Liam Toland: Ireland must develop ruthless streak

On Friday I wrote about IRFU performance director David Nucifora's definition of talent whilst bemoaning the perceived gap between our game and the game in Argentina. Jamie Heaslip's first try certainly answers the broader question, but with Simon Zebo refusing to accept the ordinary, talent can flourish.

So in reviewing the performance, all evidence must be viewed with Scotland and the troika of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia ahead.

In other words, was Saturday the pivot away from what brought us two championships towards a different approach that’ll bring us much more? To this end, my half-time notes are probably more relevant.

Talk of leadership has been inevitable but Devin Toner showed great responsibility, calling vast lineouts on himself. His captain Rory Best had the luxury of Toner’s hands being two feet clear of any Italian. This ‘clean’ target takes huge pressure off the arrival of the ball.

A beauty

Donnacha Ryan, who won man of the match, would have liked more lineouts, but he had a beauty on 48 minutes. Taking over the 15-metre line meant no offside line, with the Italians powering up. Josh van der Flier allowed Ryan gently to the deck as Conor Murray circled around the tail, sucking in defenders. But Van der Flier stayed on Ryan and the two powered into empty space with Ireland finally making it 39-3.

This concept of circling wasn’t limited to the tail of lineouts; it was especially evident at the breakdown. There are many techniques in this fascinating part of our game but Ireland managed to clear out the openside brilliantly at 3 and 9 o’clock.

The second or third arriving player targeted any Italian loitering and like the hands on a clock rotated clockwise or anticlockwise.

This afforded Murray not just quick ball but an unfettered channel to target and, as he scoped open, a blind Irish runner came into the channel. This kept momentum and created space to exploit. Once again it proved that running rugby doesn’t always require the sequence leading to Heaslip’s try. It can occur right there in the trenches where space exists; and best of all, it requires one simply short pass.

Watching the pre-match warm-up, there was surprisingly little to separate either team's routines, raising the question: what were the differences? Unfortunately for Italy, from kick-off the chasm was wholly evident.

What was winger Leonardo Sarto thinking when he tapped back to his fullback David Odiete off a nothing chip from Johnny Sexton? But that passage leading to Andrew Trimble’s try does raise issues. Firstly, Ireland are overly reliant on kicking quality possession away, especially in attacking positions. I lost count of how many players kicked.

For instance, at the other end of the field Heaslip stole a cracker off the deck; illegally resulting in three Italian points. But Toner did brilliantly from the ‘turnover’ by immediately passing it. Secondrow Ryan then decided the best course of action was to kick it long down the middle; ignoring those outside him.

Escape hatch

Against such poor opposition, one could argue the merits of Ryan’s actions; against the troika, however, this will invite huge pressure on our defence. At the other end, kicking the ball away criminally gifts an escape hatch to the same better opposition.

So back to Italy and the talisman that is Sergio Parisse. Jared Payne followed up Sexton’s kick that Sarto butchered. The clearout was positive from Keith Earls and Van der Flier, allowing Murray a blindside attack. Waiting was Sexton, right on the gainline. Inside him was the tireless Toner, with Trimble outside; all covered comfortably by the Italian defence. Now, watch Parisse; what was he thinking?

Awesome going forward, yes, but his contribution going backwards has long diminished. Inexcusably, he went for a flailing right-arm swing at nothing and completely avoided (dodged) the tackle option, passing Trimble to his lesser team-mates. Trimble touched down on 6:53 and the game was over.

Cynically, Parisse was happy to smash a vulnerable Sexton late but completely avoided Trimble.

However, Sexton’s bravery and understanding of gainline opportunity was manifest on 29:30, sucking in the Italian midfield to gift Earls the space that led to CJ Stander’s try – all off a Toner lineout.

Torrid time

Ireland worked extremely hard throughout, forcing the ever-weakening Italians into set-piece errors. Jack McGrath gave his tighthead a torrid time. But the success of Toner in lineout stealing was especially pleasing.

What Ireland do off such steals is another area worth examining. A Toner steal in midfield is worth gold. Turning defence into attack quickly can provide the best scoring opportunities.

He provided one on 5:30. Sexton skipped to Payne, who found Zebo and Trimble; the move died. Toner repeated again on 19:50, with the turnover ball arriving to Payne, but at the same time as the Italian defence. Breakdown turnovers were also earned. Beating the Troika will require a more ruthless use of such opportunities.

Finally, talent? Zebo has buckets, so too Sean Cronin and others who didn't even make Saturday's squad. If the very positive pivot towards an evolving game is to continue against Scotland and beyond then finding the balance between hard-working stalwarts and explosive talent remains Joe Schmidt's toughest challenge. I await the team announcement on Thursday. PS: RIP Dudley Herbert; Crescent College Comprehensive legend.

liamtoland@yahoo.com