must put the ball very high or into touch. It is no loss to concede possession for field position, as the Fijian lineout is 50:50.
To build on last week’s performance Ireland need to develop their turnover plan. Several Australian lineouts came our way but weren’t fully maximised. Ireland’s defensive lineout, with John Hayes on board, is fast approaching the Springboks’.
The diversity of structure was impressive, where the defence influenced the Australian lineout calls to a great extent. Pre-emptive strike to Ireland! When the steel happens, all 15 Irish must have an all-purpose plan to punish the Fijians.
More turnovers will occur from the Fijians’ over-exuberance in contact. They simply can’t resist the offload. They will also concede double-figure penalties, mostly at scrum time and the breakdown.
To sum up, tomorrow isn’t the day for pulling rabbits out of hats. Sexton and his team need to be ruthless with field position, totally dominate the set-piece and, when the turnovers occur through poor Fijian lineout, penalties and the breakdown, the Irish need to, nay, must attack as 15.
But in the meantime they must be very patient, going through multiple phases protecting the ball.
In many ways it is a classic Champions League fixture against unpredictable opposition. Catch them on the counter and punish any errors. Scotland looked strong but failed to drive the nail home and kill them off early.
Declan Kidney affords the new boys a great opportunity by sprinkling them among the seasoned pros. It’s all very exciting.
