Rugby World Cup: The Irish team have all they need to win the World Cup – as long as they put their talents to good use, writes Liam Toland.
In 1987 Ireland arrived in New Zealand for the adventure of a lifetime: the Rugby World Cup. I was 15 years old and fully believed we were going to win the inaugural event. The “why” wasn’t clear to me at that stage, but the “why not” was simple.
Hadn’t we won the Triple Crown in 1985 and barely missed out on the Grand Slam? Weren’t Donal Lenihan and Co world class? Didn’t the press lead us to conclude that all was going to plan in the camp? After all coach Mick Doyle had instilled that “play what you see” style of rugby into a group of players more than capable of executing it.
It is obvious I was blissfully unaware of world rugby standards and how far Ireland lagged behind the very big boys. With hindsight, there were many reasons for losing out to Australia in the quarter final in the Concord Oval on June 7th.
It appears that Australia may prove our crucial hurdle again this year. With a few manageable aspects, this current team is better prepared, better focused and has garnered more trophies than any other Irish side in Rugby World Cup history. There are almost no reasons for not performing and subsequently beating theWallabies – ensuring progression.
Rugby leadership has changed much since 1987. Irish rugby was the land of Molly Malone and Dublin’s “fair city”. On the big occasions, Amhrán na bhFiann was the awe-inspiring rally call. Not so in the Rugby World Cup of 1987. At that time, Amhrán na bhFiann was the anthem sung at Lansdowne Road, but away from home it remained in the vaults.
New Zealand opened against Italy and, for the first time, both anthems were played. This raised the thorny issue: what anthem do we play? It appears that the players came to a relatively comfortable resolution with Amhrán na bhFiann being selected. But the alickadoos were less than united and last-minute negotiations couldn’t close the deal. So an Irish solution to an Irish problem was sourced. The choice of anthem was that all-inspiring ditty The Rose of Tralee, to fire the bellies of our elite players as they stood flanked by Wales in their opening match, 17,000km from home.
We know how RWC 1987 unfolded – and five more have followed. We have punched way above our weight in each tournament but expectations have grown steadily since the first one – culminating in the disaster that was the 2007 event.
The end result could have been much the same regardless of how Ireland played – and that is hugely important. Argentina were on fire and France were at home. Not progressing was one thing, but it was the performance that was sorely lacking. After all,
Ireland had fewer lineout steals than Japan.
Twenty years earlier, Lenihan’s team had stood for the The Rose of Tralee and “performed” and found themselves in the quarter-finals. Since then Ireland has evolved into a world power: four Heineken Cups, many Magners Leagues, Triple Crowns and the Grand Slam.
The vast majority of that success falls on Irish people: alickadoos, management and players. Yes, Leinster had Rocky Elsom and then Isa Nacewa and Munster their imports. But the success can be claimed by homegrowns, starting with Eddie O’Sullivan, who drove Ireland into “real” professionalism topped off by Declan Kidney and his team. The players haven’t been left wanting and have evolved at equal pace.
The players – not just Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell but the entire squad – are infinitely more mature and understanding of the hurdles they face this September – as are Kidney and his team.
So, 24 years on, has this group any excuses for underperforming? The short answer is no. Does that mean we will make the semis or even the final?
Unfortunately, maximum performance does not guarantee entry into the big-four league but, as Darren Clarke’s golf doctor Bob Rotella claims, you definitely won’t win if you’re not at your maximum. In comparison to now, the 1987 Cup was shambolic. This group is far from shambolic and has precious few excuses remaining.
Clearly much has been learned in the build-up to the game against the USA Eagles on September 11th. The warm-up games gave us much to be upbeat about. They have been a success, not necessarily on the score board but in building a performance.
The fatties got their all-important three games in (compare that to previous RWCs). The backs got much-needed fresh legs with the very sleek looking Rob Kearney flying at the back and Conor Murray among others getting capped. All this leads to a hungry camp with many a jersey up for grabs.
There is a downside: key positions haven’t been locked down. This is not a competition aspect, but a requirement for the number six and 12 jersey to be the drivers behind our success.
In Gaelic games, the spine of a team is up the middle, with centre back the key. Think of Kerry’s Seamus Moynihan or Armagh’s Kieran McGeeney driving well behind the fancy boys up front. Blindside and inside centre fill this role. The backrow is a most interesting unit to benchmark over the coming weeks. From what I’ve seen, the Irish backrow should fear no one – except perhaps the All Blacks and possibly the French, although they can match them.
Balance is key, with Stephen Ferris hovering. That said, Denis Leamy has vastly improved his performance. He is looking lighter and fitter but maintaining, even enhancing, his explosive power around very offensive defence.
Only the All Black backrow defend like him. Where to put them all is the question: Ferris on the bench but arriving at 4 or 6? The Irish midfield requires a centre version of Ferris. Gordon D’Arcy is closest to this model, but precious few alternatives abound. Certainly, the pairing of Paddy Wallace and Keith Earls lacks the oomph to allow their skill set to shine.
Style remains the big unknown with only days remaining. Rob Kearney and Geordan Murphy, given the right conditions, should light up the tournament. Those conditions centre on the Irish scrum to provide a platform and their lineout to steal opposition throw-ins for many counter-attack opportunities.
But mostly, does the squad have the hunger to do justice to their extraordinary talents with ball in hand? A win over Australia is certainly a tough ask but well within their reach. Beyond that, anything is possible when the style is right. But with a possible quarter-final over Wales and semi over England, it may not be easy.
With so many wins under their belt, the final major eludes them. I believe the team has no reason to underperform as every stone has been unturned.
The logistics, medical concerns, fitness, buildup, warm-up, competition for places, support staff and winning habits have all been taken care of – leaving just mindset and style.
