RUGBY:In terms of Ireland's journey of discovery, Samoa are to be negotiated and beaten – with some insight into form and policy, writes LIAM TOLAND
IRELAND’S golden generation is a phrase I distinctly dislike. Although rugby union went professional in 1995 it wasn’t until the early noughties that the elite rugby players understood what professionalism constituted. Countless brilliant players over the decades never received the support, coaching, fixtures, nutritional advice, medical care and, crucially, the time to develop their craft.
If they had, then our vintage crop of today would be well pushed to compete with the 1982 backline of Robbie McGrath, Ollie Campbell (Tony Ward), Paul Dean, Michael Kiernan, Trevor Ringland, Moss Finn and Hugo McNeill. Not to mention tomorrow’s pack against Phil Orr, Ciarán Fitzgerald, Ginger McLaughlin, Moss Keane, Donal Lenihan and the serious backrow of Fergus Slattery, Willie Duggan and John O’Driscoll.
No, this is not a golden generation, but it is one that has achieved enormously in this new age of professionalism.
My point is relevant tomorrow as another generation walk out at the Aviva Stadium. If we were to presume a golden generation exists then what possibility have Séan Cronin, Devon Toner, Séan O’Brien and even Luke Fitzgerald at fullback of creating a new future? All four have the potential to change the old guard.
Not so long ago I suggested a move forward for Séan O’Brien into the secondrow, a move that would no doubt net him serious caps but he has stayed true to his position and could have easily started last week.
Over the months in Leinster he has developed into a powerful ball carrier but I always questioned his ability to utilise the space and support runners around himself. In the early days he powered his way forward where a subtle pass could have netted the team better advantage. All the great backrowers know this skill.
Brian O’Driscoll’s try against Munster last month came directly from O’Brien’s brilliant line, fixing Paul Warwick and passing backhanded. It is a superb skill to possess, one which he is fast developing. Tomorrow I hope he brings all that grunt but with a measure of subtlety and he’ll be here for a long time.
Toner’s instinct will be to add huge value in the lineout and in doing so will calm the wonderfully-talented Cronin out of touch. This to most commentators would be a successful first cap. However, in the age we live in, the general public will want so much more from our new boys. Unfortunately the journey Irish rugby is on will be conducted with the highest of expectations. O’Gara, remember, came to this point having grown into the position. Jonny Sexton and the new boys don’t have time or the public’s patience on their hands.
That said Cronin and Toner are barometers for the future – both immensely talented but far from the complete player. I received an interesting email yesterday on foot of the team announcement stating Toner is a pure lineout option with no beef in the scrum. If that were true Declan Kidney would happily have had him last Saturday. The fact he is just short of 19 stone should add a fair bit of beef. Toner and Cronin can achieve much more than mere statistics. Cronin has the football and Toner the set-piece. A blend of both tomorrow would start a special journey for the pair .
It is somewhat ironic that the third-choice Leinster fullback is starting for Ireland tomorrow. The direction Ireland must travel would be best suited with Isa Nacewa at fullback. He is still the best broken-field runner in Irish rugby and Fitzgerald would do well to emulate him. It’s time to remind ourselves of autumn’s purpose. Let’s put tomorrow’s game into Ireland’s journey of discovery perspective. Samoa are to be negotiated and beaten – with some insight into form and policy. Autumn will be a failure if we haven’t spotted a playing policy that will take us through the Six Nations and on to the World Cup. Our fullback is crucial to that journey. Fitzgerald can dictate policy.
With that in mind I wonder what instruction O’Gara received prior to his late entry last week? Was he instructed to up the tempo or kick the corner? Was he instructed to elect for short kick-outs which transformed the match. Or did he watch the match for 65 minutes and decide for himself? That said, I would still start Sexton tomorrow.
Having watched Connacht entertain Manu Samoa on Tuesday I wondered where the big hits in blue have gone. There was evidence at the Sportsground but nothing like what we witnessed in RWC 2007 when the islanders were close to full strength. If your memory is a tad dusty then off to You Tube you should go. The Samoans are brutally brilliant on the straight hit, the high hit but wriggling in contact, as Connacht scrumhalf Cillian Willis did deep in traffic, they can be poor! He outfoxed the defence as the Samoans constantly look for the head-on hit. In heavy traffic the Samoans’ defence can miss.
It can also be poor when the ball is floating wide especially as the Samoans interchange so often. Backrowers and props often find themselves in midfield and will go for broke every time. Knowing this is key and although a very dangerous practice they can be teased into a hit as the ball is moved into space. Ireland need to get outside the flying defence, for health reasons as much as rugby reasons. First centre Seilala Mapusua is to be avoided but outside him George Pisi could be exploited.
With the exception of silly spills in contact, the Samoans can hold the ball for long periods as they showed when a man down to Connacht. In terrible weather this could be painful. They have a consummate understanding of support lines, regardless of shirt number but at crucial times they can’t resist getting on the ball. On punching a hole through the defence anyone could turn up at the breakdown and head off with the ball. Their discipline in possession can let them down.
Ireland need to turn the blue monsters into an advantage. Deep back-line moves well behind the gain line can expose the loitering defender looking for the big hit. Ireland must also bring the rucking height very low to combat the Samoans’ massive frames. The set-piece is crucial to dictating tempo but Ireland must remain ever vigilant of the blue angles. Gio Aplon scored a very soft try last week. My hope is twofold; Fitzgerald sets the stadium alight and the new boys up front own the set-piece – but want so much more.
